Review of Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion justly deserves the praise it gets. It's far from perfect, but in the end its strengths make up for its shortfalls. It starts out slowly and more or less falls into the monster of the week trope, as if trying to find a good pace and a way of expressing its ideas. It's not an easy watch at first, and only after finishing it do its qualities come to light. The director's cuts of episodes 21 through 24 are without a doubt superior to the original versions and tie in perfectly with the End of Evangelion (which is a must watch). Though Ifound the original run and ending to be quite satisfactory, it must be acknowledged that the director's cut and the End of Evangelion are what truly elevates and saves the series.

With memorable and well-defined characters, an interesting plot, a both oppressive and mysterious atmosphere, a great OST, and an animation that feels aged but not outdated, managing to create quite impressive and standout imagery, Neon Genesis Evangelion lives up to expectations and deals with issues such as intimacy and divinity in a unique way (the struggle with intimacy, from which arises the struggle for divinity, is the driving force of the show). As such, it is truly worthwhile and a must-watch for all anime fans.