I know that this one is on everyone’s list so I feel obligated to review at least a portion of it. Having said that, I sometimes wonder if anyone has ever watched all the episodes all the way through from start to finish or if they just watch selected episodes and then make up opinions for the remaining episodes. This is, without doubt, the most confusing story-line and plot ever conceived in anime and that includes the Monogatari series. Ah well, without further adieu I offer up Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Evangelion begins with an attack by a mysterious giant entity called an Angel. These Angels are hardly reminiscent of the traditional angels in that they are huge, not at all humanoid shaped, and entirely malevolent. Their motives are largely unknown but what IS understood is the power they possess. Tanks, bombs, and other traditional military hardware are largely ineffective due to a mysterious energy shield called an AT Field. This force acts as both shield and weapon and renders most military options moot.
The response of mankind is to develop giant mechanical symbiots using the same, or similar, AT Field technology to defend the world from this menace. These robotic creations require a pilot to be mentally linked in order to perform their tasks. There is a seemingly supernatural element to the link as well as we see in the first episode when EVA-1 (the image above) rescue its “pilot-to-be”, Ikarai Shinji, from a falling beam before he is ever confirmed as pilot.
Due to his childhood trauma, Shinji is a most immature anti-hero. He regularly second guesses himself and often runs away from responsibility. Throughout the course of the plot we see Shinji grow and develop into a more confident personality. He develops complicated relationships with the pilots of the other EVAs as well as his own estranged father.
This anime is certainly one of the most hotly contested and debated story arcs in the genera. It has an incredibly long run-time with many episodes through various sequels and branches. The final arc that ends the series is generally hated by even the most devoted fans. The writing style is chaotic to say the least and the general mythology is complicated. Still, this is regarded as one of the classic foundation examples of the anime genera. The animation and artwork from the original version reflects the time period (1995-96) in which the series was broadcast. The later sequels reflect a more modern style of artwork. The music is generally excellent and the opening title of the original arc is one of the most well known and iconic themes in anime.
I will say that this is not one of my favorite anime films. The main character is too whiny for my tastes. However, I can appreciate the effort and talent required to create an epic of this magnitude. Having said that I will leave you, gentle reader, to your own decisions.
Epic Anime 