Review of Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion (or NGE) is not only a classic but a genuinely good show. However, it’s a difficult one to recommend. We’ll start by discussing what this show is about and the message it’s trying to convey. Then, we’ll explore how it achieves this and how well it utilizes its major elements. What is it about? This is a show that explores the nature of identity, focusing on the intersections between religious and secular views. It’s a deep subject, which is why so many people dive into various interpretations of the anime. That said, despite its heavy use of religious symbolism, the anime itself doesn’t delvedeeply into these themes. You can rest assured it won’t alienate its audience—you won’t need years of meditation or Bible studies to understand it.

First things first, let’s talk art direction:

The sound design is excellent, striking a balance between the technological and the primal within both the EVA units and the Angels. The opening song is catchy and meaningful, setting the tone right from the start.

The overall art style is fitting for the theme. Most of the characters don’t look particularly unique—they could easily blend into the background of any other anime. However, this isn’t due to a lack of originality in the art style. The EVAs are unique, and the world they inhabit is fascinating to an extent.

So, how does it start?

The world-building, primarily done through the art, is one of the first things you’ll notice. It won’t blow you away, nor is it the main focus, but it’s well-executed. The story provides sufficient explanations, making the setting more than just a backdrop.

The anime isn’t immediately clear about its philosophical or melancholic undertones. However, it does clearly establish the structure that will dominate most of its runtime: the EVA units, which are the focus and the primary weapon against the Angels.

Hints of the deeper philosophical themes are present, mainly in the names. Neon Genesis Evangelion literally means “Gospel of the New Century.” EVA is the Latin name for Eve. The enemies are called Angels, and so on.

What about the characters?

I’m not here to bash this anime—it’s not really my style. I prefer to highlight what’s to like in any piece of content. However, I can’t fool you: Shinji is not a great lead. He diminishes much of the mystery the anime could have had and isn’t particularly interesting. Other characters that could have been great sometimes act out of character to accommodate his development or certain plot points.

There are more outspoken characters like Misato, and later on, Asuka, who could have been the saving grace. They add some spice to the mix and make for some great episodes when utilized well.

Asuka is actually my favorite character, and as someone who has critiqued NGE before, I’d like to suggest a change that could improve it: Asuka could have been the lead. She has more personality and is far more entertaining. She wouldn’t need much more development than she already received in the anime. Mysteries that don’t work with Shinji could be explained by Asuka’s driven and intelligent nature.

Beyond that, the characters are thematically strong. The focus on 14-year-olds is one of the few cases in anime where it makes sense, as teenage years are often filled with identity questions. The cast is diverse enough to represent different ages and personalities, delivering the themes effectively.

What about the story itself?

Most of the show is episodic, with one of the EVA units eventually defeating an Angel. Occasionally, there are hints of something more, which becomes increasingly dramatic as the series progresses, culminating in a two-part finale that is completely different from the rest of the series.

One of the greatest praises this show deserves is that it isn’t a mecha anime just for the sake of being cool, although it does rely on that coolness initially. The EVA units are crucial not only to the episodic and overall plot but also to the themes.

I also appreciate the choice of mystery as a secondary genre. Exploring themes of identity within the mystery genre is always intriguing. However, I call it secondary because it isn’t particularly strong in that genre. Don’t let the overwhelming praise spoil your experience—this is first and foremost a mecha anime, and most of the enjoyment comes from the cool action and mechas.

The finale is a masterpiece in terms of thematic exploration, elevated by its unorthodox execution. It does answer the big mysteries, but it leaves some holes for those more focused on the plot.

So, what did I think of it as a whole?

It’s a good anime that caters to its target audience—young boys who love mecha—and offers very good, sometimes great, thematic exploration. It’s a hard sell for those who don’t enjoy the mecha genre.

The ending might be worth watching even for non-fans of mecha, as the theme of identity is well-explored and handled excellently. It could serve as a good meditation for younger audiences.