Ask John: Why is Evangelion So Popular?

Question:
Why has Neon Genesis Evangelion been as recognized as it is? Although it is over 10 years old, it still has a rather vast holding of fans and is at least partially responsible for attracting many new fans into the anime hobby. What is it about Evangelion that makes it so desirable?

Answer:
I’m sure that everyone who watches Evangelion reacts to it with a unique, individual response, so I can’t define the show’s popularity with reasons that will apply to everyone. But I do think that there are two primary and intertwined reasons why Evangelion is so popular and why its popularity has lasted and grown with age. The series complex characters, a captivating and mysterious story, and exciting action, all of which are appealing components. However, the element which makes Evangelion so involving and attractive is the fact that it’s an anime targeted at young teen viewers that intentionally included philosophical and social theories. Viewers are drawn to Evangelion because it’s a show which consciously and intentionally engages their analytical senses in an entertaining way. It’s a mythic and cryptic inquiry into the nature of humanity and social behavior in the guise of sci-fi action cinema, exactly like The Matrix, which likewise achieved breakthrough success.

There are highly esoteric anime that force viewers to interpret what they see, such as Angel’s Egg. There are anime that pose philosophical questions like the nature of God (Twilight Q part 2) and the defining qualities of human nature (Ghost in the Shell). There are also anime which put a microscope on human behavior and question the “goodness” of human motivations, such as Paranoia Agent. Coming of age stories and stories about people finding their place in society are quite common. But Evangelion is possibly the only anime series I can readily think of which specifically addresses adolescent feelings of alienation and the uncertainty of one’s purpose for existence in a concise, rational and philosophical method. Sexual awakening, social unease, and the pressure of burgeoning adulthood are common themes in anime, but they’re usually dealt with in superficial or physical ways. Evangelion did include these elements, such as Shinji’s discomfort when confronted with sex, Asuka’s aggressive attempts at becoming sexual, Rei’s attraction to Gendo, and Shinji’s decision to pilot the Evangelion as a method of establishing his value. But Evangelion also delved into the characters’ intimate, psychological motivations, which is something which most anime does not do. Shinji felt worthless because he had no place in society and contributed nothing substantial to those around him. Asuka’s childhood mental trauma caused her to constantly try to validate her reason for existence. Rei is the medium between the two who has dispassionately resolved herself to her existence and seemingly feels guilty over wanting more than is given to her. She punishes herself, sacrifices herself, as a form of penance for wanting to have a relationship, a place in society, and feelings of happiness that she believes aren’t right for her to have.

Boys who pilot giant robots built by their fathers aren’t uncommon in anime. These boys fight for the sake of justice, revenge, or out of a feeling of moral obligation. Shinji Ikari is unusual because his actions are motivated by a natural selfish desire to feel needed, respected, and valuable. Shinji, Askua, and Rei are placeholders for their emotional conflicts and questions that viewers wrestle with. Unlike conventional anime that makes light of adolescent worries or employs typical adolescent awkwardness in order to give viewers something to empathize with and laugh at, Evangelion strives to provide a moral path for viewers. Evangelion assures viewers that anxiety, frustration, loneliness, and doubt are natural feelings. More importantly, Evangelion emphasizes that these emotions are necessary to mold individuals into successful, self-confident human beings. Evangelion is imbued with a purposeful intent to influence and change viewers that isn’t found in typical anime. Most anime seeks to entertain. Evangelion seeks to entertain while encouraging viewers to recognize and accept their own self worth.

Shows that preceded Evangelion, such as Mazinger Z and Gundam, used the convention of piloting a giant robot as a pulpit for addressing discrimination and social obligation. Shows following and influenced by Evangelion like Rahxephon and Sokyuu no Fafner have concentrated on being straightforward escapist action or, like their predecessors, haven’t tried to analyze their character’s true aspirations and motivations. Evangelion is a unique show because it attempts to do what few other shows do. Fans react to Evangelion because even on a subconscious level they realize that the Evangelion characters are ones they can relate to and empathize with more than normal.