Eva 01 - Multi Layered Social Phenomenon

Neon Genesis Evangelion. It's great. Quite simply put, its fucking fantastic. I know it and I'm fairly sure that if you have managed to read this far you do too. And if there's some sort of "but it's so hard to understand" or "I didn't get it" you've either a) heard of it b) haven't watched it enough c) have no soul or d) are mentally deficient.

I don't mean to insult you but its a story that can be appreciated on a variety of levels. If university level scholars use it as a thesis study it obviously has something about it that makes the intellectuals quiver and if it gets regular folks like myself all excited then its offering on the other end also.

I like it. Makes me think. A lot of anime try to make you think but all they do is keep you musing until the next one comes along. All their plot twists, revelations and aspirations of grandeur are simply that - aspirations.

Hey, now don't get me wrong, I love anime. I like the cutesy ones, the violent ones, the dramatic ones. I even watch the kid's ones. The reason its appeals is irrelevant here but I'll probably bang on about it at some point.

My point is - if its anime, I'll give it a watch, so yeah, I'm a fan.

But despite all that and the fact I've watched more than my fair share, none - NONE - have had the appeal and ability to draw me back that Neon Genesis Evangelion has.

I'm not fussed if its the philosophy, the religion, the romance or the sci-fi operatics that draw you in, the fact is it draws you in. If one of these things hooks you, by Christ, it's another one that will bring you back.

And those ones I've listed barely scratch the armour of The Beast, as it were. Any plausible way you think, any archetype or pseudo-psycho-religio-socio-demographic you associate with, its already got you and you don't know it.

I charge anyone to sit down and watch the entire series - Episodes 01 to 26 inclusive - and not spend at least a small amount of time is stunned self reflection.

For those of you in categories a) and b) stick with it.

For those of you in categories c) and d) I cannot possibly help you unless you first help yourself

And for the one guy who fell into category e) "its stupid because my brain is so big so if I can't understand it, it must be juvenile - I look down on you because I don't get it so how could you possibly understand it when I don't."

I have given your home address to the lynch mob, they'll be with you shortly.  Because you are a dick.