cross-posted from: https://lemmygrad.ml/post/4787748

I am terrible at media criticism. I do not understand the media that I watch at all and I heavily rely on others explaining it to me.

I watched Neon Genesis Evangelion because I really like mechs. It’s been a long while so my memory is fuzzy. As it started, I noticed that the overall tone of the anime was more sober and grim than I had anticipated.

In the beginning, I liked it when new Angels revealed themselves. The fights were not the best but I still liked them. I really love the concept of an incomprehensible foe whose secrets are slowly unraveled.

As the show went on though I ended up extremely confused. I realised that the mechs are sort of a side-aspect of the whole thing which was a bit of a bummer. It seemed more about the difficulties of an ill-adjusted Shinji being forced into the role of being humanity’s child soldier. Other child soldiers had issues of their own which I did not fully grasp. Even the adult lady whose home Shinji lives in had boy troubles of her own which I did not grasp at all as to how it fit in with the whole theme.

I watched the last few episodes extremely high and was completely lost. You cannot imagine my face when that scene where Shinji fantasises about sex (I think that’s what he was doing) came on.

So can someone tell me what the general theme of the show is? If you wanna link to other articles or videos on thiz topic that would be swell as well. I cam understand not wanting to type out about an anime that has been analysed probably more than any other.

  • loathsome dongeaterOPAEnglish
    3·
    5 months ago

    It’s been a while since I watched it, so my memory of it is a bit hazy, but I 120% empatize with Shinji, while I only saw others hating on him. He’s the only character I unironically say it’s literally me.

    I think Shinji being kinda pathetic compared to other child soldiers in shonen anime is something that people have a hard time wrapping their head around. Like I find it odd that a common theme in the most popular animes is that an early-teenager saving the world through some enormous power bestowed upon them. Not only this but many many adults enjoy this theme without a hint of criticism. I relate to Shinji a lot more than the protagonists from something like Naruto or Hero Academia (most cringe anime of all time).

    • Kras MazovEnglish
      2·
      5 months ago

      I think Shinji being kinda pathetic compared to other child soldiers in shonen anime is something that people have a hard time wrapping their head around.

      I heard something similar before, but I think it’s less him being “pathetic” and more the fact that Shinji is a vulnerable male protagonist, and that clearly upsets the cis hetero dudes that comprise such a big part of the anime watchers worldwide. Shinji breaks quite a few expectations of male protags and so he becomes an easy target.

      Like I find it odd that a common theme in the most popular animes is that an early-teenager saving the world through some enormous power bestowed upon them. Not only this but many many adults enjoy this theme without a hint of criticism. I relate to Shinji a lot more than the protagonists from something like Naruto or Hero Academia (most cringe anime of all time).

      I 100% agree that it is odd, but it makes sense, it’s just pure ideology. Coming of age stories about these powerful hero individuals that through their own hard work and merit are able to achieve anything they want and save the world are perfect for maintaining the grip of liberal ideology in the imaginary of the young people that are gonna watch these shows.

      That’s why I think shows like Dungeon Meshi are important and so refreshing. It shows a group of people that all matters and have to work together to achieve their objective. It’s a story where it’s clear from the get go that everyone in the group is unique, important and have their own role to fill. It’s truly amazing. I could say the same of Gurren Lagann to, to some extent, tho that does have a more clear cut protagonist.