Decades have passed, but Neon Genesis Evangelion continues to be relevant in the anime community. It’s almost like a badge of elite taste among anime fans, a cult classic, a mecha masterpiece, and so much more. But more than anything, it portrays how mental struggles prevent a person from reaching out for their needs. 

As beautiful and fulfilling as love is, it’s not the easiest to accept or extend it. While most discussions surrounding Evangelion stick to its portrayal of human emotions and Shinji’s complexity as a character, Hideaki Anno’s words instantly shift the focus to the anime’s setting.

Hideaki Anno shares how growing up during the war shaped his vision for Evangelion

In Neon Genesis Evangelion, Hideaki Anno found a bridge between colossal concepts like war and extremely personal and abstract difficulties like the inability to accept love. The latter has clearly been the focus, but the setting of war and the world of Evangelion is no less complex. 

During an interview with Agence France-Presse (via GMA network), Anno shared how growing up during the war impacted his vision for the setting in Evangelion. He said:

There was a real sense that if atomic war broke out, the world would be destroyed. If someone pushed the nuclear button it would lead to the destruction of the world—that was the reality at the time, that fear of Armageddon.

This fear made the director believe that the world would come to an end in the 20th century. He further added how Japan is a country that often bears the brunt of natural disasters. All these fears materialized into the post-apocalyptic and unstable setting of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Related: Hideaki Anno Acknowledged He Was a Fool While Making Neon Genesis Evangelion

He also mentioned how many anime series have already covered the post-war state of the world. However, Evangelion handles and portrays these themes from a personal lens. The world and humanity are at risk at large, but the story follows individuals and their struggles during troubling times.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is an introspective vision in a character-driven story

Shinji Ikari in Neon Genesis Evangelion | Credits: Studio Gainax and Tatsunoko Production

The way the director speaks about his vision makes one think that war is a central theme in Evangelion. At least, that’s how those unfamiliar with the series would interpret Anno’s words. However, the narrative of the anime is like a reflection of what it feels like to be weighed down by your inhibitions. Shinji finds himself in a limbo due to how much he craves love and how difficult it is to reach out for it.

Related: We May Have Taken ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ in a Wrong Way If Hideaki Anno Has to Personally Confirm “There’s nothing underneath”

It is a scarring and extremely real portrayal of the characters’ struggles. Most fans have found the characters’ struggles relatable because they are portrayed without any filters. The ugly but whole truth is presented without any glazing. While the characters continue to remain a major focus, the war setting allows for the perfect backdrop. 

Asuka and Shinji during a fight sequence | Credits: Studio Gainax and Tatsunoko Production

These characters are so lost in their own worlds that they fail to notice how they’re merely tools in the grand scheme of politics and war. Most anime would then shift the focus to how the characters overcome the oppression or fight against it, but the only war that’s conquered in Evangelion is the war with oneself. In this way, the war setting is its own character, albeit not the most important one. 

Neon Genesis Evangelion is currently available to stream on Netflix. 
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