Review of Neon Genesis Evangelion
Miyazaki commented that Anno's strength is creating "honest work". Neon Genesis Evangelion is a profoundly personal masterpiece reflecting Hideaki Anno's personality. By no means is the series perfect, but Anno embraces imperfections and creates an emotionally resonating work that is impossible to condense and recreate through words. The imperfections of Eva by many audiences are felt in the divisive final episodes. I stand that these are the most poignant episodes in anime. Even if the experimental ending leaves the narrative ambiguous, the development and epiphany of the protagonist draw a satisfying conclusion. Most importantly, the divisiveness portrays Anno's innovations and style through uncertainties, as he states,"I have the most fun animating when I've hit my limit". Even after decades, Neon Genesis Evangelion remains innovative and prominent.
As previously mentioned, ambiguity is a major put-off for many audiences. The vague and symbolic nature when exploring depression and social isolation is the series' greatest strength, allowing longevity as a cultural icon. Anno lets audiences extrapolate their feelings onto the characters, portraying the ambivalence of shared isolation. The potency of the angst in modern life represented through postmodernist thinking prevailing today shows Eva's impact on Otaku culture. With the series' unexactness, interpretations remain varied. When reading the director's psychoanalysis of the protagonist, I found that my understanding of some scenes differed from the intended scenario.
With Neon Genesis Evangelion's impact on today's vast anime landscape, the subversion of tropes is not as impactful now. Binging the series and the expectations of the genre made the first half harder to watch. However, during the second half, the narrative's goal and direction became clearer even with more unconventional scenes which deconstruct the characters.
Watching Neon Genesis Evangelion proves the constant praise of Hideaki Anno's distinctive style, which continues to inspire. Also, the national anthem of Otakus, A Cruel Angel's Thesis, does not disappoint.