Wikipedia

A Transfer

"A Transfer",known by the Japanese title"The Silent Phone",[a]is the third episode of theanimeNeon Genesis Evangelion,created byGainax.Series directorHideaki Annoand writer Akio Satsukawa wrote the episode, directed by Hiroyuki Ishido. It aired originally onTV Tokyoon October 18, 1995. The series is set fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm named Second Impact, particularly in the futuristic fortified city of Tokyo-3. TheprotagonistisShinji Ikari,a teenage boy whose father,Gendo,recruited him to the organization Nerv to pilot a giant bio-machinemechanamedEvangelioninto combat with beings calledAngels.In the episode, Shinji begins attending his new school in Tokyo-3 and has a difficult time dealing with the fame of being an Evangelion pilot. His classmateToji Suzuhara,whose little sister was injured in Shinji's fight against the AngelSachielshown in the previous episode, is angry at him; a new Angel namedShamshelappears, and Shinji must once again pilotEva-01to defeat it.

"A Transfer"
Neon Genesis Evangelionepisode
The classmates ofShinji Ikari(in the middle) being amazed after he confesses to being anEvapilot
Episodeno.Episode 3
Directed byHirouiki Ishido
Written by
Original air dateOctober 18, 1995(1995-10-18)
Running time22 minutes
Episode chronology
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"Hedgehog's Dilemma"
List of episodes

Production for "A Transfer" began after the fifth and sixth episodes. The episode analyzes the characters' relationships and Shinji's psyche in particular. "A Transfer" scored a 7.1% rating of audience share on Japanese TV and received a divided reception. Critics praised the animation, sound, and character focus, while others criticized Toji's characterization and Shinji's actions.

Plot

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Shinji Ikaritries to adjust to his new life in Tokyo-3. He is now the official pilot of the giantmechaEvangelion 01for the special agency Nerv and lives with Nerv's captainMisato Katsuragi,though their relationship is still distant. As the episode opens, he is lethargically going through the motions of training. In the morning he departs for school; Nerv's Dr.Ritsuko Akagicalls Misato to check on Shinji and is told that Shinji seems to have made no friends at school. There, Shinji's classmatesKensuke Aida,Toji Suzuhara,andHikari Horakiare first introduced. They begin to discuss the battle between a mecha and an enemy namedSachiel,the third of a series of beings calledAngels,which took place in the previous episode. Toji has only just returned to class for the first time since the fight, explaining that he had to care for his sister, who was injured in the battle with Sachiel. When Shinji's classmates discover his identity as a pilot, Toji, who blames him for his sister's injuries, gives him a beating in retaliation, and Shinji's protestations that he was piloting involuntarily make Toji angrier.

The fourth Angel,Shamshel,attacks Tokyo-3 and Shinji is mobilized in Eva-01 to defend the city. Kensuke convinces Toji to sneak out of their shelter to watch the battle from nearby. Shinji loses his nerve to fight and is tossed into the air by Shamshel, almost killing Toji and Kensuke as he lands. This also severs Eva-01's Umbilical Cable, leaving it with just five minutes of reserve power. Shinji then begins fighting a defensive battle, attempting to protect Toji and Kensuke rather than defeat the Angel. To protect them from the battle, Misato orders Toji and Kensuke to take refuge in the Evangelion's cockpit. Inside, Toji sees Shinji's great anguish and pain as he fights the Angel, and is beset by remorse. Misato orders Shinji to retreat, but he loses his temper and charges Shamshel with his knife, defeating the Angel as its power runs out. Days later, Kensuke gives Toji the number of Shinji's phone so he can apologize; Toji attempts to call but stops.

Production

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Neon Genesis EvangeliondirectorHideaki Anno

In 1993, Gainax wrote a presentation volume ofNeon Genesis EvangelionnamedNew Century Evangelion (tentative name) Proposal(Tân thế kỷ エヴァンゲリオン (仮) xí họa thư,Shinseiki Evangelion (kari) kikakusho).[1][2]The studio published theProposaldocument in 1994.[3][4]In theProposal,the staff initially called the episode "The first telephone call"(Sơ めてのTEL,Hajimete no tel).[5][6]After the battle with the Angel, Shinji would have become friends with Toji and Kensuke, receiving a call from them;[7]Gainax, however, changed the planned scenario and moved the beginning of the friendship to the following episode, "Hedgehog's Dilemma".[8]The staff later changed the original title to "The Silent Phone",[9][10]with the English title "A Transfer".[11][12]

Neon Genesis EvangeliondirectorHideaki Annoand Akio Satsukawa wrote the script for "A Transfer".[13]Assistant directorKazuya Tsurumakiand Hiroyuki Ishido composed thestoryboards.[14]Ishido also served as director,[15]while Nobuhiro Hosoi took the role of chief animator,[16]and Tsurumaki and Yoshitoh Asari served as assistant character designers.[17][18]Asari also worked on Angel Shamshel's design.[19][20]AnimatorYō Yoshinarialso contributed to the depiction of the battle against Eva-01 and Shamshel.[21]According to the schedule, Anno had already worked on the fifth and sixth episodes of the series at the time.[22]He felt he had to go beyond regular anime in developing realistic characters for "A Transfer" and "Hedgehog's Dilemma", so he tried to focus on Shinji's relationships in the installments.[23]

Specific technical terminology was used for the simulated battle in the first scene, including terms such as "gain"[24]and "induction mode".[25][26]Japanese academic Masaki Miyakawa noted how in Shinji's training scene, the control room where Ritsuko and Maya observe him has walls full of light indicators in the style ofLeiji Matsumoto,particularly reminiscent ofSpace Battleship YamatoorGalaxy Express 999.[27]In the episode, an image of a crater generated by the battle in the previous episode, "The Beast",was introduced, in which a mountain named Mount Takanosu[28]was depicted.[29][30]Tokyo-3 is also shown in a battle for the first time in "A Transfer";[31]for the landscapes of the city, Anno took inspiration from Tracy Island from theThunderbirdsseries and the headquarters ofUFO's SHADO organization.[32]An imperfect three-dimensional representation of the Entry Plug was also added at the end of the episode, produced by Kensuke on his laptop according to his memories.[33]

Several voice actors were used again to portray Shinji's classmates in the installment; the female companions, in particular, are voiced byYūko Miyamura,Kotono Mitsuishi,andMegumi Hayashibara,who also voices the characters ofAsuka Langley Soryu,Misato Katsuragi,andRei Ayanami.[34]At the beginning of the episode, a radio program with two female speakers talking aboutMatsuzakicity[35][36]was included, revealing details about the geography of the world ofEvangelionin "A Transfer".[37]Junko Iwaoand Yūko Miyamura voiced the two female speakers of the radio program.[34]Eiji Maruyama, who worked onMirai Keisatsu Urashimanand other anime series, also voiced Shinji's math teacher.[34][38]British singer Claire Littley sang a cover of "Fly Me to the Moon"which was later used as the episode's closing theme song,[39]replaced in late home video editions by another cover byYoko Takahashi.[40][41]

Cultural references and themes

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Angel Shamshel's design was informed by the Alien Bira from theUltrasevenseries (1967).

The key theme of "A Transfer" and the following episode, "Hedgehog's Dilemma", isinterpersonal communication."A Transfer" focuses on Shinji's communication difficulties, rather than his battle with Shamshel.[42]According toNewtypemagazine, the work has "aspects of a youth drama", and even the drama between Shinji and his new classmates is portrayed with a realistic touch.[43][44]Shinji struggles to make friends and has a cold, laconic, reserved attitude in the episode;[45]Ritsuko mentions thehedgehog's dilemma,apsychoanalyticterm, to describe his behaviour.[17][46]Like the hedgehogs ofArthur Schopenhauer'sParerga and Paralipomena,[47]Shinji is afraid to be hurt and withdraws from human contact.[48][49]Akio Satsukawa added the term while writing the script,[50]and it would later become one of the show's main themes.[21][51]

The assistant director of the series, Kazuya Tsurumaki, noticed that at the beginning of the episode Shinji talks to Misato without going into her room or them looking at each other, "Like they are looking through a slightly opened door, but not connecting".[52]Tsurumaki also pointed out how the same "distant, awkward communication" can be observed between Shinji and Rei and Shinji and his father.[52]Multiversity Comics' Matthew Garcia traced an influence on the episodes to Hideaki Anno's personal experience, particularly the production of his previous work,Nadia;according to him, like Anno onNadia,Shinji is thrown "into a situation he didn't understand or have much investment in".[53]

One of Shinji's classmates seen in "A Transfer" resembles Nadia Arwol, a character from Gainax's previous work,The Secret of Blue Water.The episode also mentions the date of the Second Impact, September 13, 2000, which is a tribute to the TV showSpace 1999,in which an explosion of radioactive waste deposits on the Moon takes place on September 13, 1999, causing the satellite to change its orbit.[54]Mecha anime of the 1960s inspired the battle against Shamshel; the Angel's design is also reminiscent of Alien Bira, an extraterrestrial species that appeared in theUltramanfranchise.[19][55]Toriiare also framed during the battle against Shamshel, which are also a reference to previoustokusatsuseries.[19][56]Newtypein particular noted how in one scene in "A Transfer" Shamshel walks by a lighthouse, highlighting its gigantic size; according to the magazine,Evangelion"perfectly captures the essence" oftokusatsufilms.[43][44]Writer Virginie Nebbia compared the battle against Shamshel to the works ofAkio Jissoji;typical elements of Jissoji's direction include reflections of glasses, the use of dazzling backlighting, and battles amplified by the orange of twilight.[57]Nebbia also noted how the image of Shinji framed from above while going to school could be influenced byOsamu Dezaki's animeDear Brother.[58]

Reception

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"A Transfer" aired on October 18, 1995, and scored a 7.1% rating of audience share on Japanese TV.[59]Official merchandise based on the episode has been released,[60][61]including lighters[62][63]and t-shirts.[64][65]

The episode met with a divided reception.Screen Rantcriticized Toji's aggression,[66]asComic Book ResourcesAjay Aravind did; according to Aravind, his behavior "has no rhyme nor reason to it, making him a classic bully".[67]Screen RantJack Cameron placed the battle against Shamshel among the lowest ofNeon Genesis Evangelionfights,[68]whileFilm School RejectsMax Covill criticized Shinji's actions, describing them as "frustrating".[69]The Anime Café's reviewer Akio Nagatomi praised Shinji's manner to cope with the pressures of his pilot role and the glimpse into what the civilians go during the battles. He also praised animation, soundtrack and directing, but criticized Shinji's revelation of being a pilot to his classmates as "some socially-inept writer's attempt to live out some adolescent fantasy". Jane Nagatomi similarly criticized the episode as "too predictable".[70]Newtypemagazine described the silhouette of Eva-01 and Shamshel standing still in the twilight after the battle as "impressive".[71][72]EX.org's Peter Cahill praised "the wanton destruction and desperate heroism" of the battle, also eulogizing the animation of "A Transfer" and "Hedgehog's Dilemma".[73]Supanova Expo's official website similarly ranked the scene in which Shinji rescues his classmates from Shamshel among the best moments of the character.[74]

References

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  1. ^Japanese:Minh らない, điện thoại,Hepburn:Naranai, Denwa

Citations

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  1. ^Evangelion Chronicle(in Japanese). Vol. 1. Sony Magazines. p. 26.
  2. ^Nebbia (2023),Chap. 2: La Proposition
  3. ^Nebbia (2023),Chap. 1: Lancement du Project Eva
  4. ^"History 1993-1999".Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia.2021.
  5. ^Gainax (February 1998).Neon Genesis Evangelion Newtype 100% Collection(in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. p. 88.ISBN4-04-852700-2.
  6. ^Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatralical VHS Box Booklet(in Japanese). King Amusement Creative. 1997.
  7. ^Evangelion Chronicle(in Japanese). Vol. 18. Sony Magazines. p. 25.
  8. ^Oguro, Yūichirō."Đệ 37 hồi エヴァ tạp ký “Đệ tứ thoại vũ, đào げ xuất した hậu” ".Style.fm(in Japanese).Archivedfrom the original on October 10, 2018.RetrievedJuly 23,2020.
  9. ^Cannarsi 1998,p. 20.
  10. ^Glossary 1998,p. 124.
  11. ^Cannarsi 1998,p. 16.
  12. ^Glossary 1998,p. 7.
  13. ^Evangelion Chronicle(in Japanese). Vol. 42. Sony Magazines. p. 1.
  14. ^"Staff".Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia.2021.
  15. ^Gainax (1998).Neon Genesis Evangelion Newtype 100% Collection(in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. p. 178.ISBN4-04-852700-2.
  16. ^Gainax, ed. (2003).Data of Evangelion(in Japanese). Gainax. p. 20.
  17. ^abNeon Genesis Evangelion Platinum Booklet.Vol. 1. ADV. 2004.
  18. ^The Essential Evangelion Chronicle: Side A.Glénat Editions.2009. p. 56.ISBN978-2-7234-7120-6.
  19. ^abcNebbia (2023),Chap. 2: Les Anges
  20. ^Yoshitō Asari (2012). "Before you dig in..".Neon Genesis Evangelion 3-in-1 Edition.Vol. 1. Viz Media. pp. 346–348.ISBN978-1-4215-5079-4.
  21. ^abOguro, Yūichirō."Đệ 36 hồi エヴァ tạp ký “Đệ tham thoại minh らない, điện thoại” ".Style.fm(in Japanese).Archivedfrom the original on October 10, 2018.RetrievedJuly 23,2020.
  22. ^あんた, バカぁと, ngôn われてみたい. ( am dã tú minh, cung thôn ưu tử ).Animage(in Japanese).Tokuma Shoten.July 1996.
  23. ^"Am dã tú minh - Part II".Tân thế kỷ エヴァンゲリオン tàn khốc な thiên sử のように(in Japanese). Magazine Magazine. 1997.ISBN4-906011-25-X.
  24. ^Glossary 1998,p. 50.
  25. ^Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book(in Japanese). Vol. 2.Kadokawa Shoten.p. 6.
  26. ^Glossary 1998,pp. 17–18.
  27. ^Morikawa 1997,pp. 61–62.
  28. ^Glossary 1998,p. 106.
  29. ^Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book(in Japanese). Vol. 2.Kadokawa Shoten.p. 9.
  30. ^Evangelion Chronicle(in Japanese). Vol. 17. Sony Magazines. p. 23.
  31. ^The Essential Evangelion Chronicle: Side A.Glénat Editions.2009. p. 60.ISBN978-2-7234-7120-6.
  32. ^"Hideaki Anno Interview".Mangauk.com.Manga UK.Archivedfrom the original on 26 September 2020.Retrieved8 February2021.
  33. ^Cannarsi 1998,p. 23.
  34. ^abcEva Tomo no Kai(in Japanese). Vol. 2. Gainax. 1996.
  35. ^Cannarsi 1998,p. 45.
  36. ^Glossary 1998,p. 154.
  37. ^Cannarsi 1998,p. 17.
  38. ^Gainax, ed. (2003).Data of Evangelion(in Japanese). Gainax. p. 62.
  39. ^Eva Tomo no Kai(in Japanese). Vol. 6. Gainax. 1996.
  40. ^Evangelion Chronicle(in Japanese). Vol. 26. Sony Magazines. p. 26.
  41. ^"Fly Me to the Moon".Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Edition Booklet.Vol. 4. ADV.
  42. ^Cannarsi 1998,p. 14.
  43. ^abNewtype Complete Shinseiki EvangerionNewtype Complete tân thế kỷ エヴァンゲリオン[Newtype Complete Neon Genesis Evangelion] (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. 2005. pp. 15–16.
  44. ^ab"25 DAYS COUNTDOWN".Newtype(in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. October 1995. pp. 7–8.
  45. ^Evangelion Chronicle(in Japanese). Vol. 42. Sony Magazines. p. 3.
  46. ^"Episode:3 A Transfer".Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia.2021.
  47. ^Glossary 1998,p. 160.
  48. ^Evangelion Chronicle(in Japanese). Vol. 2. Sony Magazines. p. 23.
  49. ^Poggio, Alessandra (2008).Neon Genesis Evangelion Encyclopedia(in Italian).Dynit.p. 77.
  50. ^"Tát xuyên chiêu phu インタビュー".QuickJapan(in Japanese).17.Ohta Publishing. December 1997.ISBN4872333632.
  51. ^Evangelion Chronicle(in Japanese). Vol. 42. Sony Magazines. p. 9.
  52. ^abGainax, ed. (1997). "Kazuya Tsurumaki Interview".Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion Pamphlet(in Japanese).
  53. ^Matthew Garcia (20 June 2021)."Five Thoughts on Neon Genesis Evangelion's" Silent Phone "and" Rain, After Running Away "".Multiversity Comics.Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2022.Retrieved16 January2022.
  54. ^Cannarsi 1998,pp. 38–39.
  55. ^"Thùy も quan たことのないイメージをCGで.".ヱヴァンゲリヲン tân kịch tràng bản: Tự toàn ký lục toàn tập ビジュアルストーリー bản ・ thiết định tư liêu bản(in Japanese). Khara. 2008.
  56. ^Neon Genesis Evangelion Laserdisc Encyclopedia(in Japanese). Vol. 2. 1996.
  57. ^Nebbia (2023),Chap. 3: L'Ultraman de Jissôji
  58. ^Nebbia (2023),Cap. 3: Mettre en scène l'émotion
  59. ^"Anime Land".Newtype(in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. January 1996. p. 74.
  60. ^Evangelion Chronicle(in Japanese). Vol. 10. Sony Magazines. p. 28.
  61. ^E-Mono(in Japanese). Gainax. 1997. p. 111.ISBN4-04-852868-8.
  62. ^"Tân thế kỷ エヴァンゲリオン EPISODE TITLE ZIPPO đệ tham thoại “Minh らない, điện thoại” "(in Japanese). Evangelion Store.Archivedfrom the original on 22 January 2022.Retrieved22 January2022.
  63. ^"Zippo ジッポー tân thế kỷ エヴァンゲリオン EPISODE TITLE đệ tham thoại “Minh らない, điện thoại” メール tiện khả "(in Japanese). Zippo.Archivedfrom the original on 21 June 2019.Retrieved22 January2022.
  64. ^Porori, Syunsou (2010).The Essential Evangelion Chronicle: Side B(in French).Glénat Editions.p. 125.ISBN978-2-7234-7121-3.
  65. ^"Tân thế kỷ エヴァンゲリオン toàn thoại Tシャツ “Đệ tham thoại minh らない, điện thoại” "(in Japanese). Evangelion Store.Archivedfrom the original on 22 January 2022.Retrieved22 January2022.
  66. ^Mitra, Ritwik (16 January 2021)."Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Main Characters, Ranked From Worst To Best By Character Arc".Screenrant.com.Screen Rant.Archivedfrom the original on 7 February 2021.Retrieved11 February2021.
  67. ^Aravind, Ajay (December 2, 2020)."Neon Genesis Evangelion: Every Main Character, Ranked By Likability".Cbr.com.Comic Book Resources.Archivedfrom the original on January 21, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 14,2021.
  68. ^Cameron, Jack (July 7, 2019)."Every Battle in Neon Genesis Evangelion Ranked".Screenrant.com.Screen Rant.Archivedfrom the original on November 17, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 14,2021.
  69. ^Covill, Max (June 17, 2019)."Every Episode of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' Ranked".Filmschoolrejects.com.Film School Rejects.Archivedfrom the original on January 8, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 14,2021.
  70. ^"Shinseiki Evangelion Review Pages - Episode 3".Abcd.com.The Anime Café.Archivedfrom the original on 2 August 2018.Retrieved8 May2021.
  71. ^Newtype Complete Shinseiki EvangerionNewtype Complete tân thế kỷ エヴァンゲリオン[Newtype Complete Neon Genesis Evangelion] (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. 2005. p. 75.
  72. ^ＥＶＡ ＳＰＥＣＩＡＬ ＴＡＬＫ ｗｉｔh am dã tú minh ＋ thượng dã tuấn tai.Newtype(in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. November 1996.
  73. ^Cahill, Peter."Neon Genesis Evangelion 0:2".Ex.org.EX. Archived fromthe originalon February 8, 2000.RetrievedDecember 30,2020.
  74. ^Anderson, Kristy (June 4, 2020)."The Best Moments Of Shinji Ikari In 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'".Supanova.com.au.Archivedfrom the original on January 8, 2021.RetrievedJuly 23,2020.

Bibliography

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