Shinseiki Evangelion

As a complete '10' show, NGE brilliantly drives the watcher into the world of kids protecting the world from the destruction... Or, is that so? IF AFTER WATCHING YOU THINK THAT THE PLOT IS NOT FINISHED AND THE SERIES WAS ABOUT MECHAS, THEN WATCH IT AGAIN. AND AGAIN. AND AGAIN. Don't give an opinion until you REALLY get what was going on. And as a major thing I've noticed is the fact, that the ending in EoE is just a cinematized and actionized (are those two words? I'm not sure) for sake of enjoyability, while 25&26 EP (widely regarded as gibberish etc.) drive the person into the Shinji's psychic and goes widely psychedelic, still being easy to understand if the person wants to understand it, on a larger sense than robots and saving the world, it is not about saving the planet in the end... The series combines VERY many genres, ranging from ecchi through comedy to action (lots of those). There's nothing to say about the characters, since those were VERY widely discussed and for me they're great portrayals of broken kids, and as such (it was a concept after all) the makers did a great job: they're really broken, it is very widely expressed and shown. Shinji is not emo, he's just a guy in his 14s (or at least it seems like that) who is completely lost. Asuka is a VERY tsundere person, but, different from many series, it's firmly anchored in her story. Rei is just Rei, silent and not open at all, well, none character is. The rest of the crew goes pretty well, hell, they're made as good as the main chars. What I loved was the music, placing the classical music in various places was a really good decision and ruled a big time. OP and ED fit my taste and I loved them. Also, art was great - maybe the Angles were kinda laughable, but first it was a decision which could be related to the real sense of the series and secondly the fights were done with great precision - especially all the blood splatters'n'shit. The last two EPs, which are considered the ones which hadn't gotten enough budget have benefited from it, actually - they're dark and empty, emphasizing the climate. In conclusion I'd like to say that I can recommend this series to any person that deserves a lot from a series, not just typical fights, ecchi or comedy. It has got sense, an idea, atmosphere and a wonderful plot. Check it yourself!

Evangelion is often considered to be a must watch title, as it tried to push the boundaries of the medium during its run in the 90s. Helmed by Hideaki Anno, this Gainax series is known to polarize viewers due to its unconventional and controversial themes. Being a highly experimental series, is it worth your time to invest in the complicated web of Neon Genesis Evangelion? This will be a spoiler-free review. Evangelion starts off by introducing us to the main character Shinji, whose behavior is a large turn off for many. Shinji is thrust into the typical situation of most mechas, he is told he is the only one that can fight a nearly unstoppable group of monsters and save the world. He is told this by his estranged father, who is the head of the organization responsible for Earth's defense against the Angels, NERV. In other mecha anime we see the main character adjusting to this situation with a level head and become the savior of the human race, but Evangelion humanizes the character by showing him as a scared and depressed child who is clearly not qualified to pilot humanity's last hope. This is what makes Evangelion so unique, it shows us the other side of typical scenarios, and provides a more human element by showing a vulnerable child who is just looking for some approval from those he loves. It still is difficult to watch Shinji's cowardice and his refusals to go near the Evas, but I think that I would have reacted in a similar way if I was strapped into the cockpit of some giant mech. The series starts off in a fairly linear fashion with the appearance of an Angel, the giant main antagonists of the series that are undefeatable by conventional means, and the heroes having to defeat the Angel before it makes its way to NERV headquarters. The second main character introduced is the "golden girl" of Evangelion, Rei Ayanami, the mysterious and quiet blue haired girl. Rei is at first envied by Shinji due to her close relationship with his father, but the more and more we learn about Rei the stranger and less human like she seems. Rei is described as doll like on several questions, and this description fits her perfectly as she struggles with the concept of her own identity as well as her relationship with the head of NERV and Shinji's father, Gendo Ikari. The last main introduced later in the story is Asuka Langely Sohryu, who is a child prodigy and the last main Eva pilot. She initially comes off as an arrogant, as she is extremely proud of her superior piloting skills and is extremely stubborn. Some of interactions with Shinji are the source of most of the comic relief of the series, but also reacts to his cowardice and her teasing of Shinji results in some of the actions that he takes. Her pride is one of her greatest strengths and her greatest flaw, as it allows her to charge into battle, but also serves as a cover for what's really going on inside her mind, and without her pride, Asuka is reduced to nothing. The story of Evangelion is a complicated one, and it make take a rewatch or two as well as some discussion with others to try to fully understand what is going on in the series. Despite starting fairly straight forward with a simple plot of defeating the "bad guys" as they appear, the series showcases its great animation and the action scenes are a joy to watch. The fights are well choreographed and thought out, as brute strength isn't always needed to defeat the Angels and instead a well thought out and executed plan as well as a little luck is needed as well. The story is littered to references to religion, and some of there play an integral part of the story as well as the mystery behind Instrumentality and the Angels. All of the characters have their own personal agenda, as each is working to bend the will of Instrumentality to fit their own needs. The series has an intricate back story that is slowly progressed as the series moves on, and the history of Evangelion is fascinating and brings up a lot mysteries about what really is happening in the city of Tokyo 3. It is quite hard to follow and keep up with what is going on and why, which is a bit of a turn off for some, but it is rewarding to really think and come to your own conclusions of what is going going on in the world of Evangelion. The ending of Evangelion spawned the term "Gainax Ending", and rightfully so the ending is a sharp departure from the action that was seen before it in favor of more unconventional ending that sees the characters try to conquer their inner conflict rather than offer a more definite real world conclusion. It's frustrating that most of the questions about what is happening outside isn't adequately explained, and leaves a lot of questions. In response to the lukewarm reception to the ending the End of Evangelion was released to offer a more ingrained interpretation to the ending, but is also pretty experimental itself and may not be able to satisfy or answer all the questions you have at the end of the series. Evangelion was a thought provoking anime that had some fantastic characters that really made the show, and had some superb animation for the time as well as a catchy opening that is considered one of the best in the industry. Although its difficult to understand and some times generally confusing, it is a truly unique work that really makes you think and was not afraid to push the boundaries of conventional thought.

Okay, before I start this review I shall give a bit of background info as it had probably changed my viewing experience. The first ever manga I've ever saw was evangelion. I didn't exactly read it but still, first exposure to manga/anime. Fast forward a couple of years and I remember that thing, not knowing the name. So I google searched what I remember and after a while, I found it. So it was something I was looking forward to watching. >Story was fine..ish. It was okay, just a normal monster of the week type deal with mechs involved. But the thing that really made it interesting is the way the story is kind of set. It slowly turns from an action-y mech series to soemthing that feels more psychological. Which is why this story is interesting. But the latter part is confusing, which does prevent it from being a really good story. >Okay, this is an older-type of anime, so the art isn't like most so if you're one of those types who like gradient colors, this anime will slightly annoy you if you plan on watching it. But that doesn't mean the art style is bad, it's fairly good at least. If you can get past the old-style animation, which most usually do, the art is good. >Sound; this is probably where I'll have more difficulty explaining. The whole sound effects and dub was good. A really good dub in fact. But the music is a bit harder for me to decide. It does good during the whole fight scenes and usually the emotional ones, but it doesn't really shine through just the average normal scenes. >I know I may be getting some hate from this category but it's my opinion. I may change it after re watching it or something. Honestly, they aren't bad but they weren't good either. The main children were kinda cut-outs of tropes; the tsudere, the wimp, the calm one, the jock(sorta), and the sly one. They did do their roles really good actually. And the best part is how the characters are shown at various times, how they all are some how messed up in the head. >Enjoyment; I really liked it. It was me rediscovering an series that I probably would have never tried out if I didn't see it when I was younger and not even in to anime. I didn't care about the dated animation or even the moments where shinji was...shinji. But I enjoyed it, though the ending was really off. Either way it was a fine and not a waste of time. > Verdict; it's good. Okay to see if you decide to watch a mech series and then some. Nothing too over-the-top compared to today's standards in the music/art but still good none the less. But that's my opinion and this is my first review, so feel free to Caps at me if you feel like I was totally wrong in my review.

One series that needs no introduction in anime fandom is "Neon Genesis Evangelion" (or just " Evangelion" for short). Infamous, influential and controversial, it's probably the most well known anime equivalent of marmite, with opinions on it being extremely polarised - it's usually considered either as a brilliant masterpiece or a pretentious piece of crap. As for which side of the fence I'm on, the answer is neither. I'm straddling it, and I have to say it's quite uncomfortable having a piece of fence stuck up my arse, but I'm digressing... At the time of this writing, I've watched "Evangelion" twice. First time round, I liked it, but also thought it was overrated. Having watched it again 5 or 6 years later after hearing/reading so much about it, I've come to appreciate - to some extent - what made it such a big series, even if I don't think of it as God's gift to anime. Right from the start, "Evangelion" showed intent to distinguish itself among other mechas. Even discounting the uncharismatic protagonist and the focus on his psychological problems (all of which I'll get to later), there are things that stuck out. For example, piloting a mecha in "Evangelion" is not shown as a nice experience. The Eva units have barely been tested in real battle when they get introduced at the beginning of the series, and as such, they're pretty unreliable and experimental. And to pilot the Evas, the pilots have to almost become a part of them, and this has some less than ideal consequences: the pilot experience painful feedback when their Eva is damaged, and also their mental condition can severely impact the performance of the Eva due to its synchronisation mechanism. The mecha battles themselves can be gruesome; there's a kind of animalistic brutality about them. The Evas are at least semi-biological in nature, as are some of their enemies, so instead of the usual clashing of cold, unfeeling lumps of giant metal, these battles often feel more akin to mighty beasts ferociously tearing into one another. But most of this is just confetti, because the real meat of "Evangelion" is found in its collection of dysfunctional characters. The first few episodes mostly centre on the protagonist Shinji , a character notorious for his incessant whining. He may not be my favourite character ever, but I do find him to be a believable character for the most part, especially his love-hate relationship with his dad, and his reluctance to pilot his Eva . After all, he's still a child, and as much as mecha piloting is generally seen as a glorious job in anime, mechas are just tools for destruction, and in a more sombre view it's not unreasonable to see adults not being able to stomach all the fighting and killing, let alone children. Factor in also the aforementioned hardships involved in being an Eva pilot and also Shinji's upbringing (or rather lack of), his actions are understandable - he may be a wuss in anime terms, but the way the anime explores his problems in the first few episodes makes it hard to blame him. After getting off to a good start though, the series couldn't maintain its quality. One of the reasons is its descent into a lame monster-of-the-week format. While these episodes aren't terrible, they're kinda generic, and are often filled with rather convenient or contrived plot points (if, in one episode, an Eva isn't equipped to deal with a certain situation, you can be sure that situation will arise). This is especially disappointing considering how the series started off so ambitiously. Another problem is the other mecha pilots. I know the series deliberately hand-picked a cast of characters that are less than normal, but out of the show's famously abnormal central trio of Shinji, Asuka and Rei, only Shinji's characterisation can be considered good. And as the monster-of-the-week format kicked in with full force, the focus shifted from Shinji onto this harem of his, and a good change it is not. Asuka is too one-dimensionally loud and annoying, while Rei is too one-dimensionally lifeless and wooden, not to mention the latter's nauseatingly obedient personality smacks of pandering (it's no coincidence that her character is so popular). Yes, I know there are more to them, but their dominant personality traits feel artificial and overblown to the extent that they drown out all other aspects of their characters. Asuka's appearance was particularly bad for the show, as not only was her own characterisation poor, she also induces Shinji to become strangely chirpy and full of indignant banter. Even in the earlier part of the series, the comedy (epitomised by the random penguin,) often seemed out of place, but I felt it especially keenly here during the exchanges between Asuka and Shinji. Thanks to Asuka and Rei, this part of the show produced some of the most memorably bad scenes in the series, including a contrived kissing scene and an atrocious "embarrassing accident" scene that could have been recycled from any number of lowly harems. This smattering of cliches and random humour feels detrimental and almost insulting to the darker, more serious portions of the show. Thankfully, it doesn't last for too long, and "Evangelion" soon goes back to what it does best - the exploration of its fucked up characters. It's not just the main characters who have a few screws loose; hardly any of the supporting characters can be considered mentally healthy. Misato's psychological scars belies her often girlish behaviour (a bit like Asuka in that respect, but not quite as bad), and even the seemingly calm and rational Ritsuko has mental baggage stashed away in the proverbial closet of her mind. And that's not even mentioning Gendo who, with his unique brand of fatherly love, is probably the most screwed up of them all. Most of the important side characters are well fleshed out, with the show usually dedicating at least an episode or two to explore each of their problems. As the show continued, it got darker; more importantly, it got better. But while the dubious mental state of the characters got a thorough examination, the same cannot be said for the underlying plot. Although there's a grand sense of complexity about it, so many important details are glazed over that the narrative bordered on incoherent at times. The show seems more interested in raising questions, cultivating them like watermelons, than actually harvesting them and giving out some answers. But given that the creator of the show himself, Anno Hideaki, apparently admittedly that they were making it up as they went along, this is perhaps not surprising. With dangling loose ends multiplying at an unmanageable rate, suddenly there were just two episodes left to tie them up ... and boy did they divide opinions. The show's demise was pretty much sign-posted at the start of episode 25, in the form of a cop out statement about only having time to focus what's going on in Shinji's head - it's almost an admission from the makers that they've left themselves with far too much to do. And because the show ran out of budget, these final two episodes were strung together using repetitive, recycled footage, interlaced with repetitive, introspective monologues. Earlier in the series, repetition techniques were often used to great effect, coming off as an autistic, obsessive way of portraying mental problems, but although it still had its compelling moments in the last two episodes, it was over-used to the point where Hideaki was in danger of looking like a one-trick pony. Still, the shittiness of those last two episodes didn't stop people from over analysing its every small detail. Inevitably, they were seen as a stroke of genius by some. Of course, the show encouraged this kind of over-analysis throughout its run with its almost fetishistic obsession with symbolisms. A lot of it wasn't even that effective or meaningful, and were only thrown in because the makers thought it would be cool to have them. A classic example of t…

So I've written some pretty negative reviews about a lot of I guess kind of dark and bitter anime.. but here is an opportunity to make a more positive one! (Edit: I also edited to kind of change a few things.. sorry!) NGE I remember people seeing it back when and it being renowned for being metaphysical, philosophical, perverted, goofy, running out of money, all kinds of stories and possibilities along with a controversial ending, and now the passage of time, seem to have obsfuscated this anime somewhat, which is a shame because it's still more interesting than a lot of those others which seem to have disappeared... I think the thing about NGE is it is APOCALYPTIC. Sorry to use all caps there, ^_^. I mean, it's themes are very intense I think in many ways, the people of Tokyo-7 which is like this newer city built basically into the earth so that it can be defended against the attacks of angels, which are these crazy looking giant monster sort of things. They are basically bent on reaching the internal level of NERV, which is like an Avengers styled secret defense agency which is like focused on defending against the Angel attack and so on and so forth. The attacks sabotage and demoralize Tokyo-7 and it's citizens, all of them kind of suffering in the middle of this chaos. It's a very bitter and dark anime, lots of things go wrong and it gets really messy! However, I wouldn't say it was actually so un-fun as a consequence, in contrast to the idea that it was overly phiosophical or distant I thought it was interesting precisely because it was not metaphysical, philosophical, (particularly) perverted, or aimless. No in fact what NGE demonstrates to me is some measure of restraint, and unwillingness to rely on particularly safe endings and instead opting for full destruction... and focuses more simply on people's day to day interactions and small differences of emotion or desire that make people better understand one another. One part of Evangelion that people seem to take issue is this sense that the characters/ending are a bit chaotic and there's sort of this wild element, and that's sort of a running theme through the ending and what not, and which struck many as psuedo-philosphical and so on, and yet while true the series (and character) have a habit of spinning slightly out of orbit, it's never an excess that defeats the internal thematic power of Evangelion. Moreover, the general tendencies for characters to spin out of orbit part and the chaos is part of the charm, the series isn't going to hold your hand, it's going to fly off the handle so if you want a more predictable experience better to stay away. The funny thing is though even if you take all the aspects I don't like about NGE, add them together, and then take all the things I like it about it, there is still a fun thing there, despite it being fairly intense. The best way to summarize Evangelion is that it's kind of like the ultimate "anime" anime, like, you are getting this experience of an anime at it's rawest, lots of the goofy elements, kind of there in raw form, the jokes, comedy (yes there are jokes and comedy), the kind of resentment towards traditional heroic themes. It's easily the most intense encapsulation, the only other thing I've come across at similar intensity (for that kind of dynamic) is Bakemonogatari which is, for all it's theatrics, somewhat toned down. So yeah. NGE was pretty interesting, but it's also not necessarily #1.. but if you are newer to anime and want to see one of the kind of core elements of it then you should definitely check out Evangelion because you probably won't find anything that expresses that ethos at a similar level.

STORY: A Japanese youth named Ikari Shinji is asked by his father Gendo (who abandoned him) to pilot an enormous, powerful, mysterious mecha (robot), the Evangelion Unit 01 (Note: there are 2 other units: 01 which is piloted by Ayanami Rei, and 02, which is piloted by Asuka Langley). What makes the Evas different from other mecha is: they have a nearly impenetrable barrier, the AT Field, only certain youths can pilot them, the Evas themselves do major damage to the city while defending it, and they are not so easy to control; you have to synchronize with them. The purpose of the Evangelion (Eva for short) is to defend the fortress-like city of Tokyo-3 (and all of mankind, really) from seemingly extraterrestrial beings with destructive abilities, called the Angels. ART: The series was made in 1995, thus everything it is hand-drawn; and I must say, the animation is exceptional. Everything from the characters to the subtle things in the background is drawn well. SOUND: The voice acting is excellent. The growls and roars from the Evas and Angels are breathtaking. In addition, the use of classical music always sounds appropriate and is enjoyable to listen to. CHARACTERS: The character development is one of the reasons why NGE is such a good series. Many of the characters are depressed; they don't just do their job and fight the Angels mindlessly. They also have regrets and get angry like normal people would if they had to do such a thing. You have an idea of what almost all the characters have went through in their life (the personnel who sit at the computers are really the only ones who you know little about). ENJOYMENT: The epic battles against the Angels are extremely thrilling. The times when Shinji "runs away" are interesting, as you try and figure out exactly what he's thinking. The parts where Misato drinks beer early in the morning and yells "yeehaaa!" are hilarious. OVERALL: If there is any serious worthy if the title "masterpiece", it's NGE. Anno Hideaki "burned his soul" into NGE; the series basically tells his entire life (or at least his battle with depression) through the use of visually craft, symbolism, metaphors. This isn't a series you can analyze by watching just once. However, even if you view it superficially, it is still entertaining.

Part 1: A loving embrace “Just...hang in there...” -Misato Katsuragi Neon Genesis Evangelion is the 1995 classic and brainchild directed by the legendary Hideaki Anno. It is a juggernaut that garnered fame and influence by challenging art that came before, directly spawning a cornucopia of successors, some of whom managed to become success stories themselves. Few pieces of animation hold such an honor, and monumental works such as this have a ginormous presence in their medium’s landscape, regardless of the fact that each of these select few titles are still around today with new, if less well-received instalments gracing our screens. Apart from what it became, Neon Genesis Evangelion is first and foremost, a brutally somber, touching, and emotional mech series that challenges the conventions of the genre. It is a story of broken people being thrust into a dangerous situation and forced to confront and harness things they don’t understand, such as their new biomechanical technology and even their own feelings and psychological hang-ups, in a desperate attempt to survive with their sanity in tact. It is horrifying to witness, managing to eradicate one’s heartstrings with such sheer understanding of what demented, somber, and lonely states of mind are being depicted here. Not only does it exhibit how these broken, alone, depressed, and scared people came to be the way they are, but it does something even more important: it tells us that everything will be ok if we make it. It understands people. It encourages. It wants you to understand too. So, it shows a fraction of the desolate state its characters are in with its main character, fixes him, builds things back up and shows people adapting to their new lives and overcoming hardships, whilst slowly revealing, meticulously peeling the layers of everything out from under us. Then, it tells it all down systematically, dragging everyone through the mud and truly showcasing just how insecure these people are. It calls for and demonstrates introspection, and tells us that no matter what, we must live our lives and accept ourselves. We cannot have our perfect world, but we can try to have our perfect selves, our selves that we, above anyone else, understand and care about. Needless to say, it accomplishes all of this resoundingly and passionately. It was a loving work created by a depressed, mentally stressed director, a loving work crafted by a visionary who understood our pain, and entire teams in Gainax and Tatsunoko Production who sought to make his vision, his message, a reality. Even with reuse of animation, the show still manages to do incentive things with it, take hold of that reuse, and channel it as a weapon for introspection. With oppressive, moody colors, brutal tones are set that wildly enhance how we are to feel in many scenes. Shots highlighting desolation and especially isolation from beginning to end, even when lingering for far longer than t needs to. The battles roar with intensity, especially in its mind-peeling, emotion-shattering second half. This roar rivals the roar of the Eva Units, fantastically designed bio-mechanical gods of death man hopelessly tried to wield and understand. These specimen who wield the machines, are as fantastically and iconically designed. Everything works in tandem to craft a surprisingly well-produced product on a canvas where anything, even raw emotion and madness are both possible, and allowed. It may cut abruptly on an insanely frequent basis, but such is merely a minor hitch that does little to impede on the visual splendor, especially once the show reaches its climax. Each episode is accompanied by fantastic pieces from beginning to end that convey so much emotion, from pieces like “Rei I” that show a more desolate and disturbed feeling, to “Angel Attack”, which shows the severity and intensity of it all. By the show understands people, so it knows that bleakness is far from all there is, unlike many shows that are claimed to be mature. The piece “Misato” is the shining example of such music that accompanies the deceptively constant hilarity that ensues on occasion, with episodes such as 7 and 11 being the most predominant examples of this show’s sense of humor. Another shining example of this show’s range would be the triumphant piece “Nerv” that really sells the tense and roar-inducing impact of success after a deadly struggle that can nearly bring the planet to extinction. There are a myriad of other fantastic music pieces crafted for the show, courtesy of Shiro Sagisu. The incorporation of famous pieces of classical music works gloriously as well. Outside those, the show is embraced by fantastic music at the beginning and end. With the opening, “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” by Yoko Takahashi, you see an iconic piece of incredibly catchy music tailored to inspiring the main character to rise up. Whilst not a personal favorite, such an iconic song is commendable. However, with the ending theme, “Fly Me to the Moon” by Claire, a personal favorite in both television and full versions, we get a truly majestic and heartfelt melody, from the vocals to the string instruments, to the piano, and the lyrics. It is a majestic song, with all alternate renditions in the show being unable to replicate its beauty, even if a few, more instrumental versions come somewhat close to playing those heart strings. Heart strings...emotions… all get played with immensely, particularly with the oft misunderstood cast. From the desolate and fragile Shinji Ikari who picks himself up when he needs to even when he runs away, to the insufferably egotistical and fragile Asuka Langley, and more, we receive a truly colorful cast. Misato Katsuragi, an absolute bundle of joy and comedy despite her ties to her father that make her connection to Shinji all the more powerful. Rei Ayanami, a constantly shaping conscious who seeks to release herself and wonder about life and death. The rest of the surprisingly fleshed out and grounded supporting cast of adults and each with their twistedly brutal moments and fates, such as Kaji, as well as others who are fortunate enough to survive seemingly contently. We have a fantastic high-school friend duo that has yet to be topped in Toji and Kensuke, the hilarious penguin Pen Pen, on top of the fantastic adults who remain grounded as they are unraveled piece by piece with foreshadowing littered throughout. We get a sense for who they are, why they are what they are, and who they like in what sense. No one is a monster despite how lovable or hateable they are, even Asuka and Gendo; everyone is complex human. The more we get to know them, the more we get to witness, the more we get to understand, even if we may forget the names of some of them, and loathe at least a few of them as people. Everything culminates into the end, into the ultimate, tragically, nay, criminally detested two-part finale of sheer introspection. Said introspection is majestic. Even outside of how accidentally prophetic it became of terribly cliched school anime, the two part finale is a work of genius. It shows everyone tearing themselves apart as they unravel who they truly are, what their desires are, and everything that made them who they are. By the end, Shinji realizes that there are many possibilities in the word, and that the perfect world cannot be one of them. So, instead of trying to make a perfect world where he can be loved by all in a peaceful environment free of real pain, he should love himself, interact, take the chance and truly live. He should better himself and understand himself just like anyone else. He must embrace himself if he wants to be embraced. Everyone should strive to do the same. The presentation of this introspection is raw, raw and seemingly scattered. Interwoven with so many other moments of characters digging within themselves with the help of their perceived versions of others, and with impeccably inventive use of other moments, cut toge…

**I've seen the movies and NGE original series, but the review will be about the series (spoiler free)** Neon Genesis Evangelion/Shinseiki Evangelion/新世紀エヴァンゲリオン ; 26 episodes a 20minutes (last 6 with directors cut) ; aired from October 1995 to March 1996 ; Action, Sci-Fi, Mecha, Psychological ; licensed by ADV Films "This isnt a series to read reviews about, so that you're in the clear whether to watch it or not- you just have to watch it." Neon Genesis Evangelion, a milestone and icon between animes. No matter where you browse, with who you discuss and whose recommendations you listen to - you can't split past NGE. This anime is probably one of the most successful animes and TV series overall, being so unique and controversial at the same time. Created and airing over 15 years ago, this series might be older than most people who watch it in 2015, the year this review was written. A lot of uncertainities and speculations exist about the production of this anime, and I highly recommend reading for example the wikipedia page to further understand why the show and story progressed how it progressed. Story: 8/10 Mostentimes, a action show is made by the stories and characters. While NGE isnt too different from that, this aspect also makes it so good. The story seems very normal at first, but then begins to thicken and deepen, until a genius world development is finished which just baffles you. Halfway through the show, it decides that the story is now a minor part compared to the characters. This leads to a shift in focus: the story becomes a sideplot next to character development, and character development basically becomes the story. You get a great insight into the human mind, the struggles and worries of the characters who represent just about any normal person you could encounter nowadays. You won't be disappointed by the story, but make sure to pay attention: more than one concept is more complicated than you might think. Art: 8/10 This is the hardest part to judge. The show is 18 years old, you can't expect it to be on par with todays great quality animes. Nonetheless I gave it an 8, because (contrary to my expectations), the low quality art wasnt a turnoff at all, moreso it even contributed to the atmosphere created while watching. Its generic, but good if you take into consideration the then available technology. Sound: 10/10 While the ED was unfitting and not enjoable, the OP was definitely one big point of enjoyment for me. It creates and further underlines the whole atmosphere of the shows and adds a lot to the watching experience. Soundtrack and voices are perfect, the sound department of the show wasnt underfunded at all, thats for sure. Great job right there. Character: 10/10 Some people might consider NGE confusing, others would even call it a mindfuck. This isnt untrue, but its right just for the last few episodes. AS I already mentioned, the focus shifted mid-series from the story to the single characters and deeply explains and tries to show their emotions, struggles and thoughts. The protagonists, Shinji, mind is basically opened to the watcher in a explosion of appealing tropes and themes combined with a, lets call it "special" art. Most viewers- me included- probably found the ending and the psychological parts extremely confusing, and I recommened everyone to watch "The End of Evangelion" if they are not satisfied with the ending. But if you're ready to think and read a bit about the psychological context surrounding the characters, I assure that you won't be disappointed. You might even understand it on the fly and so get a great insight into human minds, daily struggles and the subject of instrumantality. ENjoyment: 8/10 WHile the anime, in retrospective, was very good, there are a whole bunch of bother points to me. The art, of course, just feels sloppy after watching a modern show (but that doesnt really count, lets be honest). However the low-quality second part of the series and the partly extremely disappointing ending of the series leaves a lot of plotholes and might be considered a major turnoff. If you didn't pay full attention, youre just left confused at the end and quickly lose yourself in the various aspects of the show. So in short, while the series is great as it is, I highly doubt that it couldn''t have been even better. But then again, thats what makes NGE so good and unique and I wouldn't want to change it in any way. Overall: 9/10 Probably the most inspiring and effectful anime of all time, this is a must watch for everyone who ever said "I watch anime". So many things and emotions you can derive from this anime can be precious and interesting to engulf in, and I highly recommend everyone to do that. This isnt a series to read reviews about, so that you're in the clear whether to watch it or not- you just have to watch it. When youre done with the series, consider watching the reboots and definitely watch the movies. It will satisfy your need for more if thats what you want, after finishing the series. **I'm still new to writing reviews, so I'd be thankful for every advice you can give me. Thanks for reading!**

Story: It was a good and very promising story until episode 14. Then it just threw you in the bath full of water and you woke up wet all over with a face wondering WTF happened? The story is inconsistent, but interesting. Story development: Until episode 14 it was developing very good and it was asking for some dramatic change, but it went bazzurk and did something that nobody could expect and failed a bit. Not like after episode 14 the anime becomes bad its just worse then it was. Art: It had too good art for that time ( It first aired in 1995). Had great mecha fights and overall the art is great, but I have to say that one scene in this anime was seriously annoying me. It was the one were Asuka and Rei were driving in the lift and there was no movement or talking for like 40 seconds , I think. Sound: Good stuff. I loved the beethoven music in one episode and the opening sounded very good too. Character: Yeah characters in this anime are pretty screwed up. It's hard to say if they are good that way or bad that way. Shinji to me seemed like an interesting protagonist who isn't like the normal protagonists who are typically brave, strong willed, and never give up no matter what. Then again Shinji is kinda too much cowardly and weak, has no desires or ambitions for being even similiar to somebody real, which will definetly annoy some people. Asuka seemed like an interesting person at start, but somehow she became crazy and weird for no apparent reason. Rei is a robot( well she seems so like 95% of the time). Character development: Was there any? Only for Shinji I think and I would hardly call it a development. Can't say how he developed, but let's just say that for me it was disapointing. Other characters seem to regress and not to develop. Enjoyment: I liked watching evangelion, not because it was a masterpiece ( in some ways it is, but in some it isn't a masterpiece), but because it was a great and entertaining watch. I wouldn't put this anime in my favorites anime list, but it would go right next after my 10 favorite animes and I seriously am glad that I watched this anime, because it widened my sight on what anime can really be. Overall: Watch this anime not because of of it's mecha, or psychological aspect, but because there isn't any other anime quite like this one. It is a rare pearl in the anime world that differs from all other animes and it might not be the best anime out there, but it is well worth your time to watch it to know what Evangelion really is all about.

I ended up watching the entire series probably about 8 times due to the fact that my brother was a big fan and so was a couple of my friends back in the late 1990's. At the time this was basically THE anime to watch both in Japan in around the world. Despite huge fan fare, and a cult following, I didn't seem to like the series as much as other people have. Story: 5/10 - Now I know people will blast me about the low rating for the story but the main problem is that the story is pretty simple especially early in the series. In essence it's robots vs creatures with a twist. Not much is a surprise, with only a few plot elements that keeps you wanting to watch more... which other shounen anime like bleach and DBZ does all the time. The other thing is that later on, the story gradually mixed with amateur psychology, and some of the episodes ended up just purely about the characters' internal struggles with no end in sight. Japan loves psychology for some reason, and a lot of anime does have it. Some do it well, others do it horribly, and this anime does it mediocre. Then there was the last 2 episodes. Many see it as a work of art. I see it as a cop-out. It is something akin to a rambling thought process of a socially withdrawn person. While it does make sense and I understand why the creators made the last 2 episodes like that it doesn't complete the story and leaves everything hanging. While the later movies fill the plot holes, I don't think this type of ending is acceptable. Don't get me wrong, I like endings that purposefully don't tie everything up and leave it to viewer interpretation, but this ending doesn't make you "think" it just makes you feel cheated. Art: 8/10 For an anime in the late 90's it had crisp animation and I loved the character designs. Some parts of the animation were choppy and awkward especially in some action sequences but that was expected of animation of over 10 years ago. Sound: 10/10: I love the music, and the BGM. It adds a lot of atomosphere to the show, and it can't help but feel excited when you hear the eva launch sequence music, and many of the action music. Characters 6/10: Overall the characters were interesting. None of them were particularly deep ie. first impressions tend to be pretty much on the ball for most of the characters. example: Shinji is withdrawn, shy, timid in the first episode. Shinji is still withdrawn, shy, timid in episode 22. Because he doesn't want to hurt others and be hurt by others... a theme that persists for that character for the entire series. Other characters have the same issue, and the level of development that occurs for all the characters is minimal at best. You learn more about the characters and why they are like that later into the series, but that is not the same as character development. In the case of Asuka, you learn different aspects of her personality, but nothing fundamental changes with her. Overall: 6/10 The series overall is enjoyable. As a mecha series it's one of the better ones out there... but the characters and the story for me was the weak point, that they could have given more polish.

20/100 I want to talk about an important rule in filmmaking, whether it is live action, animation, or anything else. You have all heard of it before, the most important rule of all: show, don't tell. On the surface, this is a show about mechas fighting, but deep down it has so much more potential. The author did try to weave in philosophical elements, and it becomes especially apparent in the last few episodes. However, the journey there is a super slow burn, nothing really happens for about 20 episodes. This is not a rule that can be broken like the 180 degree rule Kurosawa broke. Show, do not tell must be followed. We should respect traditional storytelling rules if we want to create something great. The last two episodes were decent, so for that, I will give this show 20 points out of 100.

So, Neon Genesis Evangelion. It, in my opinion, might be one of the most well known 90's anime out there (besides sailor moon, i guess). Although it is, admittedly, a little overrated, confusing, and pretentious, it is an anime that I think everyone should watch. 3 Reasons why. 1. Wonderfully flawed characters.The male protag, Shinji, is a sniveling wimp, but in all due reason. His father is a massive prick and his mother is dead. He has few friends and is not very physically or mentally strong.In a world of tough guys like the heros in Robotech or Gundam, Shinji is a welcome sight. 2. The Soundtrack. Everyone has heard Cruel Angel's Thesis. Evangelion gave us one of the most iconic anime openings, ever. Fly Me to the Moon, the outro song, is a classy version of Sinatra's old song. Other memorable tracks include Both of You, Dance Like You Want To Win, Angel Attacks And Komm, Susser Tod. 3. The plot. NGE's plot is riddled with all sorts of symbolism, psychology and philosophy and where most animes would collapse under the pretentiousness, Hideaki Anno makes it shine through. Although many people complain about how confusing it is, just don't think about it. Just watch it and form your own ideas and theories. It only gets weird after episode 16. Just remember: " I mustn't run away." Evangelion is too good to run away from.

This is one of those psychologically driven stories. It's incredibly thought provoking while still delivering enough action to keep the story exciting. This story contains complex characters, and it's not a happy fairy tale by any means. In fact most characters are carrying heavy emotional trauma, and their relationships with each other are affected dramatically by their emotional scars. The tone remains dark throughout, and it ends with a psychological meltdown among many characters. I don't want to give anything away, but the ending has spawned a lot of controversy. A couple of follow up films have been made, but I personally preferred the ending as it was in the series. The emotional and psychological struggles that the main character undergoes are what drive this story. The mystery of the Angels (the enemy humans are fighting) is not in short supply. The action scenes are fairly epic, and the concept is nothing short of amazing. If you like to use your brain when you're watching an anime, then this is for you. If you're into mind bending stories, then add this to your short list. Don't miss this series.

Gainax's staggeringly ambitious, 26-episode series Neon Genesis Evangelion is declared as one of the most compelling Anime productions of all time. It also happens to be one of most controversial. On one side of the coin are a bunch of loyal, unbending followers that idolize the show. On the other are a group of naysayers who say otherwise. As far as my views of Evangelion are concerned, I fall somewhere in the middle. In many ways, the show is indeed brilliant and thought provoking--something rarely seen in any animated production, American or Japanese. At the same time, however, there are elements of Evangelion that rub me the wrong way. The show, set in post-apocalyptic Tokyo-3, involves alien-like monsters known as "Angels" that continually threaten the metropolis. Only psychologically messed up teenagers -- who include introverted Shinji Ikari, enigmatic Rei Ayanami, and mean-spirited Asuka Langley Sohryu -- stand a chance against them. They do this by piloting their Evangelions -- giant, superpowerful, robot-like fighters. In charge of the whole thing is Misato Katsuragi, a tough, no-nonsense woman who cares for the children while dealing with her own issues. Also calling the shots is Shinji's cold, unsympathetic father, Gendo Ikari, who seems to have an agenda of his own, although we're not entirely clear about what it is. And then there is the matter over whether the real threat in Tokyo-3 is in the presence of the Angels or an even more ominous organization, known as SEELE, which is occasionally seen as a group of tabloids with numbers. As mentioned, there are many aspects of Evangelion that are good and bad. The technical aspects of this show are impressive -- particularly the dramatic and emotionally charged battles between the EVAs and the grotesquely designed angels; a sense of mystery and intrigue exudes from its complex storyline. As a matter of fact, the show is at its best when it focuses on the conflict between the Angels and the human race. Furthermore, even though a majority of the characters are basically unlikable (save perhaps, for Misato), director Anno does dedicate some episodes delving into their tormented pasts. This is often done in surreal, bizarre, "dream" like sequences involving kaleidoscopic imagery and inner thoughts. Also interesting (and sometimes disorienting) is the use of classical music for several episodes toward the end, notably Handel's "Messiah" and Beethoven's "Choral" Symphony. (Speaking of which, Shiro Sagisu's moody and haunting score is very complimentary to this show, although it times it does delve into blandness.) It has been widely touted that the characters of Evangelion are some of the most complex, socially washed out beings ever committed to Anime. On one level, it provides for some intriguing interactions, from Shinji's estranged relationships with both his father and the bitchy Asuka to Misato's own fractured love affair with her off again on again beau, Kaji. The character development becomes gradually less intriguing, however, as each episode exorcises the same angst-ridden issues over and over again, with little to no resolution. In the surprisingly grim and violent latter half of the series, the characters all head into a downward spiral. At the same time, Evangelion starts to become less intriguing (if sometimes confusing) and turns messy, almost to the point of being totally incomprehensible. Questions that viewers are likely to have about the plot are never answered, and some later episodes have scenes in which absolutely nothing happens that last too long. Another problem with Evangelion is its ending or rather, lack thereof. While Gainax's previous TV show, Nadia, took a wrong turn at the midpoint, it did get recover for its last episodes and delivered a strong, if too short conclusion. Here, however, the story simply falls apart. The final two episodes, which are very much played out like extensive therapy sessions, eschew both action and coherency in favor of deconstructing the protagonists' minds. In doing so, it makes the mistake of underwhelming the audience. There are some interesting artistic styles, like Shinji being drawn as a sketch in deep space, but even this potentially experimental approach is compromised by the lack of a structure for a compelling conclusion. In spite of its faults, Neon Genesis Evangelion is still worth watching for many reasons. Its impressively directed action sequences, intriguing mysteries, and in-depth character studies have been seldom matched in others of its kind.

[Warning: this review will contain vague, but consistent minor spoilers] Around 2008 or 2009, I don’t remember exactly, in a decently warm Saturday, I came back home and decided to check out the site from where I got my anime. The news that day was that they were able to upload Neon Genesis Evangelion, a 1995 TV series that was apparently a very influential piece of the Mecha genre. Intrigued by the description I decided to check out the title, completely blind. That was my introduction to the inevitability of Evangelion, possibly the most divisive anime ever made. By the score you probably guessed already my stance in regards to the series: I don’t like Evangelion, I didn’t like it when I first watched, knowing little to nothing about it, and I don’t like now that I'm older and crankier. However, I’m not beyond admitting when the series does something right. I write these self-indulgent pieces called Reviews when I think I have something at least mildly interesting to say about the work and I believe I can give my 2 cents to the discussion in the fairest manner I can pull off. A little warning, though: discussing the most contemptuous points about Neon Genesis Evangelion is difficult without spoiling anything, so I’ll try to comment about late events without giving the most spoilerific information away, all the while trying to make my points as clear as possible. Story and Characters Before anything else, there are two important external factors necessary to understand when analyzing Neon Genesis Evangelion, as they had massive influence during the production of the TV series (the movie is a beast for another time). The first is the role of director Anno Hideaki, the main creative force behind Evangelion, the second are the budget constraints that plagued the series and lead to some of the more controversial decisions that created the massive split in opinions the series is known for. Firstly, director Anno Hideaki is a person that has dealt with depression in many instances of his life and is, according to second-hand information and some interviews, someone with a very low opinion about himself. When the time slot for Evangelion was pitched to him, Anno and Gainax were in a period of failure in which the studio tried various projects that were never able to get off the ground. Rumors even tell that he was at a bar, drinking to escape his depressive state, when the idea was offered. The budget issues we’ll discuss along the review, so for now let’s understand how Anno’s emotional condition at the time affected the conception of Evangelion. Initially, the series was conceptualized to be a deconstruction of the Mecha genre, bent on straying from the escapism centered narratives provided by the anime media. For those not in the know, a deconstruction is, in fiction, a work or character designed to break apart and analyze the tropes that make traditional examples of said genre or archetype. The common method of doing so is by inserting realistic outcomes the different elements of the genre would have if the setting followed the rules of the conventional world, a notable example being the graphic novel Watchmen. Works of this nature tend, but are not limited, to be very dark in tone. Having that in mind, makes sense that Evangelion would take to a very unusual level the depiction of unstable young teenagers having to pilot immensely powerful mechs to defend humanity from a mysterious threat, as well as exploring in depth the mental and emotional problems derived from that role. However, this very nature opens the work to some criticisms that works that follow the genre straight are not victim of, as the suspension of disbelief dispensed to a deconstruction is tighter. By watching Evangelion you can raise questions like: - Why were NERV’s headquarters built under a populated city, putting in danger the lives of innocent people and exponentially raising collateral damage, especially when the Angels seem drawn to the Eva Units? - Why aren’t the pilots offered psychological assistance, given the immense levels of pressure they suffer, as well as mental and emotional scars the fight against the Angels bring them? - Why doesn’t NERV share at least some of its technology with the military, so that they can pose a threat to the Angels too? - Why there are tits and a boner joke on my deconstruction? By the way, I know "deconstruction" has become somewhat of a dirty word now, but fans and critics have been using it for a while and it fits, so I'm gonna use it too. Before I get ahead of myself though, let’s talk about the characters: Ikari Shinji is the main protagonist of the series, the pilot of Eva Unit 01 and the one the internet is more used to bash for being a “pussy”. Introspective, socially awkward, extremely afraid of rejection, full of self-pity and having massive difficult to express himself, he makes clear that he only pilots the Eva because people tell him to, and in some instances seems to try forcing his acceptance onto others. Shinji is the center of the majority of discussions about Evangelion, either hailed by supporters of the series as a realistic representation of someone with depression and low self-esteem or bashed by its detractors as the rock that holds the anime from improving. Now, before you jump on me, let me tell you I actually believe Shinji is the least of the problems with the series. I’d even risk saying the he is in fact a very good character, but one that is handled particularly bad by his own series. All of his issues at the beginning of Evangelion are grounded, realistic and believable, and his development doesn’t take long to appear. The issue is how that development is handled during the anime’s second half, which we’ll discuss in due time. Katsuragi Misato is the commanding officer in charge of orienting the pilots during the battles against the Angels, as well as the main caretaker for Shinji and Asuka. Having contrasting personalities when at work and at home, being professional and quick on thought in the former, but carefree and irresponsible in the latter, she plays major role at Shinji’s development, being the first one to try to form a connection with the boy and give him better motivations to fight, besides simply obeying orders. She is also the character with the most fully realized character-arc during Evangelion’s first run and the only figure the anime doesn’t shit on by the end. Early on, it’s introduced the idea of the Hedgehog Dilemma, in which the closer people with deep-rooted emotional issues try to get, the more they risk hurting each other. This dilemma is the main topic for Misato’s relationship with Shinji during the first four episodes. The next pilot is Ayanami Rei, the first children chosen to pilot the Evas, and responsible for Unit 00. Rei is the least problematic of the pilots, both in the context of the story and among the debates sprung from the anime. Considered the prototype for all kuuderes, Rei is quiet, reserved, keeps herself distant from most social interaction, seeming to only open up to Shinji’s father, and generally holds her own life in very low regard. These traits are originated from one particular information about her origins that I cannot spoil, but one can always question the level of realism of her depiction. According to Anno, her purpose in the story was to show the audience how unsettling it is to face an emotionless being, basically a character that could personify the Uncanny Valley. Asuka is the second children and the pilot of Eva Unit 02. She is brash, outspoken, eager for attention and to show herself, and packs a massive superiority complex, underneath of which lies her deep-rooted need for praise, in order to keep her self-esteem up. Asuka’s introduction in episode 08 marks a shift in mood to the series, as from the point she appears, NGE develops a campy mood, closer to traditional Monster of the Week shows. It’s actually a very natural root to take.…

Firstly, this anime is a deconstruction anime. It subverts the genre of mecha animes, which are predominately story focused and action-orientated (and for young teens/children) and instead adds psychological realism of a post -war mentality. So yes, the story isn't as comprehensive and complex, but that's the point. If you haven't guessed, the anime is almost entirely character driven and where the story may seem somewhat underdeveloped, it is purposefully constructed so that a character dominated narrative can lead. The story takes place within characters and between characters, drifting away from the bigger overall scenario they find themselves in. It presents quintessential stock characters, stripping them back to reveal deeper, more complex layers of their construction. Some characters don't change, some progress and some deteriorate in their deconstruction. No one is ultimately how they appear, and this anime really explores the idea of false appearances behind repressed identities. The real battle happens internally, mentally and psychologically with each character through an existential, psycho-freudian lens. The anime delves into the how internal struggles such as insecurities, mistakes, fear, and the past plague and form human nature. How the noise in our head drowns out the wider world around us and how our weaknesses and insecurities define us. It's especially poignant as the mecha-anime genre is about the birth of a hero and saving the world; in Neon Genesis Evangelion, the characters are imperfect, fighting the negative reality of who they really are and the irony behind these characters being the individuals who try to save the world. It ultimately is one of the most honest portrayals of characters, and you cannot help but grow attached to them as you begin to recognise the shared similarities between yourself and them.

It was cool spotting all the little things that inspired elements of shows to come, such as Code Geass, Gurren Lagann, even Saya no Uta. OP is just awesome. There were parts of Eva that I really loved, parts that I kinda hated, parts that made no sense, so coming to any final conclusion about this is tricky as I'm not sure when my Eva-induced headache is gonna be passing. There were definitely some things about it that were too what-the-fuck-am-I-watching, so I can't say I understood all of it. Actually, that level of how hard some of it is to grasp, makes me think that maybe those weren't presented or explained optimally. Kill la Kill is how I like my allegory, when the crucial parts are hard to miss. Another downfall in Eva was religion. It's full of christian (and kabbalah) symbolism and blatantly preaches existence of souls. Anyways, I later confirmed that all of that is merely pretentious and adds nothing to show's actual themes and goals, it's just there to look or sound cool, as if this show needed to be more confusing then it already was. So it wasn't just me not getting it, it's actually ungettable. heh... What makes Eva special and kinda awesome, is how hard it tries to examine the human condition, and how it uses its characters to do so, and even how freakin far it's willing to go illustrate the human condition, and it indeed paints a most vivid illustration of it. More specifically it deals with connections between humans. It also illustrates depression and various other states of mind rather well. The infamous ending really takes everything up to eleven and ''I don't even...'' factor is... headache...

I recently watched this series a second time. I watched this back in my high school days and oh boy I had mixed feelings about it. I stumbled upon it accidentally at late night when a local channel was airing Neon Genesis Evangelion. I missed an episode here and there and I was constantly feeling disgusted about the series. I felt it was repulsing yet I always came back and wanted to know more about it. This was the feeling I was left when I watched the anime first time in my life. I did not want to watch it and yet I wanted to watch it. Now I have re-watched this controversial anime. I can be almost sure that you will love it or hate it, some of you might feel bored because the anime has quite slow pace. By this I mean that it's not slow paced in its story telling but I found the setting quite moody and slow like a song from a doom metal band like I was watching a dream and I feel this anime can also feel surreal . I really like the story and the setting. I am huge fan of sience fiction and this anime can throw in religious elements and still have the scifi jargon mumbo jumbo which I always like to hear. It does not feel forced but a part of it. I'd like to even say that Neon Genesis Evangelion's world is a mix of religious and science fiction aspects. In fact it reminds me of a Dan Simmon’s book Hyperion but I dare not to talk about it more because I would need a book to cover it if I start to compare NGE (Neon Genesis Evangelion) with other pieces of art and at the same trying to write a review about it. I was sucked in to the experience and in fact I watched the series in a few days marathon. This is a usually a point which makes a good experience for me you can’t just stop watching to the point it’s almost harmful. Some point I realized that the clock was 6:00 am and I overslept waking up at 2:00 pm. Maybe you will be hooked? Or you throw the anime over your shoulder after two episodes. So the art is quite nice it’s almost vintage as been told in other reviews and the age of the anime shows but this is not a bad thing for me. The action scenes are really well made I can see that special care was taken in to them: they are fluid and an enjoyment to watch. But the main problem is that the action seems to fall short. I felt the villain was destroyed in one hit so you just got a small taste of the cake. I would have loved to see more epic long shifting battles but I guess they didn’t have the resources to do that. Sadly there are many almost laughable moments when you are only shown a still image for couple of minutes. At first you could say this is an artistic solution which at first I thought it was. The still and anemic points integrate well with the slow pace and mood I mentioned earlier but the threshold is crossed just by a bit and you start to think that is there something wrong? Why the image is frozen? So in a way you can think that these moments are there to amplify the feeling of NGE: the gloomy mood which shadows everything. The gore and violence is executed perfectly in my opinion it’s not there for the shock effect like in many other works of fictions: Hey he’s head exploded and now there’s blood and brain matter everywhere how cool is that? In truth I felt disgusted when the gore was finally shown. Those moments are rare and very powerful they are not here just for the sake of violence. I really like the EVAs which are the mechas of this anime. They are slender and beautiful they seem like humans to me. I usually think mechas as bulky and buffed war machines. EVAs are colorful and I really love their design for me they are very memorable and unique. But with EVAs you could say that they are “more than meets the eye” if you keep watching the anime which makes them even more bizarre and to the point again very repulsive. Apart from the great and catchy theme in the beginning of an episode I can’t say anything from the music. The theme is on my top anime openings of all time but the rest of the music did not seem to exist for me sure I realized there was music but it sounded boring and dull so I did not even try to listen to them. There is a music for an intense moment and when there is danger but they don’t hit your balls like the opening theme. I must say the howling of the Unit 01 was dreadful it sounded like a trapped and tortured being like it should and I almost did not want to hear it and this was the part of the repulsiveness that I had when I was watching the anime. I felt sad and terrified when I heard the screaming and the howling. This review is just expanding and while I am writing this I really feel I need to publish a book to cover everything I have to say. So about the characters: they are very deep. At first I hated one character but when the story unfolded I even felt sympathy for him. There are many sides to the characters and I feel they are realistic. Many have opinion about the main hero that’s he is an annoying sissy and a crybaby. Well to be honest I would cry and scream if I had to pilot a giant robot and fight monsters and experience pain and violence every day. Maybe these opinions are there because that we don’t want to see a weak hero in fiction. We want to be like the hero and we want to be strong and brave and we want to identify with the hero. But NGE can show how we people truly are: We as humans are flawed and most of us all really broken and all humans have their issues and negative sides. That’s why we have fiction so we can be somebody else but NGE does not give you that chance it tries to be realistic when it comes to characters. The creator’s mental state can be seen in characters and in fact I feel this anime resonates with my own depression and suicidal thoughts and at some points I felt even more anxious when I kept watching. I think that’s the charm of this anime because it reminds me of myself even though that side is not a pleasant side to see. So in the end I feel this is an anime everyone should watch just for the sake of it. For the same reason we have Mona Lisa and people tend to go and watch it in Louvre you should watch this anime. I’ve tried to keep talking people to watch this because I would like to talk about it. I assume people are still after over ten years trying to make sense to it and speculating endlessly but that is watch makes a great experience for me. The enjoyment does not end after you have watched, read or played something: you want to talk and share your thoughts about it. In fact you don’t know how not to talk about it constantly. I almost gave this anime 10 out of 10 but because of technical execution in sound and animation and objectivity I lowered the score to 9. If this anime had the visuals of Hellsing Ultimate series or Vampire Hunter D: Blood Lust and memorable soundtrack I think this anime should be worshipped as a unique masterpiece: a pinnacle of great work of fiction.

The first impression I had on this masterpiece came from the opener, which, quite frankly, drew me in hook, line, and sinker. The solid horn lines were like an Angelic symphony in my ATH M-50s. Just thinking of the song now tickles me something pleasant. Once you get past that God-sent opener, you are then drawn into the world of Angels and Evangelions. For fear of spoilers, I will leave my review here. However, if you would like to discuss this work of art clearly made by the hands of the bastard child of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, visit my tumblr. Although I still prefer SAO.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a much deeper story than initially shown. The story does becoming confusing which adds to it's greatness. Never quite sure of what lays at the core of the characters, it can be somewhat frustrating to never fully see the heart of certain characters " Neon Genesis Evangelion: the end of Evangelion" corrects this however, I'd highly recommend seeing the movie afterwards. It gives a sense of completion to the series. The story itself is solid and interesting, the characters are a little shallow but the series is short and never had enough time to give complexity to anyone other than Shinji. The characters are very likable however and play their part in the story well. I like Neon Genesis Evangelion for many reasons and I would recommend it to anyone. The story has many religious concepts mixed with scientific twists which create an exceptional transfusion of greatness.