“Neon Genesis Evangelion” (EVA) is a seminal Japanese anime that illustrates the shift of film and television from analog to digital media, making it a valuable case study for examining the digital transformation of these industries. Through its original series, film adaptations, and digital media applications, EVA showcases significant changes in production, distribution, and audience engagement in the digital era. By using theories of new media, post-cinema, and post-media television, we can explore key aspects of this transition (Denson and Leyda, 2016).

1. Transition from Analog to Digital Technology

EVA first aired as a TV series in 1995, during an analog-dominated era. However, the “Rebuild of Evangelion” films (2007 onwards) integrated digital effects and CGI, reflecting the industry’s move to digital production. Digital techniques allowed for more intricate visual storytelling, as seen in EVA’s complex action sequences and psychological landscapes. This mirrors trends in Hollywood, such as in the “Star Wars” prequels and the “Matrix” trilogy, where digital technology transformed the visual and narrative scope of film.

New media and post-cinema theories argue that digital technologies redefine film creation and consumption. Movies like Avatar and Mad Max: Fury Road further exemplify how digital tools have expanded cinematic boundaries, much like EVA’s multi-layered visual and narrative complexities.

2. Cross-Media and Transmedia Storytelling

EVA’s influence extends beyond its TV series and films into manga, video games, and music, showcasing transmedia storytelling—a key feature of the digital age. This aligns with post-media television theory, where content spans various platforms like the internet, virtual reality, and social media. Examples like The Matrix and Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) highlight how franchises extend narratives across multiple media, enriching story worlds and audience engagement.

EVA’s universe expanded with the help of games, novels, and fan culture, allowing audiences to actively participate in and reshape the story. This participatory culture is seen in Star Wars and Harry Potter fandoms, where fan-created content, discussions, and alternate storylines blur the line between creators and consumers.

3. Blurring of Virtual and Reality

EVA’s philosophical and abstract themes, especially in its final episodes and The End of Evangelion film, blur the line between reality and virtuality, a reflection of the digital age’s immersion in virtual worlds. This trend is seen in films like Inception and The Matrix, where digital effects enhance the viewer’s experience of alternate realities.

As digital media becomes more immersive through technologies like virtual reality (VR), EVA’s complex narrative and use of digital effects foreshadow the future of storytelling. VR experiences, like Ready Player One and virtual concerts (such as those by holographic characters like Hatsune Miku), further dissolve the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds.

4. Fan Culture and Digital Participation

EVA’s success is heavily driven by its active fan base, which engages in fan art, theories, and content creation. This is central to post-media theory, where digital platforms enable fans to participate in content creation and distribution. Much like the Star Wars and Game of Thrones fandoms, EVA fans contribute to the ongoing narrative through forums, fan fiction, and video essays, extending the life of the series beyond its original media.

Fan-driven content like Star Trek’s fan fiction and Minecraft’s user-generated worlds highlight how fan cultures can reshape media narratives. EVA’s fan activities illustrate how digital platforms democratize media creation and allow fans to engage with content more interactively.

5. Longevity of IP in the Digital Age

The digital age allows for the longevity and global dissemination of IPs like EVA through streaming platforms, remastered versions, and social media. Netflix’s 2019 release of EVA brought the series to a global audience, much like how Friends or The Office gained renewed popularity on streaming platforms. EVA’s continuous influence, aided by new media, shows how digital platforms can revive and sustain older content.

The shift from analog to digital, seen across franchises like Star Wars, Blade Runner, and Lord of the Rings, shows how IPs can be revitalized through new media technologies, expanding their reach and audience engagement.

Conclusion

EVA serves as a prime example of the digital transformation of film and television. From analog to digital production, cross-media storytelling, and the integration of fan culture, EVA demonstrates the profound impact of digital technologies on media creation, dissemination, and interaction. Similar trends are evident across major franchises, highlighting the evolving landscape of the digital media ecosystem.

Reference

Denson, S., & Leyda, J. (2016). Perspectives on Post-Cinema: An Introduction.

This post is posted by Donghan Duan, MA Media and Communications.