Neon Genesis Evangelion: A Cultural Phenomenon and Its Lasting Impact
Neon Genesis Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン) is not merely a Japanese animated series; it is a seminal work that redefined the anime landscape and left an indelible mark on popular culture. Produced by the animation studio GAINAX, the series first aired on TV Tokyo from October 4, 1995, to March 27, 1996. This singular 26-episode television anime, later followed by a feature film, has been commonly shortened to “Evangelion,” “Eva,” or “EVA.” Directed and written by Hideaki Anno, the series is set in the post-apocalyptic world of 2015, where the tragic “Second Impact” has altered the course of humanity. The plot revolves around a group of fourteen-year-old individuals who become pilots of colossal biomechanical weapons known as “Evangelions” in their struggle against enigmatic beings known as “Angels.”