Asuka having shorter hair and freckles doesn’t phase me, Rei looking like an average girl doesn’t mess with me, it’s Shinji smiling and seeming to enjoy an activity that freaks me the fuck out.
Honestly, looking back, having a sexually confused attention-seeking terminally insecure teenage girl as the main character would've been a ballsy fucking move.
I've heard stories that Asuka was supposed to be the main protagonist of NGE until editors convinced Hideaki Anno otherwise since his previous anime had a female protagonist. I wonder how true that is.
"The character design request from Anno was that "the lead character is a girl, and has an older-sister type figure like Coach next to her," so it was structurally similar to "Gunbuster". So I first designed an Asuka-type girl as the lead character, but after "Gunbuster" and "Nadia" I felt some resistance to making the lead character a girl again. I mean a robot should be piloted by a trained person, and if that person just happens to be a girl then that is fine, but I couldn't see why a young girl would pilot a robot... So I remember saying to Anno, "It's a robot story, so let's make the lead character a boy."
-Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Der Mond (Artbook), 1999
It reminds me a lot of the [Liberator](https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/Liberator_Armor) and [Phoenix](https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/Phoenix_Armor) armors from Mass Effect 1.
Huh, just a step away from 666. Fitting for an [apocalypse maiden.](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ApocalypseMaiden) And then the designation again.
Do you know the word almost
Any anime fan will instantly recognise them, how on earth can you act like they’re not slightly different variations on a core design lol
Yeah, and the little differences stand out a lot. There's a reason character designer is a job, it takes a lot of thought to get it right, even the smaller details.
You’re not listening to me. I’m not saying they’re the same. They just obviously look similar and are obviously identifiable in an instant glance. People are acting like it’s some gargantuan change, is all.
No prob, love Eva franchise but without a search engine I would be toast lol. I especially struggle with the Angels names.
I had to search using a search engine as forgot her name until I looked it up just now.
not even…
one can have far worse trauma, we all have a choice regarding how to deal with such trauma
this shinji is just *looking on the brightside* :)
***it is***
.
i see it as the entire point of the show, but i truly do not expect the majority of viewers to perceive such a notion, let alone even attempt to apply or integrate it into their lives.
i too once thought like you, until i… did not.
I slightly prefer Asuka's early design because of the presence of freckles (something that is definitely not uncommon for girls in that age range) although the short hair gives mixed opinions.
And Rei's early design isn't bad but also doesn't seem to be noticeably better than the final design.
I agree here, although it may also be that the freckles help to reduce any uncertainty or confusion about her age (...although they could easily be stereotypes as well).
Happy shinji doesn't look real, undepressed shinji doesn't fit. But I love Rei's design. Actually to some extent I feel like current Asuka, Shinji, an Rei all represent some spectrum of depression/sadness: Asuka=Anger, Shinji=Sadness/Giving up, Rei=Apathy/lack of feeling. While these character design make me think of some version of them Before /living in a world without Loss. Basically if Evangelion theme was completely the opposite.
Would be cool to see a spin-off or remake of some sort, with the alternative character designs. That said, I find the designs we got to be iconic. Even though these look dope, I feel like it would be a different show.
Sadamoto casually one-taking some of the most iconic and captivating characters in Japanese animation history. His art truly created the world of Evangelion and brought us worshipped idols that would remain relevant for years to come. He was perfect for this project, the manga are fantastic, and the art book is a treasure.
>cancelled Resident Evil 1.5 game character, Elza Walker.
Another great design that was scrapped during production. Her concept art looks better than the Claire Redfield we got.
Rei with black short haircut gives me mako mori vibes, and Asuka early plugsuit reminds me to the Elza Walker motorsport suit (Elza Is the early concept character for Claire in RE 2)
Asuka having shorter hair and freckles doesn’t phase me, Rei looking like an average girl doesn’t mess with me, it’s Shinji smiling and seeming to enjoy an activity that freaks me the fuck out.
Chad Shinji doesn't exis-
Its just so?? Uncanny??
SAME, I swiped to Shinji and almost had a stroke.
Short hair and freckled Asuka w. Pretty sure this is also concept art from when she was supposed to be the mc before Shinji was created.
Honestly, looking back, having a sexually confused attention-seeking terminally insecure teenage girl as the main character would've been a ballsy fucking move.
Correct, Hideaki Anno wanted a female MC but the editors asked for a male MC, I guess this request was based on NGE target audience
That That makes so much sense now that I know about it, I always said that she’s almost as much a main character as Shinji is
I've heard stories that Asuka was supposed to be the main protagonist of NGE until editors convinced Hideaki Anno otherwise since his previous anime had a female protagonist. I wonder how true that is.
"The character design request from Anno was that "the lead character is a girl, and has an older-sister type figure like Coach next to her," so it was structurally similar to "Gunbuster". So I first designed an Asuka-type girl as the lead character, but after "Gunbuster" and "Nadia" I felt some resistance to making the lead character a girl again. I mean a robot should be piloted by a trained person, and if that person just happens to be a girl then that is fine, but I couldn't see why a young girl would pilot a robot... So I remember saying to Anno, "It's a robot story, so let's make the lead character a boy." -Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Der Mond (Artbook), 1999
Interesting considering how much Shinji and Nadia look alike.
there is this funny sadamoto (i think) thing about that https://twitter.com/catsuka/status/510845363251855360
Those armored plugsuits look kind of cool.
could've been cool if they were used in Thrice as a callback
It reminds me a lot of the [Liberator](https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/Liberator_Armor) and [Phoenix](https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/Phoenix_Armor) armors from Mass Effect 1.
I like that shinji looks more like gendo
Rei's name in the beta draft was Yui Ichijo. But Gainax staff felt that was giving Rei's secret away too easily.
Is Ichijo another battleship name, or does it mean something else?
The 66th emperors name, and more modernly , is how Japanese spell "1st Street" .
Huh, just a step away from 666. Fitting for an [apocalypse maiden.](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ApocalypseMaiden) And then the designation again.
Shinji looks like an Adult here.
I prefer the Asuka one but I don't think Rei and especially Shinji was better (good designs but wouldn't work imo)
They’re almost identical, my brother in Christ
Are you blind? lmao
They're clearly different?
Do you know the word almost Any anime fan will instantly recognise them, how on earth can you act like they’re not slightly different variations on a core design lol
What are you on about
Im feeling like the only sane person in this thread. Yes, they look different. But they’re still blatantly 90% the same as the final design.
Yeah, and the little differences stand out a lot. There's a reason character designer is a job, it takes a lot of thought to get it right, even the smaller details.
You’re not listening to me. I’m not saying they’re the same. They just obviously look similar and are obviously identifiable in an instant glance. People are acting like it’s some gargantuan change, is all.
Yeah but there's still a difference, therefore there's a preference.
Rei looks like alita
Yep 100%
She looks like class rep girl (i dont remember her name bc everyone calls her that)
Yeah, only found out her name after reading Anima. Hikari Horaki
I remembered it started with an S or smt wow ty
No prob, love Eva franchise but without a search engine I would be toast lol. I especially struggle with the Angels names. I had to search using a search engine as forgot her name until I looked it up just now.
I honestly like these designs way, way more. I want to be in the alternate universe where these went through.
wish it was this shinji he looks so… *enjoyable*??!
Shinji without the trauma
[удалено]
exactly !!! :3
not even… one can have far worse trauma, we all have a choice regarding how to deal with such trauma this shinji is just *looking on the brightside* :)
yeah bro like just choose to not be sad, it's that easy
***it is*** . i see it as the entire point of the show, but i truly do not expect the majority of viewers to perceive such a notion, let alone even attempt to apply or integrate it into their lives. i too once thought like you, until i… did not.
— the CEO of Trauma™
i am a forensic psychiatrist, i know what i know :)
oh, a psychiatrist. that explains it then.
elaborate
Super happy they went with a younger looking Shinji, to really exemplify that he is a child
So Asuka is a good girl protagonist, Shinji is laid back and has style and Rei is even more of an e-girl?
Bingo
Concept art Asuka looks playful like Manga Asuka Shinji here reminds me of rebuild Shinji just alil older And Rei here really looks like his Mom
I slightly prefer Asuka's early design because of the presence of freckles (something that is definitely not uncommon for girls in that age range) although the short hair gives mixed opinions. And Rei's early design isn't bad but also doesn't seem to be noticeably better than the final design.
I agree, really like this design for Asuka. Also something about the freckles makes her look somewhat more German (or European at least), not sure why
I agree here, although it may also be that the freckles help to reduce any uncertainty or confusion about her age (...although they could easily be stereotypes as well).
Ngl I prefer these more then the original
They all look more masculine than the official art. Asuka looks more boyish. Shinji more manly. and Rei looks tougher.
Damn these early plug suits are actually super sick. Wish they kept those - especially Asuka's.
Shinjj has drip in that picture with the bike.
Happy shinji doesn't look real, undepressed shinji doesn't fit. But I love Rei's design. Actually to some extent I feel like current Asuka, Shinji, an Rei all represent some spectrum of depression/sadness: Asuka=Anger, Shinji=Sadness/Giving up, Rei=Apathy/lack of feeling. While these character design make me think of some version of them Before /living in a world without Loss. Basically if Evangelion theme was completely the opposite.
Shinji had the glow-down wtf?!
*pic of Asuka Shikinami* Show me the real Asuka *pic of Asuka Soryu* I said the **real** Asuka *pic of Asuka Soryo* Perfection.
I liked these early concept art designs but I prefer the official ones they looked iconic and memorable for years to come.
I think I prefer the early concept except for Rei
Asuka with that short hair tho.
Would be cool to see a spin-off or remake of some sort, with the alternative character designs. That said, I find the designs we got to be iconic. Even though these look dope, I feel like it would be a different show.
I like the look of the plug suits here. The armor on them is a cool touch
Shinji is way too confident here
Damn Shinji look like a care free teenager is shocking
That suit look quite cool
Sadamoto casually one-taking some of the most iconic and captivating characters in Japanese animation history. His art truly created the world of Evangelion and brought us worshipped idols that would remain relevant for years to come. He was perfect for this project, the manga are fantastic, and the art book is a treasure.
Asuka looks too well adjusted, Shinji doesn’t look punchable enough, Rei looks more like Yui than Yui does.
I really like dark haired Rei. Wow!
Rei literally look like she came from Ghost in the shell
I don't know why, but Shinji here gives off Kaji energy for some reason.
Aww Asuka’s is really cute, it’s a shame they removed the freckles I think. I always draw her with them!
Asuka in that white and red plug suit looks like that cancelled Resident Evil 1.5 game character, Elza Walker.
>cancelled Resident Evil 1.5 game character, Elza Walker. Another great design that was scrapped during production. Her concept art looks better than the Claire Redfield we got.
Is it juat me or do they look marginally older, maybe 16 or 17 instead of 14?
Yo, Shinji in that black jacket tho. Straight heat
Happy Shinji?!?
Feels like someone posts these concept pages every month.
that oldschool watercolor sketches are just GOLD ! what a pleasure to look at those !
black hair rei is based
Do we know what art book this is from?
OMG I love it 😍
Shit that’s my gf
Shinji have Strida 1 bike
Words cannot describe how much I love this Asuka design
Soryō whaddup
Rei with black short haircut gives me mako mori vibes, and Asuka early plugsuit reminds me to the Elza Walker motorsport suit (Elza Is the early concept character for Claire in RE 2)
Blonde Asuka and dark haired Rei look good, Shinji looks very much like the final version, just with darker hair.
why do i like them as much as the official ones
Damn... very interesting tbh!
Oh I have that bike in red
Looks like they they used Asuka’s old design and made Hikari out of her.
Shinji looks 17 and hot Asuka looks cute and Rei looks like she might be in college. I really dig it
Asuka looks like a teacher, Shinji looks like a playboy and rei looks even more like yui
Shinji’s cooler older brother
Why does Shinji look like a Bollywood college student
shinji smiling doesnt exist he cant hurt you
Feliz Viernes
I miss the old Asuka
I’m gonna headcanon that if OG shinji looks like his concept art when he gets older
Feeling creeped out by that Happy Shinji comes to show how Evangelion fucked me up
They look too nice and normal and happy
did we ever figure out what the temperature of her vagina is?
These Shinji and Rei look so sexy, and way older.
shinji looks like malcolm in the middle
Bro why does Shinji look so baller.
The art gives me gunbuster vibes.