Spoilers below!

One of the most interesting things about the show is how it starts off in a world that is actually relatively normal in spite of the catastrophic global events that have both taken and continue to take place. High school drama / love affairs, “slice of life” shared living arrangements etc. At the start of the show, when everyone has clocked off for the day from saving the world, there’s comfort and familiarity to come home to.

By the end of the show, though, their world has collapsed into complete psychological ruin, in a way that is quite a surprise to the viewers. We’re all hoping for a happy ending, and the closest thing we get to that is in End of Evangelion where at least Asuka and Shinji survive, albeit in a world that is going to be harsh and perhaps unliveable.

It does feel like the show is a reflection of Hideaki Anno’s struggles to hold his own world together throughout the course of its production. In the end that appears to be part of what makes it a cult classic.

It’s interesting how there have been repeated attempts of a do-over of this show; re-tweaking the storyline, blending original parts of the story with new ones and even sandwiching new characters into the original narrative. It’s almost as if it’s done out of a sense of apology for how twisted and weird the original show got.

These remakes have always seemed to confuse viewers even further, and with modern Evangelion it can sometimes feel unclear what the message even is.

I was obsessed with the show as a teen and still can’t say I really understand why fully. I loved how unique a world it was set in. The fact that they had to rebuild Tokyo not once but twice, that the entire city’s buildings could retreat underground at a moment’s notice. The geofront was so cool, and the intent of the angels a complete mystery.

Gendo Ikari and Fuyutsuki were the ultimate good cop / bad cop corporate fatcats, driven to power by love and loss and balanced out by the classically and stereotypically feminine energies of strong-willed almost-heroines Misato and Ritsuko.

Asuka is the embodiment of people’s inability to come to grips with their angers and frustrations. Shinji is a morally conscious person who wants to do good, but is trapped in a web of insecurities about his own value in face of the huge challenges laid out before him. Rei embodies depersonalization and identity struggle - she doesn’t really see herself as anyone at all.

You’re rooting for them all, but they’re all total fuckups at some point on their quest to do what’s right, which makes them very human. It was my introduction to Japanese culture and I will always love it. Having since been to Japan a number of times, I’m always happy to see Evangelion themed stuff everywhere you go.