Review of Neon Genesis Evangelion

"You won't die, i'll be protecting you" Neon Genesis Evangelion. No other animated series can say it's brought forth as much controversy as this has. 23 years later it's still argued about, and still manages to maintain a passionate and loyal fanbase. Even with the rebuilds busy destroying the name, it consistently stands tall among the greatest series of all time, facing the relentless question over and over of whether it belongs in the hall of fame or whether it's wrapped up in just enough bullshit to get by. I'll start with the basics. NGE is NOT a series for everyone. Just as some prefer dogsto cats, and some prefer apples to oranges, others prefer various types of shows to this. Also, NGE is NOT a mecha show. If you are looking for a heroic mecha in which the main character overcomes all obstacles and wins a good amount of the time watch Gurren Lagann, which I can respectfully say is a masterpiece in it's own way, one that really doesn't suit my tastes though.

Evangelion is a psychological thriller, with a mix of philosophical themes that question humanity, love, who we are, our existence, and many other themes. It is NOT a series you can shut your brain off while watching, or skip a few episodes and still understand, hell it isn't even a series you can understand the first time watching. It is meant to be this way. It's meant to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat, questioning everything, developing theories, and slowly beginning to see the incredible level of detailing and thematic expression that Anno places into it. 23 years later people are still finding new details in Evangelion that weren't seen before, showcasing just how creatively complex this series is. If you can understand this, and keep your mind open while viewing the series, it'll be the greatest anime, scratch that artistic experience of your life.

Evangelion's story might be off putting at first. Teenage boy has to pilot mecha to save the world? Where have I heard this before? This is a spoiler free review but I can tell you right away the moment you get in it becomes anything but that. From the moment the first episode starts it's already weaving threads into a blanket of plot, and parts of the first episode are already show the animators know where the plot is going and what they are doing, contrary to what some may say. From then outwards, it grows increasingly complex, as more mysteries, more technicalities and more difficulties are added. Due to Anno's incredible directorship there never is a dull moment in the show, as each individual Angel is incredibly creative and the fights even more so. Whether you end up liking it or not by the end of the show, you'll have to admit that no series could ever cram as much content into 26 episodes as Evangelion can. To put it simply, it's a ride from start to finish.

Neon Genesis Evangelion and EoE for that matter are rightfully considered flawed masterpieces. The art was good for it's time, but is still a far cry from fantastic, and the amount of budget constraints that went into the show are easily seen.
I always talked about how it would have been better to just "Redraw" Evangelion. No rebuilds, no new characters, just entirely redrawn in 2018 standards. The only reason I would prefer this is because it would draw in new fans, fans that wouldn't have their first taste of the series be the god awful rebuilds. However, if that's done, some of the aesthetics are already lost. The fact that the art style is constrained, the fact that it holds frames and cuts corners, and the fact that the sinking budget is so visible are a critical part of Evangelion itself. Evangelion is a masterful series that is portrayed as a human work. The flaws and hiccups show that it was created by human people, people with dreams, emotions, lives. If you turn it into a CGI mess, then it's already an entirely different series. For that reason, I believe the art accomplishes it's goal.

I don't risk sounding like too much of a fanboy (Although by this point it likely doesn't matter) when I say Evangelion's soundtrack is a masterpiece in it's own. The iconic "Cruel Angel's Thesis" and the cover of "Fly me to the moon" were great on their own, but the individual pieces in Evangelion are what make it stand out. Comparible, but by no means similar to Cowboy Bebop, Eva's often uses it's soundtrack to really strike the mood right. The individual pieces of the OST convey certain emotions incredibly well, for instance "Decisive Battle" manages to output a sense of urgency and anxiety alongside a battle theme, a perfect partner to the characters and their minds themselves. Much like the music of Star Wars, you can tell exactly the emotions of a scene simply by hearing a few notes and recognizing the theme. It's a model soundtrack that other anime's should (And do for that matter) follow.

All of the above might seem like the perfect components to make a masterpiece, and in some ways they are. But it's the characters that transform Evangelion into Evangelion. The cast of NGE are without a doubt the most human characters you may ever see, and oftentimes they are hated precisely for that reason. When some people watch anime, they are looking to escape, to pretend to be someone they aren't. They want to be a person who overcomes their obstacles and fights vigilantly to become the greatest at what they can do. What they don't want, and what Evangelion provides, is a reality slap to the face as they stare directly at themselves. Even Anno himself stated that he hates the parts of Evangelion's characters where he sees himself, but that by no means makes them bad. The fact that you can see yourself in these characters, the fact that it manages to portray your struggles, your fears, your dreams in true human form on screen is a magical and unforgettable experience. The theme of Evangelion is learning to love yourself. I can only feel pity for those who hate the series because they hate themselves.

The last bit I can really say about the series is that it isn't a dry textbook of philosophical and psychological themes. Even if you don't give a rats ass about those 2 subjects, you'll still find it an incredibly enjoyable experience. Anno's mastery as a director cannot be overstated, and even removing the core of Evangelion the individual fights are quite entertaining to view. When I first watched Evangelion, I stayed up all night to watch all 26 episodes, simply due to how mesmerizing and enjoyable it was, something no other series has ever managed to do. NGE is a staple all anime fans must see at some point in their life, so even if you absolutely despise psychological anime you won't be disappointed.

No other show has changed my life like Evangelion has. Even on shitty days when I want nothing more than to throw myself off a bridge, Evangelion is there, a gentle reminder that there is reason to exist, that some form of happiness can be found on this world, that no matter how shitty things get you can still live. “Anywhere can be paradise as long as you have the will to live. After all, you are alive, so you will always have the chance to be happy. As long as the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth exist, everything will be all right.” Thank you all for reading, and Congratulations!