We all saw that five minute part of episode 26 that we'd like to have seen more of. In fact, we would have preferred it if Gainax had ended the series with Shinji moving into that universe. Granted it would have been a cop out, but it would have been a *good* cop out.

Well, be careful what you wish for.

'Garden of Eva' (GoE) is a fic that takes place in that 5 minute world, expanded into a huge fic that deals with the lives of the Eva cast had they been born into a world that lacked SEELE, the Evas, or Angels who periodically redesign Tokyo-3's downtown core through weapons O' mass destruction. NERV still exists, but not quite in the same fashion (I'll leave it for you to find out how).

The kids of the series are just that, kids. Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Touji, Hikari and Kensuke are pretty much what you'd expect from standard 14-year olds. They go to school, play games, get into trouble, and generally live their lives like most adolescents. With two big exceptions.

The first is that their universe is a world given life by the NGE Shinji, who's watching the whole thing from the stage (think episodes 25-26), along with the three most important women in his life. He is observing what he thinks is his 'ideal' world: no Evas, no battles, no friends injured or dying. This provides a rather interesting link to the original series, although I do question how some of the characters are being portrayed. Asuka seems to be getting the short end of the stick here, though I find her arguments to be among the most persuasive of the observing group. Still, no one works better as a Shinji foil than 'der redhead.'

The second difference is that the kids are... well... lets just say they're spending their time preoccupied with the ramifications and subtle interactions of interpersonal activities that hold an unproportional attraction for psyches undergoing their initial experience with primary adult socialization.

In other words they're thinking about sex. A lot.

Now, before you bail from this review faster than a guy with a bucket on the Titanic, I will state that this fic isn't for everyone. If you can't handle some remarkably clever dirty jokes, don't read this fic. The humour level is however, quite advanced: this isn't just a case of bathroom humour, but actual sex jokes worked into the fic. As difficult as it is to say, the jokes are funny, and enough are non-sex related to give you a guilty chuckle no matter how straight laced you are. The whole running 'Shin Seiki Ranma' gag alone makes this a worthwhile read.

Done by Jim Lazar (author of the Ranma 'Childhood of a Modern Dynasty'), the fic is intelligent, fast paced, and fun. That's a key point: fun. While the characterizations range from almost the original (Asuka) to way out there (Shinji and Rei), you're having such a good time groaning at the trouble they get into that you really don't care after a point. Sit back, throw your brain away and enjoy a guilty laugh.

Because it won't last.

The first book of the series (1-9) is a near total riot, with the jokes flying fast and furious. The book ends on a shocker however, and from there the author keeps up the pain, with the second book throwing more problems into our characters' faces. The best way to describe it is that with the start of the second book, the series loses some of its innocence.

Yes, I know: how can a series that focuses on sex be considered to be innocent? I can't describe it any other way, but if you read it, you'll understand. From the second book onwards, in the author's own words, "Haven't you figured it out yet? This world sucks."

The lives of all the characters start to go downhill, and it is a little difficult to take. Some disturbing events occur that will turn off some readers, and some relatively serious messing with canon occurs. Again, this is not a series for everyone. Even I'm getting a little bit leery of where all this stuff is headed.

Does the plot of the story leave me with an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach?

Yes.

Am I worried about where this will all end up?

Yes.

Am I having a grand old time getting there?

God yes.

All I can suggest is for you to disconnect your brain (along with any centres responsible for good taste) ignore the brick wall you're speeding towards and just enjoy the trip itself. It may not be pretty, but it sure is fun.

SEELE-04

The main criticism levelled the Garden of Eva is that there's too much sex. That, methinks, misses the point.

Unlike in lemons (which are usually written with the depiction of sexual acts being the objective of the piece), sex in GoE is a means rather than the ends - it is the engine that drives the plot. It is the characters' horniness gets them into all sorts of trouble, a downward spiral for Shinji's perfect world. Situations start to bite and then really start to suck - which is the author's stated objective.

The references to sex, the constant use of sexual imagery and metaphor are probably meant to support that atmosphere. And one suspects that the sex is not supposed to be erotic anyway - there's so much of it that it becomes ironic. A parallel could be made to the use of sex and desire in American Pie and There's Something About Mary for the purpose of humour.

As for the horniness making everyone OOC, the question of what is or is not In Character should take into account that the 5 minute alternate universe in Ep 26 gives Jim considerable creative freedom. Our 'orthodox' conceptions of the Eva cast should really only apply to the trio in the theatre.

While one must acknowledge that not everyone will be able to stomach the fic due to stuff like unbridled lust, perversity and incest, the sheer weirdness does not detract from how Jim weaves a compelling story with considerable emotional interplay between the principal characters. I also particularly enjoy how the story fulfils expectation and springs surprises.

The content and consistent release times of this fic show careful thinking, hard work and dedication on the part of the
author. I look forward to Book 2 - Blows!

Oh, btw, I *like* Shinji x Rei stories.