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Evangelion is 30, but its themes never get old

With a new Neon Genesis Evangelion anime in the works, it is time for a new generation to explore their depression through the medium of giant fighting robots.

Popverse Jump Header Neon Genesis Evangelion
Image credit: Gainax/Popverse

For a whole generation of anime fans, Neon Genesis Evangelion remains a nigh-untouchable classic. It influenced countless creators and fans with its uncompromisingly dark themes and an exploration of trauma that feels ahead of its time even today. Thankfully, the world isn’t quite done with Hideaki Anno’s signature work as a new Evangelion series has been announced because, 30 years on, the world still needs Evangelion.

It is time, once again, to get in the Eva.

When Neon Genesis Evangelion came out in 1995, it was revolutionary in many ways. On the surface, it is a subversion of many mecha anime tropes, with a focus on exploring the harsh realities of a world where literal children are responsible for fighting seemingly unkillable monsters while piloting giant robots. While giant robots are undeniably cool, anime’s tendency to put young people in the pilot’s

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Trent Cannon

Trent Cannon: Trent is a freelance writer who has been covering anime, video games, and pop culture for a decade. (He/Him)

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