{{good article}} {{Infobox television episode | series = Neon Genesis Evangelion | image = Asuka Strikes.jpg | image_size = | caption = Evangelion Unit-02 (left) and Gaghiel during a battle. "Asuka Strikes!" received positive comments by critics, who praised action elements and the fight against Gaghiel. | season = | episode = 8 | production = | writer = Hideaki Anno, Yoji Enokido | director = Kazuya Tsurumaki | airdate = {{Start date|1995|11|22}} | guests = | length = 22 minutes | prev = A Human Work | next = Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win! | episode_list = List of Neon Genesis Evangelion episodes }} {{nihongo foot|"'''Asuka Strikes!'''"|アスカ、来日|Asuka, rainichi|{{lit|Asuka Arrives in Japan|}}|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} is the eighth episode of the Japanese anime television series ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', which was created by Gainax. The episode, written by Hideaki Anno and Yoji Enokido and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, was first broadcast on TV Tokyo on November 22, 1995. The series is set fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm and is mostly set in the futuristic, fortified city Tokyo-3. The series' protagonist is Shinji Ikari, a teenage boy who is recruited by his father Gendo to the organization Nerv to pilot a gigantic, bio-mechanical mecha named Evangelion into combat with beings called Angels. During the episode, Asuka Langley Soryu, a girl who is designated as the pilot of Evangelion Unit-02, is introduced; after the attack of Gaghiel, the sixth Angel, Asuka cooperates with Shinji aboard the Eva-02 to defeat the enemy.
Anno conceived "Asuka Strikes!" to lighten the tone of the series after the previous episodes, which were characterized by an introspective, psychological mood. Shinji Higuchi, who worked with Anno on ''Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water'' and is known for his work's humor, drew the storyboards, giving the story a comedic tone. For the installment, the show's production staff drew several real-life vehicles while incorporating cultural references to the plays of William Shakespeare and Gainax's earlier works.
The episode's first broadcast scored a 7.6% audience share on Japanese television, and was well-received by audiences and critics. Reviewers appreciated the episode's humor and action, and its introduction of Asuka's character, ranking it as one of the best episodes in the series.
==Plot== Misato Katsuragi, captain of the special paramilitary agency Nerv, takes Shinji Ikari and his friends Toji and Kensuke on a flight to a United Nations carrier battlegroup that is transporting a giant mecha named Evangelion Unit-02 and its German-American pilot Asuka Langley Sohryu to Japan. Escorting Asuka to Japan is Misato's ex-boyfriend Ryoji Kaji. A massive aquatic creature called Gaghiel, the sixth of a series of enemies named Angels, begins attacking the fleet. Asuka decides to fight Gaghiel using Unit-02 and she takes Shinji with her. The Angel drags Unit-02 underwater and Misato devises a plan to kill it by lodging two sunken battleships in its mouth and then firing all of their weapons into it. The Angel is killed; some time after, Kaji delivers an embryo-like creature named Adam to Gendo, Nerv's commander, and Asuka transfers to Shinji's class.
==Production== thumb|left|upright=1.1|Shinji Higuchi drew the storyboard for "Asuka Strikes!"
Gainax studio decided the basic plot for "Asuka Strikes!" in 1993, when it wrote a presentation document of ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' titled {{nihongo|''New Century Evangelion (tentative name) Proposal''|新世紀エヴァンゲリオン (仮) 企画書|Shinseiki Evangelion (kari) kikakusho|}}.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=1 |page=26|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap. 2: La Proposition}}</ref> The ''Proposal'', published in 1994,<ref>{{cite book |date=2021 |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia |chapter=History 1993-1999}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap. 1: Lancement du Project Eva}}</ref> describes "a battle held on the deck of an aircraft carrier" for the eighth installment of the series.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=18 |page=25|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Staff originally thought {{nihongo|"Asuka's morning arrival"|アスカ、来朝|}} as the title for the installment at the time,<ref>{{Cite book|author=Gainax|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Newtype 100% Collection|date=1998|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|language=ja|isbn=4-04-852700-2|page=88}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatralical VHS Box Booklet|language=ja|publisher=King Amusement Creative|date=1997}}</ref> which was later changed to the double title {{nihongo|"Asuka's Arrival"|アスカ、来日}} and "Asuka Strikes!".<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=32}}</ref>{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=6}} Hideaki Anno{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=80}} and Yoji Enokido wrote the episode.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=43 |page=23 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap. 1: Production et catastrophes}}</ref> Kazuya Tsurumaki directed the installment,<ref>{{Cite book|author=Gainax|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Newtype 100% Collection|date=1998|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|language=ja|isbn=4-04-852700-2|page=178}}</ref> Shinji Higuchi drew the storyboards;<ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap. 1: Bientôt la diffusion}}</ref> Masahiko Otsuka worked as the assistant director,{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=23}} while Takeshi Honda served as chief animator. The animation crew also included Hidenori Matsubara, Yoh Yoshinari and Shoichi Masuo,<ref>{{cite book|language=ja|title=Groundwork of Evangelion|volume=1|date=2000|isbn=4903713008|publisher=Gainax|page=217|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/ac/Groundwork_of_EVANGELION_VOL.1_JP.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026214136/https://retrocdn.net/images/a/ac/Groundwork_of_EVANGELION_VOL.1_JP.pdf|archive-date=26 October 2023}}</ref> while Mahiro Maeda and Mitsumu Wogi served as character designers.<ref>{{cite book |date=2021|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia|chapter=Staff}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Data of Evangelion|publisher=Gainax|page=21|language=ja|year=2003|editor=Gainax}}</ref> Maeda also worked on Gaghiel's design.<ref name=Anges>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap. 2: Les Anges}}</ref>
The series' first six episodes left the staff drained and feeling weighed down by the show's heavy mood; Hideaki Anno, director of the series, consequently decided to lighten the show's tone from the seventh and eighth episodes.<ref name=June>{{cite book|chapter=庵野秀明 - Part II|title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオン残酷な天使のように|publisher=Magazine Magazine|language=ja|date=1997|isbn=4-906011-25-X}}</ref> Anno then inserted Asuka to lighten the installments, introducing her in "Asuka Strikes!" as a sunny, extroverted girl, but without thinking to re-evaluate her character much as in the final episodes of the series and without foreshadowing. The director "didn't completely grasp the character" at first, but she came to life with her recurring lines, "Are you stupid?" and "What a chance!", which were used for the first time in "Asuka Strikes!".<ref name=Animage>{{cite journal|script-title=ja:あんた、バカぁと、言われてみたい。（庵野秀明、宮村優子）|language=ja|date=July 1996|journal=Animage|publisher=Tokuma Shoten}}</ref> Anno also said that he had forgotten about Rei Ayanami while writing the installment, since he did not feel particularly close to the character, so he did not include her in any sequence.{{sfn|Takekuma|1997|pp=93-96}} Particularly important was the contribution of Higuchi, who had already worked on ''Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water'' and was known for the humorous character of his works. Higuchi infused the episode with an adolescent and comic tone,{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=32}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama41.shtml|title=第41回 エヴァ雑記「第八話 アスカ、来日」|website=Style.fm|language=ja|access-date=July 23, 2020|first=Yūichirō|last=Oguro|archive-date=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010182026/http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama41.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> similar to his previous works. The similarities led the crew to refer to "Asuka Strikes!" and the ninth episode of ''Evangelion'' as the "island arc" after the ''Nadia'' episodes of the same name.<ref>{{cite book |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Platinum Edition Booklet |volume=2 |publisher=ADV}}</ref> The staff also used humorous graphic symbols typical of comedy anime and manga in the episode.{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998|p=31}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=43 |page=28|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>
In the original intentions of the authors, the Angel who should have fought at sea against Unit 02 was Sachiel, an idea that was set aside and reused for Gaghiel, while Sachiel was then made to appear in the first episode.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=23 |pages=7–8|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> The official filmbooks of the series noted that Gaghiel's battle with the battleships is realistically impossible; according to the filmbooks, however, Gainax could have ignored the realism of the clash in an attempt to seek the viewers' catharsis.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=35}}</ref> According to the original script, three battleships should have been used for the fight, but only two were used in the final version.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=42}}</ref> "Asuka Strikes!" also depicts existing military vehicles, such as the Sukhoi Su-33 (or Su-27),{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=82}} the Yakovlev Yak-38,<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=40}}</ref>{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=159}} the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler, the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye, and the Mil Mi-2,{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=83}}{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998|pp=56-57}} along with a Mil MI-55D,{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=156}} a helicopter that does not exist in the real world designed for the episode.{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998|pp=26-27}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=24}}</ref>
Production staff inserted some German technical jargon terms to use during the operations, such as ''bewegung'', ''nerven anschlussess'', ''anslösung'', ''rinkskleidung'' {{sic}}.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=36}}</ref> Yuko Miyamura, Asuka's voice actress, took lessons at a language school to practice before finding out it was technical jargon; when she asked her native-German-speaking teacher for advice, he told her he did not understand it.<ref name=Animage/> Staff did not plan to distribute the series outside of Japan, so they did not pay much attention to the correctness of the German grammar.{{sfn|Marine|2021|p=100}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2018-03-02/the-indestructible-studio-gainax-part-iii/.128475|title=The Indestructible Studio Gainax: Part III|last=May|first=Callum|date=March 2, 2018|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 20, 2021|archive-date=June 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628053718/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2018-03-02/the-indestructible-studio-gainax-part-iii/.128475|url-status=live}}</ref> Tomomichi Nishimura and Jin Yamanoi served as voice actors for the captain and vice-captain of the ''Over The Rainbow''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Data of Evangelion|publisher=Gainax|page=62|language=ja|year=2003|editor=Gainax}}</ref> A background radio program was also written for the episode;{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998|p=41}} voice actors Nishimura, Yuriko Yamaguchi, and Kotono Mitsuishi played the characters on the program,<ref>{{cite book |title=Eva Tomo no Kai|script-title=ja:エヴァ友の会|trans-title=Eva Fan Club|volume=4 |publisher=Gainax |language=ja|date=1996}}</ref> while singer Aya sang "Fly Me To The Moon" in bossa nova style<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=26 |page=26|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Edition Booklet |volume=4|chapter=Fly Me to the Moon |publisher=ADV}}</ref> for the closing theme of the installment.{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998|p=34}}<ref>{{cite book|language=ja|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Laserdisc Encyclopedia|volume=4|date=1996}}</ref>
==References and themes== [[File:USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) underway in the Atlantic Ocean on 11 September 2018 (180911-N-EA818-2106).JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|''Nimitz''-class aircraft carrier USS ''Harry S. Truman'', renamed ''Over the Rainbow'' in "Asuka Strikes!"]]
The ''Nimitz''-class aircraft carrier USS ''Harry S. Truman'',{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=35}} renamed ''Over The Rainbow'' in homage to ''The Wizard of Oz'' song,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abcb.com/trivia/eva_0801.htm|title=The Anime Café - Café Trivia|publisher=The Anime Café|access-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060429015308/https://www.abcb.com/trivia/eva_0801.htm|archive-date=29 April 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> appears in the episode,{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998|pp=13-14}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=25}}</ref> as do the ''Kiev''-class Soviet aircraft carrier ''Novorossiysk'',{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998|pp=48-49}}{{sfn|Glossary|1998|pp=127-128}} the Russian battlecruiser ''Kirov'',{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=43}} the Russian destroyer ''Udaloy'',{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=21}} the ''JS ''Kongō'''',{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998 |pp=50-51}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=8 |page=25|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=57}} ''Iowa''-class battleships<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=48 |page=20|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> ''USS ''Illinois'' (BB-65)'',<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=2 |page=26|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>{{sfn|Glossary|1998|pp=16-17}} the USS ''Kentucky'' (BB-66),{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998 |p=52}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=8 |page=23|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=52}} Russian aircraft carrier ''Admiral Kuznetsov'', ''Arleigh Burke''-class guided missile destroyer USS ''Ramage'',{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998 |p=53}} USS ''Ticonderoga'' (CG-47), ''Tachikaze'', ''Hatakaze'', ''Asagiri''-class destroyers and ''Chikugo''-class destroyer escorts.{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998 |pp=54-55}} Moreover, the ships' code names for internal use in the fleet — including ''Othello'',<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=4|page=25|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=36}} ''Cymbeline'',<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=10 |page=24|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=78}} ''Titus Andronicus''<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=16|page=21|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=105}} and ''The Tempest''<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=19 |page=19|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=118}} — are derived from titles of plays by William Shakespeare.{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998|p=28}}<ref>{{cite book |date=2021|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia|chapter=Episode:8 Asuka Strikes!}}</ref>
Kingston valves are mentioned during the battle against Gaghiel;{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=47}} these are special valves that are used to fill ships' hulls with water and are located at the stern of some old ships.{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998|pp=32-33}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=6|page=24|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Gainax previously mentioned the same valves in the original video animation ''GunBuster''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=43}}</ref> At the end of the episode, Gendo describes Adam as "the first human being"<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=43 |page=31|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> in homage to a similar scene in ''Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water''.{{sfn|Cannarsi|1998|pp=44-45}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|pages=46–47}}</ref> In animator Mitsuo Iso's drafts, Adam is described as an homunculus.{{sfn|Iso|2023|p=174}} For writer Dennis Redmond, the admiral of ''Over the Rainbow'' also constitutes a tribute to ''Nadia''; according to him, "Asuka Strikes!" "manage[s] to pastiche all the classic ocean adventures from ''Moby Dick'' up to ''Jaws''".<ref>{{cite book | first=Dennis|last=Redmond|title=The World is Watching: Video as Multinational Aesthetics, 1968–1995|date=2004|publisher=Southern Illinois University Press|isbn=0-8093-2535-7|page=137}}</ref>
"Asuka Strikes!" depicts the only battle against an Angel which doesn't take place in Japan in the whole show; all the other Angels basically aim for Tokyo-3 city, in which the Angel Lilith is kept. According to writer Virginie Nebbia, the reason why Gaghiel attacks the UN fleet is Adam's embryo inside Kaji's box.<ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap. 2: GEHIRN et le Troisème Impact}}</ref> Yūichirō Oguro, editor of some of the extra content of the Japanese home video editions of the series, also noted how from "Asuka Strikes!" onward the series portrays the characters and their interpersonal communications in a positive light.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama44.shtml |title=第44回 エヴァ雑記「第拾壱話 静止した闇の中で」 |language=ja |access-date=July 23, 2020 |first=Yūichirō |last=Oguro |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128130109/http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama44.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> In the episode, Shinji and Asuka cooperate to defeat an Angel, beginning the series' action arc,{{sfn|Marine|2021|p=99}} which includes all the following installments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama43.shtml |title=第43回 エヴァ雑記「第拾話 マグマダイバー」 |language=ja |access-date=July 23, 2020 |first=Yūichirō |last=Oguro |archive-date=October 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001155947/http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama43.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama45.shtml |title=第45回 エヴァ雑記「第拾弐話 奇跡の価値は」 |language=ja |access-date=July 23, 2020 |first=Yūichirō |last=Oguro |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301180911/http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama45.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Compared to its predecessors, the episode is characterised by great positivity,<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=43 |page=32|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/every-neon-genesis-evangelion-episode-180010253.html|title=Every 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' Episode, Ranked from Best to Worst|date=7 February 2025|publisher=Yahoo! Entertainment|access-date=28 February 2025}}</ref> with a major focus on action and humour.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=43 |page=25|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref><ref name=DVDTalk>{{cite web|publisher=DVD Talk|website=dvdtalk.com|access-date=17 November 2024|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/12584|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Volume 2 (Platinum Collection)|date=21 September 2004|author=Randy Miller III|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122110217/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/12584|archive-date=22 November 2024|quote=Although I'd still classify Evangelion as an action-oriented series, there's tons of great dramatic moments (and a healthy dose of comedy!).}}</ref> According to Japanese academic Yuya Sato, from Asuka's arrival onward ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' features several elements of boys' manga, named ''shōnen'', such as effort, friendship, and victory over enemies.{{sfn|Morikawa|1997|pp=80-81}} Anime News Network's Nick Creamer similarly noted after Asuka's debut ''Evangelion'' adopts a monster of the week pattern.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=8 November 2021|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/neon-genesis-evangelion/episodes-1-26/.148638|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion|website=Anime News Network|first=Nick|last=Creamer|date=10 July 2019|archive-date=9 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909173240/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/neon-genesis-evangelion/episodes-1-26/.148638|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception== "Asuka Strikes!" was first broadcast on November 22, 1995, and drew a 7.6% audience share on Japanese television.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Newtype|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|date=February 1996|page=66|language=ja|title=Anime Land}}</ref> In 1996, it ranked nineteenth in ''Animage''{{'s}} Anime Grand Prix list of "Best Anime Episodes".<ref name="eighteen">{{cite web |url=http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_1996.html |title=第18回アニメグランプリ［1996年5月号］ |publisher=Tokuma Shoten |archive-date=October 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019175259/http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_1996.html}}</ref> Official merchandise based on the episode has also been released,<ref>{{cite web|language=ja|access-date=6 November 2021|url=https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/evastore/a40091.html|title=EVA×錦 弐号機、来日 総刺繍スカジャン|publisher=Evangelion Store Yahoo! Japan|website=Store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106182036/https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/evastore/a40091.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|language=ja|access-date=6 November 2021|url=https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/evastore/c5000104.html|title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオン ジグソーパズル アスカ、来日|publisher=Evangelion Store Yahoo! Japan|website=Store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106182032/https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/evastore/c5000104.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=E-Mono |publisher=Gainax |page=112 |language=ja |date=1997 |isbn=4-04-852868-8}}</ref> including a line of official T-shirts.<ref>{{cite web|language=ja|access-date=6 November 2021|url=https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/evastore/a70009.html|title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオン 全話Tシャツ 「第八話 アスカ、来日」|publisher=Evangelion Store Yahoo! Japan|website=Store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp|archive-date=8 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108002544/https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/evastore/a70009.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=125}}
The episode was received positively by critics and reviewers, who lauded its direction, plot, humor, action, and Asuka's introduction. Digitally Obsessed's reviewer Joel Cunningham praised "Asuka Strikes!", describing it as "the funniest episode in the series"; Cunningham particularly enjoyed the "hilarious" relationship between Shinji and Asuka, saying; "A great introduction of a great character, and some very amusing dialogue, make this one of the standouts of the show thus far".<ref>{{cite web|access-date=30 May 2021|url=http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/displaylegacy.php?ID=2959|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Collection 0:2 (1995)|date=8 March 2002|publisher=Digitally Obsessed!|website=Digitallyobsessed.com|first=Joel|last=Cunningham|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213418/http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/displaylegacy.php?ID=2959|url-status=live}}</ref> Film School Rejects's Max Covill ranked it among the best episodes of the series, saying; "an Asuka-centered episode is usually a great sign of quality, and this is a lot of fun";<ref>{{cite web|access-date=16 May 2021|publisher=Film School Rejects|website=Filmschoolrejects.com|url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-ranked/4/|title=Every Episode of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' Ranked|date=17 June 2019|first=Max|last=Covill|archive-date=8 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108222022/https://filmschoolrejects.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-ranked/4/|url-status=live}}</ref> he also praised the first scene, which portrays Asuka in shadow, for bringing a sense of mystery to the new character.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=16 May 2021|publisher=Film School Rejects|website=Filmschoolrejects.com|url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-perfect-shots/3/|title=The Perfect Shots of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'|date=19 June 2019|first=Max|last=Covill|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516211821/https://filmschoolrejects.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-perfect-shots/3/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Animation Planet'' magazine's John Beam positively reviewed "Asuka Strikes!"; he also lauded the show for its "outstanding characterizations, animations, and dramatic presentation".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Genesis 0:4|first=John|last=Beam|magazine=Animation Planet|pages=13–14|editor=G. Michael Dobbs|publisher=Inkwell Productions|date=1997|volume=1|issue=2}}</ref> {{quote box |quote=Asuka provides a natural foil for the dourness of Rei and timid uncertainty of Shinji. .... ''Evangelion'' doesn't have too many light-hearted episodes. .... "Asuka Strikes!" is an exception to the rule, and it's one of the better balanced and paced episodes of the first arc. Asuka and Kaji provided much needed energy and humour, while providing some much needed backstory. |source=–Alex Walker (Kotaku)<ref name=Kotaku/>|align=left |width=35%}} Animé Café's Japanese reviewer Akio Nagatomi negatively received the episode. He criticized the introduction of Asuka and Kaji, which he said are stereotypical and cliché characters, and the introduction of Eva-02 "with a ''Phantom of the Opera'' style cloak". The reviewer was particularly critical of Asuka, the script, and the details of the plot and setting, which he said are unrealistic. Despite this, he praised the direction, saying; "the show does have flow; something to which a lot of other feature's can't lay claim".<ref>{{cite web|first=Akio|last=Nagatomi|publisher=The Animé Café|access-date=31 May 2021|url=https://www.abcb.com/eva/eva_t008.htm|title=Shinseiki Evangelion Review Pages – Episode 8: Asuka Strikes!|website=Abcb.com|archive-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802083531/http://www.abcb.com/eva/eva_t008.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Looper's Thompson Smith described Gaghiel as one of the less-interesting Angels in ''Neon Genesis Evangelion''; according to Smith, the Angel provides a problem for Asuka to solve in her first appearance, but "lacks any sort of significance beyond all that".<ref>{{cite web|access-date=7 November 2021|url=https://www.looper.com/487002/the-most-powerful-angels-from-neon-genesis-evangelion-ranked/|title=The Most Powerful Angels From Neon Genesis Evangelion Ranked|date=13 August 2021|publisher=Looper|first=Thompson|last=Smith|archive-date=8 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108050745/https://www.looper.com/487002/the-most-powerful-angels-from-neon-genesis-evangelion-ranked/|url-status=live}}</ref> Comic Book Resources' Theo Kogod criticized Asuka's behavior in her first appearance; he negatively transposed the scene in which her skirt accidentally rises due to the sea breeze and slaps Toji, Kensuke and Shinji, and, since none of the boys could control the weather, Kogod considered it "an overreaction—the first of many".<ref>{{cite web|access-date=7 November 2021|url=https://www.cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-worst-things-asuka-did/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: The 10 Worst Things Asuka Ever Did, Ranked|date=8 November 2019|publisher=Comic Book Resources|first=Theo|last=Kogod|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128061146/https://www.cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-worst-things-asuka-did/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The sequence in which the episode's title appears with the sound effect of Asuka's slaps received appreciation.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=27}}</ref> Writers Kazuhisa Fujie and Martin Forster in their ''Neon Genesis Evangelio: The Unofficial Guide'' also said Asuka's line "Are you stupid?" has become popular{{sfn|Marine|2021|p=157}} since her first appearance in the eighth episode.{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=162}}<ref>See also {{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=43 |page=24|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Screen Rant's Adam Beach ranked the battle against Gaghiel among the best fights in ''Neon Genesis Evangelion''; Beach described it as "memorable" for both Asuka's introduction and the marine setting, praising its "interesting choreography".<ref>{{cite web|access-date=7 November 2021|url=https://screenrant.com/evangelion-best-fight-scenes/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: The 10 Best Fight Scenes In The Anime, Ranked|date=7 May 2021|publisher=Screen Rant|first=Adam|last=Beach|archive-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519181913/https://screenrant.com/evangelion-best-fight-scenes/|url-status=live}}</ref> His colleague Jack Cameron expressed a similar view,<ref>{{cite web|access-date=16 May 2021|publisher=Screen Rant|website=Screenrant.com|url=https://screenrant.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-battles-ranked/|title=Every Battle in Neon Genesis Evangelion Ranked|date=7 July 2019|first=Jack|last=Cameron|archive-date=17 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117215451/https://screenrant.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-battles-ranked/|url-status=live}}</ref> while Daniel Dockery of SyFy Wire similarly ranked the fight among the best "non-depressing moments" in ''Neon Genesis Evangelion''.<ref>{{cite web |first=Daniel |last=Dockery |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-10-most-awesome-moments-in-neon-genesis-evangelion |title=The 10 most awesome (non-depressing) moments In Neon Genesis Evangelion |date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=July 23, 2020 |website=Syfy.com |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108222111/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-10-most-awesome-moments-in-neon-genesis-evangelion |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Newtype'' magazine praised the episode's drawings and Asuka's facial expressions.<ref>{{cite book|title=Newtype Complete Shinseiki Evangerion|script-title=ja:Newtype Complete 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン|trans-title=Newtype Complete Neon Genesis Evangelion|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|year=2005|language=ja|page=26}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Newtype|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|date=December 1995|page=8|language=ja|title=気になる、彼女}}</ref> Alex Walker of Kotaku ranked "Asuka Strikes!" among the best ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' episodes.<ref name=Kotaku>{{cite web |publisher=Kotaku |website=Kotaku.com |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/07/the-best-neon-genesis-evangelion-episodes/ |title=The Best Neon Genesis: Evangelion Episodes |first=Alex |last=Walker |date=5 July 2021 |access-date=July 23, 2020 |archive-date=5 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705113552/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/07/the-best-neon-genesis-evangelion-episodes/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Multiversity Comics' Matthew Garcia said the episode's treatment of Asuka in view of her team is interesting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.multiversitycomics.com/tv/evangelion-07-08/|title=Five Thoughts on Neon Genesis Evangelion's "The Works of Man" and "Asuka Arrives in Japan"|publisher=Multiversity Comics|date=4 July 2021|access-date=16 January 2022|archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704170118/http://www.multiversitycomics.com/tv/evangelion-07-08/|url-status=live}}</ref> For Anthony Gramuglia of Comic Book Resources, she is a refreshing character compared to Shinji's insecurities in the previous seven episodes, and this invigorates the series with a "great deal of joy". According to Gramuglia; "She changes the show, offering a diversity of perspective that livens things up".<ref>{{cite web|access-date=April 27, 2020|url=https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-asuka-fascinating-character-anime/|title=Evangelion's Asuka Is One of the Most Fascinating Characters in Anime|date=June 29, 2019|archive-date=July 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718191724/https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-asuka-fascinating-character-anime/|url-status=live}}</ref> Crunchyroll's reviewer Noelle Ogawa similarly wrote; "From her confident introduction aboard a battleship to her forceful and aggressive battle style in her bright red Eva, she is a joy every time she's on screen".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/it/anime-feature/2019/12/04/why-asuka-is-one-of-the-best-anime-characters-of-all-time|title=Why Asuka is One of the Best Anime Characters of All Time|date=December 4, 2019|publisher=Crunchyroll|first=Noelle|last=Ogawa|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-date=June 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602185620/https://www.crunchyroll.com/it/anime-feature/2019/12/04/why-asuka-is-one-of-the-best-anime-characters-of-all-time|url-status=live}}</ref> Jemima Sebastian from IGN compared a scene from ''Godzilla vs. Kong'' (2021), in which King Kong on a ship suffers an underwater attack from Godzilla, to the fight between Gaghiel and Eva-02, describing it as a possible homage to ''Evangelion''.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=7 November 2021|url=https://latam.ign.com/godzilla-vs-kong/75843/news/godzilla-vs-kong-tiene-un-par-de-referencias-a-evangelion|title=Godzilla vs Kong tiene un par de referencias a Evangelion|date=24 March 2021|publisher=IGN|language=es|first=Jemima|last=Sebastian|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107014213/https://latam.ign.com/godzilla-vs-kong/75843/news/godzilla-vs-kong-tiene-un-par-de-referencias-a-evangelion|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== * 50px Text was copied/adapted from [https://evangelion.fandom.com/wiki/Episode:08 Episode 08] at Evangelion Wiki, which is released under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA 3.0) license]. {{Notelist}}
=== Citations === {{Reflist}}
=== Bibliography === {{refbegin}} * {{cite book|title=庵野秀明パラノ・エヴァンゲリオン|first=Kentaro|last= Takekuma|publisher=Ōta Shuppan|date= 1997|isbn=4-87233-316-0|language=ja}} * {{cite book| date = 1997 | first=Kaichiro|last= Morikawa|title=The Evangelion Style|publisher=Daisan Shokan|language=ja|isbn=4-8074-9718-9}} * {{cite book| title = エヴァンゲリオン用語事典 第2版| date = 1998| publisher = 八幡書店| language = ja| isbn= 978-4-89350-327-5| ref = {{harvid|Glossary|1998}}}} * {{cite book |first=Gualtiero|last= Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=4|date=1998 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}} * {{cite book|last1=Fujie|first1=Kazuhisa|last2=Foster|first2=Martin|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Unofficial Guide|year=2004|publisher=DH Publishing, Inc.|location=United States|isbn=0-9745961-4-0}} * {{Cite book|first=Alessandra|last=Poggio|language=it|year=2008|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Encyclopedia|publisher=Dynit}} * {{cite book |year= 2009 |first= Syunsou |last= Porori|title=The Essential Evangelion Chronicle: Side A|language=fr |publisher=Glénat Editions |isbn=978-2-7234-7120-6}} * {{cite book |first= Syunsou |last= Porori|title=The Essential Evangelion Chronicle: Side B|language=fr |publisher=Glénat |date=2010|isbn=978-2-7234-7121-3}} * {{cite book|language=fr|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Le renouveau de l'animation japonaise|last=Marine|first= Alexandre|date=2021|publisher=Pix'n love Editions|isbn=978-2-37188-093-1}} * {{cite book |last1=Nebbia |first1=Virginie |title=La Saga Evangelion: L'oeuvre d'une vie |language=fr |publisher=Third Editions |date=2023 |isbn=978-2-3778-4430-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TT7aEAAAQBAJ |access-date=2023-10-25 |archive-date=2023-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025081027/https://books.google.it/books?id=TT7aEAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=it#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live}} * {{cite book |last= Iso |first= Mitsuo |date= 2023 |title=磯光雄 ANIMATION WORKS preproduction |edition=1st |language=Japanese |trans-title= Iso Mitsuo ANIMATION WORKS preproduction |location= Tokyo, Japan |publisher= Style |isbn=978-4-80-213353-1 }} {{refend}}
==External links== * {{IMDb episode|0781953}}
{{Neon Genesis Evangelion}}
Category:1995 Japanese television episodes Category:Neon Genesis Evangelion episodes Category:Science fiction television episodes