No. It cannot. Hell cannot be paradise. And Evangelion is hell of the worst possible type. Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since. Evangelion is nothing but a bright shining lie. There is no instant cure for depression as so many on TH-cam and Reddit claimed and praised this series to be. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate this series which people treat larger than life, because of how much pain it resurfaces. Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic. But it only spiraled me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now. I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until he’s happy, I feel nothing else matters. I need help.
The penguin is a reminder of Misato's father, his death and the legacy he left her. Penguin = South Pole. It's also remarkable that Misato largely ignores the animal living with her until almost the very end of the show, where she hugs him and gives him away for his own safety, symbolizing that she has at last made peace with herself.
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since. Evangelion is nothing but a bright shining lie. There is no instant cure for depression as so many on TH-cam and Reddit claimed and praised this series to be. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate this series which people treat larger than life, because of how much pain it resurfaces. Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic. But it only spiraled me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now. I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until he’s happy, I feel nothing else matters. I need help.
@@hawkeyenextgen7117 Don't watch Eva anymore. I know from own experience how it can pierce your mind. There are plenty of other and more uplifting stories. 🙂
@@hawkeyenextgen7117 I'm with everyone on this comment section. I hope you are doing well and hang in there🙏 I've seen a little bit of your channel, is amazing what you have there ✨ But... you aren't active which worries me a lot and I hope at least you embrace yourself for who you are and you're moving forward for the better, at your own perspective and pace 😊
The paradox of the hedgehog's dilemma is probably my favorite part of this show, since it's most important message imo is this: even though human's will hurt each other by simply existing with each other (as is the case with Asuka and Shinji), sometimes we don't, sometimes we feel love and make each other happy, and that makes individuality worthwhile and something we must cherish.
@woooudo you need to look into behavioural biology more. You're moralising social behaviour and preaching your personal ethics. Devolving into sentiment kills a discussion. Humans are social animals. We structure our "tribes" or society into social dominance hierarchies. Behaviour is an epiphenomenon to bring genes into the next generation. All humans today evolved with behavioural mechanisms to optimize that pursuit. We want to win the gene game and cooperation within the species has made us the apex. Social instinct is getting others to help you get to your goal, in other words behave as if we'll be cooperative long enough for us to reach the status we feel we need. It's a system of mutual exploitation at best, a game of who can trick the other best to cooperate to increase social status. Some people are more prosocial, some are less. It's about what the environment asked for, not how humans decide to behave. Just because you believe there to be a more optimal moralistic view of behaviour doesn't mean that it can act as a cure for the genetic tendency towards social dominance. But I agree that everything stands or falls with the integrity of the individual. Sadly most people aren't intelligent enough to think for themselves and thus will follow whoever has their authority bias. If you've read macchiavellis the prince you'll understand that in societies that are piramydal and hierarchical the corrupt end up on top. The sheep will thus follow.
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since. Evangelion is nothing but a bright shining lie. There is no instant cure for depression as so many on TH-cam and Reddit claimed and praised this series to be. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate this series which people treat larger than life, because of how much pain it resurfaces. Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic. But it only spiraled me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now. I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else matters. I need help.
@@hawkeyenextgen7117 Hopefully you get the help you need. Most anime that focus on social and psychological issues combined with sex, violence and religion don't offer any kind of answer, because the people who write them don't really research everything; they just lump it all together and go on about how none of it "makes sense" and how it "can work, but doesn't work", etc. I watched Evangelion out of curiosity, the story and cut parts of the story were just: aliens having a quarrel alongside *none other than* social and psychological issues combined with sex, violence and religion. Like, you can take it as you wish and analyse it in loads of different ways, and that's great, you can appreciate art however you want. (This is my opinion) My appreciation for the animes / mangas like Beserk, Evangelion and Devilman Crybaby are nonexistent. Because the stories can be kind of cool in terms of fighting or witty ideas, however when it comes to stories that want to tackle social, psychological, sexual, violence and religious issues; I'm not a fan of them just slapping it all together or just showing how all the issues occur, but then don't offer anything else after that. I've seen these kinds of stories a lot and they don't provide a credible answers or steps towards solutions for the problems they talk about, so I don't see any value in listening to it all over again. So don't get worked up about not being able to fit into society because you either don't "understand" it or you don't like it. No one has gone out of their way to research into how all these issues work together and how they affect humanity (I can't find any on the internet, you might have luck if you searched). If you want to find anything that can possibly give you an answer or at least an understanding of how these issues and how they affect each other can be tackled or at least understood, don't look to stories, anime, movies or any other form of art unless you can actually see some cold hard evidence being referenced in them, whether it be the authors having the qualifications and education regarding those issues (I couldn't find anything on the internet talking about the education or qualifications of the evangelion authors, the beserk author or the devilman author that are used to tackle the issues they talk about in their stories) or the art itself refers to studies. 👍
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since. Evangelion is nothing but a bright shining lie. There is no instant cure for depression as so many on TH-cam and Reddit claimed and praised this series to be. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate this series which people treat larger than life, because of how much pain it resurfaces. Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic. But it only spiraled me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now. I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else matters. I need help.
"Everyone in the anime community has seen or at least have an opinion on Neon Genesis Evangelion" - my first instinct was to say "wait" but then I thought about it and...yeah, that's exactly how it is.
Sadly, today the portion with an opinion on NGE is much higher than the ones who actually watched through it.... But their loss if they are too impationt to wait for shifts of tones or are just put off due to the aged animations.
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since. Evangelion is nothing but a bright shining lie. There is no instant cure for depression as so many on TH-cam and Reddit claimed and praised this series to be. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate this series which people treat larger than life, because of how much pain it resurfaces. Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic. But it only spiraled me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now. I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else matters. I need help.
9:12 The saddest moment is when you realize that Pen-Pen DIED at The End of Evangelion (and possibly between the events of 2.22 and 3.33 in the Rebuild).
This video is really forcing me to reevaluate this show through the lens of structuralist philosophy. Existentialism is a pretty clear concept imbued into NGE's story and when watching it for the first time I felt as if Shinji's embrace of the freedom of choice at the end was meant to signify that he had the power to do so all along. But when you consider the fact that perhaps Shinji doesn't have as much freedom as the audience is lead to believe, his actions and decisions (or lack there of) seem a lot more justifiable. It isn't until during the Third Impact that the shackles of society and culture (which had already been ravaged and warped by the Second Impact) are broken and Shinji is granted the power to make real choice. Sure he made plenty of decisions throughout the series, many of which had serious impacts and implications on the state of humanity, but his decisions were almost always a product of his desire for approval and/or the sense of responsibility he had towards his people. It isn't until he can understand the hidden truths behind all of his friends and family in the LCL that he realizes what he wants for himself. Despite having no individuality during human instrumentality, it almost seems as if that is the only time in the show where he achieves true autonomy and freedom of choice (which you've made me realize is paradoxical, as instrumentality is supposed to be the lack of those things entirely). NGE makes its viewers question whether freedom is worth being in a constant state of struggle and anguish (which is itself the human experience according to Islam, Darwinism, Frankl's logotherapy, etc), and whether love and friendship are worth the prospect of pain as well (i.e. the Hedgehogs's Dilemma). The show also poses the question of what freedom really is and if it is quantifiable. Is Shinji more free when he is an individual who is under the influence and ultimate control of those around him, or is he more free when he is "liberated" from the pain and misunderstanding of individuality and is connected with all other souls (despite losing what makes Shinji himself)? Sartre and Kierkegaard both believed that existence precedes essence and that humans are not born with any inherent values or sense of identity, that we all start as a tabula rasa or clean slate. They believed that we craft our own morals and identities as we grow and learn (this belief fails to factor in things like societal ethics or even genetics, though). Shinji thinks that he has found his meaning and a sense of identity in piloting Eva Unit-01, however it turns out to be more of a dependency than anything. Existentialism argues that we are responsible for ourselves and our own actions, a belief that I hold dear but fear is being killed if by our primarily postmodern contemporary culture (the world of NGE almost seems to have a post-apocalyptic, postmodern culture, because there are literally otherworldly entities which society can blame for virtually every major issue, yet there continues to be a lack of viable solutions to these "identifiable" problems). We may be responsible for our actions, but if our culture's imbue certain beliefs and practices in us at such a young age, how many of our decisions are truly our own? If they are not exclusively ours, should we be held entirely accountable for them? The last scene in The End of Evangelion can be interpreted in many ways, but to me, when Shinji cries, it is because he still doesn't know the answers to questions like these despite just going through spiritual apotheosis. He chose to embrace the confusion and pain so he and the rest of humanity could be "free" individuals once again, but these emotions and the lack of answers still feel intolerable to him, and the realization that he must continue pay this price for his own individuality for the rest of his life is not an easy one to accept. Apologies for the incredibly incoherent and convoluted tangent, I'm just a huge fan of this show. Thank you for doing this video, I was begging you to tell us your thoughts on NGE in the comments of your Berserk video (my favorite manga, meaning you made two videos in a row on stories that I adore) and I'm glad that you're twitter followers sealed the deal. You tend to have a very narrow philosophical focus in your videos, which gives them a lot more merit and substance than some other anime philosophy videos (analytical depth is preferable to breadth in my opinion). Anyway, congratulations on successfully making a video on this jumbled monstrosity of an anime, it's quite the feat. This channel seems to be growing fast and I'm glad that you're receiving increased support. It'll be interesting to see how your videos and analysis evolve with time. Thumbs up.
Zach Jennings I had thought that Shinji cried, because he could feel the pain of strangling Auska and the love that she showed him with the gentle touch of her hand. After being in a state where neither pain nor love existed, he wept, because he could feel once again.
The point of the ending of Evangelion is not free will. Shinji's choice was between being part of the whole collective consciousness where there is no free will and individuality, or embracing reality that has those but with the pain and suffering that is included with it. Would you rather live in a fake utopia were it is not earned, or in a reality were there is pain and suffering, and you need to earned it, but there is at least the satisfaction of accomplishment? It is like the Madara's Moon Eye Plan in Naruto, and the Charles vi Britannia's end goal in Code Geass. It is also a fourth wall to Anno's fans like the otakus, would they rather live in the anime fantasy world, or embrace reality? It depends upon the viewer's choice. In the anime ending, Shinji chose living in the real world and reject instrumentality. Every people he was with congratulated him for finally embracing the real world.
This is one of the best philosophical breakdowns of eva I think i've seen so far. Everything made sense to me and applied well to the show, and managed to put into words the feeling I was feeling while watching episodes 25 and 26 of eva. Thank you!
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since. Evangelion is nothing but a bright shining lie. There is no instant cure for depression as so many on TH-cam and Reddit claimed and praised this series to be. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate this series which people treat larger than life, because of how much pain it resurfaces. Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic. But it only spiraled me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now. I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else matters. I need help.
@@hawkeyenextgen7117 please try to reach out for professional help if you can. Listen it’s okay if you can’t appreciate Eva like others do because it triggers you. That’s perfectly valid. You don’t have to feel guilty for having a personal reason to not like it, everyone’s entitled to their own opinions and experiences. But it sounds like you need help and I hope you’re able to get it. I also relate a lot to Shinji, having struggled with depression and anxiety a lot in high school. Getting professional help was the only thing that saved me, so I hope it can do the same for you. Best of luck
Wise crack did this and they focused on the shows portrayal of the division of consciousness and how our inherent separation from each other drives our feelings of loneliness. Your video was definitely different and just as educational. I knew I was subscribing to someone worth watching!
His choice to go back to the world and return things to its terrible state felt like it ruined the ending. Something sorta like what happened when they made season 2 of black butler.
I've spent the last seven or eight years accompanied by Eva. I've taken it step by step, helped by the gorgeous fanbase it has and all the analisis done by them. I've been researching, thinking, discussing, and for a while I actually thought I knew everything there is to know. Then I spotted this video, and you managed to touch a topic I have never seen brought up by anyone else. So yeah, if you can find something new to say about a series that has been overanalyzed for around twenty years, I think the series in question is deep enough that making a discussion about it is not a waste of time. In eight days starting from now I will have to explain my 70-page long analysis of Evangelion to a group of perfect strangers who get to decide whether or not I get to leave high school (or rather, my nation's equivalent). I discussed the themes in reference to Schopenhauer, the characters in reference to Freud and the cultural impact that this anime had. And after 70 pages I still found myself listing more stuff to say. You are more than free to disagree with me, but in my mind Evangelion will always be the best piece of art in the history of mankind PERIOD. It's not perfect, but it is the best representation of humanity that I have ever seen. And I have seen A LOT of those
Neon Genesis Evangelion nearly drove me to suicide. Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the isolation of the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic. I sought emotional refuge in the Evangelion fandom on social media, hoping they’d understand me and provide me with answers that would grant me peace of mind. Instead, they downplayed my trauma, going so far as to spread a rumor of my past to shame me of my mental illness, spiraling me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now. I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else matters. There’s a reason why I keep coming back to Evangelion; something that reminds me of nothing but pain. I want to prove to myself I’m not crazy for feeling this way, that Evangelion really did force me to relive my trauma, that my depression is not just a figment of my imagination or another anime plot point. I want to feel that my fear and resentment towards Eva is justified. But the fact I’m the only one I know in existence who’s been traumatized by an anime makes me feel like I really am crazy. But finally, with 3.0+1.0 released, I can rest easy knowing that Shinji has finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel. Evangelion is finished, and I want it to remain that way. But if things hadn’t turned out that way, I wouldn’t be here today.
but they dont come separate from each other do they? they are a package deal, you cant have freedom without the constant threat of pain, you cant have infinite happiness and infinite freedom at the same time
I was hoping to see a new video from this channel. And I am glad it is a video essay from one of the most important franchises in anime. I hope the next video is as good as this one, very well constructed essay.
I loved the manga. It helped me understand myself and some struggles i've been dealing with recently i think that, strangely, despite how grimm and dark it is, it had a wondefully optimistic ending. I also loved your analisys of it and i would love to donate to your patreon when i can, but currently i just am not in position to do so. Still, hope you keep doing good work. Love your channel. And, yes. The penguin bugs us all...
Great video! I'm so used to mediocre nonesensical interpretation of Eva on the internet that this was such a pleasant surprise, great job, you really got into it!
when they said " other people shape us, and you can't have a shape if no-one's around" I simply understood that without human interaction (that Shinji fears) you can't know if you're kind or mean, brave or coward...because others put you through some sort of situation that allows you to figure it out. But it was really nice to hear about structuralism vs existentialism.
Also, one suggestion that might benefit both you and your viewer: It might be a stylistic choice on your part to only show footage of the series. But have you considered including text in your videos? Typography is a great tool! And particularly when mentioning proper terms or the persons behind them, it can help seeing it written out. It leaves a stronger impact when the words are visualized, which can both be advantageous from a learning perspective, as well as for a stronger sense of structure in the review itself.
how I interpret the giving the world structure thing in episode 25, it's not a paradox. If, like you said, we were completely and totally free that would be utterly terrifying. We wouldn't know up from down we wouldn't know where to start. This is the position that Hideaki Ano was in before writing Eva, due to his last project bombing he was tasked to create something knew, but in the world of fiction the possibilities are completely infinite. He was lost floating in a void of possibilities, of things that could come to be. So he starts with a boy, the boy is him. This narrows down his reality, focuses it. let's add some more structure, its set in a world like ours with the ground in the sky. Narrowing down reality even further. The alternate world that shinji visits is Ano saying that this is another thing he could have made instead, a world that Shinji could be in, but he made eva instead. It's him allowing himself to feel a little pride in his work that he created this world and shaped it by restricting himself from the things he didn't want it to be he created something else entirely. For the first time in a long time he feels like he belongs and no longer sees piloting the eva(writing a story) as a burden, but instead its a reflection of himself.
Great video! I love finding more TH-cam philosophers. Also, the Idea Channel reference was not lost on me (unless doobly doo existed before Mike, in that case I would need to do my research :P)
Another great review that touched on a couple of interesting philosophical topics. I like the educational approach you have, giving a quick rundown of them before applying them to the story. The links and recommendations in the description are also very much appreciated!
Oh new Evangelion content! Thanks for that already Mrs. Uploader. As for my stance on this, it's the same as that of the show. I reject the total freedom theory from Sartre. Just turn around the example of the gambler. He can chose to go back inside the casino depending on his will once he made the determination which marks him to be healthy enough., But if he is too addicted there is a point after which he cannot chose to leave the casino. The option has become unavailable to him, due to mental and physical processes within his mind and body. Structuralism is the dominant theory in practice because not only our societies are structured but our world itself is. However, Evangelion takes the step forward and presents us with freedom inside a necessary structure. Or in Evangelions term: the happniess of choice in living despite the unvoidable pain it causes due to its strucuturalsim. Anno's path out of depression, and thus the shows theme, is brilliantly reflected within all the philosophical theories. A true masterpiece. I hope you will make another Evangelion video soon. The choice is (not) yours. A video celebrting 10k subscribers, less than a week old, but as I see you more than doubled it thanks to an Evangelion video. Not making another one would be counterproductive to the ambitions you stated with an own patreaon campaign. So at least I hope you'll have fun with creating more Evangelion content.
I must say that my reaction to the last 2 episodes of the show and the ending of the movie was: is this what a bad trip feels like? Did I take too much LSD?
It's quite incredible how you can make hard to understand concepts like existencialism and structuralism idiot-proof. I've just discovered your channel and I'm already in love with it, great job and hope you can take a shot at Masaki Yuasa's work, specifically over The tatami galaxy and Ping Pong the animation, I'll be cheering you from this side of the world! :)
I think the most important moment in Eva from me is when rei speaks to shinji through the angel and says something like "don't you want to be one with me?" this symbolizes the most central conflict of a concious beings existence. the one vs the many . the divisions between internal and external. the concept of self itself, and the desire to unify and yet remain as an unassailed orderly body.
So Eva is about two different, contradictory philosophies and how the two clash and interact, but at the same time it's about cool giant robots fighting aliens with a cute penguin thrown in. That sounds like it shouldn't even be possible, but it is!
You have no idea the happy joy I feel every time I hear doobleedoo (spl?) in your videos. I enjoy a fun, light hearted giggle whenever I hear you say it. Thanks!!😜🙃😜
Hey, I am a big Eva Fan, and after so many years most people doing analysis about Eva had me bored as they were basically saying the same things without adding more to it, until this video, this was really good, thank you! :)
i love in the indepth look into one of my favourite all-time animes good work. plus i just realised you made this for 10K but now your already on 22XD hope the growth keeps up
Why I didn't know the existence of this channel? Why I find out this type of philosophical analysis now? Maybe is the structuralism giving me some signals, hahaha good content, exelent video
You can have freedom of choice but limited or in relation to the structure of life/society. Your freedom (power, wealth, oportunities, etc) is also relative to the combined freedoms of the people around us. Those concepts really do complement each other.
"Anywhere can be paradise as long as you have the will to live."
Everywhere is hell if you don't have the will to live
No. It cannot. Hell cannot be paradise. And Evangelion is hell of the worst possible type.
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since.
Evangelion is nothing but a bright shining lie. There is no instant cure for depression as so many on TH-cam and Reddit claimed and praised this series to be. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate this series which people treat larger than life, because of how much pain it resurfaces.
Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day.
Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic.
But it only spiraled me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now.
I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until he’s happy, I feel nothing else matters. I need help.
@@hawkeyenextgen7117 watch the rebuild movies
The penguin is a reminder of Misato's father, his death and the legacy he left her. Penguin = South Pole. It's also remarkable that Misato largely ignores the animal living with her until almost the very end of the show, where she hugs him and gives him away for his own safety, symbolizing that she has at last made peace with herself.
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since.
Evangelion is nothing but a bright shining lie. There is no instant cure for depression as so many on TH-cam and Reddit claimed and praised this series to be. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate this series which people treat larger than life, because of how much pain it resurfaces.
Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day.
Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic.
But it only spiraled me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now.
I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until he’s happy, I feel nothing else matters. I need help.
@@hawkeyenextgen7117 Don't watch Eva anymore. I know from own experience how it can pierce your mind. There are plenty of other and more uplifting stories. 🙂
@@Pomoscorzo but Evangelion was supposed to cure me of my depression
@@hawkeyenextgen7117 I'm with everyone on this comment section. I hope you are doing well and hang in there🙏 I've seen a little bit of your channel, is amazing what you have there ✨
But... you aren't active which worries me a lot and I hope at least you embrace yourself for who you are and you're moving forward for the better, at your own perspective and pace 😊
The paradox of the hedgehog's dilemma is probably my favorite part of this show, since it's most important message imo is this: even though human's will hurt each other by simply existing with each other (as is the case with Asuka and Shinji), sometimes we don't, sometimes we feel love and make each other happy, and that makes individuality worthwhile and something we must cherish.
undertakersarmpit understandable
+woooudo So what you're saying is that people hurt each other because they chase their own selfish desires instead of working for a common cause?
@woooudo you need to look into behavioural biology more. You're moralising social behaviour and preaching your personal ethics. Devolving into sentiment kills a discussion. Humans are social animals. We structure our "tribes" or society into social dominance hierarchies. Behaviour is an epiphenomenon to bring genes into the next generation. All humans today evolved with behavioural mechanisms to optimize that pursuit. We want to win the gene game and cooperation within the species has made us the apex. Social instinct is getting others to help you get to your goal, in other words behave as if we'll be cooperative long enough for us to reach the status we feel we need. It's a system of mutual exploitation at best, a game of who can trick the other best to cooperate to increase social status. Some people are more prosocial, some are less. It's about what the environment asked for, not how humans decide to behave. Just because you believe there to be a more optimal moralistic view of behaviour doesn't mean that it can act as a cure for the genetic tendency towards social dominance. But I agree that everything stands or falls with the integrity of the individual. Sadly most people aren't intelligent enough to think for themselves and thus will follow whoever has their authority bias. If you've read macchiavellis the prince you'll understand that in societies that are piramydal and hierarchical the corrupt end up on top. The sheep will thus follow.
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since.
Evangelion is nothing but a bright shining lie. There is no instant cure for depression as so many on TH-cam and Reddit claimed and praised this series to be. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate this series which people treat larger than life, because of how much pain it resurfaces.
Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day.
Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic.
But it only spiraled me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now.
I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else matters. I need help.
@@hawkeyenextgen7117 Hopefully you get the help you need. Most anime that focus on social and psychological issues combined with sex, violence and religion don't offer any kind of answer, because the people who write them don't really research everything; they just lump it all together and go on about how none of it "makes sense" and how it "can work, but doesn't work", etc.
I watched Evangelion out of curiosity, the story and cut parts of the story were just: aliens having a quarrel alongside *none other than* social and psychological issues combined with sex, violence and religion. Like, you can take it as you wish and analyse it in loads of different ways, and that's great, you can appreciate art however you want.
(This is my opinion) My appreciation for the animes / mangas like Beserk, Evangelion and Devilman Crybaby are nonexistent. Because the stories can be kind of cool in terms of fighting or witty ideas, however when it comes to stories that want to tackle social, psychological, sexual, violence and religious issues; I'm not a fan of them just slapping it all together or just showing how all the issues occur, but then don't offer anything else after that. I've seen these kinds of stories a lot and they don't provide a credible answers or steps towards solutions for the problems they talk about, so I don't see any value in listening to it all over again.
So don't get worked up about not being able to fit into society because you either don't "understand" it or you don't like it. No one has gone out of their way to research into how all these issues work together and how they affect humanity (I can't find any on the internet, you might have luck if you searched).
If you want to find anything that can possibly give you an answer or at least an understanding of how these issues and how they affect each other can be tackled or at least understood, don't look to stories, anime, movies or any other form of art unless you can actually see some cold hard evidence being referenced in them, whether it be the authors having the qualifications and education regarding those issues (I couldn't find anything on the internet talking about the education or qualifications of the evangelion authors, the beserk author or the devilman author that are used to tackle the issues they talk about in their stories) or the art itself refers to studies.
👍
I'm a simple man. I see theme analysis of Evangelion and I click like.
Same-this anime is a masterpiece
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since.
Evangelion is nothing but a bright shining lie. There is no instant cure for depression as so many on TH-cam and Reddit claimed and praised this series to be. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate this series which people treat larger than life, because of how much pain it resurfaces.
Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day.
Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic.
But it only spiraled me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now.
I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else matters. I need help.
Pen Pen best character in the series spoilers he will be the main focus in the last Rebuild 👏👀
pen²
fuck pen pen
@@jakesez4839 fuck you
I can’t believe you predicted it
Is what I’d say if the movie ever released
Speaking of rebuilds I can’t find them anywhere
"Everyone in the anime community has seen or at least have an opinion on Neon Genesis Evangelion" - my first instinct was to say "wait" but then I thought about it and...yeah, that's exactly how it is.
Sadly, today the portion with an opinion on NGE is much higher than the ones who actually watched through it.... But their loss if they are too impationt to wait for shifts of tones or are just put off due to the aged animations.
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since.
Evangelion is nothing but a bright shining lie. There is no instant cure for depression as so many on TH-cam and Reddit claimed and praised this series to be. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate this series which people treat larger than life, because of how much pain it resurfaces.
Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day.
Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic.
But it only spiraled me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now.
I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else matters. I need help.
The Amount you like Evangelion is inversely proportionate to the amount you like yourself when first watching it.
I didnt need this kind of personal attack.
Fuck you
this is very true
Sounds like bullshit. I hate myself but I love Evangelion.
@@THECHAOSEMPEROR Inversely proportionate, meaning the less you like yourself, the more you'll like the show.
9:12 The saddest moment is when you realize that Pen-Pen DIED at The End of Evangelion (and possibly between the events of 2.22 and 3.33 in the Rebuild).
He joined the rest of the world in fanta blissful heaven though, didn't he?
Hey. Thanks for this! Just finished Evangelion.
Hope you’re well, wherever you are.
This video is really forcing me to reevaluate this show through the lens of structuralist philosophy. Existentialism is a pretty clear concept imbued into NGE's story and when watching it for the first time I felt as if Shinji's embrace of the freedom of choice at the end was meant to signify that he had the power to do so all along. But when you consider the fact that perhaps Shinji doesn't have as much freedom as the audience is lead to believe, his actions and decisions (or lack there of) seem a lot more justifiable. It isn't until during the Third Impact that the shackles of society and culture (which had already been ravaged and warped by the Second Impact) are broken and Shinji is granted the power to make real choice. Sure he made plenty of decisions throughout the series, many of which had serious impacts and implications on the state of humanity, but his decisions were almost always a product of his desire for approval and/or the sense of responsibility he had towards his people. It isn't until he can understand the hidden truths behind all of his friends and family in the LCL that he realizes what he wants for himself. Despite having no individuality during human instrumentality, it almost seems as if that is the only time in the show where he achieves true autonomy and freedom of choice (which you've made me realize is paradoxical, as instrumentality is supposed to be the lack of those things entirely). NGE makes its viewers question whether freedom is worth being in a constant state of struggle and anguish (which is itself the human experience according to Islam, Darwinism, Frankl's logotherapy, etc), and whether love and friendship are worth the prospect of pain as well (i.e. the Hedgehogs's Dilemma). The show also poses the question of what freedom really is and if it is quantifiable. Is Shinji more free when he is an individual who is under the influence and ultimate control of those around him, or is he more free when he is "liberated" from the pain and misunderstanding of individuality and is connected with all other souls (despite losing what makes Shinji himself)? Sartre and Kierkegaard both believed that existence precedes essence and that humans are not born with any inherent values or sense of identity, that we all start as a tabula rasa or clean slate. They believed that we craft our own morals and identities as we grow and learn (this belief fails to factor in things like societal ethics or even genetics, though). Shinji thinks that he has found his meaning and a sense of identity in piloting Eva Unit-01, however it turns out to be more of a dependency than anything. Existentialism argues that we are responsible for ourselves and our own actions, a belief that I hold dear but fear is being killed if by our primarily postmodern contemporary culture (the world of NGE almost seems to have a post-apocalyptic, postmodern culture, because there are literally otherworldly entities which society can blame for virtually every major issue, yet there continues to be a lack of viable solutions to these "identifiable" problems). We may be responsible for our actions, but if our culture's imbue certain beliefs and practices in us at such a young age, how many of our decisions are truly our own? If they are not exclusively ours, should we be held entirely accountable for them? The last scene in The End of Evangelion can be interpreted in many ways, but to me, when Shinji cries, it is because he still doesn't know the answers to questions like these despite just going through spiritual apotheosis. He chose to embrace the confusion and pain so he and the rest of humanity could be "free" individuals once again, but these emotions and the lack of answers still feel intolerable to him, and the realization that he must continue pay this price for his own individuality for the rest of his life is not an easy one to accept.
Apologies for the incredibly incoherent and convoluted tangent, I'm just a huge fan of this show. Thank you for doing this video, I was begging you to tell us your thoughts on NGE in the comments of your Berserk video (my favorite manga, meaning you made two videos in a row on stories that I adore) and I'm glad that you're twitter followers sealed the deal. You tend to have a very narrow philosophical focus in your videos, which gives them a lot more merit and substance than some other anime philosophy videos (analytical depth is preferable to breadth in my opinion). Anyway, congratulations on successfully making a video on this jumbled monstrosity of an anime, it's quite the feat. This channel seems to be growing fast and I'm glad that you're receiving increased support. It'll be interesting to see how your videos and analysis evolve with time. Thumbs up.
Zach Jennings fucking A.... thank you for your thoughts.
Amen. This show has so much to offer. No narrative has ever dumbfounded me quite like eva has
Zach Jennings I had thought that Shinji cried, because he could feel the pain of strangling Auska and the love that she showed him with the gentle touch of her hand. After being in a state where neither pain nor love existed, he wept, because he could feel once again.
The point of the ending of Evangelion is not free will. Shinji's choice was between being part of the whole collective consciousness where there is no free will and individuality, or embracing reality that has those but with the pain and suffering that is included with it. Would you rather live in a fake utopia were it is not earned, or in a reality were there is pain and suffering, and you need to earned it, but there is at least the satisfaction of accomplishment? It is like the Madara's Moon Eye Plan in Naruto, and the Charles vi Britannia's end goal in Code Geass. It is also a fourth wall to Anno's fans like the otakus, would they rather live in the anime fantasy world, or embrace reality? It depends upon the viewer's choice. In the anime ending, Shinji chose living in the real world and reject instrumentality. Every people he was with congratulated him for finally embracing the real world.
Mucho texto
This is one of the best philosophical breakdowns of eva I think i've seen so far. Everything made sense to me and applied well to the show, and managed to put into words the feeling I was feeling while watching episodes 25 and 26 of eva. Thank you!
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since.
Evangelion is nothing but a bright shining lie. There is no instant cure for depression as so many on TH-cam and Reddit claimed and praised this series to be. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate this series which people treat larger than life, because of how much pain it resurfaces.
Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day.
Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic.
But it only spiraled me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now.
I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else matters. I need help.
@@hawkeyenextgen7117 please try to reach out for professional help if you can. Listen it’s okay if you can’t appreciate Eva like others do because it triggers you. That’s perfectly valid. You don’t have to feel guilty for having a personal reason to not like it, everyone’s entitled to their own opinions and experiences. But it sounds like you need help and I hope you’re able to get it. I also relate a lot to Shinji, having struggled with depression and anxiety a lot in high school. Getting professional help was the only thing that saved me, so I hope it can do the same for you. Best of luck
Wise crack did this and they focused on the shows portrayal of the division of consciousness and how our inherent separation from each other drives our feelings of loneliness. Your video was definitely different and just as educational. I knew I was subscribing to someone worth watching!
His choice to go back to the world and return things to its terrible state felt like it ruined the ending. Something sorta like what happened when they made season 2 of black butler.
When you strip it down to its bare bones, Evangelion is a story about a 14-year old boy going through puberty.
I've spent the last seven or eight years accompanied by Eva. I've taken it step by step, helped by the gorgeous fanbase it has and all the analisis done by them. I've been researching, thinking, discussing, and for a while I actually thought I knew everything there is to know.
Then I spotted this video, and you managed to touch a topic I have never seen brought up by anyone else. So yeah, if you can find something new to say about a series that has been overanalyzed for around twenty years, I think the series in question is deep enough that making a discussion about it is not a waste of time.
In eight days starting from now I will have to explain my 70-page long analysis of Evangelion to a group of perfect strangers who get to decide whether or not I get to leave high school (or rather, my nation's equivalent). I discussed the themes in reference to Schopenhauer, the characters in reference to Freud and the cultural impact that this anime had. And after 70 pages I still found myself listing more stuff to say.
You are more than free to disagree with me, but in my mind Evangelion will always be the best piece of art in the history of mankind PERIOD. It's not perfect, but it is the best representation of humanity that I have ever seen.
And I have seen A LOT of those
bro what happened
Just finished Eva last year and man, the show just leaves you with so much to think over
My favorite Evangelion analysis! Thank you for sharing your thoughts
Neon Genesis Evangelion nearly drove me to suicide.
Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since.
I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the isolation of the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive.
Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up.
Sometimes I hate myself because I fail to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I beat myself further for failing to worship what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic.
I sought emotional refuge in the Evangelion fandom on social media, hoping they’d understand me and provide me with answers that would grant me peace of mind. Instead, they downplayed my trauma, going so far as to spread a rumor of my past to shame me of my mental illness, spiraling me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now.
I just want Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else matters.
There’s a reason why I keep coming back to Evangelion; something that reminds me of nothing but pain.
I want to prove to myself I’m not crazy for feeling this way, that Evangelion really did force me to relive my trauma, that my depression is not just a figment of my imagination or another anime plot point. I want to feel that my fear and resentment towards Eva is justified.
But the fact I’m the only one I know in existence who’s been traumatized by an anime makes me feel like I really am crazy.
But finally, with 3.0+1.0 released, I can rest easy knowing that Shinji has finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel. Evangelion is finished, and I want it to remain that way.
But if things hadn’t turned out that way, I wouldn’t be here today.
Penpen is definitely a metaphor, because the cute animals made to sell merch are called Asuka and Rei.
people aren't afraid of freedom, they're afraid of pain. it's the same with Shinji
but they dont come separate from each other do they? they are a package deal, you cant have freedom without the constant threat of pain, you cant have infinite happiness and infinite freedom at the same time
her speech flows like water
I was hoping to see a new video from this channel.
And I am glad it is a video essay from one of the most important franchises in anime. I hope the next video is as good as this one, very well constructed essay.
Anime Philosopher I need you right now. You work is so soothing.
Man, I have no idea how you aren’t more popular. Your videos have such incredibly professional form and substance
This video is pure brilliance. Thank you.
you hit the bell curve, congrats
Whew, some good new reading materials. I always knew that the real last episodes were super important and cool
Ihsan ingersoll pffff
Wow! VERY professionally produced video bravo. Instantly subscribed looking forward to future content.
If time goes on forever, then the possibility of Evangelion is infinite.
At the 6:00 mark when I heard some of the Trigun soundtrack I couldn't help but smile! Also a great video all around, keep em up!
8:26 the way Evangelion's music is faded into the insight. Give this women a million subscribers.
I loved the manga. It helped me understand myself and some struggles i've been dealing with recently i think that, strangely, despite how grimm and dark it is, it had a wondefully optimistic ending. I also loved your analisys of it and i would love to donate to your patreon when i can, but currently i just am not in position to do so. Still, hope you keep doing good work. Love your channel.
And, yes. The penguin bugs us all...
Nice analysis... new sub
Your intelect is stunning, very spot on explanation. Still one of my favorite animes until this date.
Very nice analysis! I'm writing a paper on NGE and this video opened a big door for me to look into. Thank you!
Great video! I'm so used to mediocre nonesensical interpretation of Eva on the internet that this was such a pleasant surprise, great job, you really got into it!
this channel is awesome and needs much more attention!!!!!!
Ayyyye Matt Colville fan! Good on ya!
when they said " other people shape us, and you can't have a shape if no-one's around" I simply understood that without human interaction (that Shinji fears) you can't know if you're kind or mean, brave or coward...because others put you through some sort of situation that allows you to figure it out. But it was really nice to hear about structuralism vs existentialism.
Perfect now i have to re re re rewatch Evangelion.
Thanks
Where have you been? Thank you, I take this as birthday gift to me. I appreciate it so much.
This is such a neat analysis. Good job, proud of you. Watch Ashita no Joe, it's dense as hell to analyze.
This was great! Thank you!
Psycho pass is a good one to check out especially with the idea of freedom.
your anime philosophy videos are the only anime philosophy videos on youtube I can stand, let alone watch
Great job! The community needs that type of videos!
Also, one suggestion that might benefit both you and your viewer:
It might be a stylistic choice on your part to only show footage of the series.
But have you considered including text in your videos? Typography is a great tool!
And particularly when mentioning proper terms or the persons behind them, it can help seeing it written out.
It leaves a stronger impact when the words are visualized, which can both be advantageous from a learning perspective, as well as for a stronger sense of structure in the review itself.
how I interpret the giving the world structure thing in episode 25, it's not a paradox. If, like you said, we were completely and totally free that would be utterly terrifying. We wouldn't know up from down we wouldn't know where to start. This is the position that Hideaki Ano was in before writing Eva, due to his last project bombing he was tasked to create something knew, but in the world of fiction the possibilities are completely infinite. He was lost floating in a void of possibilities, of things that could come to be. So he starts with a boy, the boy is him. This narrows down his reality, focuses it. let's add some more structure, its set in a world like ours with the ground in the sky. Narrowing down reality even further. The alternate world that shinji visits is Ano saying that this is another thing he could have made instead, a world that Shinji could be in, but he made eva instead. It's him allowing himself to feel a little pride in his work that he created this world and shaped it by restricting himself from the things he didn't want it to be he created something else entirely. For the first time in a long time he feels like he belongs and no longer sees piloting the eva(writing a story) as a burden, but instead its a reflection of himself.
Really cool analogy! Definitely cannot appreciate Evangelion without taking into consideration Anno's own experiences.
This theory is amazing. Kind of reminds me of bob ross. Make a choice here is another tree.
Congratulations!
Love and appreciate all your analysis videos!
Thanks for the video, Eva and philosophy ❤️❤️
Great video! I love finding more TH-cam philosophers. Also, the Idea Channel reference was not lost on me (unless doobly doo existed before Mike, in that case I would need to do my research :P)
"Philosophize This" is a pretty good podcast!
Great work, thank you!
I don't remember why I subscribed to you but wow am I glad I did, this channel seems like a gem :3
yes, the rush of peace as the subway pulls in
Brilliant. Brilliant.
Another great review that touched on a couple of interesting philosophical topics.
I like the educational approach you have, giving a quick rundown of them before applying them to the story.
The links and recommendations in the description are also very much appreciated!
Oh new Evangelion content! Thanks for that already Mrs. Uploader.
As for my stance on this, it's the same as that of the show.
I reject the total freedom theory from Sartre. Just turn around the example of the gambler. He can chose to go back inside the casino depending on his will once he made the determination which marks him to be healthy enough., But if he is too addicted there is a point after which he cannot chose to leave the casino. The option has become unavailable to him, due to mental and physical processes within his mind and body.
Structuralism is the dominant theory in practice because not only our societies are structured but our world itself is.
However, Evangelion takes the step forward and presents us with freedom inside a necessary structure. Or in Evangelions term: the happniess of choice in living despite the unvoidable pain it causes due to its strucuturalsim.
Anno's path out of depression, and thus the shows theme, is brilliantly reflected within all the philosophical theories. A true masterpiece.
I hope you will make another Evangelion video soon. The choice is (not) yours.
A video celebrting 10k subscribers, less than a week old, but as I see you more than doubled it thanks to an Evangelion video. Not making another one would be counterproductive to the ambitions you stated with an own patreaon campaign. So at least I hope you'll have fun with creating more Evangelion content.
I must say that my reaction to the last 2 episodes of the show and the ending of the movie was: is this what a bad trip feels like? Did I take too much LSD?
It's quite incredible how you can make hard to understand concepts like existencialism and structuralism idiot-proof. I've just discovered your channel and I'm already in love with it, great job and hope you can take a shot at Masaki Yuasa's work, specifically over The tatami galaxy and Ping Pong the animation, I'll be cheering you from this side of the world! :)
What a fantastic analysis.
Thanks fam
I am glad that she made this video before disappearing
man, that background music from Trigun (?) got me so emotional
"this video was your fault" LOL I cracked up
Your videos are awesome!
I'm glad I found your channel, this is a really interesting and well documented analysis. You have a new subscriber!
Wow, new fan. Absolutely brilliant!
Good video to add to my philosophical videos on Evangelion list
I think the most important moment in Eva from me is when rei speaks to shinji through the angel and says something like "don't you want to be one with me?" this symbolizes the most central conflict of a concious beings existence. the one vs the many . the divisions between internal and external. the concept of self itself, and the desire to unify and yet remain as an unassailed orderly body.
you can (not) have a philosophy channel without an evangelion video.
Nice analysis and lots of useful information. have a like good lady,
I love your all of your in depth and educational analyses. I'm so subscribed.
So Eva is about two different, contradictory philosophies and how the two clash and interact, but at the same time it's about cool giant robots fighting aliens with a cute penguin thrown in. That sounds like it shouldn't even be possible, but it is!
Very nicely done!
You have no idea the happy joy I feel every time I hear doobleedoo (spl?) in your videos. I enjoy a fun, light hearted giggle whenever I hear you say it. Thanks!!😜🙃😜
that line about anguish.... magnifique
Holy crap this is an excellent video! Eye opening, educational and engaging: perfect.
I never thought I could ever understand that acid trip known as episode 25 and 26. Great work!
Nice, Eva theories are always welcome.
i love your channel, you are fascinating. Thank you.
5:40 trigun theme ❤️
Thank you!, I love this video
Hey, I am a big Eva Fan, and after so many years most people doing analysis about Eva had me bored as they were basically saying the same things without adding more to it, until this video, this was really good, thank you! :)
Omg!!!! I’ve been waiting for another one of your videos.
KAT I LOVE YOU AND THIS VIDEO
responsibility of freedom is a beautiful thought
Love your vids!
wow you are really talented. These videos are great! Keep em coming!
incredible analysis, really, thank you so much for your insight!
Discovering this channel so long after it's been dead. Sad says
Brilliant analysis
This was a fascinating insight. I really enjoyed this video
wow gotta say this video was really somthing else, thank you :)
i love in the indepth look into one of my favourite all-time animes good work. plus i just realised you made this for 10K but now your already on 22XD hope the growth keeps up
This a great video about Evangelion that I have watched so far. Thanks!
omg you have so many new subscribers im so happy for you !!!!!!
Why I didn't know the existence of this channel? Why I find out this type of philosophical analysis now? Maybe is the structuralism giving me some signals, hahaha good content, exelent video
Thank you for asking the most important question, "What the fuck is the deal with Pen Pen!?"
Well it seems like I just found more than an hour of content to watch. Great channel))
Love that trigun soundtrack in the background
You can have freedom of choice but limited or in relation to the structure of life/society. Your freedom (power, wealth, oportunities, etc) is also relative to the combined freedoms of the people around us. Those concepts really do complement each other.