[Update:] There are debates raging about the accuracy of Netflix’s translation of the show. According to Sankaku Complex, translator Dan Kanemitsu noted that he tried staying as faithful to the source material as possible.
The power of storytelling sometime depends on the ability of audiences to establish emotional relationships with the characters, as well as, recognize intimacy between people based on inferences.
— 兼光ダニエル真 (@dankanemitsu) June 21, 2019
This led to some anime fans who also speak Japanese to offer their own take on Netflix’s adaptation of the show compared to ADV’s adaption, and there’s an argument to be made about whether or not the character says “like” or “love” in English, and the implication of his declaration. So some are arguing that this isn’t necessarily censorship, even though SJWs are calling it censorship because it removes the gay overtones.
fromthe rest of the ep it’s still perfectly clear shinji has more than platonic feelings for kaoru. but what this scene is establishing is that it’s not their romantic feelings that were exceptional to him, it’s that someone was kind and liked him *at all*, let alone romantically
— 禁 (@gisnj) June 21, 2019
“like” maintains that pathetic undertone in a way “love” doesn’t. it’s already obvious that shinji loves kaworu. what this scene is about IS that he just likes him. an incredibly small and basic thing that shinji has still never gotten to feel before. it’s a better trans
— 禁 (@gisnj) June 21, 2019
[Original article:] Bewailing on social media like wet-eyed children at a clown show during a thunderstorm, Social Justice Warriors are not taking lightly the changes that Netflix has inflicted upon the classic anime, Neon Genesis Evangelion. Said SJWs have been dealt a heavy blow now that the pendulum of censorship has swung back in the other direction after Netflix flicked the fulcrum and crushed the hopes and dreams of Tumblr shippers across the galaxy when they censored the gayness out of the re-airing of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
The censorship resulted in trends taking over the entirety of Twitter for a short while, as shippers, rainbow flag-wearers, and kaleidoscope colored Castroites expressed their grievances at the censorship of Neon Genesis Evangelion, so much so that Twitter even created a moment for the heartbroken homosexuals.
Faithful #Evangelion fans are breaking down the re-dubbed dialogue between Kaworu and Shinji. https://t.co/W6gEbx6brz
— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) June 21, 2019
The main issue was that everyone noticed that Netflix had changed the dubbing and the dialogue in their rendition of the 1990s anime compared to the ADV English release, and almost any fan of the old series was not pleased. But more narrowly, Netflix decided to censor the subtextual scintillation between the two teenage boys that many yaoi fans and bunghole beaus found particularly egregious.
Only, certain people took it to greater lengths than others, mostly because the censorship centered around the relationship of Shinji and Kaworu, or rather the lack of their relationship. This issue was also covered in depth by YouTuber Hero Hei.
For many, the homoerotic overtones that Kaworu inseminated into the mouth of Shinji’s mind was inescapably present during the original airing. However, in this Netflix run of the show, the language was changed to be more platonic and Biblical, leading to palpable frustrations within the lower ranks of the Rainbow Reich.
sorry but this is not ok (right is from the new netflix eva script) pic.twitter.com/LehJYFjMng
— Jimmy Gnome (@jimmygnome9) June 21, 2019
NETFLIX REALLY JUST STRIPPED EVANGELION OF SHINJI AND KAWORU’S ROMANTIC TENSION DURING PRIDE MONTH pic.twitter.com/vkATiMp0I0
— your girlfriend look like my mom 🏳️🌈 (@xeoniios) June 21, 2019
Netflix changed the dub script AS WELL as changing the sub translations in Evangelion to remove Shinji and Kaworus relationship being about love as well as censoring just a lot of stuff in general. @netflix what the hell is this ? pic.twitter.com/n8PJTTQI9m
— Satan Nathan 👻 (@Nablox) June 21, 2019
So, does Netflix’s translation hold up against Kaworu’s story?
Personally, I don’t think so.
But if new viewers felt the same things older fans felt when we first watched NGE, then it’s a win. If new viewers still understand the weight of Kaworu’s purpose, that’s all I need.
— Willow (@thedreamcreek) June 21, 2019
netflix: no guys shinji and kaworu were just friends. they were bros. pals, chums, buddies in the child military, good ol dudes sitting 5 feet apart cause they’re not gay
actual official evangelion manga: pic.twitter.com/CvhWn3hifV
— Bobby Senpai 🏳️🌈 (@heliperino) June 21, 2019
Netflix: Kaworu and Shinji are best friends.
Evangelion: pic.twitter.com/TQNw0JVHZZ
— 🌸Maidy🦋 (@Mad_Enkidudu) June 21, 2019
Kaworu and Shinji’s encounter according to Netflix Evangelion. pic.twitter.com/RNLPGpRsSa
— Traveler-san | back to business (@traveler_san) June 21, 2019
just found out netflix censored kaworu’s feelings for shinji pic.twitter.com/VADCzmmQtz
— leo🔪 (@traumascenter) June 21, 2019
just found out netflix censored kaworus feelings for shinji pic.twitter.com/fXPe9Qwjym
— sweet baby rays @ BDAY 9 DAYS (@lenkagaminya) June 21, 2019
Oh boy, that’s one angry otaku.
As pointed out by The Moe Dome, the Social Justice Warriors are now getting a taste of the medicine that every other otaku, gamer, anime fan, and person who has seen their favorite pastime or property get hit with unnecessary censorship to accommodate the feelings of the perpetually offended, which has resulted in things like the PS4 censorship policies or Steam’s waifu holocaust list.
Netflix “Evangelion” dub – the How Dare You Tweak the Subs to Rob a Character of their “intended fanbase?”- OH, it was OK when FUNImation did it to piss-off ‘GamerGaters’ or the Patriarchy but now- OMG! @NickRekieta @RealClownfishTV @BoundingComics @OneAngryGamerHD @TheQuartering pic.twitter.com/e7XfDZFPKO
— The Moe Dome (@The_MOE_Dome) June 21, 2019
More to Moe’s point, Funimation’s dubbing of Prison School took digs at #GamerGate after SJWs decided to shoehorn in politics for absolutely no reason, as covered by Niche Gamer.
That’s just one of many instances where localizers took liberties to condemn otakus and gamers, like in the Hajimete no Gal localization, which took aim at light novel readers and made some Trump jokes.
But if the censorship of the gay overtones wasn’t enough, the Netflix rendition of the show is also missing the “Fly me To The Moon” outro song because they couldn’t land an affordable price for global licensing, as reported by TheWrap, which is just icing on the cake of disappointment for this re-dubbed, re-airing of the Japanese classic.
(Thanks for the news tip Moe Dome)
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