F R Y

This show has a lot of symbolism and big messages to convey, and in that aspect I can appreciate it. That being said it's just about the only positive I have about it. The main character, Shinji, while understandably young and naive, is one of the most frustrating protagonists I've ever had the displeasure of watching. His daddy issues are an inescapable anchor that weighs down every single scene he is in, constantly begging for daddy's approval while simultaneously berating him and voicing his supposed hatred for him. Rei is a nothing character, she has no agency and does next to nothing for the entire series, other than be something for Shinji to get mildly jealous of while being paradoxically worried about her. Asuka is just a loud mouthed tsundere to the Nth degree. He entire character is a lot of yelling, a huge superiority complex, and somehow the most fragile ego of anyone. The fights are decent at best, they come and go in the blink of an eye, and have the same basic outline of progression. Angel shows up, tears up a bunch of stuff, scientists freak out, they try a plan that half the room calls crazy, and the plan works after heavy casualties are incurred. All that said, I'm aware that the show is more about the symbolism, and the fights are just a set piece to emphasize metaphorical points, but the complaint still stands. Overall, very over-rated show. Not good, not bad, nothing more than something to watch to say you've seen "a classic"