neon genesis evangelion

It is the year 2015............

With that simple statement started one of the most interesting experiences in Anime, Neon Genesis Evangelon.

A joint venture of Gainax (Nadia and Gunbuster) and Tatsunoko (Macross and Mach Go Go Go), Evangelion appeared to be (at least on the surface) the traditional story about a boy and his robot.

Peal away that veneer, and you find a story that covers such a wide range of topics like, family relationships, psychology, evolution, religion, and even sexual development.

Back in the early 90's, rumors ran rampant about the new series by Gainax, well known for Aim for the Top! Gunbuster, and fan favorite Nadia. Early press releases were that it was going to be the variation of the "Boy and his Robot" theme, fighting aliens who want the Earth to stop developing weapons.

Gainax , at that time, was well known for pushing the limits with movies like the beautifully animated Wings of Honneamise, and the self parody Otaku no Video (Video of Otaku's). As more information came out, people soon realized that Hideaki Anno wanted to do more than just re-hash a tried and true plot. He wanted to do something that would draw in people of all ages, and make people think. Something that was not dictated by the laws of toy marketing, and that reflected his personality.

So, with character designer Yoshiuki Sadamoto (Nadia and Honnemise, and Evangelion manga artist) along and with the help of Tatsunoko, Anno began the first two episodes of the series.

Newtype was the first to inform the world (at least the world of Japan) that this was not your fathers anime. Even early on, the series diverged from the standard format. When Shinji arrives at NERV, instead of a joyful reunion, the meeting is adversarial. It is apparent that Shinji hates his father, and that Gendo only regards his son as a weapon. So much for starting on an upswing.

As the series progressed, other themes came in. Revenge (Misato against the Angels), sexual development (Asuka and her budding sexuality), evolution (the Angels and the Human Complementation Program), and of course, the religious icons (crosses that appear when the first angel attacked) all helped to expand the basic concept of Evangelion.

One of the most perplexing, yet essential part of the story is the mind of Shinji Ikari. As far back as episode 1, Shinji takes a short trip to insanity. The trips become longer, and stranger, and by the final two episodes, that is all we see.

The exploration of Shinji's mind, while interesting (and confusing), was not the end of Evangelion that people wanted. Not one question was answered. In fact, more questions were raised. What was the third impact. What happened to humanity. Why did we see a flash of Misato dead against the wall? Did Shinji ever get the girl?

To avoid people storming after him (like Orson Wells after War of the Worlds), Anno announced that "The End of Evangelion" movies were being produced. While that drove speculation on weather or not this was a marketing ploy (sort of an up yours in regards to Honnemais), it also brought excitement to fans who needed closure.

It almost did.

While certain questions were answered (Misato was killed by UNSSF forces, the Third Impact was the joining of humanity, and Shinji did get the girl), it brought more confusion. The last ten minutes of Death and Rebirth just blew everyone away. Visually confusing, way too existential for most Japanese, and somewhat boring, no one knew what to make of it. It also brought whole new question, the mother of questions.

At the end of the second movie, Shinji and Asuka appear to be the only humans left alive on the barren Earth. This happens because Shinji refuses to join Rei and the rest of humanity in becoming one being. The rest of humanity saw or experienced what they desired most.

So the question is, is Shinji and Asuka the only humans left, or is this the realization of his ultimate desire, to be alone with the woman he wants, never to be hurt by others.

The answer like Evangelion, is open to interpretation.