Neon Genesis Evangelion is a series that dives deep into the complexities of human psychology and philosophy. Central to its narrative is the profound influence of Jungian psychology. The characters, particularly Shinji Ikari, embody a struggle with themes like individuality versus collectivism, echoing Carl Jung’s concepts of the Ego and the Collective Unconscious. Shinji’s internal battle manifests through the reification of the Shadow Archetype—our dark, primitive side that we often suppress. In this anime, we witness the process of Individuation, the integration of these repressed elements into the conscious self.
The role of the Anima and Animus is also pivotal in Evangelion, as seen through the male and female Eva pilots. These characters represent the male and female aspects within the psyche, creating an internal balance that Jung believed was key to personal growth.
Watching Evangelion for the first time, I couldn’t help but feel a connection to the dark ambiance of the series. One late night, as I lay in bed with my AirPods in, I began streaming the show on Netflix. Wrapped in darkness, the melancholic opening theme mirrored my own state of procrastination and emotional unrest. Much like Shinji, who listens to music while staring at his ceiling, I was struck by how this character’s despair felt so relatable.
Shinji’s world reflects the post-apocalyptic aftermath of the “Second Impact,” where society clings to a fragile normalcy. But for Shinji, the weight of piloting the Eva mechs and battling the alien Angels is suffocating. His father, a manipulative figurehead at NERV, coerces Shinji into the role of humanity’s savior, pushing him to pilot a mech synced with his mind and body. The psychological toll of this is devastating—Shinji can feel every moment of pain the Eva endures, even though his physical body remains intact.
In stark contrast to the typical shōnen hero, Shinji does not embrace his role. He is emotionally withdrawn, crying in solitude and reluctant to accept responsibility. His desire for approval from his father and the overwhelming expectations placed upon him create a tragic figure. This subversion of the hero trope makes Evangelion stand out from other anime. Instead of charging into battle with unwavering resolve, Shinji hesitates, evades, and retreats.
The destruction caused by the Angels is reminiscent of Japan’s post-World War II trauma, specifically the devastation of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. The chaos and destruction wrought upon Tokyo-3 by these otherworldly beings mirrors the scars left by nuclear warfare. This theme of a nuclear apocalypse is central to much of postwar Japanese media, and Hideaki Anno, the creator of Evangelion, infused the show with his own fears stemming from the Cold War era. The series doesn’t present a glorified version of the future; instead, it paints a bleak, sorrowful picture of a world on the brink of collapse.
Rather than the fast-paced, action-packed narratives found in many American post-apocalyptic films, Evangelion is marked by stillness, silence, and introspection. The pacing is slow, and moments of silence linger uncomfortably, allowing viewers to absorb the emotional weight of each scene. The trembling frames and drawn-out sequences reflect Shinji’s internal turmoil, which in turn mirrors Anno’s own struggles with depression and anxiety.
So, why does Neon Genesis Evangelion resonate so deeply, especially with American audiences? Perhaps it’s because the series forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about our own emotional lives. We often seek out media that allows us to feel emotions in a controlled environment—watching a sad show to feel sadness or an uplifting one to feel joy. But in reality, emotions are not so easily categorized or controlled. Evangelion challenges us to face these complexities head-on.
American culture tends to avoid deep explorations of mental health in mainstream media, whereas Japanese media like Evangelion dives headfirst into such topics. For American viewers, this can be refreshing yet disconcerting. The raw, unfiltered portrayal of despair, trauma, and existential dread resonates because it brings to light emotions we may not readily confront in our own lives. It allows for a reflection of the human condition in ways that are absent in much of Western media.
In the end, there is no single, definitive answer to why we are so drawn to Neon Genesis Evangelion. It could be the beautiful animation, the philosophical underpinnings, or the relatability of its emotionally fragile protagonist. Or perhaps it’s because we recognize a piece of ourselves in Shinji’s struggles. As we watch him grapple with his responsibilities, fears, and desires, we come face to face with our own vulnerabilities and anxieties.
This is the brilliance of Evangelion: it doesn’t offer easy answers or neatly wrapped resolutions. Instead, it leaves us to reflect on the darker aspects of ourselves and the world around us, making it one of the most compelling and psychologically rich anime of all time.
