It's 1:07 am, so my coherency fluid is running low. Apologies in advance.

I'm writing a new story. I promise it'll be less offensive than my last one, which actually surprised me on the tangent it ran off on. So anyways, my new story gives me pause. It's... not a fan work, exactly. It's more of a derivative. Lemme explain.

... I'm an otaku. For those of you that aren't, I love anime. I recently got my hands on the entire series of Neon Genesis Evangelion (one of the best things in any format of media I've ever experienced, by the by, especially when viewed in a 12 or so hour marathon). Now, the thing with EVA is, there's a lot that isn't explained. So while it's going merrily on through its plot, you're left with these loose ends that aren't sloppy, but are left mysterious. Meanwhile, you're getting these ideas for great plot twists, left and right, and all this inspiration is just coalescing in your head. ... well, not quite. So you sit down at your copy of Microsoft Word, and, "you" meaning "I", just type out the first ideas that come to your mind. So eventually you're a couple thousand words in, and you realize- okay, this is nice, but maybe this character is a bit TOO much of a ripoff, but that's okay, because you're having fun writing it, and you don't think it's too important. Then you realize: holy crap, this is the best writing you've ever done in your life. ... and it's derivative. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. >_< But... I'm going to ride it out to the end, and I'm going to send it to everyone I know who's seen the series as well, for their opinions. I've already had one person tell me it wasn't that much like the series at all, which is good. However, I'm rambling. Basically, what this boils down to is: a) has anyone here seen EVA? Just to have a wider group to see about its derivativeness when it's done, and b) if it does turn out too derivative, would it still be allowed?

That was way too long of a story for a couple questions. Geez.

-- Mark (jsang@crosswinds.net), August 30, 2001

Answers

... it took me 38 minutes to write that. Not because of mistakes, or anything... it just took me 38 minutes. Geez.

-- Mark (jsang@crosswinds.net), August 30, 2001.

hola Anime fan,

I too love anime. I know Jeremy and all them and i was like YAY! another Otaku. Anyways if you see DEATH AND REBIRTH. and END OF EVENGELION the last movies. Which I have END OF EVA. They explain ALL thats going on with the other charaters. But i warn you it will be something. For as least I never imagined. Oh and I know a lot of lil' facts about eva. that you may like to email me back buh bye

From the another anime fan, Jason R Northrop.

-- Jason Northrop (sazaneyes@hotmail.com), August 31, 2001.

I've seen End of EVA... not Death & Rebirth, but I've read a summary of Rebirth, so I've got the gist of everything. There's still a lot left officially unsolved at the end... but anyways, I really liked the ending. It didn't depress me or anything, but it was sad. And the very end was great, so open to interpretation... I liked the possibility that (semi-spoiler alert) Shinji became the new God... (end spoiler). Anyways. The story's not actually related to EVA in any way except for some base parts of the plot. I have to work seraphim in now, somehow. This story's just turning into a stewpot for every good idea I've ever had.

-- Mark (jsang@crosswinds.net), September 02, 2001.

Hola,

me the anime fan again. I agree the ending is really open. THough I though it as Shinji and Asuka and soul mates and they where the Adam and eve of the new earth. For me the Rebirth and the End of explain alot. Plus there's a document out there telling people other answers that arn't directly answered in the series. My friend Son who is a huge fan of eva. Told me it was written by the creator. I was wondering if you liked EVA. HAve you watched Serial Experiment Lain? And try to get Kari Kano. Another TV series by the EVA writer and Gianax *Sorry for typo's* It's really good. Just in a social drama way. BUt with all the good physcological scenes like eva has. Buh bye again.

From the man who thinks he knows more then he should, Jason Northrop

-- Jason Northrop[ (sazaneyes@hotmail.com), September 09, 2001.

I've heard very good things about Kare-Kano... and I've seen the first two eps of Lain. I've only heard of the first sparsely, though, any idea a) of how big the series is, and b) whether it's available on DVD yet? I plan to get Cowboy Bebop next...

-- Mark (jsang@crosswinds.net), September 10, 2001.

Kare Kano is 26 or 52. I can not remeber at this time. but i think it's only 26. And lain is only 4 dvds. Or 13 eps. Also look into FLCL pernouces Furi Kuri. Cuase japanese people sound out flcl like that. but it's only 6eps and it's cool.

-- Jason (sazaneyes@hotmail.com), September 15, 2001.