Jun 9, 2020
06/2020 Review
Evangelion is considered an absolute classic by many, and it is easy to see why. The show's influence and fame are astounding, and arguably one of the main reasons to watch it. The show begins somewhat slowly, but before the first episode is over it has already implanted multiple story threads and conflicts to snatch your attention away from that slow pace.
The main issue the show has is its inability to choose between these two. Evangelion has a lot to say, and even more to explain, but due to the slow pacing of the show, it ends up failing to resolve many of the
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ideas and story threads that it introduces throughout its runtime. While watching the show it remains engaging and interesting, but by the time it has ended it had never truly delivered what was expected of it. Many interesting plotlines are rushed, forgotten, ignored, and wasted due to the strange speed in which the show decides to address them.
I believe that the more simplistic first half of the show is the superior portion, having a very good mix of lighthearted fun and genuine character drama. It sparks intrigue in the characters and gives you plenty of reason to care about them. The show slowly begins to grow more intense as it progresses, coming to a beautiful climax in episode 19 (which I believe to be the peak of the show.) However, the ending beyond that point is where the show stops shocking you and starts ignoring you, deciding to venture off on its own and do whatever.
11/2024 Review
An incredibly, incredibly rewarding show to rewatch. Seeing the breadcrumbs pile up and overlap resulted in a far richer and more engaging viewing experience than seeing it for the first time. Nothing can replace the shock, awe, and excitement of seeing certain key moments for the first time, but the ability to remember the grizzly details as the show unfurls ahead of you creates a truly enveloping experience. The slower moments are so integral to the relationships and intimacy that the show is able to portray across it's runtime.
There are a few stretches in the show's duration that fall flat in one aspect or another. Episodes 10-13 begin to rely too heavily on the "Angel of the week" formula and as a result could feel stale at times.
It is once the intimacies of the characters begin to be explored more thoroughly again that I think the show hits it's ultimate stride. Episodes 15-20 are the absolute peak of the show in my opinion, featuring the unbelievable pair of episodes 18 & 19.
After the monolithic lore dump of eisode 21, Episode 22, 23, & 24 take turns breaking down Asuka, Rei, and Shinji in that order. It is a satisfying point to reach on a rewatch having already known these aspects of the characters, but the episodes also fail to match the dread and spectacle of the series's peak.
The ending two episodes were immensely enjoyable to me as someone who values the connections and inner workings of the cast so greatly. I can imagine that my enjoyment of them is much greater due to me knowing that a more "definitive" ending to the show exists in the film, but the deep dives and confrontations that the characters endure across the two-episode instrumentality is truly enlightening and deliciously juicy. They are also the show at it's most experimental, especially episode 26 with it's alternate reality segment and looser artstyle.
The show is undoubtedly flawed, potentially by choice, but it is equally as compelling. It is an emotionally poignant, deeply inspired, and nearly unflinching work of artistic expression that deserves to be experienced by everyone at least once in their lifetime.
Take care of yourself.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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