The Neon Genesis Evangelion​ ( 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン, Shin Seiki Evangerion ) franchise is a multi-billion dollar umbrella of Japanese media properties generally owned by the anime studio Gainax. The central (and original) works of the franchise feature an apocalyptic mecha action story which revolves around the efforts by the paramilitary organization Nerv to fight monstrous beings called Angels. Nerv's primary weapon against the Angels are giant mecha called Evangelions which are piloted by select teenagers, one of whom, Shinji Ikari, is the primary protagonist.