"Neon Genesis Evangelion" has a similar set up to many other classic anime. It involves a team of teenagers taking control of giant "robots" in order to protect the city from giant monsters. On paper, this sounds similar to shows like "RoboTech", "Voltron", "Tekkaman Blade" or many others. But what this show does that separates it from the others is simply shining a light on what a horrible toll this would take on the psyche of the children.
Suddenly, the organization that is running the robots is no longer an altruistic company solely interested in saving the world. Now the company is a shady group full of mystery and backstabbing. All headed up by a man who sees himself as a god. With all of this, the line becomes blurred as to who are the monsters they're fighting, and the machines they control.
This shift of perspective has fundamentally changed what people think of when they consider the genre.
That being said, this series is not perfect. It has 3 episodes that I just tell people to skip as they watch through them. But when the show is good, it is some of the best stuff I've seen. Conversely when it is bad...it is painful. The animation is great, but there are several minutes where the team just throws up their hands and says, "we're not animating today, deal with it."
This series is like if both "The Matrix" and its sequels were in the same anime. There is super cool action with thought provoking ideas going on. And then there are two episodes that are just the architect spouting off philosophical drivel. With the highs and the lows, it can be hard to narrow down a rating. But overall, the good is just too good to ignore.
But man, every character in this show could really benefit from some therapy. These kids are seriously messed up psychologically.
Suddenly, the organization that is running the robots is no longer an altruistic company solely interested in saving the world. Now the company is a shady group full of mystery and backstabbing. All headed up by a man who sees himself as a god. With all of this, the line becomes blurred as to who are the monsters they're fighting, and the machines they control.
This shift of perspective has fundamentally changed what people think of when they consider the genre.
That being said, this series is not perfect. It has 3 episodes that I just tell people to skip as they watch through them. But when the show is good, it is some of the best stuff I've seen. Conversely when it is bad...it is painful. The animation is great, but there are several minutes where the team just throws up their hands and says, "we're not animating today, deal with it."
This series is like if both "The Matrix" and its sequels were in the same anime. There is super cool action with thought provoking ideas going on. And then there are two episodes that are just the architect spouting off philosophical drivel. With the highs and the lows, it can be hard to narrow down a rating. But overall, the good is just too good to ignore.
But man, every character in this show could really benefit from some therapy. These kids are seriously messed up psychologically.
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