Neon Genesis Evangelion is probably one of the most debatable anime in the entire industry's history. The fact there are still discussions of the work after a quarter of century is already a proof for its legacy, as well as the stupidity. It’s also a reminder that I was there before and just fooled myself.
Opening
Time flew and there humanity was, 1996. The timing was just right, a new millennium was about to come, even though its predecessor’s problems remain: climate conversion, pollution, overpopulation, religious and social conflicts,… The creators of Neon Genesis Evangeline couldn’t find the solutions for those matters, but they could talk about something more fundamental, ‘human’. The term is for a species that resides on Earth, also the culprit behind the things that certainly will endanger the existence of the precious life, the one and only known across the universe. It is expected that humanity, with intelligence and cooperation, would overcome those menaces. Nevertheless, there is also a fact that the ever-changing future brings uncertainties, and those are possibly the cause of anxiety, ignorance, or simply the darkness within one’s inner self. That darkness has also become a hindrance that each human being should be aware of and accordingly find a solution.
The Characters
Well, Neon Genesis could have talked big, huh. However, what did we have there? Shinji Ikura, the protagonist of the entire show? He took all the spotlight? It would be fine, as long as he had developed as a character. His target never paid any mind to him, so he deemed himself worthless, considered killing himself, and screamt that bloody thoughts out loud in the fk latter episodes, because he just needed attention. It was quite a pity, wasn’t it? We human have a tendency to overlook when getting hurted, so if I had been there, I would spread a hand in front of him, so as to form a fist, collide it with his face and say, ‘Life isn’t fair, you brat. However, if you seek for attention, here is how it works:
‘Cause I’m sitting here, doing nothing but aging. Still my guitar gently weeps’ - Demo, 1968.
If it doesn’t work, try another time:
‘I look at you all. Still Eric’s guitar gently weeps.’ - The Beatles White Album, 1968.
And if the impact didn’t last, make another statement:
‘2. Something. 7. Here Comes The Sun.’ - Abbey Road, 1969.
Not to mention there are others put into even worse circumstances, and they have done their best to overcome it, obviously without whining. You are just being noisy here.’
There we have the core of the series. Shinji Ikura would need a lesson of manners beforehand, and certainly, mental issues could get portrayed in a more reasonable way and not making others cringe. Try Lion of 3-gatsu,…
The Plot
It wasn’t that original of Gainax, as NGE already had a sibling namely Top wo Nerae, which many have considered superior, and I’m in agreement with them.
I used to have some similar problem, but certainly discussing it with others is the best way to find a solution, or at least unload parts of its weight. The case in NGE was different, however. The characters had mental problems, and it was coincident that none had the will to listen to what others spoke, let alone sharing the feelings for their troubles. It was also convenient that NERV, get it?, possessed the technology of brain’s wavelength synchronisation, cloning, AI,... but they couldn’t find a proper psychologist as an employee. I guess it was more advantageous for Shi-ji Ikura to go insane, so brilliant move, Gainax. In addition, it is my knowledge that the studio almost went bankrupt at the time, and couldn’t afford a psychological treatment for their boy-in-charge Anno Hideoki, let alone some 2D characters, and my understanding that the adults would have been too prominent, if they had taken any actions. It’s all plot device, so Neon Genesis Evangeline is quite realistic and relatable, but on which planet? Also due to financial issues, Gainax couldn’t pay for the experienced veterans, so they had to depend on some teenagers with ill mentalities piloting EVA, not to mention some unwilling to do so. Such an inspiring working environment.
Here is what I had originally wanted to say, but was deemed ‘illegal’:
Spoiler, click to view
They had 26 episodes, but was unable to work it out, which resulted in a movie as the epilogue. That was a huge failure in term of pacing. There were at least 3-18 times 23 minutes of fillers, which didn’t contributed anything. I remember there was an episode NERV valuated all the previous incidents, and the question is, why they didn’t take advantage of it, in order to bring out the answers for the unresolved mysteries and conflicts within the world of Evangeline, or dig deeper into the inner selves of the characters, inflicting the damage gradually yet sharply, painfully yet comfortably, undesirably yet inevitably. The time could have earned would have been enough to insert the entire movie, but what had done was done, and the final minutes of the TV series were just the characters screaming to their heart content. As the consequence, the protagonists, aka Shinji the Garbage and Asuka Langley, initially supposed to be sympathisable, were utterly disgusting and there was nothing to learn from them. In addition, there wasn’t much to say about Rei Anything-could-fit-here. Indeed, she had ‘many’ ‘characters’, and her words of wisdom were empty, yet full of unoriginality… Wait, perhaps Miss Langley had done something meaningful...The Animation and Sounding
The voice actresses, and actors were very emotional, so at least there is something positive to think of.
The soundtrack is good, with the use of many classical compositions and variations of Fly Me to The Moon, Frank Sinatra. However, A Cruel Angel’s Thesis is only catchy at the first verse, and as a whole, there is nothing much to remember, let alone the fact it has been overplayed for a long time.
The idea of those robots was innovative within the genre Mecha, and I recognise its legacy. The animation was fluid and quite good at that particular time. Congratulation, Gainax. You had come closer to... Ghibli tier.
Conclusion
There are reasons why Neon Genesis Evangeline could be more than it is. Still, the show is just a spectacular failure.
Anyway, it's time for some coffee. Here is my treat:
