Review of Neon Genesis Evangelion

Evangelion, a classic. And like "great" literature, greatly divisive. I haven't watched many mecha anime, but I'm fairly confident in saying that NGE is likely the best mecha anime out there; because, its mecha premise is really just a medium for its actual themes and story, sort of like Madoka Magica. And the story it tells is one that will strike deeply at the hearts of some, and not so much for others. We begin with Shinji. Our beloved, despised boy is only 14, and yet, like Atlas, he bears a weight far greater than any his age should bear. Many point to Shinji's hesitation and reluctanceas overbearingly annoying, and dismiss him as perhaps one of the wimpiest protagonists in anime. Certainly, both because we are used to initiative and action from our main characters, and because of a universal satisfaction with "saving the day," Shinji is sure to frustrate many. But these very struggles he goes through, infuriating the masses, also lie at the core of why Shinji appeals at all. Daddy issues, sure. We've seen that before. But a constant insistence of free will and choice, the consequences that always result, and a complete disconnect with everyone else—these are what build Shinji up, and tear him down. We realize then what it means to act first—to accept responsibility for all the hell that comes after. We learn, too, of the sheer difficulty in even speaking a word of struggle to another. And with his rise after Operation Yashima, and shortly afrer, his fall, we're hit with something new: that people can, and will, lose.

Asuka is a great parallel to Shinji, showing just how differently different people can see the world. Where Shinji runs away, Asuka comes forward. And yet, her failures break her down as well, and the lack of true compassion and care for her cement the devastating effects of isolation and secrecy.

Rei is an interesting case. Of the shy and quiet, she's truly an enigma. We see hints of humanity and kindness within her, but like the others, she never really breaks out of it. She's bound by her fate with Gendo and instrumentality, a victim and pawn of others. I can't say she had great depth, but she just wasn't meant to go that far; and I appreciate her inability to completely turn around, as many tormented souls in anime do.

Evangelion is a character-centered story, for the most part, so the result is a profound look at humans as individuals and how they connect with others. But, as the series goes on, the plot begins to fall apart, particularly in the last three episodes, diminishing our connection with the trio. But, if you want to fix that, just watch the End of Evangelion.

For an anime from 1995, the animation and designs are still quite pleasing to the eye. The series really captures the essence of tension and just pure epicness with the fights and explosions—the destruction.

Shiro Sagisu's score is nice as well, filled with classics like Decisive Battle that set up the almost wartime setting, both in tension and melancholy.

Overall, when viewed from the big picture, the series still conveys its themes powerfully, even as it objectively crumbles in the final quarter, and remains an exemplary work of suffering and catharsis.