Review of Neon Genesis Evangelion

(Posting my AniList review here also) Neon Genesis Evangelion is a seminal anime that has left a lasting impact on the industry. Hideaki Anno's psychological and philosophical masterwork takes the audience on an introspective journey through the minds of its protagonists. The program stands out from other works in the genre due to its distinctive fusion of drama, action, and reflection. It stands to reason that it has grown to be among the most well-known and significant anime of all time. The attention paid to the characters' mental states in NGE distinguishes it from other anime. This is especially true of the show's protagonist, Shinji, whosejourney is a journey inside his own head. The show's excellent exploration of his thoughts and feelings is what gives it such a strong emotional resonance.

It's important to note that Hideaki Anno, the show's creator, was greatly influenced by his mental state. The topics and tone of the series are reflective of his struggle with melancholy and anxiety at the time he was writing them. NGE has left a lasting impression on the industry, inspiring countless other anime and altering how viewers perceive the genre. Its influence endures today, and anyone who is interested in the human condition, psychology or philosophy this show is a must-watch because of its unvarnished and intimate quality.

Story

In the ground-breaking anime NGE, a group of youths are chosen to operate massive bio-machine weapons known as Evangelions in order to protect the world from enigmatic creatures known as Angels.

The show is a brilliant storytelling tour de force that expertly combines aspects of mecha, psychological drama, and religious iconography to produce a distinctive and engrossing viewing experience. The animation and audio are excellent, and the characters have highly detailed facial features, well-developed motivations, and intricate interactions with one another.

NGE's provocative investigation of topics like identity, mental health, and nihilism is among its most outstanding features. The show pushes viewers to consider the nature of reality, the meaning of life, and the purpose of human existence. It is a unique piece of art that challenges viewers' assumptions and expectations and has an impact that lasts long after the end credits have rolled.

The series does have some issues, though. In particular, the last two episodes are contentious and have drawn a lot of flak for their ambiguity and divergence from the main plot. It's possible that some viewers won't be able to follow the series' intricate plotlines and dense symbolism.

Animation

"Neon Genesis Evangelion" was a trailblazer in the realm of animation, flaunting its prowess with a visual flair that defied the limited resources and financial constraints faced by its creators at Gainax. The vibrant color scheme, imbued with an eye-catching brightness, stood out in stark contrast to the heavy and serious themes explored within the narrative.

The character designs were a triumph, but it was the engineering marvels known as the EVA units and the Angels that truly elevated the bar of mecha design in the anime industry. No other production of the era could match the innovative designs conjured by NGE, pushing the boundaries of what was possible with animation. The show also dared to venture into uncharted territory, presenting the audience with foes that bore no resemblance to the human form—a bold move that was rarely seen at the time and a testament to the artistic vision of its director, Hideaki Anno.

Despite a few blemishes, the fluidity of the animation was remarkable and elevated the overall viewing experience. The few drawbacks present in the animation are merely trivialities that do not detract from the captivating journey through the world of NGE.

Characters

The series' primary protagonist is Shinji Ikari. He is a young man who is chosen by his father to operate an Evangelion, a massive bio-machine that would protect Tokyo-3 from unidentified creatures known as "Angels." Shinji is a multifaceted and varied character who manages to be simultaneously sympathetic and annoying. He is shown to be a very tormented person who battles feelings of abandonment, low self-esteem, and an all-encompassing sense of worthlessness.
It must be acknowledged that Shinji's characterization serves as an embodiment of the creator, Hideaki Anno's, struggles with depression and a sense of inadequacy. Anno has confirmed that many of his own internal demons are mirrored in Shinji's characterization, which rationalizes Shinji's more obvious facets.Throughout the series, he persistently bemoans his circumstances, despite being presented with multiple opportunities to seize control of his life and effect positive change. His persistent indecision and fear in the face of peril only serve to detract further from his character.

Another prominent character in the show is Rei Ayanami. She is a strange, reclusive person who also operates an Evangelion. Rei is a challenging persona to describe and comprehend. She is frequently portrayed as heartless and impassive, but as the story goes on, we find out that she is actually concealing a great deal of sorrow and sadness. One of the main topics of the program and one of the most compelling character arcs is that of Rei and her relationship with Shinji.

The last Evangelion unit's pilot is Asuka Langley Soryu. Asuka is outspoken, self-assured, and frequently comes across as haughty. Her weak interior, however, belies a strong person who has endured a great deal of suffering and hardship. In the frequently harsh and depressing world of NGE, Asuka, a well-developed character, brings humor, sarcasm, and a much-needed feeling of normalcy.

Shinji's father, Gendo Ikari, is the leader of NERV, the group in charge of protecting the city from the Angels. One of the series' most nuanced and enigmatic characters is Gendo. He is shown to be a cunning and ruthless person who will do anything, no matter how cruel or brutal, to accomplish his objectives. Gendo is a divisive character who stirs up strong emotions in the viewers.

The success of NGE is significantly attributed to its characters. Each character is distinctive, fully realized, and has multiple dimensions. The plot moves forward in part because of the connections between the characters, which are essential to the narrative. Whether you like or dislike these characters, you will remember them long after you have finished viewing the series.

Sound

The legendary anime NGE had a profound impact on both the animation business and popular culture in general. The series' soundtrack and songs play a crucial role in the whole experience by adding to the mood and feelings that it arouses in viewers.

One of the series' best songs is the opening theme, "A Cruel Angel's Thesis," which brilliantly encapsulates the mood of the show. A combination of cheerful pop and operatic vocals are used in the song to produce a distinctive and enduring tune that has come to be associated with "Evangelion." It's a strong, upbeat piece of music that wonderfully introduces the series and draws the listener into its world.

The "Evangelion" soundtrack is equally impressive. The music is hauntingly beautiful and uses a combination of symphonic and electronic sounds to evoke tension and unease. The soundtrack amplifies the emotional impact of each scene while supporting the show's dark and nuanced themes.

"Fly Me to the Moon," a well-known jazz standard that has been reinterpreted in numerous ways throughout the series, is another great track. The song acts as a repeating motif, connecting the many episodes and serving as a reminder of the show's fundamental themes of loneliness and self-discovery.

Philosophical and psychological elements

NGE is well known for its philosophical and psychological undertones.

Existentialism: The show examines existentialist philosophical concepts such as existence, identity, and meaning. A recurrent existentialist theme in the series is that the characters are debating the meaning of their existence and what it means to be human.

Psychoanalysis: Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theories, particularly those relating to the unconscious mind and the influence of early events on adult behavior, are widely referenced in NGE. The series' characters frequently have painful memories from their pasts haunting them, and in order to move on, they must face their irrational fears and wants.

Object Relations Theory: Melanie Klein's psychological theory highlights the significance of early relationships in influencing a person's emotional development. The emotional and psychological states of the characters in NGE are significantly shaped by their interactions with their parents and other early caregivers.

Psychological Trauma: Since many of the characters in the series have experienced serious emotional trauma in the past, the series spends a lot of time discussing the effects of psychological trauma. This trauma is shown as having an impact on the characters' current conduct and emotional states and is a key plot element.

Oedipal Complex: The Oedipal complex can be seen as portraying NGE's many characters' complicated emotional ties with their parents. The latent sexual desires and emotional tensions that may exist between a kid and their parent of the other sex are discussed in this psychoanalytic notion.

Enjoyment

Personally, it's difficult not to be struck by the series' unbridled ambition. Shinji, the primary character, undergoes notable character growth as he transforms from a reclusive and distressed young man to a more assured and self-assured person. Shinji's interactions with the other characters, including Asuka, Rei, and Misato, are equally intriguing and give the narrative more dimension.

The series' animation is excellent, and the music score adds to the emotional impact of each scene with hauntingly beautiful compositions, pulsating neon hues, and agile action sequences. The mecha designs are distinctive and iconic, which further enhances the appeal of the series.

The series does have some issues, though. Fans have expressed disagreement and perplexity over the show's final two episodes in particular. Despite the fact that they may not have all the answers, these episodes are a tribute to the show's daring and unusual storytelling.

NGE is a masterwork of anime storytelling that, more than 20 years after its first debut, is still timely and significant. For aficionados of the genre and anyone searching for a distinctive and challenging viewing experience, it is a must-watch because of its complex characters, thought-provoking topics, and beautiful animation. Despite its shortcomings, the anime is a ground-breaking achievement that deserves to go down in history as one of the best.