Neon Genesis Evangelion - Hope & Despair
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- Опубликовано: 25 июл 2024
- In 1995, director Hideaki Anno unleashed a show that would subvert expectations, enamour a nation and forever change the industry it was a part of. Twenty five years later, Neon Genesis Evangelion is still one of the most vital and - more importantly - most exciting shows around. In this video I explore its many iterations, examine their impacts on a fandom and take a closer look at the deeply embedded themes of hope and despair at the heart of it all.
00:00 - PART 1: The First Impact
04:27 - PART 2: You are (not) okay.
09:42 - PART 3: Ending Evangelion
15:43 - PART 4: One More Time, With Feeling
19:09 - Conclusion & Credits
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Sadly, you're yet another content creator to mischaracterize EoE and the circumstances surrounding its creation. The widely held belief within the fandom that the film is Anno's revenge simply is erroneous and ill-informed.
I know that EoE was very much a planned aspect to Eva's ending in a broader sense - the storyboard on one of the final 'next episode' segments proves that - but I don't believe it would have happened without the fan backlash. Not in its current form at least.
If people had been content, 25&26 would have stood as the end without the bleak addendum that is End of Evangelion. The tone, brutality and self -deprecating nature of this piece leads me to believe there was definitely an element of 'response' to the controversy surrounding the final two episodes, but I want to stress that is just my reading of the situation. I've always watched EoE and taken away a strong sense of pained rebellion, but that's the great thing about art: it speaks to us all differently. I'm pinning this comment and it's excellent and thorough follow up though to balance out my admittedly one sided reading in the video. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thanks for the pin. Upon second reading, I sometimes come off a little abrasive. So I apologize if I'm sounding rude. haha
I've just seen others critique End of Evangelion with similar points, and I've found some to be reductionistic rather than revelatory. That is, they boil down the themes and Anno's intentions to narrow points that put him and the show in a box. Which, ultimately do a disservice to the profound themes and messages it all has to offer, imo.
The revenge angle is compelling, to be sure. And as Folding Ideas' EoE analysis points out, Shinji's masturbation scene isn't exactly subtle in how Anno wants us to feel about who Shinji really is deep down.
But here's some other quotes I've gathered from Anno in regards to his views on Otaku culture and how he fits in with that:
"I'm often asked if Shinji-kun [represents] an old version of myself, but that's not the case. Shinji-kun is my current self (laughing). I act like a fourteen-year-old boy; I'm still childish. No matter how you look at it, in psychological terms, I'm [still] in the Oral Stage. A melancholic oral-dependent type. Well, this is a truth I can't deny; I can't do anything about it. I wanted to move forward from there, but the result was that I ended up regressing back to myself. A dead end."
"Student Questioner: There's a viewpoint which holds Eva to be a criticism of otaku.
"Anno: I'm not criticizing. I'm considering. That might be putting my nose where it doesn't belong for some people.
"
"I say critical things towards otaku, but I don't reject them. I only say that we should take a step back and be self-conscious about these things. I think it's perfectly fine so long as you act with an awareness of what you are doing, self-conscious and cognizant of the current situation. I'm just not sure it's a good thing to reach the point where you cut yourself off from society. I don't understand the greatness of society, either. So I have no intention of going so far as to call for people to give up otaku-like things and become more suited to society. Only, I think there are many other interesting things in the world, and we don't have to reject them.
"However, I take offense when otaku are criticized by non-otaku. Stupid idiots, I think, [criticizing] though you don't understand anything (laughs). There are truly many people who don't seem to really understand. I know these things without being lectured to by these people. It's like, why now? But saying those things is still better. There are many who completely missed the mark. When people don't even try to understand speak about otaku as though they were far above them, I think: what stupid people."
forum.evageeks.org/thread/12024/2003-Kodansha-interviews-Hideaki-Anno/
forum.evageeks.org/thread/19206/Anno-vs-Otaku-critcism-self-reflection-etc/200/
forum.evageeks.org/thread/15119/EoTV-An-ending-not-of-advancement-but-regression/
@@kalplays9922 you sir are a clown if that is all you took away from this art piece of a review lol. I can see a counter point to be made but to just say this is just another misled analysis is astounding. Just because Anno says it wasn't a revenge piece could be him playing it off like it wasn't. Officially Anno could say what he has to say to keep it PC but what does the screen play actually convey in the context of the death threats? It's art not science or law. Open to interpretation. Coming around and pretending to be an arbiter of all thing EoE is uncalled for.
Edit: I saw your apology so I guess all is forgiven. Very gracious move for him to pin this comment though considering the tone of the original comment. No one is really wrong here I guess is the take away. It's art not legal studies.
@@matasuki That was quite an impressive 180, I must say.
@@matasuki You'll have to forgive me for taking Anno at his word rather than "influencers" on YT. lmao
"A RUclips video might be able to explain what Evangelion means; but it will never be able to tell you what Evangelion will mean to you...."
This hit me on a spiritual level, just live Evangelion did
You can (not) tell me how to feel
I am (not) okay
"It's 2015 and god wants us dead" They were off by 5 years.
but everything started in 2015
right this didn't age well lol
This phrase was a bit nihilistic 😓
Lmao.
2K21 now and the 4th rebuild is coming out in 23 days. Just wanted to remind :)
Wow, that intro tho. Tokyo-3 and the title EVANGELION sinking it no the ground.
I need that for my eva wallpaper collection
that was fantastic
@TSTRM-11 how about a wallpaper engine video of it going up and down on loop. Or following the mouse up and down.
Here's a version I stumbled across whilst first designing this animation. It was a complete accident but I loved it so much that I saved it for my own wallpaper collection :P
imgbox.com/MiRKZTac
@@BeyondGhibli Was that Adobe After Effect?
I gotchu, fam: steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1902895905
“Spoiler! This guy does NOT make it.”
Cinematic revolution
🤣🤣🤣
I didn't get what he means there? Can you explain?
Woah woah woah, I wasn't ready for that one, did not click away fast enough and now I am spoiled TT
I loved the original evas ending actually; eva is always praised for having all the fucked up and broken characters, a big huge fight climax simply wouldnt fit with the series.
Actually going into the characters minds and *letting them* come to terms with their mental problems is the best ending the series could've had, and as you said in the video, end of eva perfectly complements the series
... Did you just completely erase the "and it was all a dream this whole time" from your memory?
Neon Genesis Evangelion nearly drove me to suicide.
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since.
I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the isolation of the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive.
Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up.
Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic.
I sought emotional refuge in the Evangelion fandom on social media, hoping they’d understand me and provide me with answers that would grant me peace of mind. Instead, they downplayed my trauma, going so far as to spread a rumor of my past to shame me of my mental illness, spiraling me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now.
I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else matters.
There’s a reason why I keep coming back to Evangelion; something that reminds me of nothing but pain.
I want to prove to myself I’m not crazy for feeling this way, that Evangelion really did force me to relive my trauma, that my depression is not just a figment of my imagination or another anime plot point. I want to feel that my fear and resentment towards Eva is justified.
But the fact I’m the only one I know in existence who’s been traumatized by an anime makes me feel like I really am crazy.
But finally, with 3.0+1.0 released, I can rest easy knowing that Shinji has finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel. Evangelion is finished, and I want it to remain that way.
But if things hadn’t turned out that way, I wouldn’t be here today.
@@hawkeyenextgen7117 stop copying and pasting this comment we get your point
I feel that both endings work to some degree personally. The first ending feels more fitting to Evangelion’s theme as a whole, a gradual breakdown of the minds of the characters until they discover what it is they want on their own. However, some level of frustration with it is justified due to it not tying up the major points of contention within the last several episodes (SEELE, Third Impact, Human Instrumentality Project etc.)
EoE is more in liking to a traditional series/film’s ending, and fits well with NGE’s psychological drama elements with Shinji’s rapid loss of sanity from the Third Impact. However, it loses out on much of the development of the other characters that NGE’s original ending had, and ends on a bittersweet note as opposed to the hopeful one put forth by NGE. Personally, I love NGE’s ending as it resonated with me on some level, but I would also say that EoE is also a very fitting climax and ends on a very interesting note.
Apologies for the essay lol, I have trouble putting my thoughts down in a reasonable amount of words
@@soursugar4867 im always weary of arguments that start with "b-but it didn't tie up x plot point!!!!!112 and what about y?????!?!! And I wanna know what exactly happened to z!!!!" because like, yea the plot and lore of Eva are super cool, but it's also kind of not the point of the show y'know? Like this is a crazy psychological thriller taking deep dives into the creators psyche, creating mind boggling cinematic experiences that resonate with viewers unlike anything else, and to go out of that thinking "ok but what happened to kaji tho" is to miss the forest for the trees. I don't wanna take away in the slightest from the enjoyment of delving into the vast details of an intriguing worlds lore, but whenever I see people discuss things like Eva (or lain for example) it's always about obscure plot points. But really shouldn't we be focusing on the actual psychoanalysis? On the Sisyphean conflict and fear of a destructive nihilism created by our (shinjis) initial rejection of his own will and desires?
And that's exactly what the original ending gave us, and even still EoE's primary goal wasnt even to undermine that with convoluting plot, i mean the last 30 minutes or so feel more like a continuation of NGE's last few episodes than a rewrite, and that's fantastic, I believe these two complement each other perfectly.
But now that the rebuilds are done I'm reminded again of this weird plot-obsession.
The rebuilds have no artistic vision like the original. It's all of what I wrote above; it's convoluting plot, strange lore tidbids and full of lose ends strangling to tie into a (arguably intended) messy knot of a conclusion. And yeah sure it's kinda fun to see all this crazy stuff go down and see crazy lore explanations and see crazy world bending lore reveals, but you cannot earnestly tell me that this is Eva.
Eva is about the psyche, the human condition, the hurtful and nihilistic nature of our desire to exist, and therefore I feel like only an ending approaching the series from *that* angle can really do it justice.
"It's 2015, and God wants us dead." I have felt that way over the last few years to be fair.
I share your feelings. Hopefully Pelosi will help us out.
@@Asehpe No, I don't think she will.
@@Asehpe lmao that's not gonna change much unless we invade China. They're responsible for most of the world's pollution and environmental issues.
Actually its more like Now Men want to end the world Alot Faster!
Putting 'Leaders' like Trump & Jair Bolsonario in charge of some of the largest countries in the world...just to Burn it all Down.
jack mayor only because all the european and american megacorps outsource all their production to china, and that these same countries pay south-east asian countries to take their trash instead of actually sorting it themselves
I've actually re watched Eva more than any other anime.
I'm contemplating a re-watch. I'm just not sure if I can handle another round of minor depression the show brings on lol.
@@KennethSee Lol, I know what you mean. It makes me think too much about the human condition.
Same. I didn't even like the show after my first watch. But something bugged me about so I rewatched it. Only after that rewatch I started to like so much as I do now.
I've probably re-watched Eva more than I've re-done anything...
that and FMA 2003
I feel like one of the few people that finds End of Evangelion hopeful. I feel like the message at the end is choosing to live is the right thing to do, because despite the world being a crazy, horrifying place, you still have the chance to be happy within it.
Also, while you say Anno was satisfied with the original ending, old scripts for Episode 25 and 26 have surfaced showing that the End of Evangelion was basically how the show was supposed to end. There was definitely some executive meddling, and while Anno may have been content with the original ending, that was by no means his original vision. End Of Evangelion wasn't a middle finger to the audience, hell most of the "death threats" shown in End of Evangelion are actually messages of praise for the series.
Personally? I'm happy we got both. Both endings hold a special place in my heart and I don't think I'd enjoy Evangelion as much if the show didn't have both endings, even if I consider End of Evangelion as the "final" ending.
I couldn't agree with you more. I loved the NGE ending, I felt joyful. I watched EoE and I felt sad and depressed. It took me awhile to get the ending. When I did, I was glad we got both. Both endings are excellent and I couldn't choose which one is better.
I'm right there with both of you.
Yeah, very much my take away as well. Personally, in the world of Evangelion I would have just stayed in the gestalt, I get obviously it's a situation made to get the message across. Despite however rough the going gets, there is always something to keep going for. I links back to the message spelled out in the NGE finale that happiness comes from within, it's not created by anything outside of yourself (though I admit a nice environment does help).
The anime ending brings the series to its thematic conclusion. End of Evangelion brings the plot and worldbuilding to conclusion. At first viewing the movie is pretty overwhelming but thematically it's pretty much identical to episodes 25-26.
Curious, was the starting hospital scene there in the scripts in all its "glory" already, as well as the final Asuka's word ?
Rebuild is meant to make the audience realize they didn't listen to the original intended message. They just wanted to stay in a world where nothing changes, so rebuild says ok, here's that world that never changes. It's boring now, and the characters are miserable because you won't let them grow up. You won't let them move on.
Piss off you pretentious twat
@@ms_publisher7143 please don't.
@@ms_publisher7143 you just proved his point lmao.
I haven't seen Rebirth yet, but, based on how reactionary the rest of Eva was I wouldn't be surprised to find out you 100% are right.
Seems really spot on. The world is a do-over of a continuation, leans into the kaworu shipping, everything is more but the same.
"Are you okay?" Brilliant. I was probably too young the first time I watched Evangelion and I was *definitely* too young the first time I watched the End. It was way too much for me and I was definitely not okay after. Absolutely searing.
It was the same for me. I watched this at a young age and I didn't know how to feel. People always told me that I was mature for my age but truly I was always questioning myself. I felt confused and left astray. I withdrew myself from people as much as I could regardless of how many parties and hangouts I was invited to.
I was scared of human connection. Then I saw it online in the late 2000's and rewatched it and had a whole new perspective. I embraced being with others soon after. I experienced a lot of pain from opening myself up to others and I wanted to pull back to my old ways. However I got a few great feelings from doing so too. Friendship, "love", and just having fun with others really made all the harsh realities of the world worthwhile. I don't blame NGE for anything, if anything it helped me become who I am. I am happy to exist and sad when I think of how close I was to ending it all back then and more recently than I'd like to admit. Talking to other people who can relate or have seen the show brings me a great joy. I care for everyone but I don't expect anyone to care for me.
You all are what makes Eva great, Thank you.
@@angelicusmortus1484 Same, Death & Rebirth was the first DVD ever bought when I was in Gr. 6 and I jokingly point to that event as to why I'm so fucked now lol.
@@bungdilly6333 Happy accidents were made.
@@questioningespecialy9107 That's not happy accident. That's trauma. Because I watched r rated movies too young, I suffer from both anxiety and depression. My father was a stupid idiot who thought it wont do anything. I never let my brother watch something that can scar him afterward. A fucking movie,anime cause too much damage sometimes, sometimes it is enough to have trusting issues in one sentence. Children are much more fragile than you think.
I've always had a very close connection with NGE. Dealing with depression most of my life and discovering Eva in my teen when my depression was probably at its worst it helped change my life seeing other battle their inner demons and finally overcome them. To this day now in my mid 30s I still watch Eva and leave with a more positive outlook on life then when I started.
Thank you, Joe for making this video.
I had a similar, though in some ways completely opposite experience: I first watched it as a teenager who was blissfully depression free. I thought it was pretty good, if a little odd, but it largely faded from my memory. Then one day I rewatched in my 30s whilst suffering quite severe depression. I was amazed at the new depths and power it took on, given my new personal experiences. I also credit that second viewing as being right about the point I began to turn around and emerge. It wasn't just Eva that did that, but it was definitely an experience that said, "You are not alone," and delivered that in a way no professional or family member or friend, no matter how well-intentioned, could. I very glad Hideaki Anno shared his vision with us.
Congratulations
Same, basically. Eva just spelled everything out clearly for me, and eventually made reflecting over it way easier...
Who's joe?
@@MrMuel1205 I did the same. Watched it in my late teens first time, clear headed and depression free. Just re-watched it again recently, in my late 30's now, and with many more life experiences and dealing with a bit of depression the last couple of years, it kind of hit me like a truck. Like I had never watched it before.
So much of the context resonated in my head and brought to the forefront some recent happenings in my life that I am trying to move past.
At first I felt like watching the show again was a bad idea and it was driving me down, but it ended up giving me a better perspective on what was really bothering me and how I need to tackle moving forward.
BG can get fly me to the moon, but netflix cant. Just how much power does BG wield
You can put most songs in a youtube video, you just can't monetize it. BG probably isn't getting any ad revenue from this.
@@Petey5 Not true. Monetisation does not determine whether something is a copyright breach or not. You cannot legally upload an entire song on RUclips if you just don't activate ads. The reality is what can and can't be uploaded on RUclips is much more down to what companies will be willing to copyright strike or not.
@@kapitankapital6580 I said most because some will take the video down, but most of the time they just claim the video so they get the ad revenue. You can find almost any song on RUclips.
They cut the end song ?!?!
Best twist ever: final movie is just the two last episodes of the show again, not even redrawn, the straight up 4:3 video and dub from 1995. :-)
Oh my god. Imagine waiting over 5 years for the movie, sitting down in a theater, watching the previews, just to be slammed by the biggest prank made by Anno himself.
@@milkithard you got to admit. That's on brand.
I wouldn’t even be mad. It would be a top-tier troll.
Deja vu on many levels.
new trailer, I'm pumped
"The rebuilds on their own can leave you wanting" while showing Mari on the screen.
*I can see your a man of culture*
This video definitely triggered some latent emotional trauma I developed after watching everything through End of Evangelion in one sitting.
All I have to hear is the first few bars of that song and I'm absolutely triggered
It is definitely the way to watch it though. I really love how they put credits in the middle of the film, I think its a really neat trick.
All of it in one sitting? Huh, that must have been brutal. I first saw the End months after the series and both were overwhelming.
Freaking same
@@Daneelro I watched the whole series (including the rebuilds) in like 3 days. It was the only thing I watched and it may have been the biggest mistake ever, the PTSD wasn't worth it💀
The original Evangelion always was and still is to this day my most favourite anime of all time. It carried me away for the first time I saw it and still does to this day every single time I watch it. And there truly won't be anything like this again.
Do you dislike the rebuilds
I think they’re definitely not even close to what the original was, but they don’t really have to. 1.0 tried to completely recreate first bunch of episodes but in such a little time it couldn’t do much and pretty much fails. 2.0 which I like the most out of the three, continues the original story (till the end), but with completely new scenes in order to convert the show into a movie and works really nicely and it’s definitely the most heartwarming rebuild. 3.0 did a complete 180 and it’s a completely different story, which I personally don’t like, but that’s a matter of opinion. Rebuilds are not bad but they just can’t get even close to reaching what the original was.
Welp, you managed to make me cry. You reminded me of how simply great of a piece of media Eva is and how, in my opinion, it will take years for its depth and awe to be replicated in anything else. I cried while watching EoE for the fifth time some months ago and I’m crying now. Thank you.
I feel you. I had bursts of uncontrollable sadness for days after watching EoE.
Wait, LUMAKEN????? Damn, I never knew you liked NGE a lot
*SPOILER* I felt quite sad when misato died in the explosion just when shinji went down the elevator
this is true but there are alternatives to fill the void....Gantz and Deathnote are great alternatives...but will never be compared to Eva's greatness
Mr Robot topped it
its 2019 and buildings still dont move like that =(
Well it's 2020 and building still don't move like that but apocalyptic atmosphere is here.
I’m gonna take a hard guess and say they won’t move like that even in 2030
You have to commit First Impact to start moving after some years.
First, we need to build geofront
Evangelion left me feeling disgusting.
It was so different from anything I had seen, and hit notes that were scarily close to home. It feels like it’s left me with an emotional scab, something I can’t quite shake.
I’m yet to experience a piece of media that has as much of an impact as Evangelion.
try watching Texhnolyze. it'll make you feel sick as well, though at the same time very beautiful.
This comment stuck out to me. I definitely felt messy and somewhat used after trying to sift through the last part of Evangelion.
The fact that it has some of the best moments in anime makes it particularly painful. Props to Anno if that was his intent, but remembering FLCL makes me think that's just the impression he leaves on anything he touches.
If you want a mech that does it, any of the newer Gundam series do it with way more clarity and sense.
I don’t think any other media or piece of art pushes the the strange combination of emotional buttons the way Eva does. Forget any other mech anime or bleak series like Texhnolyze (bleak and great in its own right but tough to get through because of pacing). Evangelion is undeniable in its impact. I would say I felt a mix of raw, disgusted, in awe, hopeless and isolated but also, like I’d earned a hard won optimism. Makes no sense and I know I’m not alone in this, but I felt awful yet it was somehow like a religiously inspiring experience I wouldn’t trade for anything and I’m sure those who get it, get it. I don’t mean the series, but the emotional reaction I’m talking about.
Sorry, but I have this huge pet peeve when ppl are talking about Eva and someone brings up another work (“oh yea, then you should watch x”) it’s like “no! We are talking about Eva! Even Berserk will have to wait until were done or for another conversation”
This is like the 7000th thinkpiece on Eva I've watched and you still managed to find a way to make this work. Really well done.
Huh. I never thought of the Angels as Gods Cleanup crew before. That brings a whole new perspective to the series for me.
Don’t mind the haters... I feel the same way.
So does this mean someone could do an edit with the twin Angels and dub them with Emilio and Charlie from MEN AT WORK?
(Shinji curls into a ball, crying... _again)_
“Look at that.. now who would throw away a perfectly good white boy?”
If you see Adam as god I think it is a perspective
The original ending made me happy. The End of Evangelion ending made me even more depressed lol
Same
The end of EoE brought me down from that high, but you gotta keep in mind that this is what Shinji and Asuka chose, as a life better than Instrumentality. I'm glad we get to see what that decision looks like, even though it's far from pretty
Everyone comes back you know?
The original ending felt unsatisfying and clinical. The End of Evangelion was a work of art.
@@kevinscales Have you read the manga? Now that is evangelion at it's finest
Damn, seeing Hideaki Anno saying "I'm not crazy about myself" really hit home man. I get the feeling.
I watched End of Evangelion 4 years ago and I still can’t rewatch it to this day. That movie scarred me.
About over 10 years for me. Drawn in by the allure, but left with viewers regret! This is not a show to help others overcome depression. But to keep them chained down by it.
Slogg Znorg damn you’re kind of right, I think it’s interesting when people say this show doesn’t make them depressed.
@@Nocturn4lAnim4L definitely doesn't cure depression like most say. I'd say it makes you look at how bad it affects your loved ones and makes you feel even worse but at peace in a sense
LIT BOY I watch End when I am really depressed . It’s just something that empowers me mentally to not be dependent on others
I used to re-watch it every 6 months or so, until I hit full blown depression. I think I watched it once since then and it was too painful for me to do it again since. It's probably been about 2-3 years now.
The clips you chose just reminded me how great the animation is
The timing from 2:24 to 2:32 is the best thing I've ever seen on RUclips. Mad props man
how
@@atharvthebeast9741it's pretty damn cool you gotta admit
@@littleredruri doo u mean the part were he is going shinji rey asuka?
@@atharvthebeast9741 yus
13:39 that spoiler got me
lol
When Beyond Ghibli uploads a video about NGE, and Super Eyepatch Wolf uploads one about Gantz, you know it's gonna be a good day.
Amazing as always BG, you can't imagine how big the grin on my face is whenever i see you've uploaded a video :D
hell ya
This was a beautiful video. Your humanization of Anno was touching and I have more respect for him and this show because of you.
My roommate and I are watching the series together right now but we haven't finished yet. As soon as we do, we're coming back to this video. Keep up the incredible work!
Hope you enjoy it ! !
ISSpaniel imagine
I envy you. I wish i could rewatch it again with clean mind and relive this experience again...
There’s more really great video essays out there. I suggest looking into more. They get really insightful on the series as a whole
Oh boy you got a hell of a ride ahead of you
New evangelion is a way of Anno saying to those who wanted action:
"this is what you would get"
11 yo me is still thankful he found it one night. What one calls an action movie, is an easy entry for newcomers. In retrospect I dont think I would've "got" nge at that age, and I'm sure I still dont understand a lot of it, but I do remember the strong resonance I felt somewhere deep down, when watching it the first time. And, while nge goes deeper for sure, the rebuilds possess the less condensed themes of the original. At least enough to get hooked on the general idea. Not to mention the beautiful abomination that is 3.0.
There are a lot of great eva videos on RUclips, but this may be the best one
The most lonesomely alienating piece of art I've ever watched. I feel so much comfort in the misery and depression I feel watching it.
You were already miserable and depressed - the art pulled back the curtains so you could confront it. 😉
I just finished bingeing Evangelion, and it was the best piece of cinema I've ever seen. An absolute masterpiece. I'm so glad I watched this video too; it gave me so much insight that made the entire series better. I now know it really is the genuine emotion of the creator that went into this series and not a phony fabrication that I felt while watching it. Thank you for this!
I'm going to watch 3.0+1.0 tomorrow and came back here, to this video from two years ago, to reflect on the journey I've had with this franchise. It's weird, really - the older generation of Eva fans have history with the series ten times longer than mine, but I can't help feeling nostalgic for that summer day in 2019 I first dipped my toes into Eva. This is really the end of Anno's Evangelion. After the credits have rolled, it'll be it. For real.
But my love for Evangelion will stay.
Holy shit you predicted 3.0+1.0!!!
Just watched rebuild # 3.0 + 1.0. Great job on nailing the hope and despair motif!
I love the "episode preview"! It's unique, but in a way quite fitting for this channel's type of content
“Pilots Shinji, Rey and Oscar must hop into these massive beasts” If you turn on subtitles asuka is Oscar
Jes, it is me Oscar. Chu goin to piolet de Eva, amigo?
I’m going to be honest your videos are insane they strike me and most of your other audiences as well I assume but it’s the way you word what you say and the way you perfectly strike the music to the understanding your trying to explain it’s just crazy and I love your videos I hope this RUclips becomes a 100x as famous as it is right now because being honest your one of the best you tubers in are anime community at this moment and possibly ever to come keep up your work and keep going above and beyond because I’ll stay here watching your videos for years to come if I keep getting emotional attacks from your striking understandings of anime
When BG put the ending but Netflix cant XD. And again somehow tears at the end, you tear bending wizard, another excellent and fantastic analysis, NGE will always be an anime series that redefine what Anime was and means to all us, I still remember my first experience watching this show...how I feel with both endings (both I LOVE....one gives me hopes, the other TERRIFIES ME), the many debates me and my friends have over this show, and how much influenced us, and how much this show changed EVERYTHING in anime from that point on....we wouldn't have Cowboy Bebop, or FMA, or Tengen Toppa or who knows even Your Name if not was for this crazy and depressing call for help Hideaki Anno did, NGE is still one of my top 3 most beloved animated series and anime shows, cant describe how much this show mean to me. I think you capsulated everything I could try to say better in this magnificent 22 minutes video.....a great love letter to this show and his creator.
Will say, the Rebuild Ending was.... everything. Everything I could ask for as a fan of the series to this day, and then some.
Commentary aside, your editing is just phenomenal.
End of Evangelion was to me an optimistic yet harsh movie. It was basicly Anno telling me to look at myself and see what I was feeling or not and try to do something for once. And I gotta say, I needed that.
I have yet to watch the rebuilds, but I'll alwats be gratefull to Anno for that movie.
this was amazing, breathtaking, tissuedrenching!
thank you so much for being awesome!
I've been waiting for this one
I always imagine the last two episodes coexisting simultaneously with End of Evangelion. Like the episodes brings the underlying mental struggle to an end while the movie brings the real world situation to an end. I could very well imagine Shinji going through the episodes while in Unit 01, while everyone else fighting for their lives. The hope ending of the episodes being what sparks Shinji to reject the Instrumentality in EoE.
Eh, who knows. I'm all for artists doing their thing, but if an ending leaves the audience unsatisfied, they have an equal right to be displeased (just not trash people's property).
Episodes 25 & 26 show the process of Human Instrumentality, while EoE shows everything else going on in the outside world during that process in Shinji's mind. Sure there are mountains of abstract metaphors and all later on in the series, but it all makes much more sense to continue to perceive the main plot elements in a literal way. The show itself narrates exactly what is going on just fine through dialogue (specifically from NERV/SEELE guys), but the audience gets to see it from the point of view of the characters... to put it simply. The artistic direction that Ep25&26 took had much to do with studio running out of funding, so they stuck with minimalist portrayal of a deep concept and thus happened to create a masterpiece. Just remember that this is really just a story about giant aliens screwing up their job in seeding Earth :P
Love this analysis. I always go back and watch it every month or so.
thanks for the contemporary overview of the series. this was well edited, paced, and easy to watch and follow. appreciate the upload!
sometimes when I think about Evangelion I'm overwhelmed by how beautiful it all is
I love all of the biblical references and angel representations! The real ancient lore of Abrahamic religions was studied greatly to create this story.
This was absolutely beautiful and really strung a chord with me. Thank you.
Incredibly well put together and executed. Thank you!
Eva will always be an unmatched masterpiece, it's unique, amazing and flawless. Rewatching it, I realized something. Watching them side by side, the ending of the show and the movie, they're practically the same thing. Anno is truly one of the greatest minds of cinematography.
How does this series keep pulling me in? I can't even explain why, but I consider End of Evangelion one of the best movies ever made. I've watched it at least 5 times now, and it still blows me away every time. I think even 3.0 is a necessary part of a greater whole. I've seen it twice, and I think there's more to it than people can take in with just one viewing. The almost magical way Shinji saves Rei, all the little hints in the rebuilds that suggest they're somehow happening after EOE, and the title of the 4th movie I think everything is somehow going to get wrapped up into a perfectly ambiguous finale. Exactly as Anno planned.
and it actually did!
Your emotional connection to the pieces really is tied to the quality of your content. Nearly every video brings the entire rollercoaster of emotional feelings that parallels the power of these pieces of art. From nostalgic joy to the pain of a missing piece of past, thanks again.
Absolutely cracking video. Thank you for this!!
Spoiler Alert: This guy does *not* make it.
Three months ago when I finished watching the series, I looked around RUclips to see if anyone had pulled out any videos giving their take on Evangelion. Needless to say, I was a bit heartbroken to find out that Beyond Ghibli hadn't pulled one out yet...
until today that is.
that's not true there are some very good videos about eva
Burnkastel I (never) said their wasn't any. I just said their wasn't any made by Beyond Ghibli at the time.
So it is very much (true)
This was a wonderful watch:) thank you
What a spectacular video. Congratulations my friend, you are truly talented. Thanks for sharing.
Chills, just chills. As someone who has just had the pleasure of being able to watch neon genesis, this was utterly phenomenal.
This series hit me at a perfect time. I was going through a very difficult time and started to distance myself from all my loved ones. As I decided to watch this series, I remember reaching the end, and it made me look inward. I resonated with Shinji’s struggles, and I was able to have a real heart-to-heart with myself of why I have been the way I have been. This anime was such a cathartic experience for me, and that’s why it will always be one of my favorites. So thankful for this anime.
I barely watched this vid over a year after you posted it. I just want to say THANK YOU for making it! You really hit home with this!
Brilliant video. Thank you for your hard work and congratulations on the outcome!
Christ, the production value just keeps getting better and better with each video!! Have you ever thought about doing a vid on the Gundam series on how it's not just some robots beating the crap out of each other but the effects of war? I'd instantly watch that if you ever did that!!
yes, the repeating scene. some may seen it as a sign of serial's low budget. instead I see it as an ingenious recalling. dejavu that will disturb our mind. keep on
Just found this channel and I'm already in love. All my favorite works being analyzed and described in ways I never considered, or worded in ways that far surpass my own. It's really illuminating, and it inspires me to keep seeking different genres in manga and anime. Thanks for the content, and I'll always look forward to your next release!
As a fan of the series for the past almost 21 years, this was a well written video. Presentation, scenes being used, and music, captured it all
I've never clicked so fast on a RUclips video in my life. And I was certainly not disappointed. Your editing seems to get better with every passing video. Also that next episode preview at the end xD
If you did not end this with a Fly Me To the Moon i would have cursed the hell out of you!
This is another masterpiece analysis my man! Keep em coming!
That was beautiful i wanted to cry at the end. Good job!! 👌
This video is really crazy. I enjoyed everything about this video, thank you
I found Eva at a time where my anxiety was at its peak, which honestly wasn't a good thing for me as I was so young. I am finally staring to come to terms with the show, my depression and anxiety, and my existential dread. Thanks for carrying on the legacy of this beautiful show. Cheers.
Mad man promised and he delivered, I always wanted to know your take on NGE
@Anonymous Anonymous I hate spammers.
Thanks for an amazing piece, yet again.
Thank you so much for this video, I was crying by the end of it. I have been a diehard Evangelion fan since 2010 and do not plan on stop being one anytime soon.
I come back to Eva time and time again and it is most definitely a piece that makes you question "what does it personally mean to me?"
The characters, especially the main three (Shinji, Asuka and Rei) are like family to me and all I want for them is to be happy and loved. The fact that you mentioned Anno's cries for help in his work is really telling of the series itself. Evangelion is one of a kind and I don't think we will ever see anything like it again.
Thank you again for this wonderful video.
Neon Genesis Evangelion nearly drove me to suicide.
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since.
I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the isolation of the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive.
Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day.
Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic.
I sought emotional refuge in the Evangelion fandom on social media, hoping they’d understand me and provide me with answers that would grant me peace of mind. Instead, they downplayed my trauma, going so far as to spread a rumor of my past to shame me of my mental illness, spiraling me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over two years now.
I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else matters.
There’s a reason why I keep coming back to Evangelion; something that reminds me of nothing but pain.
I want to prove to myself I’m not crazy for feeling this way, that Evangelion really did force me to relive my trauma, that my depression is not just a figment of my imagination or another anime plot point. I want to feel that my fear and resentment towards Eva is justified.
But the fact I’m the only one I know in existence who’s been traumatized by an anime makes me feel like I really am crazy.
But finally, with 3.0+1.0 released, I can rest easy knowing that Shinji has finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel. Evangelion is finished, and I want it to remain that way.
But if things hadn’t turned out that way, I wouldn’t be here today.
I don't think it's crazy to be so affected by a piece of media, especially since it isn't the anime doing it on its own that made you feel suicidal, it's just part of what triggered you to relive past trauma. I think eva can be especially affecting since its pretty explicitly philosophical (which is the main reason why people still talk about it to this day, the philosophical questions and meanings have a lot to be discussed) and a large chunk of the philosophy is about not wanting to exist, which is a symptom of being passively suicidal. I know my reply is 8 months late but you can't blame yourself for feeling suicidal after watching a show about severe depression made by someone with severe depression that reminded you of your own trauma and severe depression.
also i understand the feeling of your friend dying to suicide and taking on the blame yourself. I don't know good advice for dealing with it but I think they would probably want you to be able to find peace within your life and to keep moving forward, not to forget but to just keep going.
But the fandom blamed me for the suicide of my childhood friend, of which Kaworu's death reminded me of heavily, and even said I was gaslighting myself and hallucinating my experience during Lockdown. I really thought I was going insane, as the fandom told me to burn in hell for killing my friend.@@SteampunkFridgeRider
hello? are you there?@@SteampunkFridgeRider
The original dub cast? I see you are a person of culture as well.
Also using the intro music for 3.0 + 1.0-It slaps so hard and you had a perfect execution of it too.
Lush AF. Congratulations.
Beautifully made video. Absolutely amazing!!!!
so so so so so good. was waiting for this video for forever. thank you for your amazing content.
Im so sad Evangelion is over.
Neon Genesis Evangelion GREATNESS
This video was beautiful
Thanks for making it
Very well done. Thank you for a thoughtful video.
That moment when you realize that 3.0 + 1.0 refers to Unit 1 as an Eva of HOPE and Unit 13 as an Eva of DISPAIR and then come back here and remember how awesome the production on this video is.
When did Anno say that the original ending was the intended one? He always stated that he didn't know how the series would end, and it seems that he rewrote the scripts for the second half of the series several times.
There are many conflicting rumors about the writing process, yet with the game NGE 2 a lot of the plot elements we're pretty much fully cleared up and proves that pretty much every step of the show was in place from the very beginning, as it was written under the supervision of Anno himself (eg.: The ancestral aliens, the Scrolls, the scenario, the past and future of Eva 01). Keep in mind there was a need for good marketing and skirting any controversy that may have risen as too little time was left to keep changing the elements of the show at the whims of the viewers.
The only reason it was considered a mess was that the production schedule was wrecked with the rewrites necessary to cut scenes from the story that was too close to an actual tragedy that happened in Japan. The first part of End of Eva, for example, was absolutely the original canon script set to be episode 25. Episode 26 is the mystery as it was supposedly something close the the broadcast ep 25 and elements of the movie. Maybe behind close doors there was always a plan for a double length final episode, but not with a feature film budget.
an ambitious project, given the impossibility of doing such a work justice, but damn... you got closer than most.
This was a beautiful video, thanks for making it :)
all Eva gave me was a life time's worth of stress and existential crisis
Finally I’m not the only one, fuck this series never watching it again
1:01 - "Deformed"?? Why you gotta do Best Girl Ramiel and her perfect angles dirty like that man? :(
She's the exception. And a screamer.
1.11 was worth it just for the sleeker, sexier, more animated Best Girl Ramiel. I could watch that sequence by itself forever and be happy. REEEEEEEEEEE
*screams geometricly*
By far one of the best videos on NGE I’ve watched. I’d been watching anime for years and hadn’t watch this classic, and after having done so recently, I was very impressed with how thoughtful and compelling it was. This video certainly evokes some of the best aspects of the show.
Love it bro. You do well by one of the great anime franchises around. Thanks a ton. For another great video!
I really wish you could do one on the theology of the show. The heavy influences of Masonic lore and gnostic text. I have yet to see many people ever break it down.
Honestly, watching Evangelion for the first time genuinely made me depressed.
this has been one of the most beautiful video essays I've ever seen. It literally makes me want to cry.
One of the best summaries of NGE I've ever seen, and I watch them all. So beautifully done, I have tears flowing down my cheeks. Superbly done sir, ty for your work. Now, off to go watch NGE again, before finally giving those rebuilds a shot after falling in love with the original 20+ years ago. The way you put it makes sense, and I think I will be able to enjoy them without being overly critical now, thank you.
This is an excellently made video with a nuanced tone, but I have to disagree with any notion that EoE was a reactionary jab at the fans from Anno. This is a fan theory that has been around for a long time but never actually evidenced, and rather than counterbalance the overall positive ending of NGE as you claimed, myself and many others would definitely argue EoE is a reinforcement of those positive aspects, and a statement that you can find happiness even in a world which feels broken and unwelcoming.
I feel like Shinji lost all possible empathy points at the behinning of the EoE hospital scene with Asuka when he becomes an immoral creep. It makes him super hard to relate to.
You missed the point
Another masterpiece BG. I can't get enough of your content.