Neon Genesis Evangelion

Review by: John Fragglepuss Evans

Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Dementia, Psychological, Drama, Mecha

First Aired: Fall 1995, 26 episodes

Summary: Imagine, if you will, the future. It is the year 2015 and humanity stands on the edge of extinction due to the Angels, large monstrosities bent on destruction. Our last hope of survival is in the hands of Nerv, a special agency operating under the United Nations. Nerv controls giant mechs named Evangelions that are capable of fighting the Angels and saving the world. The problem with Evangelions is the need for a pilot that will synchronize with the mech, utilizing their maximum potential. Gendou Ikari, Misato Katsuragi, and Ritsuko Akagi are a few of the top Nerv officials in search of those pilots. Are the pilots going to be teenagers? It’s anime, so almost certainly!

Evangelion is a mech anime on the surface but dives into a deep psychological mind-bend as you watch the characters lose grip of reality. It turns out the intensity of piloting an Evangelion takes a mental toll that’s difficult to overcome, especially when life-or-death decisions must be made by adolescents. The series is considered a deconstruction of the mech genre. It focuses on the mech pilots instead of the machines. The action is present throughout the series, but it takes a back seat to the drama and psychological aspect.

You might enjoy this if: You are ready for a psychological trip that causes the innocent to question the line between right and wrong, simultaneously questioning their sanity.

You might not like it if: You are averse to a slow starting series. It takes a few episodes to really get into it. At least it did for me. I’m glad I saw it through though.

Similar Series: Serial Experiments Lain, Gurren Lagann, Madoka Magica, Attack on Titan, Elfen Lied

Note to the Viewer: Several Evangelion films have been released since the original series:

• Death & Rebirth (1997)
• The End of Evangelion (1997)
• Rebuild of Evangelion
  • 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007)
  • 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009)
  • 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012)

AMV – Shut Em Down by BlackSoul, Re-Allen, and RN

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