Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days

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Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days
Genre	Romance Shojo Comedy
Manga: Neon Genesis Evangelion Angelic Days
Authored by	Fumino Hayashi
Publisher	Kadokawa Shoten ADV Manga Editorial Vid Conrad Editora Carlsen Comics Ivrea Norma Panini Comics
Serialized in	Asuka Newtype USA
Original run	May 5, 2006 - Present – N/A
No. of volumes	6

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days (known in Japan as Shin Seiki Evangelion Koutetsu no Girlfriend 2) is a manga by Fumino Hayashi and is printed monthly in the Japanese manga magazine, Monthly Asuka. The series is loosely based on the dream sequence portrayed in the final episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion, which featured the show's cast in a lighter high school romantic comedy setting (as compared to the dark, psychological and apocalyptic themes of Evangelion canon). Angelic Days appears in chapter installments in ADV Films' monthly magazine, Newtype USA. The Japanese title Koutetsu no Girlfriend 2 comes from the name of the video game the manga is based on, Girlfriend of Steel 2.

[edit] Differences Between The Original Anime and Manga

With the drastic change in setting and tone, many of the characters have undergone changes that match their demeanors and relationships depicted in the dream sequence of episode 26 - to the extent that the original story would become nonsensical if they were canon. Some examples of these changes include:

• Shinji and Asuka's relationship. The two characters, who were often at odds with each other for various reasons in Evangelion, are depicted as having been friends since early childhood. In the manga, Shinji and Asuka first met when they were both 4.
• Yui Ikari, Shinji's mother, is still alive and working at NERV along with her husband Gendo and Asuka's parents.
• Misato Katsuragi is the homeroom teacher for Shinji and Asuka's class.
• Ritsuko Akagi is the school nurse declares to Shinji in the first volume that she is in love with his father, a statement few people wouldn't have been surprised to hear from her in the anime.
• Both Ritsuko and Misato still have some connection with Nerv (like canon, Ritsuko seems to be the head medical and science officer, while Misato is Chief of Operations).
• Rei Ayanami is an excitable extrovert, the polar opposite of her original persona. However, she is socially inept and is clueless on how to perform simple tasks such as cracking an egg open.
• When NERV begins the selection process to choose who will pilot the Evangelion units, Kensuke is chosen as a candidate along with Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Kaworu and Toji.

The Evangelions make up little of the story. They first appear near the end of the second volume where Shinji and Rei battle Sachiel. As expected of a story about romance, the overtones of the battle lie with the relationships between characters, instead of the darker, more selfish and pathological reasons the characters have in the anime.

The first paperback volume was released in the United States on May 5, 2006. The second volume was released on July 26th, 2006, and the third was released on November 25th, 2006. Further U.S. release dates are yet to be determined.