Review of Neon Genesis Evangelion

I'm just gonna say it straight out the gate, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a masterpiece that speaks volumes about the human mind. It's an amazing work of art that had my friends and I questioning ourselves on the reason behind why we do the things we do. It's a question I never would have asked and or tried to answer so thoroughly without having seen Neon Genesis. Due to this series, I feel like I've learned to accept the parts I love about myself a helluva lot more, while simultaneously learning that all the self-doubt, embarrassment, and trauma in life will eventually be healed overtime. Furthermore, I can say it's given me a greater appreciation for people who simply just view and live out a lifestyle different from my own. Overall, I've been a pretty pessimistic and depression-prone person for a very long time, but Evangelion in only a couple of days (this might sound hyperbolic but I'm 100% being real lol) has helped me truly enjoy waking up even when thing's aren't going the way I want them to. For that, I'll eternally be grateful to this anime, the people who made it, and basically the author Hideaki Anno because his work has helped me to crush as well as overcome my self-destructive addictions and (at the time) poor state of mind. So, big ups to them for that.

This series is about a young boy, Shinji, who's been abandoned by his father and was totally your ordinary student. However, his life is turned upside down when he's called in by his father (whom at this point hasn't spoken to his son in years) to defend Tokyo from Godzilla-Esque antagonists called "Angels." Throughout the course of the series, many explosive battles will occur that will leave a viewer in awe, but it's truly the layers of lore, smart dialogue, and mature characterization that will keep the viewer hooked (it did for me at least xd).

For my more objective take on the anime I have to say one mighty praise I have for it is that it's engaging. I normally never binge-watch shows, but from episode 1 and onward I was left constantly yearning to know what happens next, and by the time I hit episode 13, I knew for a fact I had to finish this show. In fact, I find it's an anime that's perfect for doing so since each episode is only twenty minutes and there are only twenty-six episodes in all. On top of that, the writing is so well layered with how it addresses the characters and their respective identities. The best example that comes to mind is Asuka's character. Upon the first introduction, I wrote her off as an annoying, yet funny tsundere archetype, and other viewers may agree with this assessment, but I promise as the show goes on and her layers are unraveled it's simply mind-blowing to truly know why she is that type of person. Now for most casual weebs like myself, action is important, and for a guy who's never been interested in the mecha genre due to my westernized transformer's stereotype of the genre, I thought it was gonna be wack. I'm glad I was proven wrong because the fight scenes are sublime to look at. You can really feel the danger and intensity that the pilots go through with every encounter with the angels which makes it feel like a definite thriller. So, if you're into nail-biting action, but your unsure about mecha anime then this is a great start. Also, I can't close out this review without touching on the art and the soundtrack of the series. All I can say is that it's iconic for a reason that it earns. The artwork is quite simply, so good that I would genuinely frame some of the scenes, and the opening is endlessly replayable and catchy. Finally, I'm not gonna spoil anything but everything about this anime is just executed in such a way that it's aged like fine wine, even the controversial ending which personally I can say was the best way for the series to end. Overall, if you are curious if the hype is backed up, looking for a good action anime, or simply want a mature show that you might relate to, then check out "Neon Genesis Evangelion." I rate it a 10 out of 10 for the masterpiece that it is.

P.S. I can't believe this came out in the 90s because it's freaking so ahead of its time xddd lol thanks for reading.