Why German?

[NAveryW]

There are many references to Germany and the German language throughout Evangelion, most prominently that it's the location of where most of the Evas were assembled (if I remember correctly) and of course the names of most of the organizations. But why Germany in particular? Is it known why that culture was chosen out of all the other possibilities?

[DarthMigit]

There are many references to Germany and the German language throughout Evangelion, most prominently that it's the location of where most of the Evas were assembled (if I remember correctly) and of course the names of most of the organizations. But why Germany in particular? Is it known why that culture was chosen out of all the other possibilities?

Actually only a few Evas out of the final thirteen were actually manufacured in Germany:

Units 00 and 01 were both created at the Tokyo 3 branch, unit 02 was spawned in Japan as well, merely assembled and tested in Germany. Units 03 and 04 both hailed from the US and the harpies originated from several locations from all over the world including China, Germany, the UK (patriotic glee non-existant) and America.

As to the numerous homages to Deutchland throughout the series...I am unsure...Perhaps (like the lavish usage of Jeudo-Christian symbolism) simply to give the series a unique edge over its predecessors.

Ask Shin-seiki He tends to be good with obscure cultural references. ;)

[Hekym]

Japan and Germany have a history of cooperating militarily and being culturally similar. It makes perfect sense that a Japanese citizen would choose Germany, as they are well-rooted allies. Also, there is an existing network, primarily of American troopss, that extends throughout Germany and Japan, connecting the countries three further. Finally, Germany, Japan and the US are centralized breadbaskets of material and intellectual resources in comparison to the surrounding countries in their respective regions, making a military network between the three ideal for defending the world or such.

[Kokuei]

I swear that I've read something on this around here before. I hope you guys aren't being redundant.

If you are this thread will die quickly, if not...

Then I'd agree that German references came from Japan's cooperation and relations with Germany in the past and present.

[AchtungAffen]

Japanese uses lots of german words. For example, "baito / arubaito", from "Arbeit".

[TS-Scorpio]

Finally, Germany, Japan and the US are centralized breadbaskets of material and intellectual resources in comparison to the surrounding countries in their respective regions

Nigel, Vladimier and Pierre do NOT approve >=(

[Hekym]

Russia and Japan do not get along. And relations with France and GB are more neutral than positive. And none of those countries are central.

[TS-Scorpio]

I think you'll find they are "central" by your definition.

[Hekym]

Yes, Germany is the wealthiest of these countries. Don't believe me? here's the GDP of all four, courtesy of the CIA world factbook:

Russia: $1.589 trillion
France: $1.816 trillion
UK: $1.83 trillion
Germany: $2.504 trillion

And for comparison,

Japan: $4.018 trillion
US: $12.36 trillion

Here's more reasons against Russia, GB and the UK.

Russia is no longer as economically viable as it once was. Anyone planning such an anime would see that placing an international headquagters in Russia would require twice the normal amount of money: Half to build the headquarters and fund the project, and the other half to build up the surrounding region. Also, building a top secret headquaters in Russia has internationally familiar implications, suggesting far more shady intentions than a headquarters in Germany. Finally, Japan and Russia have a history of warfare. They hate each other. It is highly unlikely that a Japanese citizen would place Russia in a position of importance; it would be far more efficient to ignore the country. If you'll notice, Russia was completely absent from NGE. These reasons also apply to China.

Japan is neutral towards the UK. England is fairly culturally unique and geographically isolated, so it would not be an effective mechanism to place a headquarters in the UK and expect viewers to accept the idea of constant international airlifts of support. Germany does not have that problem.

Japan is also neutral towards France, which is another example of cultural isolation, far more than Germany. It does have the benefits of a diversified economy and industry, but again, it is not in as centralized a location as Germany.The Japanese have the closest ties to Germany.

[Reichu]

Russia is not absent from NGE; one of Seele's Big Four hails from there. There is also a MAGI system present in Beijing, and the man who shared Gendo's shuttle in #07 was probably from China (and thus EVA-08 was constructed there).

The "seven locations" Seele involved with their harpy project were probably...


Hamburg, Germany (Third Branch)
Massachusetts, US (First Branch)
Matsushiro, Japan
Beijing, China
United Kingdom
France
Russia
...which actually exhausts every nation mentioned/represented in the show actively involved in "Seele stuff".

Well, keep in mind -- Japan doesn't rule the world in NGE. A Germany-based secret society does.

[Fazmotron]

It would be cool if Australia was included, although it got blown to bits in second impact.

[Mr. sickVisionz]

You guys do know that Russia and Germany are two seperate countries. I keep seeing people using them interchangably (either that or some folk are jumping way off topic). Anyways, Japan fought on the same team as Germany during WW2 so I figure they do have some sort of connection with each other.

[CrossboneGundam]

There are many references to Germany and the German language throughout Evangelion, most prominently that it's the location of where most of the Evas were assembled (if I remember correctly) and of course the names of most of the organizations. But why Germany in particular? Is it known why that culture was chosen out of all the other possibilities?

Because Japanese people love Germany. Something to do with World War II, I'm sure. Lots of anime and games feature German characters in otherwise mostly Japanese casts.

[NGCrew]

Because Japanese people love Germany. Something to do with World War II, I'm sure. Lots of anime and games feature German characters in otherwise mostly Japanese casts.


Ah yes, both japan and germany both 'love' remembering about WW2, they talk about it all the time and with such pride. :)
seriously as most japanese are concerned many aspects of 1939-1945 didnt happen, and i can assume that its similar for the germans(just look at how few WW2 anime is out there compared to hollywood films!)

Anyway back to the original question " Why german?"

my true anwser " Why not german?"

more serious reasons:
1. any other nation other than japan being involoved shows that NERV is a truly international org.
2. if memory serves asuka is from gemany( sort of the same as reason 1)
3. germany has a reputaion for being a industrious and scientifically advance nation
4. its not america! :P

[Kaeli]

seriously as most germans are concerned 1939-1945 didnt happen, and i can safely assume that its the same for the japanese(just look at how few WW2 anime is out there compared to hollywood films!)

What the?
Stop saying stuff like that. The time between 1933 and 1945 (not just WW2, but the entire rule of the nazis, damn it) is something that's constantly being dealt with in Germany. If you knew anything at all about the country, you wouldn't say idiocies like that.
People say enough **** about Germany as it is. I should be happy you did not accuse us of being nazis, but do not accuse us of ignorance either, alright?


Edit:
Ah, you edited your post. Cool. But now it kind of makes less sense.

[Fazmotron]

Ah yes, both japan and germany both 'love' remembering about WW2, they talk about it all the time and with such pride. :)
seriously as most germans are concerned 1939-1945 didnt happen, and i can safely assume that its the same for the japanese(just look at how few WW2 anime is out there compared to hollywood films!)


Thats quite true for Japan aswell. In Japan they even go to the extent of exculuding it from historical textbooks. (well atleast since a few years back). Also, i believe that there were riots in china a few years back after a japanese history book was published there and it ignored WWII or Japans involvement in WWII.

(either that or I'm imagining things, again).

[NAveryW]

Thats quite true for Japan aswell. In Japan they even go to the extent of exculuding it from historical textbooks. (well atleast since a few years back). Also, i believe that there were riots in china a few years back after a japanese history book was published there and it ignored WWII or Japans involvement in WWII.

(either that or I'm imagining things, again).
And yet there's quite a bit of pop culture about the atomic bomb; things that stand out right now are Godzilla and Grave of the Fireflies.

[Fazmotron]

And yet there's quite a bit of pop culture about the atomic bomb; things that stand out right now are Godzilla and Grave of the Fireflies.

Yeah, I think thats because most Japanese artists still see that as a huge turning point in japanese history.

[Lone Signal]

Thats quite true for Japan aswell. In Japan they even go to the extent of exculuding it from historical textbooks. (well atleast since a few years back). Also, i believe that there were riots in china a few years back after a japanese history book was published there and it ignored WWII or Japans involvement in WWII.

(either that or I'm imagining things, again).Is this what's being taught at down under?

[Terra Australis]

It would be cool if Australia was included, although it got blown to bits in second impact.

Indeed ^_^

[AchtungAffen]

How far northways did 2I destruction go? Probably it didn't reach Australia.

[Magami No ER]

If South America's gone(floods coupled with the actual destruction), Australia must've been affected.

[Reichu]

Well, one thing's for sure -- you don't hear anything about the Southern Hemisphere (except the South Pole, for obvious reasons) after 2I in the world of NGE. It might as well not exist. :P

[AchtungAffen]

Do you hear anything in real life anyways? I believe the real SH is as shrouded from the world as in Eva.

[Terra Australis]

Yes, we are probably the most isolated place on the earth along with New Zealand.