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Mindestiny t1_jb2kato wrote

Reply to comment by mirh in Philosophy is everywhere in Neon Genesis Evangelion by linosan

Right? So much anime from before Isekaipocalypse was heavily inspired by the exploration of philosophy and does a much more coherent and poignant job of it. It's kind of a head scratcher how Evangelion has stood the test of time while so many others fly mostly under the radar. I guess the others just didn't have enough big robots lol.

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vulcanfury12 t1_jb30bht wrote

It stood the test of time because of Red Oni vs. Blue Oni. Rei vs. Asuka. The Eternal Waifu War.

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AwakenedSheeple t1_jb4ahu8 wrote

Everyone knows Penpen is the real best girl. Just a penguin that likes to take baths and drink beer, none of that trauma.

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JackedUpReadyToGo t1_jb3y1np wrote

I think it’s because Evangelion really resonates with the depressed, or at least people who have been depressed at one point. I’m not an anime guy but I happened to stumble across it at a low point in my younger years and it is etched onto my soul in a way no other media ever will be.

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chromeless t1_jb422dq wrote

This is essentially accurate. Eva is about the mindset of a depressed person, that is its fundamental topic and what it focuses on portraying above all else. Things like philosophy, plot and character development are incidental elements and are at best handled in heavily ambiguous ways, but are preceded by a dedication to showing a particular state of mind wracked by guilt, uncertainty, stress and melancholy.

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Artixe t1_jb4734z wrote

Yes. I recognize all the criticisms people have here because it is super fucking true. Actually, my first thread here where I don't feel completely clueless abt the subject. NGE doesn't cut very deep into actual philosophy or anything like that, despite that it indeed does resonate in an amazing way with people who were/are depressed, myself included. I would say that despite all NGE's flaws in writing and it's confusing and random lore it's one my favorite pieces of media. Etched in my soul too!

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Rbespinosa13 t1_jb5b3a3 wrote

It’s also because Evangelion popularized a ton of common tropes in anime.

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kalabungaa t1_jb4f5l2 wrote

Anno has always been a more intuitive filmmaker. He nailed the feelings of the characters in the show.

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makeitabyss t1_jb45bn9 wrote

Outside the scope of this post, but would be interested in hearing some of your other anime recommendations that do have deeper philosophical characters/stories.

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NotSuluX t1_jb4tyce wrote

Tatami Galaxy is very good. Can't describe it, you gotta watch it

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a masterpiece of storytelling with a ton of metaphors and symbolism, but it's a slow paced drama show so not too popular (although very highly rated)

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lupadim t1_jb6jp44 wrote

Because ultimately it's an anime, not a philosophy essay

Evangelion is more entertaining than other series even if it is lacking in philosophical depth

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mirh t1_jb2mz3s wrote

Ngl even sword art fucking online had my ass in gear (ok perhaps that was more like about sociology than philosophy, but still).

But I suppose that even 10 implicitly thoughtful conundrums are nothing compared to a cross shining in the sky after a bomb or something...

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Professional-Noise80 t1_jbaiqdy wrote

I enjoyed sword art more then Eva (which I found both boring, meaningless and frustrating, but still watched because people said it's one of the best animes ever smh...)

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