Geek Kingdom : Neon Genesis Evolution

Anime, a style of Japanese animation, has become a global phenomenon that many interact with on a daily basis. Whether it be the oddities of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, or the psychological warfare of Death Note, there have been lots of anime that have had a large impact on those who view them. However, none have had such a massive impact on the landscape of anime as Neon Genesis Evangelion. This anime is regarded as one of the best shows of, not only the 90’s, but also of all time, using Christian iconography and symbolism to tell a story about overcoming depression. Oh, and fighting aliens with giant mechs, because, why not?

Before we can talk about the importance of NGE to the evolution of anime, we must first take a look at the troubled history of the show, and the story it tells.

Back in the early 90’s, a Japanese artist named Hideaki Anno was struggling with a deep depression, and couldn’t find a way to make peace with it. When presented with the opportunity to create an original anime, over which he would have total creative freedom, Hideaki decided to make this brand new anime a story about overcoming depression and becoming a better person. And so, Neon Genesis Evangelion was born. The show quickly became a massive success in Japan, garnering tons of fans thanks to well-written and relatable characters along with a mystery of what exactly are the Angels, and what they’re doing invading Earth. However, the finale of the TV show turned out to be very controversial, as, due to a lack of budget, the studio had to opt for an abstract metaphor which left many people upset, wondering about what happened to all the characters. After the backlash, Hideaki decided to rework the ending to provide closure on the world of Evangelion through the movie End of Evangelion, which was far better received than the final episodes of the TV show. 

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the most important anime to ever be created. It helped introduce many Americans to anime, showed off smooth animation that is an absolute treat to gaze upon, even decades after its original run, and its story shows us that television, a medium which was often scrutinized for not being able to tell complex stories that present a message to the viewer and simply is just fast-food style entertainment, can truly change the lives of those experiencing the story. Millions of anime fans fell in love with the lovable and complex characters: from the tormented Asuka, to the conflicted Shinji, to the mysterious Rei Ayanami, and we can’t forget the gorgeous mechas, known as the Evas. These giant robots are lavishly designed with painstaking detail, giving them an intimidating yet iconic look that anyone who is even remotely familiar with anime would immediately recognize. Not only that, but even after over 30 years, fans both new and old are still enjoying this franchise: from playing the spinoff video games, to cosplaying as their favorite characters, to discussing the lore of the series. If that wasn’t enough, the show’s core message would give hope to many of its viewers, as the story focuses on Shinji overcoming his depression and loneliness, learning to accept connections with others, showing that anyone can find happiness if they simply try.