Evangelion interpretation

HeartbreakerByZep · Post by **HeartbreakerByZep** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 12:52 pm

As far as I'm concerned, Evangelion's ending was very well written, both of them are brilliant and essential. Evangelion could have ended any number of ways, but for a series like that, it's only fitting to cause a revelation. Evangelion was one part physical, two parts psychological (biochemically speaking) so for the show to have a less mental and more physical ending, where the climax and/or Shinji's awakening came about through more physical means or through more physical interactions, it would not have worked at all. I'd kill to have more stories with the guts to end daringly like that. It gets annoying when everything has a clear cut ending. The vagueity of it all only makes it so much better, I like an ending where you can spend hours thinking about it, but it's still easy to gain a relative grasp of most of what went on.

As far as the meaning of EoE as detailed in derek_t's post, I'd have to say it isn't in such terms as "this represents this, that represents that" or anything like that. Getting away from the main point, the power of the human mind and the ability for one to "live their own life", in a more physical plot oriented sense, Shinji felt the uniting of humanity and decided that was not the way it should be, that it was just a greater form of nothingness where neither pain nor happiness exist. As Kaji once said, it's the human conflicts of personality that make life interesting. Shinji saw that and saw fit to bring humanity into rebirth. (though not as "the new adam & eve" I don't believe that theory)

- Note that it's been a long time since I've seen EoE, and I still haven't gotten the chance to watch Eva marathon style, which would be essential for me to gain a greater grasp on it.

Jonathan02us · Post by **Jonathan02us** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 5:04 pm

HeartbreakerByZep wrote:As far as I'm concerned, Evangelion's ending was very well written, both of them are brilliant and essential. Evangelion could have ended any number of ways, but for a series like that, it's only fitting to cause a revelation. Evangelion was one part physical, two parts psychological (biochemically speaking) so for the show to have a less mental and more physical ending, where the climax and/or Shinji's awakening came about through more physical means or through more physical interactions, it would not have worked at all. I'd kill to have more stories with the guts to end daringly like that. It gets annoying when everything has a clear cut ending. The vagueity of it all only makes it so much better, I like an ending where you can spend hours thinking about it, but it's still easy to gain a relative grasp of most of what went on.

As far as the meaning of EoE as detailed in derek_t's post, I'd have to say it isn't in such terms as "this represents this, that represents that" or anything like that. Getting away from the main point, the power of the human mind and the ability for one to "live their own life", in a more physical plot oriented sense, Shinji felt the uniting of humanity and decided that was not the way it should be, that it was just a greater form of nothingness where neither pain nor happiness exist. As Kaji once said, it's the human conflicts of personality that make life interesting. Shinji saw that and saw fit to bring humanity into rebirth. (though not as "the new adam & eve" I don't believe that theory)

- Note that it's been a long time since I've seen EoE, and I still haven't gotten the chance to watch Eva marathon style, which would be essential for me to gain a greater grasp on it.

Yeah Eva could have ended many ways ... there are endless possibilities ... i have to agree that i also like ending that i can think about for days and peice everything together from the clue that were left behind... 8) .. i guess that its just the mood im in on wither o not i want an ending that makes me think o one that is explictly explained...

i wouldnt say that shinji and asuka was the "new adam and eve" ill just say that they represent andam and eve ... she those two have totally different meanings ...

As for the eva marathon ... u should definetly give that a try because everything is fresh in ur mind and u will get everything more easliy unless u fall asleep o something ...

...

CaTaClYsM · Post by **CaTaClYsM** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 5:20 pm

These threads are begining to get old. I think than an eva sticky should be made just so that we can send all the noobs there to read and stop these bianual eva threads.

dwchang · Post by **dwchang** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 5:36 pm

Jonathan02us wrote:i wouldnt say that shinji and asuka was the "new adam and eve" ill just say that they represent andam and eve ... she those two have totally different meanings ...

I've heard the theory about Shinji and Asuka being the new Adam and Eve, but one key thing debunks the entire theory. *Everyone* who went through instrumentality can come back. This is explicitely stated in the movie. It's debateable that *true* Instrumentality/Evolution was achieved through that goo...by being with others and understanding yourself, it's quite possible (more than likely) a lot of people will start coming out of the LCL with the same answer that Shinji came to.

That's the entire point of the show. Sure Shinji is the focus and at the end we see him come back, but again, they explicitely state everyone else can too. Everyone is going through a similar "self-searching" (seen in Episodes 25 and 26 and a little in EoE) and I'd imagine that many will reject the false reality and come back to earth with their AT field and the knowledge about themselves.

As for what Derek said, I'd have to disagree about this Individuality is good or bad thing. The point of the show was to show a boy's realization of his own self-worth. That obviously stems from individuality. Also the fact he comes back and rejects Instrumentality could further the point. If the show were about Instrumentality and accepting it, why did the main character reject it? It wouldn't be very uplifting if that were the "answer."

derek_t · Post by **derek_t** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 5:51 pm

dwchang wrote: As for what Derek said, I'd have to disagree about this Individuality is good or bad thing. The point of the show was to show a boy's realization of his own self-worth. That obviously stems from individuality. Also the fact he comes back and rejects Instrumentality could further the point. If the show were about Instrumentality and accepting it, why did the main character reject it? It wouldn't be very uplifting if that were the "answer."

So then it is showing individualism as a good thing then.

dwchang · Post by **dwchang** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 6:09 pm

derek_t wrote:
dwchang wrote: As for what Derek said, I'd have to disagree about this Individuality is good or bad thing. The point of the show was to show a boy's realization of his own self-worth. That obviously stems from individuality. Also the fact he comes back and rejects Instrumentality could further the point. If the show were about Instrumentality and accepting it, why did the main character reject it? It wouldn't be very uplifting if that were the "answer."
So then it is showing individualism as a good thing then.

But again, the point isn't about individuality. It's fundamentality about self-worth. I did of course point that back to individuality, but that's a secondary relation that I am *assuming*. We could debate about individuality all we want, but it wouldn't matter to the main meaning/point since that is about self-worth....the fact that you, me and everyone is worth something in the world and should realize that just as Shinji did.

derek_t · Post by **derek_t** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 6:18 pm

Actually I have no self-worth at all - LOL

Ok, my point though being is that while that may not be the main point of the show, the aspect of individuality is there.

dwchang · Post by **dwchang** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 8:14 pm

derek_t wrote:Actually I have no self-worth at all - LOL

Ok, my point though being is that while that may not be the main point of the show, the aspect of individuality is there.

Agreed.

Again, if it were any other way, the show would be quite un-uplifting (can one even put "un" on uplifting? Hmmm...)

At the same time, don't mistake us being in this one giant goo as loss of individuality either though. Instrumentality is where man loses his AT field and returns to LCL and we can't hurt each other...we are naked and exposing ourselves (emotionally you perverts).

The theory goes that by having no AT field, we'll all be happy in our little imaginary worlds (again shown in Ep. 25 and 26) and can't hurt anyone (since that's what AT fields do). At the same time, we're living in a false reality and Shinji realized this and decided he would rather live in the real world even though he could hurt others and be hurt as well.

This was the conversation between him and Rei at the end (where she is on top of him). She almost says those lines expclitely and he still says "yes" to come back.

As I said earlier, anyone can make this decision and optimistically, I'd like to think many would find their worth and make the same decision.

TheDarknessFlame · Post by **TheDarknessFlame** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 9:26 pm

http://www.advfilms.com/favorites/Evang ... ex.asp?p=3

Thats a pretty interesting take on Evangelion. I have only seen the first episode of Evangelion which I thought was good although I only remember it vaguely. However I ordered the box set of Eva from AnimeNetwork (See location) about 4 weeks ago and have yet to recieve it. (If the backorder is this severe why keep advertising the product, its just a tease) I wanted to see what some people gathered from wactching Eva, this way when I eventually get it I might understand it more and i'll know what to look for.

CaTaClYsM · Post by **CaTaClYsM** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 1:06 am

WHO STOLE THE COOKIE FROM THE COOKIE JAR!?!?!?!?!