Evangelion Movie 1: Jo
Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world, the last remaining human settlement in Japan is the heavily fortified city of Tokyo-3. Fourteen-year-old Shinji Ikari is brought to the headquarters of NERV, an underground organization lead by his estranged father, Gendou. He requests that Shinji become a pilot of an "Evangelion," a colossal android built to fight against monstrous and destructive alien creatures known as "Angels" that wreak havoc on the planet and threaten the survival of the remaining human race.
Although initially reluctant, Shinji is swayed by the idea of reconciling with his father, and agrees to aid in mankind's perilous endeavor against its alien threat, as the pilot of Evangelion Unit-01. Thrust into the midst of a dangerous battlefield, Shinji must find the necessary courage and resolve to face against the Angels' incursions before it is too late.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
In a post-apocalyptic world, the last remaining human settlement in Japan is the heavily fortified city of Tokyo-3. Fourteen-year-old Shinji Ikari is brought to the headquarters of NERV, an underground organization lead by his estranged father, Gendou. He requests that Shinji become a pilot of an "Evangelion," a colossal android built to fight against monstrous and destructive alien creatures known as "Angels" that wreak havoc on the planet and threaten the survival of the remaining human race.
Although initially reluctant, Shinji is swayed by the idea of reconciling with his father, and agrees to aid in mankind's perilous endeavor against its alien threat, as the pilot of Evangelion Unit-01. Thrust into the midst of a dangerous battlefield, Shinji must find the necessary courage and resolve to face against the Angels' incursions before it is too late.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Evangelion Movie 1: Jo Trailers
Evangelion Movie 1: Jo Pictures
Evangelion Movie 1: Jo Review
Evangelion Movie 1: Jo — In a post-apocalyptic world, the last remaining human settlement in Japan is the heavily fortified city of Tokyo-3. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Award Winning, Drama, Sci-Fi, Suspense conventions as a Movie work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Evangelion Movie 1: Jo offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Award Winning, Drama, Sci-Fi, Suspense, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Ayanami, Rei
Main
Hayashibara, Megumi
Japanese
Ayanami, Rei
Main
Palencia, Brina
English
Ayanami, Rei
Main
Mari, Valentina
Italian
Ayanami, Rei
Main
Escobar, Françoise
French
Ayanami, Rei
Main
Little Elk, Samia
German
Ayanami, Rei
Main
Concepcion, Priscilla
Portuguese (BR)
Ayanami, Rei
Main
Mulachs, Joël
Spanish
Ayanami, Rei
Main
Ventura, Élisabeth
French
Ayanami, Rei
Main
Luna, Circe
Spanish
Ayanami, Rei
Main
Lee, Amanda Winn
English
Ikari, Shinji
Main
Spencer, Spike
English
Ikari, Shinji
Main
Ogata, Megumi
Japanese
Ikari, Shinji
Main
Raffaeli, Daniele
Italian
Ikari, Shinji
Main
Lucindo, Fábio
Portuguese (BR)
Ikari, Shinji
Main
Ugarte, Víctor
Spanish
Ikari, Shinji
Main
Maurer, Hannes
German
Ikari, Shinji
Main
Trifol Segarra, Albert
Spanish
Ikari, Shinji
Main
de Boüard, Vincent
French
Ikari, Shinji
Main
Reignoux, Donald
French
Katsuragi, Misato
Main
Mitsuishi, Kotono
Japanese
Staff
Cook, Justin
Producer
Ogasawara, Muneki
Producer
Anno, Hideaki
Director, Script, Storyboard, Key Animation, Creator, Screenplay
Masayuki
Director, Key Animation
Tsurumaki, Kazuya
Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Haraguchi, Hiroshi
Episode Director
Burgmeier, John
Script
Dubuc, François
Script
Enokido, Youji
Script
Higuchi, Shinji
Storyboard
Kyouda, Tomoki
Storyboard
Nishigori, Atsushi
Storyboard, Assistant Animation Director, Key Animation
Utada, Hikaru
Theme Song Performance
Abe, Misao
Key Animation
Albaret, Jacques
ADR Director
Aoi, Sayo
2nd Key Animation
Arai, Ken
Background Art
Asaki, Akiko
Key Animation
Chayama, Ryusuke
2nd Key Animation
Fukunaga, Gen
Executive Producer