In my original post, I chose not to get into the various differences between the two series. As a fellow fan you understand the immense number of things that Anno has drawn upon in order to create both, a number which is nearly mind blowing. The only distinction between them that I made was when I said that the new series is less philosophic than the original. By that, I mean that there is
generally more action than philosophic talking in the Rebuild series than there was in the old. Here is my reasoning:
I made that wording when I started on the assumption that I would talk about both series as separate yet related works. You do not need to know the original series to get into the new one, a point which Anno has said in interviews was a matter of emphasis for him.
In the original series, each episode focused on a different aspect of the sociological and psychological dilemmas facing the cast. With 26 episodes and a full length feature film, the original series had more time to go into the philosophical thought structure underlying the series. The names of many episodes were often specifically given in order to help illustrate the underlying theme of the episode (in addition to the main themes running throughout the length of the entire series), such as the "Hedgehog's "dilemma", "Lillipution Hatcher", "Rei I", and "Splitting the Breast." In addition, the two characters take commanders Ikari and Fuyutsuki. The two of them would have long conversations regarding the nature of life, history, science, religion, and more, spread throughout multiple episodes. This allowed the series to create complex and multi-layered arguments regarding complex structures of thought that built throughout its length. In the new Rebuild (which I agree with you in that it is most probably a continuation of the series after third impact. There is too much evidence to support that argument and not enough contrary evidence present at this time to create a rational argument against it. To assume something else right now would be premature), the two characters have fewer discussion per movie than they did per episode of the original series. Additionally, the arguments that they make are less complex in nature due to the decreased amount of time that Anno has to work with. These discussions and all of the other bits of the psychological/sociological thought which fuels the original series are still present in the Rebuild. Otherwise I would not be a fan of the Rebuild series. However, the arguments are not as deep as the original, nor are they as multifaceted. Now, could I be pleasantly surprised by the next two films in the series? Yes, I could. And I hope to be. But as things currently stand, this is not the case. And that is all that I am arguing.
As to the changes that he has made to the characters and story, I absolutely love them! I was never an Asuka fan, so I love the fact that Anno is pushing a ReixShinji pairing. I actually saw the second film when it came out in theaters in the U.S. and had the great pleasure of viewing it with a friend whom is a giant Asuka fan. That film solved years worth of arguments on the subject between us. I also think that Misato is far more independent and less naive in this series (not to say that she was dependent or naive in the original. She's just more forthright now, more developed) and I agree that her higher rank should play a major role (no pun intended) in the upcoming films. Films which Anno has stated will contain completely different information from anything we have seen in the original series. However, I disagree emphatically over your assertion that Shinji's relationship with Rei was Oedipal in the first place. Anno never explicitly stated that she was a clone of Yui. Nor did they reveal her genetic basis at all. And the fact that she was an Angel in the series would lead me to argue that Rei could A) not been a clone of Shinji's mother because Yui was not an Angel, or B ) that if she was a clone of Shinji's mother then the scientists at Nerv must have changed her on a genetic level in order for Rei to be an Angel or host to an Angel's abilities.
Now, if we were to change my initial assumption where I viewed both series as separate yet related works, and change it to seeing the most recent work as an extension of the original (a pseudo sequel) and then examine my assertion that the new series is not as philosophical as the old one, there would then be a different set of reasoning behind my statement. The argument could be made (an argument which you alluded to in your comment) that the philosophy of the new series builds upon that of the old. And whomever made that argument would most likely be correct, assuming that the Rebuild series truly is a continuation of the events that occurred after End of Evangelion. However, I would still believe my assertion to be correct. There is sill less time devoted to the underlying psychological and sociological issues in Rebuild than there was in the original series.This could change when the next two films are released, and if it this is the case then I will change my tune. But until that happens I will stick by my guns until the rivers run dry
LinearPhilosopher 
QuickTidal, on 13 March 2012 - 06:12 PM, said:
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