The title of the Evangelion anime is displayed in a typography-like style, with extra-bold Mincho typeface bent at right angles, an homage to film director Ichikawa Kon, who influenced director Anno Hideaki. Many other titles also pay homage to past science fiction works, and each title feels carefully crafted.
The eye-catches at the start of the second half of each episode have English subtitles, but these are not direct translations of the title, but rather hint at the content of each episode.
Episode 1: The Angel Attacks
Eye-catching image: "ANGEL ATTACK"
Shinji is summoned by his father and ordered to pilot the Eva. Suddenly, Shinji refuses the order, but after seeing Rei, he struggles with his decision and finally decides to pilot the Eva. The battle between the Third Angel Sachiel and Shinji, piloting Unit-01, begins...
Episode 2: A Strange Ceiling
Eye-Catch: "THE BEAST"
The title comes from the words spoken by Shinji upon waking up after losing consciousness when Unit-01 went out of control during the battle with the Third Angel Sachiel.
Episode 3: The Phone Doesn't Ring
Eye-catching image: "A Transfer"
Misato and Ritsuko worry that Shinji doesn't have any friends.
The title suggests that Shinji is unable to communicate with those around him. The subtitle also refers to a "transfer student."
Episode 4: Rain, After I Run Away
Eye-catching image: "The Hedgehog's Dilemma"
As Shinji leaves NERV, Toji and Kensuke arrive to see him off. Toji asks Kensuke to hit him to repay his debt. By hitting Toji back, Shinji begins to realize his true feelings. Shinji initially runs away, but then realizes where he is and returns to Misato.
Episode 5: Rei, Beyond the Heart
Eye-catching scene: "Rei I"
This episode offers a glimpse into the distance between Rei and Gendo, with scenes such as Gendo helping Rei and Rei slapping Shinji for speaking ill of Gendo.
Episode 6: Decisive Battle, Tokyo-3
Eye-Catch: "Rei II"
Operation Yashima is carried out in Tokyo-3 to eliminate the Fifth Angel, Ramiel.
After the operation, Rei is confused by Shinji's crying face. Shinji tells her, "Just laugh." Hearing his words, Rei naturally smiles. This episode brought Shinji and Rei closer.
Episode 7: Man-Made Creations
Eye-catching image: "A HUMAN WORK"
This image shows the Jet Alone, a humanoid robot jointly developed by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Defense Agency to counter Evas.
This image may also imply that NERV orchestrated the Jet Alone's rampage, password tampering, and emergency shutdown.
Episode 8: Asuka Arrives in Japan
Eye-Catch: "ASUKA STRIKES!"
The sixth angel, Gaghiel, who appears in Episode 8, is a fish-shaped angel, and the subtitle "STRIKES!" is a play on the meaning of hooking a fish. It's also used when a typhoon hits, so it also plays on the meaning of Asuka's arrival.
Episode 9: Moments, Hearts, Overlapping
Eye-Catch: "Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win!"
To defeat the Seventh Angel, Israfel, Shinji and Asuka are forced to launch a perfectly coordinated unison attack. On the eve of the mission, this episode also features a slightly erotic scene in which Shinji attempts to kiss Asuka.
Episode 10: Magma Diver
Eye-catching image: "MAGMADIVER"
This episode pays homage to the sci-fi novel "Sundiver," and is the only one in which the title and subtitle are the same.
Episode 11: In the Still Darkness
Eye-Catch: "The Day Tokyo-3 Stood Still"
An homage to the sci-fi film "The Day the Earth Stood Still." The scene depicts Unit-01, Unit-00, and Unit-02 teaming up to fight the 9th Angel, Matriel, during a blackout.
Episode 12: The Value of a Miracle
Eye-catching image: "She said, 'Don't make others suffer for your personal hatred.'"
Facing the 10th Angel, Sahaquiel, the odds of victory were 0.00001%...
Even in a situation where they had no choice but to believe in miracles, Shinji, Rei, and Asuka had no choice but to fight.
The value of that miracle is...
Episode 13: The Angel Invasion
Eye-catching image: "LILLIPUTIAN HITCHER"
The subtitle is derived from the Lilliputians, a dwarf race that appears in the novel "Gulliver's Travels." It refers to the microbial 11th Angel, Irour.
Episode 14: Seele, the Seat of the Soul
Eye-catching image: "WEAVING A STORY"
The subtitle means "weaving a story," and this episode serves as a recap of the previous ones.
Episode 15: Lies and Silence
Eye-catching image: "Those women longed for the touch of others' lips, and thus invited their kisses."
Eva titles are generally written in white text on a black background, but episodes 15 and 24 are written in black text on a white background. Since this has not been officially announced, the exact answer is unknown, but one theory is that this episode reveals that Kaji is a spy, and represents the reversal of what was previously public.
Episode 16: The Sickness Unto Death, and
Eye-catching image: "Splitting of the Breast"
An homage to Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard's book "The Sickness Unto Death."
Episode 17: The Fourth Compatible Person
Eye-catching image: "FOURTH CHILDREN"
Touji is chosen as the fourth compatible person. Despite hating Eva pilots for hurting his sister earlier in the story, he finds himself chosen to pilot them. Furthermore, having seen Shinji, he knows he will risk his life to fight. This image depicts Touji's confusion at this sudden news.
Episode 18: The Choice of Life
Eye-catching image: "AMBIVALENCE"
The 13th Angel, Bardiel, has parasitized Eva Unit-03. Seeing Shinji confused by the presence of a human pilot, Gendo instructs him to use the dummy system. Contrary to Shinji's wishes, Unit-01 mercilessly destroys Unit-03. The subtitle refers to "conflicting emotions."
Episode 19: A Man's Battle
Eye-catching image: "INTROJECTION"
The subtitle means "incorporation."
After Unit-01 goes berserk in the battle with the 14th Angel, Zeruel, it devours the Angel and attempts to directly absorb its S2 engine.
Episode 20: The Shape of the Heart, the Shape of Man
Eye-catching image: "WEAVING A STORY 2: Oral Stage"
This is positioned as the second omnibus.
The subtitle "oral stage" is a psychological term that refers to the initial stage of sexual primal desire.
Episode 21: The Birth of NERV
Eye-catching image: "He was aware that he was still a child."
Misato breaks down in tears upon hearing Kaji's message. Seeing this, Shinji runs into his room, unable to say anything to her, and realizes that he's still a child.
Episode 22: At Least Be Human
Eye-catching image: "Don't be."
The subtitle literally means "die," but here it's used to mean "don't blame yourself." I think it's a message to Asuka, who is suffering.
Episode 23: Tears
Eye-catching image: "Rei III"
Invaded by the 16th Angel, Armisael, Rei wanders through the spiritual realm. Upon returning to reality, she finds herself shedding tears for the first time. In order to defeat the Angel that begins to invade Unit-01, Rei attempts suicide.
Episode 24: The Last Slayer
Eye-catching image: "The Beginning and the End, or 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door'"
The "Slayer" in the title refers to Kaworu Nagisa. This episode also features a black title on a white background. This may represent the betrayal of Kaworu, who was thought to be an ally, as he turns out to be the 17th Angel, Tabris.
Episode 25: The End of the World
Eye-catching image: "Do you love me?"
The subtitle is taken from Ronald D. Laing's poetry collection "DO YOU LOVE ME?"
Final Episode: The One Who Cried Love in the Center of the World
Eye-catching image: "Take care of yourself."
An homage to Harlan Ellison's book "The One Who Cried Love in the Center of the World."
This is the epitome of Eva! A List of Memorable Titles
These are the titles of all 26 episodes of the anime.
Many of them pay homage to works that influenced Director Anno, making them both memorable and cool.
The Mincho font and black and white font are simple yet impactful.
Digging deeper into the titles and subtitles may deepen your understanding of Eva.
