新世紀エヴァンゲリオン Genesis 0:1–0:13 — Thirteen CAV Volumes and the Newspaper That Covered the Apocalypse

新世紀エヴァンゲリオン Genesis 0:1–0:13 — Thirteen CAV Volumes and the Newspaper That Covered the Apocalypse

· Gainax

King Records (Starchild label) CAV (KILA-148 through KILA-160; 13 individual volumes) 1996–1997

Thirteen CAV discs. KILA-148 through KILA-160. 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン (Shin Seiki Evangelion — Neon Genesis Evangelion) Genesis 0:1 through Genesis 0:13, released on King Records' Starchild label across 1996 and 1997. Two episodes per disc. All thirteen volumes pressed in CAV — frame-by-frame access to Gainax's animation at the height of the studio's technical ambition. Each volume shipped in a gatefold jacket with a typography collage cover, an EXPLANATION interior spread, a CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA back cover, and an EVA友の会 (Eva Friends' Association) newsletter insert. The NERV slipcase — purple, embossed with the half-leaf logo and the inscription 'GOD'S IN HIS HEAVEN. ALL'S RIGHT WITH THE WORLD.' — holds all thirteen volumes.

This is the original home video release of Evangelion. Not the Renewal DVDs. Not the Blu-ray remaster. The version that shipped while the series was still a live cultural event — before End of Evangelion existed, before the Rebuilds were conceivable, before Eva became an industry. The first buyers of Genesis 0:1 in early 1996 knew no more about where the story was going than the broadcast audience did. The EVA友の会 newsletters track that uncertainty in real time: production diaries, staff manga about the characters, voice actor comments recorded between sessions, and Angel reference sheets documenting each new threat as it appeared. The final newsletter — labeled 最終号 (Final Issue) — includes a complete cut-by-cut analysis of the opening animation. It was published for an audience that already knew how the TV series ended and was still trying to make sense of it.

The typography collage jackets are the visual signature of this release. Each cover pairs a character illustration by the animation staff with a dense field of series terminology — dialogue quotes, technical specifications, episode titles, NERV operational language — printed at varying scales and orientations. Genesis 0:1 surrounds Shinji with '汎用人型決戦兵器' (General-Purpose Humanoid Fighting Weapon), '特務機関ネルフ' (Special Agency NERV), 'A.T.フィールド,' and fragments of dialogue from the episodes contained on the disc. Genesis 0:6 fills the entire background with '人類補完計画' (Human Instrumentality Project) in cascading repetition — the phrase that defines Gendo's jacket the way Gendo defined NERV. The later volumes — 0:10 through 0:13 — abandon the typography entirely, shifting to standalone illustrations as the series moves past the point where language can contain it.

The Typography Jackets

The first nine volumes use the same visual grammar: one character, one illustration, one wall of text. The typography is not decorative — it is the series' own vocabulary printed at the scale of a poster. Technical terms from NERV operations, dialogue quotes, episode titles, Angel designations, Eva specifications. Each jacket's text field is specific to the episodes on the disc. Genesis 0:3 surrounds Rei with '零号機' (Unit-00), '起動実験' (Activation Experiment), '拒絶' (Rejection), '精神的の不安定' (Mental Instability). Genesis 0:4 surrounds Asuka with '弐号機' (Unit-02), '奇跡は用意されていたのよ' (The miracle was prepared). The text tells you what the character carries before you press play. No other home video release of Evangelion has attempted this — the DVD and Blu-ray jackets use clean key art with white space. The density is unique to the LaserDisc.

Genesis 0:1 — Ikari Shinji. Typography: '汎用人型決戦兵器' (General-Purpose Humanoid Fighting Weapon), '特務機関ネルフ,' 'マルドゥックの報告書' (Marduk Report), 'A.T.フィールド.' The vocabulary of the world Shinji has been forced into, printed around the boy who doesn't want to be there. KILA-148. Genesis 0:1 — Ikari Shinji. Typography: '汎用人型決戦兵器' (General-Purpose Humanoid Fighting Weapon), '特務機関ネルフ,' 'マルドゥックの報告書' (Marduk Report), 'A.T.フィールド.' The vocabulary of the world Shinji has been forced into, printed around the boy who doesn't want to be there. KILA-148.
Genesis 0:3 — Ayanami Rei. Eva-00 prototype visible behind her. '零号機,' '起動実験,' '拒絶,' '戦略自衛隊,' '精神的の不安定,' 'あなたは死なないわ。私が守るもの' (You won't die. I'll protect you). Pink and white palette. KILA-150. Genesis 0:3 — Ayanami Rei. Eva-00 prototype visible behind her. '零号機,' '起動実験,' '拒絶,' '戦略自衛隊,' '精神的の不安定,' 'あなたは死なないわ。私が守るもの' (You won't die. I'll protect you). Pink and white palette. KILA-150.
Genesis 0:4 — Souryuu Asuka Langley. '弐号機,' '奇跡は用意されていたのよ' (The miracle was already prepared), '太平洋艦隊,' '心、融解' (Heart, Melting). Eva-02's eye visible at upper right. Gold/pink palette. KILA-151. Genesis 0:4 — Souryuu Asuka Langley. '弐号機,' '奇跡は用意されていたのよ' (The miracle was already prepared), '太平洋艦隊,' '心、融解' (Heart, Melting). Eva-02's eye visible at upper right. Gold/pink palette. KILA-151.
Genesis 0:6 — Ikari Gendo. No mixed terminology — the entire background is '人類補完計画' (Human Instrumentality Project) repeated at every scale, cascading across the jacket in grey-on-white. One phrase. One man. One plan. KILA-153. Genesis 0:6 — Ikari Gendo. No mixed terminology — the entire background is '人類補完計画' (Human Instrumentality Project) repeated at every scale, cascading across the jacket in grey-on-white. One phrase. One man. One plan. KILA-153.
Genesis 0:2 — Katsuragi Misato. NERV uniform and beret, Eva-01's silhouette behind her. '初号機,' '森,' typography filled with operational terminology. The character who bridges the military and the personal. KILA-149. Genesis 0:2 — Katsuragi Misato. NERV uniform and beret, Eva-01's silhouette behind her. '初号機,' '森,' typography filled with operational terminology. The character who bridges the military and the personal. KILA-149.
Genesis 0:5 — Akagi Ritsuko. Lab coat, Angel embryo scan on the NERV display behind her. 'ANALYSIS PATTERN: BLOOD TYPE BLUE.' '破滅' (Destruction), '限界' (Limit), '醜態' (Disgrace). The scientist's vocabulary is clinical. KILA-152. Genesis 0:5 — Akagi Ritsuko. Lab coat, Angel embryo scan on the NERV display behind her. 'ANALYSIS PATTERN: BLOOD TYPE BLUE.' '破滅' (Destruction), '限界' (Limit), '醜態' (Disgrace). The scientist's vocabulary is clinical. KILA-152.
Genesis 0:8 — Kaji Ryoji. NERV jacket, hands in pockets. '嘘' (Lies) in the largest typeface on any jacket — a single kanji dominating the composition. '自己欺瞞' (Self-Deception), '男' (Man). The series' most opaque character reduced to the word that defines him. KILA-155. Genesis 0:8 — Kaji Ryoji. NERV jacket, hands in pockets. '嘘' (Lies) in the largest typeface on any jacket — a single kanji dominating the composition. '自己欺瞞' (Self-Deception), '男' (Man). The series' most opaque character reduced to the word that defines him. KILA-155.
Genesis 0:9 — Suzuhara Toji. Arms crossed, school uniform. '参号機' (Unit-03), 'FOURTH CHILDREN,' '「心」の概念' (The Concept of 'Heart'). Eva-03 infected by the 13th Angel visible behind him. The classmate who becomes a pilot and pays the price. KILA-156. Genesis 0:9 — Suzuhara Toji. Arms crossed, school uniform. '参号機' (Unit-03), 'FOURTH CHILDREN,' '「心」の概念' (The Concept of 'Heart'). Eva-03 infected by the 13th Angel visible behind him. The classmate who becomes a pilot and pays the price. KILA-156.
Genesis 0:7 — Ibuki Maya. White NERV uniform, clipboard held to her chest. The MAGI supercomputer printout fills the background — CASPER·3, MELCHIOR·1, BALTHASAR·2, SIGMA UNIT, '3人の自分' (Three Selves). Maya's jacket is the only one in the typography set built around a support character. Her vocabulary is systems, not weapons. KILA-154. Genesis 0:7 — Ibuki Maya. White NERV uniform, clipboard held to her chest. The MAGI supercomputer printout fills the background — CASPER·3, MELCHIOR·1, BALTHASAR·2, SIGMA UNIT, '3人の自分' (Three Selves). Maya's jacket is the only one in the typography set built around a support character. Her vocabulary is systems, not weapons. KILA-154.

After the Typography

Genesis 0:10 abandons the collage. Eva-01 in berserk mode — jaw open, core exposed, S² Engine consuming the 14th Angel — against a background of pure red-black darkness. '覚醒' (Awakening), '暴走' (Rampage), '境界線' (Boundary Line) are still present but receding into the image rather than framing it. From this point forward, the jackets are standalone paintings. Genesis 0:11: Asuka sitting on Eva-02's open hand, no text — just a pilot and her machine in a moment of quiet before the series takes both away. Genesis 0:12: Rei standing in a pool of red LCL, damaged plugsuit, cherry blossom petals falling. Genesis 0:13: Misato in her red jacket and beret, casual and warm — the last image in the set, and the only one that shows a character at peace.

Genesis 0:10 — Eva-01 berserk. The typography collage has collapsed into abstraction — '覚醒,' '暴走,' '境界線' dissolving into the dark red background. The Unit is consuming the Angel. The design language of the jackets is breaking down with the series. KILA-157. Genesis 0:10 — Eva-01 berserk. The typography collage has collapsed into abstraction — '覚醒,' '暴走,' '境界線' dissolving into the dark red background. The Unit is consuming the Angel. The design language of the jackets is breaking down with the series. KILA-157.
Genesis 0:11 — Asuka sitting on Eva-02's hand. No typography. No terminology. Just a girl and a machine. The jacket is quiet in a way no previous volume was. KILA-158. Genesis 0:11 — Asuka sitting on Eva-02's hand. No typography. No terminology. Just a girl and a machine. The jacket is quiet in a way no previous volume was. KILA-158.
Genesis 0:12 — Rei Ayanami standing in red LCL. Damaged plugsuit, cherry blossoms. The image answers questions the series hasn't yet asked out loud. KILA-159. Genesis 0:12 — Rei Ayanami standing in red LCL. Damaged plugsuit, cherry blossoms. The image answers questions the series hasn't yet asked out loud. KILA-159.
Genesis 0:13 — Katsuragi Misato. Red jacket, beret, cross necklace, a warm expression. The final jacket in the set is the only one that shows a character smiling. KILA-160. Genesis 0:13 — Katsuragi Misato. Red jacket, beret, cross necklace, a warm expression. The final jacket in the set is the only one that shows a character smiling. KILA-160.
Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:1. EXPLANATION: 第壱話 '使徒、襲来' (Angel Attack) and 第弐話 '見知らぬ、天井' (The Beast). Shinji in civilian clothes, no plugsuit — the first gatefold shows him before he becomes a pilot. BGM and CAST for episodes 1–2. KILA-148. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:1. EXPLANATION: 第壱話 '使徒、襲来' (Angel Attack) and 第弐話 '見知らぬ、天井' (The Beast). Shinji in civilian clothes, no plugsuit — the first gatefold shows him before he becomes a pilot. BGM and CAST for episodes 1–2. KILA-148.
Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:2. 第参話 '鳴らない、電話' (Phone That Won't Ring) and 第四話 '雨、逃げ出した後' (Hedgehog's Dilemma). Misato in a summer dress, seated — out of uniform, unguarded. The episodes that establish Shinji's domestic life with her. BGM, CAST. KILA-149. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:2. 第参話 '鳴らない、電話' (Phone That Won't Ring) and 第四話 '雨、逃げ出した後' (Hedgehog's Dilemma). Misato in a summer dress, seated — out of uniform, unguarded. The episodes that establish Shinji's domestic life with her. BGM, CAST. KILA-149.
Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:3. 第伍話 'レイ、心のむこうに' (Rei I) and 第六話 '決戦、第3新東京市' (Showdown in Tokyo-3). Rei in school uniform, sitting in a field — the opposite of the cover's clinical white plugsuit. The gatefold draws the person the jacket withholds. KILA-150. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:3. 第伍話 'レイ、心のむこうに' (Rei I) and 第六話 '決戦、第3新東京市' (Showdown in Tokyo-3). Rei in school uniform, sitting in a field — the opposite of the cover's clinical white plugsuit. The gatefold draws the person the jacket withholds. KILA-150.
Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:4. EXPLANATION section: 第七話 '人の造りしもの' (A Human Work) and 第八話 'アスカ、来日' (Asuka Strikes!). Full-page Asuka illustration in school uniform. BGM track listing. CAST credits. The gatefold treats each pair of episodes as a self-contained program with liner notes. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:4. EXPLANATION section: 第七話 '人の造りしもの' (A Human Work) and 第八話 'アスカ、来日' (Asuka Strikes!). Full-page Asuka illustration in school uniform. BGM track listing. CAST credits. The gatefold treats each pair of episodes as a self-contained program with liner notes.

The Gatefold Interiors

Every volume opens to a gatefold EXPLANATION spread — episode titles in bold typography, a full-page character illustration, BGM track listings, and complete CAST credits. The design shifts with the series' tone. The early gatefolds show characters in civilian clothes or school uniforms — the people the covers' typography doesn't have room for. By Genesis 0:12, the gatefold shows Shinji holding the dying Kaworu, and the episode titles are '涙' (Tears) and '最後のシ者' (The Last Apostle). By Genesis 0:13, the typography reads '最終話 世界の中心でアイを叫んだけもの' (The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World) and 'まごころを、君に' (Sincerely Yours). The gatefold format that photographed Misato in a summer dress now documents the series' final two episodes.

Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:5. 第九話 'マグマダイバー' (Magma Diver) and 第拾話 '瞬間、心、重ねて' (The Moment, Heart, Together). Ritsuko at her desk. '瞬間、心、重ねて' — the episode where Shinji and Asuka synchronize — in the largest type on the spread. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:5. 第九話 'マグマダイバー' (Magma Diver) and 第拾話 '瞬間、心、重ねて' (The Moment, Heart, Together). Ritsuko at her desk. '瞬間、心、重ねて' — the episode where Shinji and Asuka synchronize — in the largest type on the spread.
Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:6. 第拾壱話 '静止した闇の中で' (The Day Tokyo-3 Stood Still) and 第拾弐話 '奇跡の価値は' (She Said, Don't Make Others Suffer). Kaji in a dark suit, standing in shadow. The two episodes where NERV fails to stop an Angel without Eva. The gatefold is the first to drop colour — black and grey fill the illustration space. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:6. 第拾壱話 '静止した闇の中で' (The Day Tokyo-3 Stood Still) and 第拾弐話 '奇跡の価値は' (She Said, Don't Make Others Suffer). Kaji in a dark suit, standing in shadow. The two episodes where NERV fails to stop an Angel without Eva. The gatefold is the first to drop colour — black and grey fill the illustration space.
Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:7. 第拾参話 '使徒、侵入' (Lilliputian Hitcher) and 第拾四話 'ゼーレ、魂の座' (Weaving a Story). Rei sitting cross-legged with a laptop, in casual clothes. The episodes that place Rei inside NERV's architecture — her gatefold image is the most domestic in the set. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:7. 第拾参話 '使徒、侵入' (Lilliputian Hitcher) and 第拾四話 'ゼーレ、魂の座' (Weaving a Story). Rei sitting cross-legged with a laptop, in casual clothes. The episodes that place Rei inside NERV's architecture — her gatefold image is the most domestic in the set.
Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:8. 第拾伍話 '嘘と沈黙' (Those Women Longed for the Touch of Others' Lips, and So Invited Their Kisses) and 第拾六話 '死に至る病、そして' (Splitting of the Breast). Kaji in his dark jacket, standing alone against white space. '嘘と沈黙' — the lies and silence Kaji built his life around. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:8. 第拾伍話 '嘘と沈黙' (Those Women Longed for the Touch of Others' Lips, and So Invited Their Kisses) and 第拾六話 '死に至る病、そして' (Splitting of the Breast). Kaji in his dark jacket, standing alone against white space. '嘘と沈黙' — the lies and silence Kaji built his life around.
Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:9. 第拾七話 '四人目の適格者' (Fourth Child) and 第拾八話 '命の選択を' (Ambivalence). Hikari Horaki — the class representative — in school uniform, carrying a bag. The gatefold for Toji's disc shows the person who loves him, not the pilot who loses him. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:9. 第拾七話 '四人目の適格者' (Fourth Child) and 第拾八話 '命の選択を' (Ambivalence). Hikari Horaki — the class representative — in school uniform, carrying a bag. The gatefold for Toji's disc shows the person who loves him, not the pilot who loses him.
Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:10. 第拾九話 '男の戦い' (Introjection) and 第弐拾話 '心のかたち 人のかたち' (One More Final). Kensuke Aida with a video camera, grinning — still a civilian, still outside the battles that consumed his classmates. The berserk disc's gatefold is the last one to hold something light. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:10. 第拾九話 '男の戦い' (Introjection) and 第弐拾話 '心のかたち 人のかたち' (One More Final). Kensuke Aida with a video camera, grinning — still a civilian, still outside the battles that consumed his classmates. The berserk disc's gatefold is the last one to hold something light.
Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:11. 第弐拾壱話 'ネルフ、誕生' (He Was Aware That He Was Still a Child) and 第弐拾弐話 'せめて、人間らしく' (Don't Be). Misato in her red jacket, holding a young child's hand — the origin episode, before she became the NERV operations director. The gatefold shows who she was before the role. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:11. 第弐拾壱話 'ネルフ、誕生' (He Was Aware That He Was Still a Child) and 第弐拾弐話 'せめて、人間らしく' (Don't Be). Misato in her red jacket, holding a young child's hand — the origin episode, before she became the NERV operations director. The gatefold shows who she was before the role.
Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:12. 第弐拾参話 '涙' (Rei III) and 第弐拾四話 '最後のシ者' (The Last Apostle). Shinji holding the unconscious Kaworu in his arms — the most explicitly intimate image in the entire gatefold series. Episode 24 reduced to the moment of its consequence. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:12. 第弐拾参話 '涙' (Rei III) and 第弐拾四話 '最後のシ者' (The Last Apostle). Shinji holding the unconscious Kaworu in his arms — the most explicitly intimate image in the entire gatefold series. Episode 24 reduced to the moment of its consequence.
Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:13. '最終話 世界の中心でアイを叫んだけもの' (The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World) and 'まごころを、君に' (Sincerely Yours). Eva-02 illustration. CAST, BGM, CHAPTER/TRACK columns. The gatefold format that served two-episode batches now documents the series' last transmission. Gatefold interior — Genesis 0:13. '最終話 世界の中心でアイを叫んだけもの' (The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World) and 'まごころを、君に' (Sincerely Yours). Eva-02 illustration. CAST, BGM, CHAPTER/TRACK columns. The gatefold format that served two-episode batches now documents the series' last transmission.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:1 back. Third Angel (Sachiel) settei: full-body front and profile views. Eva-01 Test Type settei: front and rear views, '人造人間エヴァンゲリオン' (Artificial Human Evangelion) header. Episode chapter listings. KILA-148, CAV, color, stereo. The first page of a thirteen-volume reference database. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:1 back. Third Angel (Sachiel) settei: full-body front and profile views. Eva-01 Test Type settei: front and rear views, '人造人間エヴァンゲリオン' (Artificial Human Evangelion) header. Episode chapter listings. KILA-148, CAV, color, stereo. The first page of a thirteen-volume reference database.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:2 back. Fourth Angel (Shamshel) settei: full-body profile, tentacle cross-section detail. Progressive Knife: blade retracted and extended views. Armor Building cross-section. The back covers document hardware and enemy data that the gatefolds ignore — the physical architecture of NERV's war. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:2 back. Fourth Angel (Shamshel) settei: full-body profile, tentacle cross-section detail. Progressive Knife: blade retracted and extended views. Armor Building cross-section. The back covers document hardware and enemy data that the gatefolds ignore — the physical architecture of NERV's war.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:3 back. Fifth Angel (Ramiel) settei: the geometric octahedron in full colour, drilling beam variant. Eva-00 Proto Type: front and rear views with development notes. The back of Rei's disc documents the enemy and the machine she nearly died testing. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:3 back. Fifth Angel (Ramiel) settei: the geometric octahedron in full colour, drilling beam variant. Eva-00 Proto Type: front and rear views with development notes. The back of Rei's disc documents the enemy and the machine she nearly died testing.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:4 back. Jet Alone: the autonomous nuclear-powered unit that NERV had to stop — front and rear view. Sixth Angel (Gaghiel): the aquatic Angel. Eva-02 Product Type: full front view with production designation. The first disc where two Eva units share the back cover. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:4 back. Jet Alone: the autonomous nuclear-powered unit that NERV had to stop — front and rear view. Sixth Angel (Gaghiel): the aquatic Angel. Eva-02 Product Type: full front view with production designation. The first disc where two Eva units share the back cover.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:5 back. Seventh Angel (Israfel): split-body form and fused form. Eighth Angel (Sandalphon): larval form in the magma layer. D-Type Equipment: the thermal insulation armor for Eva-02. Three entries — the disc covers four episodes of escalating threats and engineering responses. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:5 back. Seventh Angel (Israfel): split-body form and fused form. Eighth Angel (Sandalphon): larval form in the magma layer. D-Type Equipment: the thermal insulation armor for Eva-02. Three entries — the disc covers four episodes of escalating threats and engineering responses.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:6 back. Ninth Angel (Matarael): spider-form body, acid eye. Tenth Angel (Sahaquiel): the orbital impact Angel, viewed from above and below. Eva-00 Modified: upgraded frame with progressive knife. The backs accumulate — by volume six, six Angel species and six Eva configurations are documented. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:6 back. Ninth Angel (Matarael): spider-form body, acid eye. Tenth Angel (Sahaquiel): the orbital impact Angel, viewed from above and below. Eva-00 Modified: upgraded frame with progressive knife. The backs accumulate — by volume six, six Angel species and six Eva configurations are documented.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:7 back. Angel bestiary spread — eight Angels illustrated simultaneously across the full back cover: multiple species, body diagrams, comparative scale. The only back in the set to function as a reference chart rather than focusing on a single entity. The disc that introduces the MAGI delivers the most comprehensive Angel survey. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:7 back. Angel bestiary spread — eight Angels illustrated simultaneously across the full back cover: multiple species, body diagrams, comparative scale. The only back in the set to function as a reference chart rather than focusing on a single entity. The disc that introduces the MAGI delivers the most comprehensive Angel survey.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:8 back. Twelfth Angel (Leliel): spherical form with Dirac Sea cross-section showing the inverted interior space that swallowed Eva-01. LCL diagram: chemical composition, phase states. The back cover for Kaji's disc documents the Angel that is mostly absence. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:8 back. Twelfth Angel (Leliel): spherical form with Dirac Sea cross-section showing the inverted interior space that swallowed Eva-01. LCL diagram: chemical composition, phase states. The back cover for Kaji's disc documents the Angel that is mostly absence.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:9 back. Eva Unit-03: the infected unit, dark colour scheme, contamination notation. Dummy System schematic. Thirteenth Angel (Bardiel): the parasite form inhabiting Unit-03. The back documents what Toji's jacket refuses to acknowledge — that the fourth pilot's Eva was already lost. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:9 back. Eva Unit-03: the infected unit, dark colour scheme, contamination notation. Dummy System schematic. Thirteenth Angel (Bardiel): the parasite form inhabiting Unit-03. The back documents what Toji's jacket refuses to acknowledge — that the fourth pilot's Eva was already lost.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:10 back. Fourteenth Angel (Zeruel): arm blade configuration, body rupture sequence. Eva-00 Modified second configuration. Third New Tokyo City cross-section: the geo-front and surface installation. The back for the berserk disc is dense with scale and damage. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:10 back. Fourteenth Angel (Zeruel): arm blade configuration, body rupture sequence. Eva-00 Modified second configuration. Third New Tokyo City cross-section: the geo-front and surface installation. The back for the berserk disc is dense with scale and damage.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:11 back. NERV organizational diagram. Fifteenth Angel (Arael): the orbital Angel that attacked Asuka's mind, illustrated from below against the atmosphere. The disc where Asuka breaks has a back cover structured around the agency responsible for her. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:11 back. NERV organizational diagram. Fifteenth Angel (Arael): the orbital Angel that attacked Asuka's mind, illustrated from below against the atmosphere. The disc where Asuka breaks has a back cover structured around the agency responsible for her.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:12 back. Sixteenth Angel (Armisael): ring form with internal structure visible. Nagisa Kaworu: full character profile, NERV identification, blood type Blue — the only human character to receive a full back-cover entry in the series. His appearance here as a CHAPTER/TRACK entry treats him as a specimen. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:12 back. Sixteenth Angel (Armisael): ring form with internal structure visible. Nagisa Kaworu: full character profile, NERV identification, blood type Blue — the only human character to receive a full back-cover entry in the series. His appearance here as a CHAPTER/TRACK entry treats him as a specimen.
CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:13 back. Eva Series: the mass-production units, white and skeletal, front view with spread wings. Spear of Longinus: diagrammed and annotated. Lilith: figure silhouette. The final back cover documents the instruments of the apocalypse that the last two episodes deploy. CHAPTER/TRACK ENCYCLOPEDIA — Genesis 0:13 back. Eva Series: the mass-production units, white and skeletal, front view with spread wings. Spear of Longinus: diagrammed and annotated. Lilith: figure silhouette. The final back cover documents the instruments of the apocalypse that the last two episodes deploy.
EVA友の会 第壱号 — Vol 1 newsletter. 'ごあんないマンガ' (Introductory Manga) — the first strip, introducing the characters to the reader. 'CASTから一声' — Ogata Megumi's handwritten comment with a Shinji sketch. 'Nerve本部' map. '天使の煩悩を問う勿れ' — the first assistant director diary entry: questioning the Angels. The newsletter launched alongside the series. EVA友の会 第壱号 — Vol 1 newsletter. 'ごあんないマンガ' (Introductory Manga) — the first strip, introducing the characters to the reader. 'CASTから一声' — Ogata Megumi's handwritten comment with a Shinji sketch. 'Nerve本部' map. '天使の煩悩を問う勿れ' — the first assistant director diary entry: questioning the Angels. The newsletter launched alongside the series.
EVA友の会 第弐号 — Vol 2 newsletter. AT Field cartoon strip in English: 'If you lower your AT field, I'll lower mine. That makes us friends.' 'CASTから一声' — Mitsuishi Kotono's comment with a Misato sketch. 'ゲリオンな人達' (Evangelion People) — cast profiles. 'オーとの森' — second diary entry. The English-language strip was printed verbatim alongside the Japanese. EVA友の会 第弐号 — Vol 2 newsletter. AT Field cartoon strip in English: 'If you lower your AT field, I'll lower mine. That makes us friends.' 'CASTから一声' — Mitsuishi Kotono's comment with a Misato sketch. 'ゲリオンな人達' (Evangelion People) — cast profiles. 'オーとの森' — second diary entry. The English-language strip was printed verbatim alongside the Japanese.
EVA友の会 第参号 — Vol 3 newsletter. 'ヤシマ作戦 作戦報告' (Yashima Operation Report) — the tactical plan diagrammed with maps, vectors, and notes. 'CASTから一声' with a Rei illustration. The newsletter that turns an episode's climax into a military briefing document — treating the viewers as NERV staff. EVA友の会 第参号 — Vol 3 newsletter. 'ヤシマ作戦 作戦報告' (Yashima Operation Report) — the tactical plan diagrammed with maps, vectors, and notes. 'CASTから一声' with a Rei illustration. The newsletter that turns an episode's climax into a military briefing document — treating the viewers as NERV staff.
EVA友の会 第四号 — Vol 4 newsletter. 'セカンドインパクトとその後の世界' (Second Impact and the World After) — a two-page feature reconstructing the global catastrophe: causes, timeline, geopolitical aftermath. The newsletter goes deeper than the series ever would in explaining the backstory. 'CASTから一声' — Miyamura Yuko's comment. EVA友の会 第四号 — Vol 4 newsletter. 'セカンドインパクトとその後の世界' (Second Impact and the World After) — a two-page feature reconstructing the global catastrophe: causes, timeline, geopolitical aftermath. The newsletter goes deeper than the series ever would in explaining the backstory. 'CASTから一声' — Miyamura Yuko's comment.
EVA友の会 第伍号 — Vol 5 newsletter. 'コレクターの部屋' (Collector's Room) feature — a reader's Eva merchandise collection photographed in full detail. 'ゲリオン大連立' — production staff cast diagram. 'CASTから一声' — Yamaguchi Yuriko's comment. The series was already a collector's phenomenon; the newsletter documented it. EVA友の会 第伍号 — Vol 5 newsletter. 'コレクターの部屋' (Collector's Room) feature — a reader's Eva merchandise collection photographed in full detail. 'ゲリオン大連立' — production staff cast diagram. 'CASTから一声' — Yamaguchi Yuriko's comment. The series was already a collector's phenomenon; the newsletter documented it.
EVA友の会 第六号 — Vol 6 newsletter. 'がんばれプラグスーツ組' (Do Your Best, Plugsuit Team) manga — Shinji, Asuka, Rei, and Toji in a shared strip. 'ちょぶちょチェック' with production settei. 'ガイナさん' 4-panel comic by Mizutama Tomenari. 'えうぁ川柳' fan haiku. The newsletter's regular columns fully established. EVA友の会 第六号 — Vol 6 newsletter. 'がんばれプラグスーツ組' (Do Your Best, Plugsuit Team) manga — Shinji, Asuka, Rei, and Toji in a shared strip. 'ちょぶちょチェック' with production settei. 'ガイナさん' 4-panel comic by Mizutama Tomenari. 'えうぁ川柳' fan haiku. The newsletter's regular columns fully established.
EVA友の会 第六号B — NEON GENESIS EVANGELION III album guide insert. Track-by-track commentary on the third soundtrack release. The newsletter and the music releases tracked parallel to the disc publication schedule — the EVA友の会 became a distribution channel for King Records content. EVA友の会 第六号B — NEON GENESIS EVANGELION III album guide insert. Track-by-track commentary on the third soundtrack release. The newsletter and the music releases tracked parallel to the disc publication schedule — the EVA友の会 became a distribution channel for King Records content.
EVA友の会 第七号 — Vol 7 newsletter. '幻想のブロードウェイ' (Broadway of Illusions) — diary entry describing a production trip. '総集編の裏' (Behind the Recap) — notes on the clip episodes. 'CASTから一声' — Nagasawa Miki's comment. By issue seven, the production diary is reflecting on the series' structure rather than reporting it forward. EVA友の会 第七号 — Vol 7 newsletter. '幻想のブロードウェイ' (Broadway of Illusions) — diary entry describing a production trip. '総集編の裏' (Behind the Recap) — notes on the clip episodes. 'CASTから一声' — Nagasawa Miki's comment. By issue seven, the production diary is reflecting on the series' structure rather than reporting it forward.
EVA友の会 第八号 — Vol 8 newsletter. 'ダパーズ・ハイ' — diary entry. 'ゲリオンな人達' — 'Kaji type' profile feature. 'CASTから一声' — Yamadera Koichi's handwritten comment. The diary entries have grown longer and the manga darker. The newsletter is registering the series' tonal shift. EVA友の会 第八号 — Vol 8 newsletter. 'ダパーズ・ハイ' — diary entry. 'ゲリオンな人達' — 'Kaji type' profile feature. 'CASTから一声' — Yamadera Koichi's handwritten comment. The diary entries have grown longer and the manga darker. The newsletter is registering the series' tonal shift.
EVA友の会 第九号 — Vol 9 newsletter. 'CASTから一声' — Seki Tomokazu and Iwanaga Tetsuya joint comment with illustration: their shared Shinji drawing, signed. The newsletter for the disc that loses Toji has a cast comment from the actors who played his friends. EVA友の会 第九号 — Vol 9 newsletter. 'CASTから一声' — Seki Tomokazu and Iwanaga Tetsuya joint comment with illustration: their shared Shinji drawing, signed. The newsletter for the disc that loses Toji has a cast comment from the actors who played his friends.

EVA友の会

Every volume includes a single-sheet newsletter called EVA友の会 — the Eva Friends' Association. Thirteen issues, one per volume. Each contains: a 'がんばれ' (Do Your Best) manga series — rotating protagonists across issues (EVA-kun, Misato, Asuka, Shinji, Kaji, Toji, the Protagonist, Lilith); 'ちょぶちょチェック' — production settei for the current volume's Angel or Eva unit; 'ガイナさん' — a 4-panel comic about life at Gainax; 'えうぁ川柳' — fan-submitted haiku about Eva; 'CASTから一声' — voice actor comments; '副監督日記' — the assistant director's production diary; '今日の珍品' — merchandise spotlights; and '編集後記' — editor's afterword. The final issue adds 'OPの総整理' — a complete cut-by-cut breakdown of the opening animation, listing every frame, its source episode, and its function within the sequence. Thirteen newsletters documenting a cultural event from the inside.

EVA友の会 第拾号 — Vol 10 newsletter. '特別寄稿 摩砂雪' — a special essay by co-director Masayuki on the series' production. 'がんばれ主人公くん' (Do Your Best, Protagonist) manga — the title has become ironic. 'CASTから一声' — Iwao Junko's comment. The newsletter that brought in a production insider to write directly about what was happening. EVA友の会 第拾号 — Vol 10 newsletter. '特別寄稿 摩砂雪' — a special essay by co-director Masayuki on the series' production. 'がんばれ主人公くん' (Do Your Best, Protagonist) manga — the title has become ironic. 'CASTから一声' — Iwao Junko's comment. The newsletter that brought in a production insider to write directly about what was happening.
EVA友の会 第拾号B — second side. 'がんばれ主人公くん' manga continued. 'CASTから一声' — Iwanaga Tetsuya. 'ガイナさん' 4-panel. The tone has shifted — the manga is darker, the comments more reflective. The newsletter tracked the mood of the production as it changed. EVA友の会 第拾号B — second side. 'がんばれ主人公くん' manga continued. 'CASTから一声' — Iwanaga Tetsuya. 'ガイナさん' 4-panel. The tone has shifted — the manga is darker, the comments more reflective. The newsletter tracked the mood of the production as it changed.
EVA友の会 第拾壱号 — Vol 11 newsletter. 'ビデオ・LD版の研究' (Video/LD Format Research) — a frame-by-frame comparison of the TV broadcast, VHS, and LaserDisc versions of episodes 21–22, documenting differences between formats. The newsletter explaining the reasons to own the LaserDisc version, inside the LaserDisc package. EVA友の会 第拾壱号 — Vol 11 newsletter. 'ビデオ・LD版の研究' (Video/LD Format Research) — a frame-by-frame comparison of the TV broadcast, VHS, and LaserDisc versions of episodes 21–22, documenting differences between formats. The newsletter explaining the reasons to own the LaserDisc version, inside the LaserDisc package.
EVA友の会 第拾弐号 — Vol 12 newsletter. 'ビデオLD版の研究II' — frame comparison continued, episodes 23–24. 'CASTから一声 特別編 壱' — extended cast comment section. 'えうぁ川柳' with late-series haiku. The penultimate newsletter. The research series reached the episodes that split the audience. EVA友の会 第拾弐号 — Vol 12 newsletter. 'ビデオLD版の研究II' — frame comparison continued, episodes 23–24. 'CASTから一声 特別編 壱' — extended cast comment section. 'えうぁ川柳' with late-series haiku. The penultimate newsletter. The research series reached the episodes that split the audience.
EVA友の会 第拾参号 — Vol 13 newsletter. '劇中音楽使用回数研究' (In-Series BGM Usage Count Research) — a complete table tracking how many times each piece of music appeared across all 26 episodes. 謎の整理 [リリス編] — the Lilith mystery resolved. The penultimate-to-last issue turns data analysis into a form of mourning. EVA友の会 第拾参号 — Vol 13 newsletter. '劇中音楽使用回数研究' (In-Series BGM Usage Count Research) — a complete table tracking how many times each piece of music appeared across all 26 episodes. 謎の整理 [リリス編] — the Lilith mystery resolved. The penultimate-to-last issue turns data analysis into a form of mourning.
EVA友の会 最終号 (Final Issue). 'OPの総整理' — Complete OP Analysis: a cut-by-cut breakdown listing every frame of the opening animation, its corresponding episode source, and annotations. 'こあんなマンガ' — closing manga. '編集後記... 「電話にて、さよなら」' (Editor's Afterword: 'Goodbye, by Telephone'). The newsletter ends the way the series does — abruptly, by phone. EVA友の会 最終号 (Final Issue). 'OPの総整理' — Complete OP Analysis: a cut-by-cut breakdown listing every frame of the opening animation, its corresponding episode source, and annotations. 'こあんなマンガ' — closing manga. '編集後記... 「電話にて、さよなら」' (Editor's Afterword: 'Goodbye, by Telephone'). The newsletter ends the way the series does — abruptly, by phone.
NERV slipcase — purple. Embossed half-leaf logo. 'GOD'S IN HIS HEAVEN. ALL'S RIGHT WITH THE WORLD.' — the Browning quote that NERV uses as its motto. Box design and color direction by Suzuki Shinji (鈴木信二). The slipcase that ships with the 13-disc set. NERV slipcase — purple. Embossed half-leaf logo. 'GOD'S IN HIS HEAVEN. ALL'S RIGHT WITH THE WORLD.' — the Browning quote that NERV uses as its motto. Box design and color direction by Suzuki Shinji (鈴木信二). The slipcase that ships with the 13-disc set.
NERV slipcase — red variant. Same half-leaf logo and Browning motto, printed in rose-gold on a deep red field. The red slipcase is the alternative colour option for the Genesis 0:X box — same design logic, different palette. The set was available with either. NERV slipcase — red variant. Same half-leaf logo and Browning motto, printed in rose-gold on a deep red field. The red slipcase is the alternative colour option for the Genesis 0:X box — same design logic, different palette. The set was available with either.
NERV slipcase — blue variant. Half-leaf in pale grey-blue on a medium blue ground. The quietest of the three slipcase colours — the purple and red versions announce themselves; this one recedes. Three slipcase colours for the same thirteen volumes. NERV slipcase — blue variant. Half-leaf in pale grey-blue on a medium blue ground. The quietest of the three slipcase colours — the purple and red versions announce themselves; this one recedes. Three slipcase colours for the same thirteen volumes.
Pilots ensemble — Shinji, Asuka, and Rei in plugsuits with Eva-01 behind them. Key art used across promotional materials for the Genesis 0:X series. Red diagonal slash across the composition. The three children in fighting posture, which is the only posture the promotional art ever shows them in. Pilots ensemble — Shinji, Asuka, and Rei in plugsuits with Eva-01 behind them. Key art used across promotional materials for the Genesis 0:X series. Red diagonal slash across the composition. The three children in fighting posture, which is the only posture the promotional art ever shows them in.
Special illustration — Eva-01 and Eva-02 in an overgrown landscape, painted in a style closer to fine art than animation production. Red border, 'NEON GENESIS EVANGELION' at top. The Evas as ruins rather than weapons — an image that imagines the world after the series ends. Special illustration — Eva-01 and Eva-02 in an overgrown landscape, painted in a style closer to fine art than animation production. Red border, 'NEON GENESIS EVANGELION' at top. The Evas as ruins rather than weapons — an image that imagines the world after the series ends.
School cast ensemble. Students and core NERV staff in civilian clothes — Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Toji, Kensuke, Hikari in school uniforms; Misato, Kaji, Ritsuko, Maya in the back row; Kaworu at the edge. The cast as people, not pilots. An image the series itself could never hold. School cast ensemble. Students and core NERV staff in civilian clothes — Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Toji, Kensuke, Hikari in school uniforms; Misato, Kaji, Ritsuko, Maya in the back row; Kaworu at the edge. The cast as people, not pilots. An image the series itself could never hold.
Genesis 0:14 — NERV staff and adult cast. Kaworu front and center, Kaji and Ritsuko flanking, Maya, Gendo, Hikari, Pen²: the supporting cast that the jacket series never gave a cover to. Labeled 'Genesis 0:14' — the supplemental release beyond the 13 CAV volumes. KILA-301 (NTSC). Genesis 0:14 — NERV staff and adult cast. Kaworu front and center, Kaji and Ritsuko flanking, Maya, Gendo, Hikari, Pen²: the supporting cast that the jacket series never gave a cover to. Labeled 'Genesis 0:14' — the supplemental release beyond the 13 CAV volumes. KILA-301 (NTSC).
Genesis 0:14 — full cast ensemble. All eighteen characters arranged in a group portrait — pilots, NERV staff, classmates, Pen², Kaworu — the complete cast of the TV series in a single image. The Genesis 0:14 supplemental release collected what the individual volumes distributed across thirteen packages. Genesis 0:14 — full cast ensemble. All eighteen characters arranged in a group portrait — pilots, NERV staff, classmates, Pen², Kaworu — the complete cast of the TV series in a single image. The Genesis 0:14 supplemental release collected what the individual volumes distributed across thirteen packages.

The Renewal DVDs remastered all 26 episodes with corrected animation, digital color timing, and new 5.1 surround mixes. The Blu-ray release added HD upscaling. Neither included the EVA友の会 newsletters. Neither printed the series' own vocabulary across every jacket at poster scale. Neither shipped a production diary that tracked the assistant director's experience of making the show while the show was still being made.

The Genesis 0:X volumes are Evangelion before it became heritage. Thirteen discs released into the same cultural moment as the broadcast — when the ending hadn't been explained, when the movies hadn't yet rewritten it, when a newsletter could close with 'Goodbye, by Telephone' and mean it. The typography that fills the early jackets — operational language, dialogue fragments, technical specifications — recedes as the series moves toward episodes that resist language entirely. By Genesis 0:12, the jacket is just Rei standing in red liquid.

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