![]() ![]() Today, I’d like to look at one such example, Yasuyuki Ueda’s Serial Experiments Lain, which not only mirrors my experience growing up as a queer kid but as a person who came of age during the digital revolution.Īlone in her room, Lain Iwakura stares at the vacuous blackness of her computer monitor. These shows had a subconscious effect on my queer identity, whether positive or not, and continue to mean a lot to LGBT viewers because of their non-representational forms of storytelling. Sometimes these protagonists hurt themselves. Often, emotions were solely communicated through surreal flourishes of rose petals, darkening, grotesque facial expressions, and acts of affirming violence. Growing up during the advent of streaming, I found myself in these anime I couldn’t understand, in the feelings of these protagonists whose emotions swirled and shifted. ![]() These fansub legacies still follow them to this day. Though unintentional, it only serves to heighten the mystique of shows like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Revolutionary Girl Utena. It was a thankless undertaking, but many-like myself-were mystified by the inaccessible nature many of these shows took on. Later, these versions would be uploaded online-given the amount of times these versions would be ripped and pasted from tapes, much of the original fidelity was lost, and fansubbers were often amateur diehards who wanted to share something they were passionate about. While, to a degree, the anime craze had caught on outside of Japan, only a select few shows aired on Western networks and even fewer were available on VHS.Īround the time of the internet’s inception, groups known as fansubbers began making and distributing bootleg tapes with their own translations. Many of these series were inaccessible outside of importing and dedicated fan communities up until the early 2000s. Directors such as Masaaki Yuasa, Kunihiko Ikuhara and Satoshi Kon are well-known for their experimentations with the medium with keen interests in portraying human experience through conceptual means. A friend of mine affectionately refers to this phenomenon as “Jojo Time” in reference to Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, which famously portrayed a final battle that took place over just a few minutes in a 4-part finale.Īs you stray further into the world of anime, you’ll find more short-form, experimental series that are not meant for a wide audience. Even in popular anime, like Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon, time contorts around long power-up sequences and dramatic, fast-talking banter in the heat of battle. Each of these series offers a perspective on topics such as self-discovery, existentialism, and humanity's struggle against existential threats, providing an enriching experience for those who appreciate Evangelion's depth and nuance.Animation, unlike traditional forms of film or TV, allows for complete abstraction. If you enjoy Evangelion's compelling narrative and thought-provoking elements, that are some other shows that are easy recommendations. RELATED: Tokyo Ghoul: Best Characters, Ranked The series is renowned for its intricate plot, complex characters, and exploration of deep psychological themes within its grim sci-fi world. The story follows teenager Shinji Ikari as he pilots a biomechanical weapon known as an Evangelion to defend humanity against monstrous beings called Angels. Neon Genesis Evangelion, created by Hideaki Anno, is a groundbreaking anime series that has captivated fans since its debut in 1995. Serial Experiments Lain: A thought-provoking anime that explores technology, identity, and consciousness, providing a philosophical narrative similar to Evangelion's exploration of deep psychological themes. Paranoia Agent: A psychological thriller that blurs the line between reality and illusion, exploring the interconnectedness of people's fears and inner struggles, like Evangelion's examination of escapism and internal strife. Mawaru Penguindrum: A visually stunning anime that delves into themes of fate and sacrifice, similar to Evangelion's exploration of destiny and human desires. ![]()
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