Girlfriend of Steel

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or Iron Maiden is a video game based on the Gainax anime/manga series Neon Genesis Evangelion, released officially only in Japan.  Some fans also consider it an additional episode of the series because whilst it was interactive to a small degree, it principally played out like a segment of the anime's story, fitting in just before the mood of the series started to get darker, but unavoidably before the Eleventh Angel, Iruel, makes an appearance, because the simulation bodies are shown in use during the early stages of the game, and could not have been shown as such after being infected by Iruel.

Story, gameplay and endings

A new female character, Mana Kirishima, starts at Shinji Ikari's school and immediately admits to finding him cute. Gradually, a relationship unfolds and they end up going on a date where they kiss. It turns out, however, that she is one of three test pilots of TRIDENT, of a new competitor to the Evangelions, similar to Jet Alone, thus the name Girlfriend of Steel. Eventually, the other robot goes berserk and the Evas have to destroy it. Throughout the game, Asuka Langley Soryu is constantly jealous of Shinji and Mana, consistent with her widely-speculated romantic feelings for Shinji. (Mana is, in fact, much disliked by many fans of the Shinji/Asuka pairing.) Rei Ayanami is present but plays a rather background role in the story.

The interactivity in most of the game is limited to walking around areas until the next plot event is triggered. However, the one true branch occurs at the end of the game, where the player may choose to focus on Mana, Asuka or Kaji. This choice determines which of the game's three endings are shown. In the Mana ending, Mana is discovered not to have been killed in the battle. Shinji rescues her and brings her back to his apartment. She showers, emerges wearing only a towel, and teasingly asks Shinji if he'd like her to remove it (this is similar to a scene involving Shinji and Asuka in Yoshiyuki Sadamoto's Evangelion manga, in which Asuka actually does remove the towel - revealing that she has on a sleeveless, strapless top and short shorts underneath). In discussion with Misato, however, it is agreed that Mana has to leave Tokyo-3, and she says a teary goodbye to Shinji who had won her heart.

In the Asuka ending, Asuka helps Shinji to get over Mana and the two children grow closer as a result. This ending contains the most romantic images of Asuka and Shinji together that have been officially produced by Gainax, including a moving scene where Asuka hugs Shinji emotionally.

The third ending with Kaji does not focus on any one character as much as the other endings do. Mana is also discovered not to be killed, and says goodbye, with Shinji replying "I'll be waiting for you".

Spoilers end here.

External links

Neon Genesis Evangelion by Hideaki Anno
TV Series: Neon Genesis Evangelion
Films: \| The End of Evangelion \| Revival of Evangelion \| Live action film
List of characters in Neon Genesis Evangelion>Characters: Asuka \| Gendo \| Kaworu \| Misato \| Rei \| Ritsuko \| Kaji \| Shinji \| Toji \| Yui
Evangelion (mecha)>Eva Units: Pre-Unit 00 \| Unit 00 (Zerogouki) \| Unit 01 (Shogouki) \| Unit 02 (Nigouki) \| Unit 03 (Sangouki) \| Unit 04 (Yongouki) \| Unit 05 \| Mass Production Evangelions
Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)>Angels: Adam \| Lilith \| Sachiel \| Shamshel \| Ramiel \| Gaghiel \| Israfel \| Sandalphon \| Matariel \| Sahaqiel \| Iruel \| Leliel \| Bardiel \| Zeruel \| Arael \| Armisael \| Tabris \| Lilim
Video Games: Girlfriend of Steel > Girlfriend of Steel 2 \| Evangelion 64 \| Shinji Ikari Raising Project \| Shinji and Good Friends
Misc: "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" > Expanded Universe \| Glossary \| Human Instrumentality Project \| Media \| Red Cross Book \| Timeline \| Topics \|

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