Started ranting about Evangelion and how it was the embodiment of Hideaki Anno himself in the argumentative portion
Soooo uh it was my ONE DOP (SONN it’s OVER😭😭) And argued that Shinji Ikari and the overall structure of Neon Genesis Evangelion reflect Hideaki Anno’s internal struggles, making the series essentially a projection of his imagination and identity.
First argument was about how Shinji’s search for purpose and identity parallels Anno’s own psychological struggles, then I broadened the argument to the structure of the series itself. For most of Evangelion, the characters are dealing with severe internal conflict while still continuing to fight Angels and function outwardly. I connected this to how Anno reportedly struggled mentally while still continuing to live and interact with the people around him.
I then discussed the dramatic tonal shift near the end of the series and in End of Evangelion. The sudden transition from what many viewers initially perceived as a traditional mecha/action anime into something far more psychological and unsettling created confusion and discomfort among audiences. I argued that this shift mirrors Anno’s own worsening depression. In other words, Evangelion initially presents itself as an external “facade” of action, while underneath it is fundamentally centered on isolation, identity, and internal suffering. I connected this duality to the contrast between Anno’s outward interactions and his internal conflict. Pretty basic stuff to anyone who’s watched the anime tbh but i guess it makes sense
My overall claim was that because the characters, themes, and even the structure of Evangelion parallel Anno’s personal struggles with identity, individuality, and depression, the work becomes an extension of himself. Since the series was created through his imagination while directly reflecting his inner state, it supports the idea that “we are what we imagine.”