Tweet
I'll chime in.
Neon Genesis Evangelion is, to my mind, a "meta-Giant Robot/Cute Girl" anime. It starts out and often functions as a Giant Robot/Cute Girl amine, and it works well in this role. However, EVA is steeped in religious under- and overtones, both Old and New Testament. There are plenty of arcane references to Jewish occultism. There's also a healthy dose of "2001: A Space Odyssey" Millenarianism as well.
The subtext, however, is not religion. People, I believe, have focused too much it, as the references are flying all over the place, sometimes literally. They're pretty overt, however, and I think some people are confusing obscure religious references with geniune subtext.
Personally, I think the subtext is Freudian in the extreme. This isn't to say that there isn't overt Freudian imagery. EVA has its share of giant fly phallic symbols.
However, I believe it is Oedipus who rules the day, with a special guest appearance by Electra. It is nearly impossible to get specific without telegraphing some major spoilers, so I'll be as general as possible. There are two mommy figures: one obvious, one not, and both are eroticized. There are two daddy figures: one obvious, one not, and both can be interpreted as malevolent.
At a certain point, I couldn't help but get the feeling that this odd cartoon series with giant robots, cute girls, and frequent references to Kabbalistic mysticism, was autobiographical. The series' creator was clearly working out some serious personal issues, and on primetime Japanese television no less. I suspect the most biblical thing about Evangelion are the proportions of Anno's neuroses. I get the impression that Anno is considered a bit of the mad genius in Japan, and he certainly seems to play the part. He is rumored to have struggled with mental illness in the recent past.
The ending, in my opinion, degenerated into Bunuelian excess. It's my understanding that the movies seek to correct this. I haven't seen any of them, so I just don't know.
And this is where that expensive liberal arts education has gotten me.
Paul
paulcs@flashcom.net
[This message has been edited by paulcs (edited 07 August 2000).]
Neon Genesis Evangelion is, to my mind, a "meta-Giant Robot/Cute Girl" anime. It starts out and often functions as a Giant Robot/Cute Girl amine, and it works well in this role. However, EVA is steeped in religious under- and overtones, both Old and New Testament. There are plenty of arcane references to Jewish occultism. There's also a healthy dose of "2001: A Space Odyssey" Millenarianism as well.
The subtext, however, is not religion. People, I believe, have focused too much it, as the references are flying all over the place, sometimes literally. They're pretty overt, however, and I think some people are confusing obscure religious references with geniune subtext.
Personally, I think the subtext is Freudian in the extreme. This isn't to say that there isn't overt Freudian imagery. EVA has its share of giant fly phallic symbols.
However, I believe it is Oedipus who rules the day, with a special guest appearance by Electra. It is nearly impossible to get specific without telegraphing some major spoilers, so I'll be as general as possible. There are two mommy figures: one obvious, one not, and both are eroticized. There are two daddy figures: one obvious, one not, and both can be interpreted as malevolent.
At a certain point, I couldn't help but get the feeling that this odd cartoon series with giant robots, cute girls, and frequent references to Kabbalistic mysticism, was autobiographical. The series' creator was clearly working out some serious personal issues, and on primetime Japanese television no less. I suspect the most biblical thing about Evangelion are the proportions of Anno's neuroses. I get the impression that Anno is considered a bit of the mad genius in Japan, and he certainly seems to play the part. He is rumored to have struggled with mental illness in the recent past.
The ending, in my opinion, degenerated into Bunuelian excess. It's my understanding that the movies seek to correct this. I haven't seen any of them, so I just don't know.
And this is where that expensive liberal arts education has gotten me.
Paul
paulcs@flashcom.net
[This message has been edited by paulcs (edited 07 August 2000).]
Comment