A Cruel Angel's Thesis Explained - What's in an OP? (Evangelion)
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- Neon Genesis Evangelion is back at last, with an only moderately butchered localization! That means it's finally time analyze this legendary opening.
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In the depths of his Mother's Basement, Geoff Thew creates videos analyzing the storytelling techniques of anime and video games. He has been named the number one Worst RUclips Anime Reviewer by The Top Tens.
"...And that first impact has to be strong."
I see what you did there, you cheeky bastard.
CervantesVI I laughed out loud when her said that
@@losttessa6998 her?
I too understood that reference and stopped in the middle of the video to comment about it
Noice
This video was packed full of bits like that (especially at the beginning)
Shinji: R-Rei...? What...what happened!? Where is everyone!?
Giant Rei: Gone, Reduced to atoms...
XxUltimateBoniparteXx I like your profile pic
Gone, reduced to primordial fanta
Shinji: You murdered TRILLIONS!!
Giant Rei: You should be grateful!
*orange soda
return to fanta 🙏
It’s against the law to not listen to the full thing
I see someone else watched Gigguk's video.
it is.. as per the otaku conventions of 1998. like come sail away by styx. once started you must listen or sing the whole thing
skipped it after the fist time so....
@@Exel3nce *FBI, OPEN UP*
The fifth impact will occur if you skip the intro
My favorite thing about the last two episodes of Eva:
-If you needed therapy, after watching the last two episodes you probably won't any more.
-If you didn't need therapy, after watching the last two episodes you probably will.
If someone needs therapy after watching a cartoon, I hope they stay in therapy for the rest of their life and look to getting on some sort of rehabilitating medication. They got deep issues that a couple therapy visits won’t fix.
"art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable" amirite? 😌
Underrated comment
@@jasoninthehood9726 have you not seen eva lmao
Sure, sure, it's a great OP as far as symbolism and such.
But let's be real here.
It's one of the best OPs of all time because of the music.
The music is just nostalgia for me, the visuals are what cemented into my mind.
@@earlyman7439 The visuals are really nice too. My favorite part is when the music syncs up with the frame cuts, the apparent homage to UFO.
thats pretty much the case with all openings tho
@@Exel3nce True. I'm not trying to discredit the symbolism obviously, it's just one of the best anime opening songs imo.
@@cyrilgigee4630 i don't like it sry I'm not super fond of the series and the reason every on thinks its the best thing ever is nostalgia but its not bad
You did it Geoff, you finally made the "EVA What's in an OP?" !!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations
congratulations
Congratulations!
Congratulations~
Congratulations
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Congratulations
Congratulations
SKAWK
Congratulations
Congratulations
Congratulations
Congratulations
Congratulations (echoed)
Congratulations
Congratulations
Congratulations.
Congratulations
Omedeto
"-and not just a whiny little coma fapper."
-Geoff Thew
"im so fucked up" yes, yes you are.
Cyril Gigee I just was like holdup when I heard it
that was very fucked up
Bruh that's mayonnaise obviously his sandwich had too much.
@@bobsaggater3454 you mean: "I´m the lowest of the low" lmao
End of Netflix: You can (not) fly me to the moon
"Whiny little coma-fapper" is my favorite description of Shinji EVER.
And the realisation that as a Child I didn't understand it so it slipped passed my brain. Was watching it with audio commentary (actors or was it the director?) And they said it.
I watched this first before watching End of Eva and half the references i didn't catch,
right after i finished the movie i rewatched this and when i heard that line both of my lungs collapsed.
Fr
Unpopular opinion (I think): I genuinely really liked the last two episodes of the original series.
Stephen Boyle they were interesting, but they weren’t really a conclusion in the sense that it doesn’t explain what was going on. You can infer that third impact had happened while watching but you’re not really told what/who triggered it or why. It leaves a ton of plot lines unfinished and unexplained. I think the end to Shinji’s character arc was better in the original compared to End of Evangelion but End actually finished the story better than the original. Combine that with the fact that the last episode was basically just story boards and not for stylistic reasons but because it ran out of money and you have a recipe for a controversial ending.
As a stand-alone episode I prefer the original 2 final episodes but as an ending both it and End suck at being comprehensible
HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Basically IMO, they work as episodes, but the series is not complete without EoE
@@UniGya except when you realise the last 2 episodes focuses on the core message of the series, rather than the jibby-jabby things outside of it.
I felt that while EoE provided a proper narrative conclusion, the original two episodes gave a proper emotional conclusion. I felt extremely satisfied by the latter‘s ending.
Netflix: Pays $100 Million to keep “Friends”
Also Netflix: Doesn’t buy license for the Evangelion ED and replaces it with sad piano.
For Netflix it's just business and sadly ammount of normies is enough to compensate for paying $100M for friends, but amount of otakus isn't enough to spend money on Fly me to the Moon
It's not just random sad piano, it's Rei theme
also, do you really compare one of the most profitable shows on Netflix ever to some old japanese cartoon? I'm not happy with the change but it's at least understandable
Why can't you express this without using a meme? Can people not talk in sentences any more?
But fly me to the moon is on Japanese Netflix so I don't know why Netflix did this
absolute banger as always bro
71 likes nice
SS-tier opening.
It just screams 90s.
I love it.
My favorite part of the OP is when that loud "bang" is timed perfectly to sync up with Asuka's EVA as she readies her knife to fight.
An opening that is simultaneously invocative of the 90s and a timeless work of art.
Ludwig The Medic Asuka liked that.
I just started watching it and I was thrown by how goofy it sounds at the very beginning, like a Sonic the Hedgehog melody, but it grew on me and now I think it’s legit badass lol
Whoa, you're the one I see in the comments of a bunch of smash videos. I like you, glad to see your comments here too
I started evangelion for the first time. I love the opening. Haven't finished yet. So I hope it doesn't spoil too much.
Edit :Never mind: spoiler warning issued. Will return after I finish it.
This spoils a lot. Definitely finish the series before watching this.
lets hope you will get more out of it then i did because boy it was dissapointing as hell
Make sure to watch end of eva
And the End of Evangelion film as well! He goes into detail with that as well.
@KnightHart you realise that by now, you cant go into it with low expections. its fcking eva
So I'm gonna admit I went into Eva basically blind. And for the first half I was like, what's all the hype about? It seems like a pretty bog standard Mecha/Kaiju anime.
Then the second half of the series kicks in, and goes, "No, actually this is all about T R A U M A."
Honestly, same
I went into NGE blind, and came out smiling, confused, and actually kinda satisfied
Same and I just finished it last night and been thinking aboutbthe show all night and today as well lol I sorta wanna rewatch it.
@@synysterpain watched it late here, heard about eva in like 2015
looked brutal so id have to pass because too brutal for me (2015 me probably)
watched the series,eoe,rebuilds movie and the manga in order in 2022
i enjoyed it. kinda liked the rebuild movies because not a lot of confusion,shinji actually copes and better ending heard. people hated it because it was different or something, i thought the new angels remakes were kinda cool, especially ramiel
@@neoxpro12 I liked the rebuilds. I think the compliment the original series and EoE,cause I feel the enjoy the rebuilds best, you should have watched the original stuff first.
Even the first half is very frustrating. Then you think finally things are going the way it is supposed to be. Shinji is getting better at what he does, gets recognition, Rei shows emotions, Asuka is being less Asuka and more friendly then things goes all the opposite lol.
4:07 : starts playing "Fly me to the Moon" (instrumental)
Netflix: I don't hear anything.
Zaicol IT all they hear is Rei’s Theme
i don't get it good sir...
Bayonetta: such a lovely song.
Trying to pronounce Sephiroth so noone thinks about the FFVII character first.
FOR REAL THOUGH I SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THAT
I can imagine xD
@@mothersbasement well, you succeded here at least
It's easy, just make the h silent, and everyone can tell the difference.
@@mothersbasement you've probably thought about this when researching the OP, but Sephiroth's name in Final Fantasy VII is actually derived from the tree of life thingy, with each branch representing Sephiroth's character or something that changed his character somewhere along the plot of the game. I would go into It in detail but I'd be here all night. Long story short, the wonderful people at Square put a massive amount of thought into the character, even though that is just barely scratching the surface.
I see Evangelion, I clicc
What's with evangelion all of a sudden lol
Just when I felt like starting on it r/anime had a rewatch thread and now mother's basement uploaded analysis for the OP
But where's that Monogatari video at? I've been spamming this man for 4 months
Yup
no dude, you just click on every video on this goddamn website
David tan It June got rereleased in the US via Netflix, therefore it’s come back into popularity and many people are just experiencing it for the first time.
NEVER SKIP THE INTRO
Meh, its not that important.
more importantly: WHAT'S IN AN eNdInGG
Rei spinning
Rip fly me to the moon
HA what ending (Netflix has ruined that)
More like “Where is the ending?”
@@Gemnist98 the question of the century
When the opening analysis is as long as a standard length anime episode and you just watch all of it anyway because worth it.
"And this is the pose that Shinji assumes for the majority of The End of Evangelion" laughing my ass off at that
I like how the OP is like one big enigmatic puzzle showing the fusion of Religious Imagery with Mecha Technology and the enigma surround each character’s past
From a musical point of view I found that the upbeat and exciting Cruel Angels thesis had me excited and dancing in the show's early episodes and by the end of the series I felt like its cheery nature was mocking my past joy as I now recognized the tragic symbolism and context of the images flashing in front of me
Fun fact: no mater how many times you’ve listened to this song over the past 20 years you’re still not even slightly close to getting tired of hearing it.
I can honestly say, this series is what got me into Anime when I was younger. I still have my Platinum Edition DVD set. I may need to break it out and watch it again. My brain can use a good melting.
Also, any anime what uses the words Bologna Pony in the English dub is just too funny.
This opening is just...amazing
Not as amazing as Cory in the house opening of course
Hammer Addiction4u best anime
Not to mention the obviously superior 4Kids version...
Hammer Addiction4u ugh can the meme die already
Lies
But this is the Cory in the House OP
ive been waiting for this.
Also human soup? you meant Tang right?
No...it's Fanta!😂
@@marywinchester1322 Could also be Lucozade or Sunkist.
Door-Kun only brits would know what that is.
melted orange sorbet?
Interestingly enough, Tang is Chinese and Korean for "soup" whilst I heard that the term itself was coined by the astronaut orange drink.
But did it have as much impact on the anime industry as the all-time classic Bible Black?
i see you are also a person of culture
@@maxxcreese9911 I also see you are a man of culture
Tas a man of culture at last
I mean Bible Black touched me in ways most Hentai don't!
Truly, a breakout of it's time.
... But what about that Urotsukidoji doe?
Skipping the intro is like having a opinion in China it ain’t happening
OMG I just realized the connection of Rei, all the moon imagery with her, and the Fly me to the Moon closing credits. It's a reflection on Yue, shinji's mother & Rei's clone template. Also I always imagined it was Rei singing the closing song. Now even better to think of it as Rei/Yue
Yui
But I guess there is also Yue from ATLA who turned into the moon so that kinda fits... I guess?
Something interesting: the umbilical cable attaches to Unit 1 in about the spot an epidural gets inserted in a person's back during labour.
Just more mother connections I suppose.
And it's literally called umbilical.
anonymousdratini it’s called umbilical. Pretty straightforward
it not, the epidural spot is more below near the pelvis, not the case with Eva umbilical cord
I've assisted many anesthesiologists in performing spinal and epidural insertions, and no, that place is too high up the back. Epidurals and spinal anesthesia is inserted on the itra-vertebral space on the lumbar vertebral area. The place where the umbilical cable is inserted is either in T-11, T-12, or L-1 at the absolute lowest, which is just too high.
Nobody:
Mother's Basement: COMA-FAPPER
Well, he's right and he should say it.
Meursaulty I almost missed the fapping scene too because I was checking my phone. I learned a valuable lesson and will always rewind after checking my phone mid-anime
STOP REMINDING ME!😫
now ik what he was talkin bout
Have heard nothing but greatness about this Anime, finally took the jump and started watching it. I’m 9 episodes in and I see why it gets so much praise. The love and care poured into almost every frame. The characters with more depth than to realise and the way the music all brings it together. Amazing, definitely deserved of all the praise!
Im afraid that's wrong the characters are pretty one note really
To me the song basically said "You were doomed from the start you poor unfortunate soul"
Honestly, when they show EVA-01 it gives me the feeling of a fallen angel due to it leaned over like it's chained down in pain in its artificial prison of metal making it seems like it wasn't given a choice when it fell from grace, and when it shows it acts on its own it shows the new wings that are artificial wings of light showing that it can't be controlled and will go against those who try to control it.
The first couple minutes of this had me realizing so much about how the dots connected, being that I rarely watch lore vids of evangellion due to confusion that it was so mind boggling that I had to turn it off in fear of my soul becoming mush
Love this episode and this channel. You perfectly layed out why we all love this opening. We need more people like you to stop Netflix from ruining our favorite anime
6:30 I'm preeeetty sure it was the 3rd impact that turned the sea red.
Second Impact did in the area too. When we see ships in Antarctica they are sailing through Red water.
Still haven’t watched Evangelion. But if the Anime Pope so wishes that I should be spoiled by a video made by his holy name. So be it.
I say go watch it, but if you want to watch a dubbed version, go with the ADV version. The Netflix dub is... not very good, to be polite.
@@sbatou87 I've watched both and I dont see much issue.
1:24
@@bluephoenixguy1094 Really? For me, the performances felt flat and several small issues bugged me, such as calling Shinji the "Third Children."
@@sbatou87 I won't say anything on the quality of the performances because that's down to opinion, but they called Shinji the Third Child in the original...
Asuka frequently did so. Misato did it in the beginning. Ritsko did it when Shinji wasn't around...
Gendo almost exclusively called him that...
So... no?
Causing the third impact to tear down the AT Fields of all humanity is one of my favorite metaphors in probably anything ever, since it could also be seen as a great tragedy that causes us to put aside our differences and fears and work together to become better.
Goddam Evangelion is good
Now how’s about a what’s in an ending for Fly Me to the Moon?
LaNoLaCola Netflix: Rei I
Rei spinning and spinning
Amalee's rendition of this is actually one of my favorite songs period right now.
You made such a brilliant observation with the gundam series at that time and its protagonist, Gundam War in The Pocket was probably one of the only Gundam Movies i actually really liked i couldn't get into any of the series especially the flashy ones because of that exact reason , What gundam War In the Pocket did was actually showing what Gundam truly were War machines for killing the little boy in the film begins infatuated with the idea of them and thinks they are cool but by the end of the movie he realizes that they are actually tools for war, and that's what made it so memorable and resonating with me.
I didn't think about potential spoilers. But whatever you said sounded like a mix of techno-spiritual crazy talk to someone who hasn't seen it so I didn't get spoiled 😝
No, you didn't get spoiled. Techno-spiritual crazy talk is only the beginning :D
this is exactly why we usually don't talk about Evangelion. People tend to declare us mad :P
@@hab0272 haha, I've had the same experience when talking about Adventure Time.
His final tweet was about Attack on Titan, Rest In Peace Etika.
😢 He will be missed.
Great analysis. I didn't knew the bit about Gendo and Fuyutski's designs. And in my book your interpretation is spot on
Well that was fast Geoff.
Make a Monogatari OP analysis, you coward.
ill do it for you. Shinbo likes Crack, and its awesome. also pastel colours
Tell me about it , at least for Bakemonogatari.
@@Stothehighest you should check out paniponi dadh and maria holic.too (actually the only not pastrl OP they dont is the negima.spinoff. but.its still fucking awesome)
@@Stothehighest actually everything from shaft is fucking awsome. except for maybe mekucity actors, i have watched that so i can only assume)
Isn't there a time limit for RUclips upload? Would likely surpass that limit.
When I first saw this opening I was so confused. I just saw it and thought it was a ridiculous opening just flashing a bunch of images. Now that you described what it means it is now quite beautiful & amazing! Thank you for analyzing it.
I always wondered what the deeper meaning of this op was, thank you so much!
I pretty much agree with everything but the song and the lyrics seems to be from the perspective of Yui Ikari, Shinjis mother and her wish for him as she knows her soul will be a part of unit 01. I kinda think of it as her last thoughts before doing the contact experiment and leaving Shinji behind for the time being, making him miss her and beacuse of that making it so that his sync rates will be sky high. As the last shot is of the dead sea scrolls, a prothacy that in Yuis mind Shinji will lead humanity through. A prothacy were he will realize that ”these wings on his back arent a dream” and he can ”escape to a world where he will finally be free” (instrumentality). And since the all the songs with lyrics in Eva seems to be from the perspective of one of our characters, fly me to the moon (Rei) and komm susser tod (Shinji or Asuka depending on who u ask) i think its pretty safe to say that this one is ni exeption.
I didn’t know I had to watch the sequel for this video too. Be back tomorrow
Thanks, Geoff. I appreciate you putting your take out there.
Great video, even learned a few things. I think you are probably dead on in your overall analysis of the intro having deliberate cuts for exposition, as opposed to just random whatever. However, the one thing that was incorrect was that the Dead Sea Scrolls were instruction manuals that came with the angels from their alien "First Ancestral Race" progenitors, not prophecies that predicted the angels. This is how SEELE even knew what the angels were and how to conduct Human Instrumentality, which was basically a contingency plan in the rare event of two seeds from the FAR landing on the same planet (which is the exact anomaly that occurred on Earth).
Was the whole thing (how third impact will happen and so on) already thought out and written when the anime started?
I really should rewatch Eva legally, even if there's no Fly Me to the Moon, both for the sake of experiencing it again and financially supporting the makers, but tbh, I understood flat 0 after one watch, and now just thinking about rewatching it makes my brain feel like its about to do the intellectual equivalent of swimming the Atlantic.
its just a song so whats the rpoblem
@@Exel3nce A lot of people find it almost as iconic as the OP. I'll definitely miss it.
@@cyrilgigee4630 but nothing that would ruin a show. it doesnt matter if op and or ed are gone, the show remains the same (aside from the voice acting ofc)
Oh shit. A video on one of the greatest OP’s of all time? Thank the Anime Pope!
i was literally looking to see if you'd made this exact video when i got this notification. hell yeah.
Best opening ever. For the symbolism behind it and the music. Close second is Sailor Moon's opening.
18:02 "Whiney little coma fapper" i laughed too hard at this
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SINCE YOU DID SONO CHI NO SADAME!
When I started the show, it was hella slow but that opening, the theme hooked me instantly
Jeez I watched the full series a while ago but haven't seen the movies and I guess there's a crap ton I missed out on lol, I guess I'll have to go back and watch it again
I think you pretty much nailed it in terms of interpretation.
The real life conspiracy of this anime can be hinted in:
Ancient Evangelion AMV
Also...the commander of S.H.A.D.O. in Gerry Anderson’s UFO is Ed _Straker,_ btw
Can we acknowledge the fact that the bike horn cover of Cruel Angel’s Thesis is played halfway through the video
I love everything about your video - your powers of analysis are potent indeed!
Everything includes not talking about the music (apart from the lyrics). Looking at fan feedback has me confused, though: Why are there so many people fully committed to sarcastically loving this song? After all this time, you would think some would drop the act - because obviously, the idea that anyone would actually love this song has been woefully unbelievable from the start. Netflix should have taken the lyrics and given them to someone dedicated to making a fitting theme for such an unblinkingly honest deep dive into human psychology, instead of keeping this awkward, tone-deaf, toothless jingle that sounds like it came from a Happy Meal ad.
While analyzing the way that the Japanese lyrics emphasize and foreshadow Misato's character, I was very disappointed that you didn't mention the very prevalent theory and interpretation that Misato is a twisted "mother figure", also serving as a sex symbol as well as a matronly adult for Shinji to look up to. After Rei dies where Shinji sits on his bed and cries, Misato literally offers her body to him, as if that's the only form of physical comfort that she can understand. Oh, and she also kisses him on the lips in the movie finale...
Unless I am mistaken, Ritsko was NOT "banging Shinji's dad" (17:18), Ritsko's mother was.
No she was also banging him.......during final episodes when she was in custody .....she says "it won't matter even if you hold me " or something along those lines and then in the movie when Nerv was being attacked and they call her for help ....she again says something along the lines of how he calls her when it is convenient for him the same woman he abandoned
glad you waited to do this the Geoff that started this channel couldn't have broken this down nearly as well as grizzled old Geoff that did this quite expertly
I've been putting off watching it for years so now I have no excuse not to. Also it is criminal to even suggest or give the option of skipping the opening. It's so good
Btw. I just noticed what the title for rebuild movie 4 will be and I am intrigued. Basically "new Evangelion repeat"
(with Evangelion being written in newer characters than it usually has been written as)
8:51 him turning away from the sky may also be a reflection of what he says in the anime's ending. He says that he doesn't like the blue sky and the rain in that whole speech. Rei says she doesn't like the sunset and Asuka the sunrise.
17:08 KING CRIMSON'S DEATH LOOP BROUGHT HIM INTO THE EVA UNIVERSE RUUNNNNNNN
I cant believe people say not to watch the last two episodes there the best part of the entire show
This opening has a more complex and well build plot then most anime nowadays :o
15:16 What is it with Japanese media and the moon actually being created by an evil deity? Apparently the moon in Shin Megami Tensei Persona universe is actually Nyx, a death god who is NOT a cognative manifestation unlike some of the other deities in the series and in Phantasy Star Online 2 Episode 4 the moon is actually a [spoilers] that houses a god-like artificial lifeform called Mother (an obvious throwback to the versions of Mother Brain seen in Phantasy Star II and Phantasy Star Universe albeit this one is considerably different, not having direct control over anything but the phantoms she summons and taking on a humanoid appearance because she's actually [spoilers])
Since you're back to doing What's in an OP, please do Steins;Gate's opening, I know it's not a trending topic so it might not get as many views but I'm dying for some more juicy Steins;Gate analysis videos, there aren't enough of those on RUclips lol
I am going to miss he got me through me depression so I wish we could help him as I write this it makes me cry I hope he gets his last request for filed so RUclips if you see this and if someone sees this share it to everyone to please fill out his last request please
Good bye etika I hope you rest in peace
I had goosebumps throughout.
Remember, the first time seeing the opening on an ADVVHS for coming attractions, my mind was blown
I remember watching evangelion at the bigining of the 2000's was told multiple times to not watch , but I liked , then the channel droped it , took me years to finish it( no internet access)
the way i cried when u explained those shots of shinji....
Just a quick, useless correction: the Tree of Life isn't actually called Sephirot, it's called Etz ha Chaim (Tree of Lives) or simply Etz Chaim. Sephirot is just the plural of Sephira, each individual sphere in the Tree of Life, but the Tree itself is more than just the spheres (for example, there are the Paths, the Veils, the Veils of Negative Existence and the Realms)
Could you maybe do a discussion of all the major symbolism in Eva. Like how the Eva and monsters are pretty good representations of named angels and how they correspond.
Omedetou on creating this video
Just watched the series for the first time over the weekend. It hit me like a truck. What an amazing show.
Holy shit you have a lot of patrons for such a relatively small sub count. Though, to be fair, it's the patrons that are important nowadays...
There’s a whole lot of points in here that I don’t know if I’d agree with, but it really wouldn’t be an Evangelion video without those.
I watched the entire series in a day. It was incredible
I find it interesting how Shinji is always running from pain and suffering but at the end of Evangelion he denies his only way out and embraces individuality which would mean pain and suffering. I think In the end he finally stopped running and stopped choosing the easy ways out
The ripple from the beginning is just another JoJos Reference.
Pls end me.
TAKE IT FROM MEEEEE
The fact that this opening is basically a “spoilers without context” meme is incredible.
I find the pose unit-01 makes at roughly 19:00 to be similar to the mass production unit's poses at the end of EoE
...wow, that’s a pretty deep interpretation. Never thought of it that way...
Great video 🔝👍
This is the first video Ive seem from your channel. didnt know what to expect, but wowo you got a ton of info from the overall of the series just from the OPENNING... Pretty nice
The new generation will know despair. :3