Although I'd hardly call myself a hardcore fanatic, I've seen enough Japanese animation to be familiar with the genre. Of all the various shows and films I've had the pleasure of watching (Akira, Ninja Scroll, Macross, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, etc.), it really amazes me that I'd never really sat down to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion, a short-lived series that first premiered in October of 1995 and aired for less than a year. Since its original broadcast, Evangelion has garnered quite a fan following worldwide, and has even spawned a few feature-length films in the process (Death and Rebirth, for example). While it may not feature an earth-shatteringly original concept or plot outline (especially within the boundaries of anime itself), Evangelion is a series that really shines with likeable characters, a strong undercurrent of mystery, and beautiful artwork.

Based on a Japanese comic book series (or manga), Evangelion tells the story of a young man's place in the world, A.D. 2015. Although this young boy (Shinji) has a practically non-existent relationship with his father (Gendo Ikari), he is called to meet with him while the city of Tokyo-3 is under attack by a massive robotic creature known as an "Angel". Apparently, Shinji seems to be one of the keys to combat these Angels, and is eventually ordered to pilot a technically advanced robot called an "Evangelion". This is all a little much to take in at once, so Shinji seems reluctant to jump into such a dangerous situation. Eventually he reconsiders, determined to follow this new adventure wherever it may lead.

Part of what makes Evangelion so compelling is its strong undercurrents of religion, philosophy, and basic human psychology. It's common knowledge among fans of Japanese animation that this isn't kid's stuff, and it doesn't pander to its audience. There's a lot to think about here---especially about your own place in the world---and Evangelion has a much deeper and more stimulating premise than a thousand episodes of Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh!. To make a long story short, it's rightfully deserving of its huge fanbase and a terrific "gateway drug" for future anime addicts.

With that said, the only thing that keeps this show from being perfect is the occasional feeling that we've seen bits and pieces of it before, especially in the forms of anime like the previously-mentioned Akira and Macross. It's by no means a cheap imitation, but several key themes and plot devices won't seem as fresh to anyone but those new to the wonderful world of Japanese animation. Still, the show's action-packed, dramatic sci-fi roots help to create a consistently satisfying series, and the mystery of certain characters and situations do a great job of keeping things interesting. During the show's original run, a total of 26 episodes were created. Apparently, Director Hideki Anno actually suffered a nervous breakdown towards the end of Evangelion (most fans agree that the series got a little confusing in the later episodes), but the show remains a popular favorite of many anime fanatics.

I've got to admit it: reviewing the Platinum Collection of Evangelion has been quite a treat so far. It's disappointing that Volume 5 strangely never became available as a screener, but this sixth collection keeps things moving nicely. Although the overall cohesiveness of the series starts to slide a bit near the end, ADV Films has seen fit to include Director's Cut versions of each of the three episodes included here (#21-23, for those keeping score at home). Just for the record, each episode synopsis below features a few quick hints about what's new. With only one more volume to go---which will most likely include the final "proper" episode (#24) and the "alternate ending" (#25-26)---we're almost near the end of what many consider to be the most complex and rewarding anime series in television history. Before we get too technical, though, let's see what this volume includes:

Episode 21: "He Was Aware That He Was Still A Child" (Original Air Date: February 21, 1996)
Quite a complex and detailed way to kick this volume off, Episode 21 features an enormous amount of background information (specifically regarding past character relationships), multiple jumps between time periods (roughly 1999-2015 A.D.) and even the death of a major character. It's a bit hard to follow at times---especially due to the frequent cutting between years---but it successfully pushes the series into high gear as the finale approaches. Additional Director's Cut footage: An interesting new opening sequence set in the South Pole, two new meetings between Fuyutsuki and Yui at the Ashinoko Lakefront and the Artificial Evolution Laboratory, and the revolution that Fuyutsuki was an unlicensed doctor in Toyohashi City. There's also some interesting dialogue relating to the major character's death, but you'll have to hear it for yourself.

Episode 22: "Don't Be" (Original Air Date: February 28, 1996)
This episode marks a return to the series' more deliberate pace, but anyone looking for a laugh during the next two episodes will likely be disapppointed. Among other things, it includes a lot of history between Asuka and Rei, and even the appearance of the fifteenth Angel. Additional Director's Cut footage: a multitude of new (yet brief) Asuka moments, including a bath scene, several short voice-over narratives and a new sequence of dialogue between Asuka and her mother. There's also a few changes to the background music, including Handel's "Messiah" in the fourth part.

Episode 23: "Rei III" (Original Air Date: March 6, 1996)
Easily on par with #21 and #22 for the pure volume of character development, this episode continues the mystery of the major character's death in #21. It's pretty tough to reveal anything else without letting a few major spoilers loose, so I'll spare the details. Additional Director's Cut footage: There's a decent amount of new footage added to a combat scene, as well as a new scene showing Fuyutsuki and Gendo looking at a dummy plug. Among other mild changes, the overall character animation has also been revised in certain spots, marking a notable improvement over the original version.

Overall, an interesting new series of events has certainly developed, hasn't it? It's excellent that ADV has included both versions of all three episodes, and thankfully the rest of the disc's content follows the high quality pattern of past Platinum releases. It's a shame we have to wait a bit longer for the series finale, so let's hope ADV has a few surprises to include with the eighth and final volume. With that said, let's see how this disc stacks up, shall we?

Equally impressive is the robust Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound mix, available in the ever-popular choice of an English dub or the original Japanese (with English subtitles). I chose the original language track for the bulk of the viewing session, but also listened to a bit of the English dub as well (which is a quality effort, but I really don't like the idea of dubbing in general). Both tracks exhibited a great amount of punch, and the overall atmosphere and ambience were terrific. This is easily one of the best 5.1 tracks I've heard for any anime series, perhaps bested only by a few miscellaneous DTS tracks (such as those found on the Akira and Cowboy Bebop Perfect Sessions re-issues). Directional effects and LFE are also excellent, and really pull you into the action from the very first episode! If the remastered video wasn't enough of a reason to double dip, the audio easily puts this one over the top.

Although the animated menus (seen above) aren't flashy or terribly exciting, they're simply designed and make for very smooth navigation. Each of these three episodes has been broken down into the five customary chapters of most anime shows (Opening Credits, Part A, Part B, Closing Credits, and the Trailer for the next episode), and there was no layer change detected during playback. Packaging was also nicely designed, with brief episode descriptions provided on the back of the keepcase and an attractive overall layout. The keepcase also comes packaged in a sharp looking (but sorta flimsy) "Platinum" slipcover with embossed black lettering. Additionally, a nice 12-page summary booklet is also included for easy reference. As mentioned before, English subtitles are also provided (although for some reason, some of the episodes' opening credits only feature Japanese subtitles).

A slim amount of extras on the surface, but the inclusion of the Director's Cuts helps this volume get off a little easier. Things starts off with an Audio Commentary for Episode 22, featuring ADR Director Matt Greenfield, Tiffany Grant (the English voice of Asuka), and panel contributor Sean McCoy. Fans have come to expect at least one new commentary for these reissues, and this track keeps the ball rolling as an interesting listen chock full of fun facts (made all the more interesting by a third participant, I might add). There's also a rather rough looking Animatic for Episode 23, as well as Clean Versions of the opening and closing credits. There's also a handful of Trailers for other ADV releases (including Five Star Stories, Noir and MADLAX, among others). While it's good to have the new footage and the commentary, the content is still a bit slim for the $30 asking price. It's a notable step up from the original version, though, making it an easy choice for first-time buyers.

The series has really changed by this point---and while the overall level of quality is still quite high, some fans argue that the best days of Evangelion are already behind it. There's no argument that episodes #21-23 really pile the character development quite high, resulting in a substantially more dense viewing experience. Additionally, the new footage provided in the Director's Cuts only deepens the story more. Thankfully, the continued restoration efforts of ADV Films keep this series looking and sounding terrific, though the lack of even more solid bonus features will leave most viewers a little cold. While it's still a bit on the slim side, Volume 6 still comes Recommended...especially for those who haven't purchased Evangelion on DVD yet. In the meantime, one hopes that ADV Films will keep up the good work and end the Platinum series on a high note.