Evangelion wasn't my first anime relating to mechas or exploring deep and philosophical themes, but it sure does rank as one of my favorites. It has many messages and symbols it hides within every corner of a scene, making for a big, beautiful picture of a show which can also be enjoyed when looked at from almost any angle, no matter how close or far. Being action-packed, emotionally filled, and philosophically flowing, there is almost something for everyone within the show.

BEFORE YOU START: This review itself is rushed, feels unbalanced, and I don't feel confident in it. I know I can do better than this. I would rate my own review a 45/100 myself, as I wrote this under unfavorable conditions and a stressful time, whilst using a choppy and overdone "good, bad, ugly" format, so take everything I say with a spoonful of salt, provided by my tears themselves!

The Good

At face-value, and what many first-time viewers see, Evangelion takes amazing mecha action and blends it with emotional depth, revolutionizing the mecha genre with what it has done. It has fluid battles between the EVA Mechs and the invading Angels, with a great load of thought going into the design and detail of not just the characters and scenery, but the episodic and narrative structure, and the pacing is done well for an anime with a fewer ammount of episodes. They fit the plot beautifully into what seems to be only 2 season's worth of a modern anime, keeping consistent pacing and information processable as the show glides on. The momentum is built masterfully and hooks you with the escalating threats, mysteries, and drama between characters, which brings me to my next point. Character Development is also a high point; they manage to create complex characters with high emotional points and depth rarely seen today. Shinji's reluctance and vulnerability show a new angle to how a "hero's journey" story style could unfold, as the viewer watches and understands where his inhibitions come from and how other characters, despite their flaws, help him overcome his obstacles. There is also Misato, who embodies the flawed adult psyche, escapism through worldly desires, and, to a further extent, the failure of adult society. She harmonizes with NGE's narrative by serving as the caretaker archetype, serving as a bridge between the vulnerabilities of the children and Nerv's cold system. Her alcoholic behaviors at home, how she copes with her own trauma, and how it contrasts with the facade she needs to put on, not only for work, but to deal with the children, sometimes showing cracks. This plays into the failures of adult society, being forced to deal with her own emotional and physical labours whilst having to juggle the role of a (flawed) caretaker. I seriously despise how she's been reduced to an "alcoholic dommy mommy." There is also Asuka, the girl genius who embodies the clash of her ego and fragile self-worth, the ego serving as a mask for her self-worth issues stemming from her mother's suicide. She represents a human struggle for Identity, often going to extremes to validate herself, such as seeking affection from Kaji. She works well in the story through her rivalry with Shinji and Rei, stemming from her self-worth issues and ego. Rei also exists as an interesting entity, symbolizing an existential void, a quest for individuality, and Nerv's secrecy and detachment. Her status as a clone derived from Yui and Lilith serves as a great base for her subtle shift from being an "emotionless doll" to a more self-aware entity, with Rei and everything surrounding her also providing a gateway to many of the more religious symbolism that will be explored later on.

The Bad

Even though Evangelion itself is amazing, it isn't flawless, especially in the latter half. The abstract symbolism overtakes any coherent narrative in episodes 25 and 26, and ditches traditional resolution, which left many first-time viewers confused. And while pacing itself might be good, it has its flaws, where it can rush character arcs like Kaworu's, feeling somewhat underdeveloped. The deeper undertones and messages trying to be sent across might not reach many first-time viewers either, which can hinder enjoyment and grasping of the message for some viewers, but this usually doesn't tend to be a problem, as the show itself is enjoyable enough to overlook the subtlety of the messaging.

The Depth:

Philosophical Tolls - At its core, it's a piece on existentialism, drawing from Jean-Paul Sartre and Søren Kierkegaard, but most people don't care about the people themselves. It also explores The Hedgehog's Dilemma, the idea that people want closeness but hurt each other with their spines like hedgehogs do, which is keen in most relationships seen in the show and even in real life. Shinji's constant push-pull embodies this aspect the best. He wants connection but fears rejection, which leads him to isolation. (Something I relate to) It's a stark commentary on human intimacy in our modern world.

Religious Symbolism - Evangelion borrows from Judeo-Christian mythology. (Adam, Lilith, etc.) But this is not for flashiness or to look cool, as many people put it. It's actually to question creation, purpose, and apocalypse. The Human Instrumentality Project is the apocalyptic plan to merge all consciousness into one, forcing characters to confront whether individuality is worth the pain or if unity is an escape from suffering. With Rei Ayanami symbolizing the mother of humanity, the source of all human life, the AT Fields symbolizing the boundary of individuality, used by Angels as shields, but also by humans as a psychological defense. The HIP also represents human evolution to reach a higher state of being and serves as a deconstruction of Christian apocalyptic themes by inverting the nature of salvation, offering a forced human merger instead of a reunion with the divine, and a new perspective into why the secretive Nerv was actually combating the Angels.

Psychological Follies - In my opinion, this is where Evangelion truly shines. The Evas symbolize maternal wombs and oedipal tensions with parents, and (as mentioned just before) the AT Fields as metaphorical psychological barriers that symbolize individuality and vulnerability. Anno developed this work during his depression, critiquing escapism in otaku culture and urging reflection over fantasy. And in a world where most people have lived through traumatic events - personal and global - its themes of trauma, society, humanity, and the absurdity of existence are extremely relevant. Evangelion argues that life's messiness: good, bad, and ugly, is what makes us human and explores this through complex characters, dynamics, and how they develop, react, and collapse in different scenarios.

Honestly, even without factoring in what went into the genius of the writing of Evangelion, it's become a cornerstone in anime culture that has been recognized worldwide for its entertaining moments and episodes, standing the test of time as new shows come and go. I feel unsatisfied with this review I written though. I feel as if I missed many other points I could've brought up, and I could've explored more into why I rated this show so highly. Maybe I'll come back with a longer, more comprehensive review that covers many of the bases I didn't manage to cover. I seriously hope to come back and make a better review of this. I know I can. This just doesn't feel like enough for what this show truly is.

With that being said, Evangelion is, simply put, an amazing show that gained every right it had to engrave itself into pop culture, earning its spot.

And yes, I am "glazing" or whatever people call it nowadays.