cross-posted from: https://lemmygrad.ml/post/4787748

I am terrible at media criticism. I do not understand the media that I watch at all and I heavily rely on others explaining it to me.

I watched Neon Genesis Evangelion because I really like mechs. It’s been a long while so my memory is fuzzy. As it started, I noticed that the overall tone of the anime was more sober and grim than I had anticipated.

In the beginning, I liked it when new Angels revealed themselves. The fights were not the best but I still liked them. I really love the concept of an incomprehensible foe whose secrets are slowly unraveled.

As the show went on though I ended up extremely confused. I realised that the mechs are sort of a side-aspect of the whole thing which was a bit of a bummer. It seemed more about the difficulties of an ill-adjusted Shinji being forced into the role of being humanity’s child soldier. Other child soldiers had issues of their own which I did not fully grasp. Even the adult lady whose home Shinji lives in had boy troubles of her own which I did not grasp at all as to how it fit in with the whole theme.

I watched the last few episodes extremely high and was completely lost. You cannot imagine my face when that scene where Shinji fantasises about sex (I think that’s what he was doing) came on.

So can someone tell me what the general theme of the show is? If you wanna link to other articles or videos on thiz topic that would be swell as well. I cam understand not wanting to type out about an anime that has been analysed probably more than any other.

  • Kras Mazov@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
    0·
    5 months ago

    It’s been a while since I watched it, so my memory of it is a bit hazy, but I 120% empatize with Shinji, while I only saw others hating on him. He’s the only character I unironically say it’s literally me.

    I tend think that Eva’s message is much more personal than trying to comprehend it’s plot. That is, I think that different people can extract different meaning from it.

    To me Evangelion is about comprehending you own fears, desires and limitations in a world that not only suppresses and neglects your emotions and needs, but that also expects and demands you to act and participate in ways that you may not be fit to do. Shinji is the perfect encapsulation of that, he’s has so many fears and issues that he barely functions most of the time, specially when put into stressful situations. Yet, when someone like Kaworu shows up, someone that truly cares for him and that tries to understand and be there for him, it’s the only time Shinji feels safe, happy and even feels attraction to.

    But that’s not all, the show also talks a lot about human relationships in general and how it affects us. It’s like you said, every character have their own issues, issues these that dictates who they are and how they act and talk all while still wanting to be loved and understood, but always fearing that connection, always fearing to let someone get too close. You haven’t mentioned the Rebuild movies, so I’ll assume you didn’t see it and avoid spoiling it, but I do think this side of Eva is more fleshed out in the movies, specially on the last one. To me it’s like the show is screaming at us to be more human, to form more meaningful connections, to be able to be vulnerable and to care for each other more. And while the original anime have a much more bleak and depressing tone, the movies are much more hopeful, not only one complements the other, but like its a response to the each other’s tone.

    I would need to rewatch Evangelion to properly expand on anything I said, but this has been the feeling and messaging that have stuck with me ever since I watched it. Also, KawoShin is the cutest thing ever, lol.

    • loathsome dongeater@lemmygrad.mlOPEnglish
      0·
      5 months ago

      It’s been a while since I watched it, so my memory of it is a bit hazy, but I 120% empatize with Shinji, while I only saw others hating on him. He’s the only character I unironically say it’s literally me.

      I think Shinji being kinda pathetic compared to other child soldiers in shonen anime is something that people have a hard time wrapping their head around. Like I find it odd that a common theme in the most popular animes is that an early-teenager saving the world through some enormous power bestowed upon them. Not only this but many many adults enjoy this theme without a hint of criticism. I relate to Shinji a lot more than the protagonists from something like Naruto or Hero Academia (most cringe anime of all time).

      • Kras Mazov@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
        0·
        5 months ago

        I think Shinji being kinda pathetic compared to other child soldiers in shonen anime is something that people have a hard time wrapping their head around.

        I heard something similar before, but I think it’s less him being “pathetic” and more the fact that Shinji is a vulnerable male protagonist, and that clearly upsets the cis hetero dudes that comprise such a big part of the anime watchers worldwide. Shinji breaks quite a few expectations of male protags and so he becomes an easy target.

        Like I find it odd that a common theme in the most popular animes is that an early-teenager saving the world through some enormous power bestowed upon them. Not only this but many many adults enjoy this theme without a hint of criticism. I relate to Shinji a lot more than the protagonists from something like Naruto or Hero Academia (most cringe anime of all time).

        I 100% agree that it is odd, but it makes sense, it’s just pure ideology. Coming of age stories about these powerful hero individuals that through their own hard work and merit are able to achieve anything they want and save the world are perfect for maintaining the grip of liberal ideology in the imaginary of the young people that are gonna watch these shows.

        That’s why I think shows like Dungeon Meshi are important and so refreshing. It shows a group of people that all matters and have to work together to achieve their objective. It’s a story where it’s clear from the get go that everyone in the group is unique, important and have their own role to fill. It’s truly amazing. I could say the same of Gurren Lagann to, to some extent, tho that does have a more clear cut protagonist.