Lilliputian Hitcher

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"Lilliputian Hitcher"
Neon Genesis Evangelion episode
Dr. Ritsuko Akagi among the cables of the Magi System. Critic Mariana Ortega compared Ritsuko's image in the Magi to Evangelion's pilots in their mecha, describing the mother figure in Neon Genesis Evangelion as metaphorically and literally cannibalistic.
Episode no.Episode 13
Directed byTensai Okamura
Written byHideaki Anno, Akio Satsukawa, Mitsuo Iso
Original air dateDecember 27, 1995 (1995-12-27)
Running time22 minutes
Episode chronology
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"Lilliputian Hitcher"[a] is the thirteenth episode of the Japanese anime television series Neon Genesis Evangelion, which was created by anime studio Gainax. The episode, written by Hideaki Anno, Mitsuo Iso, and Akio Satsukwa and directed by Tensai Okamura, was first broadcast on TV Tokyo on December 27, 1995.

The series is set fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm known as Second Impact and is mostly set in the futuristic, fortified city of Tokyo-3. The series' protagonist is

Angels. During the episode, a microscopic Angel called Iruel begins to penetrate Nerv headquarters, and after a quick evolutionary leap acquires the characteristics of a computer by attempting to hack into the agency's central supercomputer, the Magi System. Ritsuko Akagi
, in charge of the Magi, tries to thwart his advance with a reverse hacking.

The episode, in the animation of which

Lilliputians, the microscopic men introduced in Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels
.

"Lilliputian Hitcher" drew a 3.4% audience share on Japanese television. It received a generally positive reception. Reviewers praised hacking's sense of suspense, the aesthetics of the Nerv headquarters, the focus on Ritsuko's character and the computer battle against Iruel.

Plot

Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami, and Asuka Langley Soryu, three pilots in charge of the Evangelion mechas, are subjected to an experiment by Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, head of the technology department of the special paramilitary agency Nerv. The three pilots are placed naked inside some pseudo Evangelions called Simulation Bodies. As the pilots undergo the test, an anaerobic bacterial Angel called Iruel begins to infiltrate through the blocks in the walls of Nerv's Pribnow Box room. The pilots are ejected as an emergency from headquarters. Nerv staff notice how Iruel did not infiltrate the areas with high oxygen presence, so they attempt to eradicate the Angel by increasing the presence of ozone in the area. Iruel, however, quickly undergoes an evolutionary transformation so fast that he acquires the characteristics of a computer, thus attempting to hack into the Magi System supercomputer, Nerv's beating heart.

Iruel infiltrates the supercomputer and tries to induce the headquarters into self-destruct mode. Its hacking is temporarily slowed down by Ritsuko, who devises a strategy called "reverse hacking" in an attempt to defeat him, believing it is better to increase the enemy's evolution and insert a program to make Iruel choose to coexist with the Magi System. During the operation, Dr. Akagi talks to Nerv's Major

Naoko
, whom she respected but hated at the same time. Ritsuko's program defeats Iruel, the headquarters is saved and the central computer returns to ordinary mode.

Production

Tensai Okamura produced the storyboards for "Lilliputian Hitcher".

In 1993, Gainax published a presentation document for Neon Genesis Evangelion entitled New Century Evangelion (tentative name) Proposal (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン (仮) 企画書, Shinseiki Evangelion (kari) kikakusho), containing the initial synopsis for the planned episodes.[1] For the first twelve episodes aired, the company roughly followed the schedule envisioned by the first draft, with only a few minor script differences.[2][3] From the thirteenth episode onward, however, the production deviated from the original plan of the writers and from what was initially envisioned in the submission document. The thirteenth episode of the series was to be titled "What comes after fear" (恐怖の後に来るものは, Kyōfu no nochi ni kuru mono wa);[4] during the installment Shinji would be defeated in combat and trapped inside an Angel, beginning a trilogy of episodes with the same basic theme. The staff in progress abandoned the original project, and some of the ideas for the trilogy were later transferred and condensed into the sixteenth episode.[5] According to Michael House, translator at the time for Gainax, the phrase "The end point of evolution is death," uttered by Gendo during "Lilliputian Hitcher," represents a watershed within the series' production. Neon Genesis Evangelion's main director Hideaki Anno in the making initially intended to give the story a happy ending, but during production he realized that he had created characters that were too problematic, so he changed his plans.[6] According to Hiroki Azuma, a culture critic who personally interviewed the director, Anno during the airing of the series began to criticize otaku, whom he considered too closed-minded and introverted, so he changed his original plans by creating a more dramatic and introspective story toward the middle of the series.[7][8]

Mitsuo Iso, Akio Satsukawa, and Anno wrote the script;[9][10] Tensai Okamura handled the storyboards[11] and served as director,[12][13] while Masahiko Otsuka worked as assistant director.[14][15] Kazuya Kise took the role as a chief animator,[16][17] and worked with Ise as assistant character designer.[18][19] Mitsuo Iso originally joined the project as an animator, but he actively entered other jobs by freely coming up with various ideas and writing about them to the director every day.[20] Iso initially wrote a very long original script full of science fiction concepts, but Akio Satsukawa had to rework it and remove some concepts. Only later did Anno take over, who made other changes before drafting the final script.[21] The ending of the final draft was a little disappointing for Iso, because it was forcibly connected to a plot that he had planned to use in another episode.[22]

Yūichirō Oguro, the editor of supplemental materials included in the Japanese edition of the series, noted how Kise has a particular style with respect to the graphical rendering of characters' faces, as he adds detailed shadows and tries to make the characters' bone structure evident.[21] For his work as an animator, Kise was also particularly inspired by the manga version of Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, the character designer of the series, giving a different interpretation of Sadamoto's directives than the other animation directors of the anime.[21] Evangelion Chronicle magazine, on the other hand, noted how Okamura, in charge of producing the storyboards, blends science fiction and human drama into his works.[23]

The production of "Lilliputian Hitcher" involved other companies outside Gainax, including Studio Deen,

opening theme song, also sang an "Acid Bossa" version of "Fly Me to the Moon" which was later used as the episode's closing theme song.[31]

Cultural references and themes

Evangelion Chronicle magazine identified several references to

micromachines[43][44] and K. Eric Drexler's universal molecular assembler.[45] Ritsuko's strategy to annihilate Iruel, in which the Angel is induced to choose coexistence with the Magi System and annihilate itself, has instead been compared to apoptosis[46] and symbiosis.[47]

According to the Evangelion Encyclopedia, published along with the Italian Platinum Edition of the series, the staff wanted Iruel to suggest an answer to the debate between

Holy Ghost. He also traced the themes of "Lilliputian Hitcher" to influences of William Gibson's Neuromancer, speculating that Naoko herself is based on Neuromancer's Marie Tessier-Ashpool.[58]

Reception

"Lilliputian Hitcher" was first broadcast on December 27, 1995, and drew a 3.4% audience share on Japanese television.

SyFy Wire website's Daniel Dockery cited the battle against the Angel among the show's best "non-depressing" moments.[67] Comic Book Resources' Ajay Aravind also praised the computer battle against Iruel, ranking it as the second best fight in Neon Genesis Evangelion.[68]

References

  1. ^ Japanese: 使徒、侵入, Hepburn: Shito, shinnyū, lit. 'Apostle, invasion'

Citations

  1. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 1. Sony Magazines. p. 26.
  2. ISBN 4-04-852700-2
    .
  3. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatralical VHS Box Booklet (in Japanese). King Amusement Creative. 1997.
  4. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 19. Sony Magazines. p. 23.
  5. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 19. Sony Magazines. p. 24.
  6. ^ House, Michael (November 28, 2011). "Interviewing translator Michael House". Archived from the original on August 24, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  7. ^ Azuma, Hiroki. "Animé or Something Like it: Neon Genesis Evangelion". NTT InterCommunication Center. Archived from the original on August 8, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  8. ^ Krystian Woznicki (September 1991). "Towards a cartography of Japanese anime – Anno Hideaki's Evangelion Interview with Azuma Hiroki". Blimp Filmmagazine. Tokuma Shoten.
  9. ^ Platinum Booklet. Vol. 3. ADV.
  10. ^ "Explanation". Neon Genesis Evangelion Genesis 0:7 Laserdisc Encyclopedia (in Japanese). Starchild Stereo. 1995.
  11. ISBN 4-04-852700-2
    .
  12. ^ Cavallaro 2007, p. 188.
  13. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 27. Sony Magazines. p. 25.
  14. ^ Poggio 2008, p. 48.
  15. ^ Gainax, ed. (2003). Data of Evangelion (in Japanese). Gainax. p. 22.
  16. ^ a b "Staff". Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia. 2021.
  17. ISBN 4903713016. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 26 October 2023.
  18. ^ Porori 2009, p. 100.
  19. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 45. Sony Magazines. p. 13.
  20. ^ Animage 2008, p. 89-90.
  21. ^ a b c d Oguro, Yūichirō. "第46回 エヴァ雑記「第拾参話 使徒、侵入」". Style.fm (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  22. ^ Animage 2008, p. 89.
  23. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 45. Sony Magazines. p. 19.
  24. ^ "Production Note". The End of Evangelion Theatrical Pamphlet (in Japanese). Gainax. 1997.
  25. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 45. Sony Magazines. p. 22.
  26. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book (in Japanese). Vol. 5. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 8.
  27. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book (in Japanese). Vol. 5. Kadokawa Shoten. pp. 16–17.
  28. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book (in Japanese). Vol. 5. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 70.
  29. ^ Eva Tomo no Kai エヴァ友の会 [Eva Fan Club] (in Japanese). Vol. 7. Gainax. 1996.
  30. ^ Gainax, ed. (2003). Data of Evangelion (in Japanese). Gainax. p. 63.
  31. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 26. Sony Magazines. p. 26.
  32. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 45. Sony Magazines. p. 15.
  33. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book (in Japanese). Vol. 5. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 11.
  34. ^ Porori 2009, p. 102.
  35. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 26. Sony Magazines. p. 22.
  36. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book (in Japanese). Vol. 5. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 10.
  37. ^ Porori 2009, p. 103.
  38. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 25. Sony Magazines. pp. 25–26.
  39. ^ Poggio 2008, p. 68.
  40. ^ "用語集". Death & Rebirth Program Book (in Japanese) (Special ed.). Gainax. 1997.
  41. Dynamic Italia
    . pp. 20–21.
  42. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 9. Sony Magazines. pp. 25–26.
  43. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 45. Sony Magazines. p. 16.
  44. ^ "Episode:13 Lilliputian Hitcher". Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia. 2021.
  45. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 30. Sony Magazines. p. 18.
  46. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 2. Sony Magazines. p. 23.
  47. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 6. Sony Magazines. p. 23.
  48. ^ Poggio 2008, p. 53.
  49. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 45. Sony Magazines. p. 17.
  50. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book (in Japanese). Vol. 5. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 13.
  51. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 10. Sony Magazines. p. 21.
  52. ^ Fujie & Foster 2004, pp. 59–60.
  53. ^ Poggio 2008, p. 86.
  54. ^ Poggio 2008, p. 43.
  55. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 27. Sony Magazines. p. 21.
  56. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 45. Sony Magazines. p. 21.
  57. S2CID 120554645
    .
  58. ^ Redmond 2004, p. 146.
  59. ^ "Anime Land". Newtype (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. March 1996. p. 74.
  60. ^ "新世紀エヴァンゲリオン テレビ本放送時 視聴率" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  61. ^ Porori 2010, p. 125.
  62. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 10. Sony Magazines. p. 28.
  63. ^ "Shinseiki Evangelion Review - Episode 13: Angel Invasion / Lilliputian Hitcher". The Anime Café. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  64. ^ Redmond 2004, p. 144.
  65. ^ Covill, Max (June 17, 2019). "Every Episode of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' Ranked". Film School Rejects. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  66. ^ Cavallaro 2009, p. 67.
  67. ^ Dockery, Daniel (June 23, 2019). "The 10 most awesome (non-depressing) moments In Neon Genesis Evangelion". Syfy.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  68. ^ Aravind, Ajay (28 December 2020). "Neon Genesis Evangelion: 10 Best Fights In The Anime, Ranked". Cbr.com. Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.

Bibliography

External links
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