Review of Neon Genesis Evangelion
Take note I am reviewing this first edition of Evangelion based on THIS season only, I haven't got to the other parts because I want to solely review the parts separately. Neon Genesis Evangelion is probably one of the most popular anime of all time, but I always held off watching it because I am not a big fan of mecha and did not feel comfortable venturing myself out of my comfort zone, but I'm glad I decided to take the step and did not wallow in self-pity like Shinji (I kid, I actually didn't hate him as much as some people did), because this animeis DIFFERENT.
I would probably say that this season needs to be separated into two parts, the first and the second half. The first half is my least favourite of the series, it was draggy, generic, boring at times and simply too dialogue-heavy where it probably shouldn’t be. It was the most generic mecha anime out there for 13 episodes, but after that, that's when things start taking a huge turn. First half of NGE I would give a 3/5.
13 episodes later, we are suddenly getting flashbacks, psychological elements, mental instability, twists left right and centre, it is almost like the series changed themes, it turned from a typical shounen mecha to an avant-garde mindfuckery art. I want to say I am definitely here for this burst of imagination from Hideaki Anno. That is, until the lead up to the final 2 episodes, where things just got EXTRA weird... It's almost as if Anno was voicing his own thoughts through this projection of weird dialogues back and forth between the main characters. I was thoroughly engrossed, but extremely confused as well. I was simultaneously a big fan and a sceptic. Those 2 episodes did not lead up to the ending that the show deserved but they also had some of the most creative artistry I have seen in an anime. I did learn afterwards that the actual ending was basically touched up in the film sequel The End of Evangelion so I am willing to give this season-ending a pass. Second half of NGE I would give a 4.5/5.
I felt like so many of the characters had a depth to them, each have their own mental dark hole they fall in. I firmly believe that Hideaki Anno's own mental struggles had a big part in how the characters were portrayed. While I do appreciate OP characters like Lelouch in Code Geass and Light in Death Note, I also personally really appreciate characters who are not these perfect, chiselled, god-like figures who seemingly do everything perfectly. These characters not only add a sense of belonging to the story, and also shows the audience that they are vulnerable human beings that are messed up in the mind. I am sure many people will relate to them in a lot of ways. Even if for people, like myself, who cannot relate to them personally, I do have extreme compassion in some of the traumatic events and decisions that are placed upon these middle schoolers, those are not issues that even some adults are capable of tackling, so I do get the mental struggle and why it ultimately drove some of the characters to the edge.
The ultimate rating is one the encompasses the whole series as a whole, while the second half is amazing, I am not totally fond of the first half, therefore, 4/5 is the best I can do for this season. I am undoubtedly looking forward to The End of Evangelion.