Review of Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion (A+) – groundbreaking series, the entire show is classic with iconic images coming from everywhere. It is a smart, confusing, deep and polarizing series, with possibly the greatest ending in all of anime (for good or bad). The characters are all distinct personalities, and have huge gaping flaws that they hide behind talent, duty and sealed lips. But many have the added of effect of being creepy (possibly because they hold onto so many secrets, personal or otherwise). Shinji is probably the original antihero in anime, not in the way Hellsing is antihero, but in being like a sad mirrorimage of most coming of age boy anime heroes.

Shinji Ikari is a coward, weak and wishy-washy, kind of like a screwed up Charlie Brown. He is someone who you have fun comparing to other characters in his role. He doesn’t seem to permanently develop and mature over time like Kamille in Zeta Gundam or Ayato in RahXephon. He is not a smooth talking, professional James Bond-esque adult like Roger Smith in Big O. And he’s definitely nothing like the super macho super robot heroes like Domon Kashu of G Gundam (hell, he piloted a robot called God Gundam). But you can see his effect on the genre after his appearance in Eva and you can see his origins in characters of the past. And when he did get a backbone… wow!

The plot is… well its hard to explain, which says a lot about the show. The first half reels you in to believe it’s a traditional robot of the week anime, except with the twist of fighting the Angels (or Apostles) of God. THE most memorable image for me in Eva and possibly in my time viewing anime is the first time I saw an Angel. Without knowing what to expect, it shakes you to the core.

And like the Angels, the plot is a shocker too, there are so many symbols and twists and red herrings that you start to fill in the blanks in your own way. And that is the beauty of Eva’s plot, it becomes a personal experience. Because so much is left to the imagination that you start build a story in your head that is completely different from what someone else might pull from it. Like the religion it uses so often to tell its story, Eva becomes open to interpretation. Which leads to the infamous ending.

Obviously a lot can be given away by talking about the ending, but I am only going to skim over the reactions to it… or them (I told you the plot was confusing). The last two episodes are shockers, more than likely downers and possibly a wall. Many people were confused by it, me included. But after a second viewing, the ending I originally thought was just confusing and sad became a happy ending. Like I said, a lot is left up to interpretation. And that is the beauty of Eva.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is in essence another boy becoming a man robot anime, but it is told in the most unique and engrossing way. Empathy, apathy, action, tension and terror come together to paint a chilling picture of a world on the brink and the people trying to live normal lives with that fact. With characters and a plot that have become legendary, iconic and almost mythic, it is no wonder that this show is my #1.

Note: I wrote this review long before I found MAL, so I apologize if I don't address all of the subjects pointed out for review. I hope the numeric scores will be enough.