Neon Genesis Evangelion

I’m sure a million reviews have come out, I’m also sure different responses or opinions are very evident. I’m giving my 0.02 anyway.

The majority of the “story” (I’ll explain why I put them in quotes later) revolves around Shinji Ikari¹, and a struggle of self-determination.²

There were 2 catastrophies which were [supposedly] caused by the enemy, the “Angels.” These Angels want something… which will lead to a 3rd catastrophe… and is precisely why the organization Nerv, was founded to prevent it. Trust me when I say it’s more complicated than that – which is the beauty of Eva. If you haven’t seen the anime yet, that intro will suffice.

Evangelion shines because of it’s character development which is the core of the series. Though I’ve mentioned the intro which is supposed to be the “story,” the whole series in fact isn’t really a “story.” It is rather a representation of a religious/philosophical belief which was presented in the form of a “story.” I realized this after reading this certain page in the internet which analyzed Eva… and I’m just relaying it – because I really think they’re on to something.

I don’t really know the details, so i’ll just give the gist. To be somewhat specific, each character represented something in a religious context. And their personality both contained virtues and vices of that “thing” they represent. One example would be Shinji = something. That something has virtues (what should be) and vices (what not). The vices of that something lets say was fear, isolation, etc. Which was displayed by the loser attitude of Shinji. Straying away for a bit. Many people hated the last episodes of Eva… because it had no finality in the “story.” Now I suggest watching it again after what I’ve just told you. Shinji found what he was looking for in the end of the series! Therefore Anno did nothing wrong as most shallow viewers would claim.

SPOILER HERE The movie on the other hand showed how he failed to achieve his virtue… because he failed to “accept ” Asuka… and therefore cannot merge with him. END SPOILER

If you apply the same logic to all of the characters, you’ll really see the virtues and vices of that which they represent. The problem now is how the hell would you know? And that’s my only beef against Eva: for the viewer to appreciate it, he/she must be aware of those particular “religious/philosophical entities/states” Which anno was focusing on. Which is probably why he made it fit into a “story.” which is Evangelion.

So my rating… Evangelion is truly a masterpiece! If you’re into for the story, be prepared to be dissappointed in the end (or you could watch the movie so you’d have a more acceptable ending) but if you’re after its entirety and grasp of religious/philosophical ideas… then you wont be dissappointed. I can’t find the URL which had the specific analysis. But if I recall correctly, I think the things the characters represent are the different aspects of “being,” and their corresponding vices and virtues. Furthermore, these are more connected to a religious belief rather than a philosophical one. But can be treated as both. I forget if it’s related to something Judea-Christian or something… ah hell!

SPOILER HERE With that said… taken as a whole. Don’t you think it makes so much sense that the focus of Seele³ [or the Eva anime] was something called the Human Instrumentality Project? Cool huh. END SPOILER

Anno is a genius!