By Osamu Takahashi
Dark Horse, 184 pp.
Rating: 16+

The pressure on anyone creating a new spin on Evangelion must be immense. Few series are so fiercely debated on a day-to-day basis and few characters are as iconic as Shinji, Asuka, and Rei. After a remastering of the television series, two movies dedicated to concluding it, and Gainax’s latest “rebuild” of the story across four new theatrical releases, a new manga series should be far from unexpected (even though Yoshiyuki Sadamoto’s original manga has yet to be completed).

Since the ending of the television series presented the possibility of an alternate, semi-normal existence for the characters, this manga is a foray into what might have happened in such a world. Asuka and Shinji have known each other since childhood and their classmates constantly refer to them as a married couple. In this reality, Shinji’s mother is still alive, his father often hides behind a newspaper, and no one is piloting any giant robots. NERV doesn’t exist yet and no angels are poised to annihilate humanity.

The changes in character behavior and relationships work surprisingly well. Shinji still doesn’t have much of a relationship with his father, but Gendo at least lives at home. Instead of being terrified of creating social connections, he has many to begin with. He is also less of a whiny brat and even stands up for himself and others from time to time. Asuka’s transition from hot-headed pilot to controlling, jealous schoolgirl is also a natural fit. Even without all of the deep-seated psychological issues that plagued her original character, this incarnation still has its faults. A superiority complex plays out wonderfully in a classroom setting, as Rei comes along and steals the boys’ attention with her smarts and looks. She also exhibits severe possession issues when it comes to Shinji’s budding attachment to Rei.

The biggest hang-up in this manga is Rei. Try as he might, Takahashi’s character design for Rei pales in comparison to Sadamoto’s original. Her face looks awkwardly androgynous a lot of the time, while everyone else treats her like the model for femininity. Her personality also clashes with how she is treated. For being so aloof, emotionally devoid, and quick to run off on her own, she commands the attention of most of the class (guys and girls).

Bottom line: it is really, really refreshing to see these characters in roles other than “emotionally dysfunctional teens forced to pilot robots to save a world they don’t care about.” Yes, this volume drops most of the twisted workings of adults, overwhelming social awkwardness, and religious symbolism that the series has based its fame upon. If that’s what you are looking for, you can always stick with the anime and the original manga. For those who are fine with the Evangelion cast getting a chance to live without the constant threat of apocalypse, The Shinji Ikari Raising Project is well worth your time.

Volume one of Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project is available now.