Neon Genesis Evangelion and My Favorite Message of All Time

Jul 10, 2020 10:39 AM

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Apr 2020

I could write so much about Evangelion (I've already written another post about it). It has some of the best characters ever, it displays so many relatable issues, and it presents many interesting ideas. I could write essays on any of these elements of the show. However this show had one thing that really pushed me the most to give it a 10/10, which is the very positive message it gives in the End of Evangelion movie. I'm going to be focusing on that message in this post, so if you don't want spoilers for the show or movie, don't click the button.

Eva is obviously not known for being very positive. Every character has gotten at least some trauma by the end, and the main characters have suffered an extreme amount.

Shinji, the main main character, has been pushed around by the world throughout the whole show. He is forced to fight against terrifying monsters, having one traumatic experience after the next. He has struggled for years trying to find human connection in this messed up world, and in the show he achieves this. However these connections are cut short, whether it be when he has to watch his friend from school almost get brutally murdered by his robot, or when he must kill Kaworu, the one person in the show who had expressed love for him.

And so in the End of Evangelion movie it's easy to agree with Shinji wanting to destroy the world. This world ended up being nothing but pain in the end. Everyone is depressed, but there's an easy solution for that. If we had all been one from the start none of this wouldve happened. There would be no conflict with others and there would be no struggle to find connection. Yeah, do it Shinji, create a new world. We should all become one.

And Shinji does give in to this depressive mindset, creating the world in which everyone unconditionally loves everyone else, since everyone is the same being.

However the heart of the show lies in the positivity it has near the end. Even with everything that has happened, even though it seems to be impossible to connect with people, Shinji decides to leave the dream he has created and come back to reality. Because no matter how hard it may seem, there is always hope that you will find human connection. And that makes life worth living.

That decision isnt just an extremely strong character moment. It is my favorite message of all time. Because if someome like Shinji can make that decision, then someone like me who's been through no where near as much trauma should be able to keep having hope too. Because as long as I am alive there is always hope.

After finishing Eva for the first time I knew it was really good and one of my favorites. But realizing this message gave me chills the first time it got into my head. And on top of everything else great about the show, it made Eva a 10/10.

Jul 10, 2020 2:59 PM

PerfectAzul

Offline

Jul 2019

520

One interpretation of the title ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ is ‘New Genesis Gospel’. Thus, you could say that the series tells a tale of new beginnings, which is centered upon in End of Evangelion.

I’m glad you enjoyed the series. I watched it about 4 years ago and to this day it remains my #2 personal favorite anime and my objective pick for the greatest anime of all time.

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Neon Genesis Evangelion and My Favorite Message of All Time

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