Independent Media: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion (commonly known as Evangelion) translates into literally "Gospel of a New Century".  Evangelion is a Japanese science-fiction animated series that first aired from Octover 1995 to March 1996 in Japan.  It was created (as in animated, produced, and distributed) by Gainax studious and was both directed and written by Hideaki Anno.

Gainax Company, Limited is a japanese studio that has received critical acclaim after producing and distributing such works as Evangelion.  In Japan, there are many studio companies who's responsiblity is to sell merchandise and create animation for specific anime they have the rights over.  Evangelion was owned by Gainax, thus merchandise and advertisement was done by said company, in competition with many other series coming out during the same time.  Gainax, and Evangelion are considered to be Independent Media to me, because they started from nothing, Gainax only growing fame after Evangelion.

Yet, my focus is more on Evangelion being the independent media.  Evangelion, after having being released so long ago, is relatively easy to find now, especially with the current Rebuild of Evangelion coming out (a four movie series that redoes the 1990s anime).  The series, despite the use of the anime medium, is meant for mature audience.  Anno had written the series when his first had failed and he had fallen in a horrible bouts of depression, contemplation the thought of suicide. Evangelion was the masterpiece that he formed during his lowest point in his life.  The darkness is easily viewed in Evangelion when the children are fighting these creatures that wish to end humanity called 'angels.'  Anno had written it when he believed that God was not merciful, but rather a cruel monster that was bent on making his own creations suffer terrible loss.  There is barely any humor and the plot is philosophical and nearly unstable.  A younger audience would not be able to follow along with the complex plot twists and the hidden symbolism that is the winning point of Evangelion.

The purpose behind Anno's creation of Evangelion was not due to marketing or the government or to political reasons.  He was not funded by a large cooperation to direct and write a series that would become a success.  Anno had written the series as a way to give relieve himself of the grief he suffered in his life.  That's what makes Evangelion an independent media.  Not only that, but it goes against others in its genre.  The mecha genre in anime is widely known to be ridiculous.  It usually places young boys into giant robots, given the task to save humanity from the brink of destruction, whether from a another nation or from themselves.  Anno was sick of this ideal that the mass public took in, that children placed in these extraordinary situations will rise to the occasion and become victorious.  In his series, Shinji Ikari (the protagonist) is thrusted into a similar situation by his father like countless other series before him, but this time, Shinji is afraid.  Throughout the series, he mentally breaks down into an unstable mess and nearly destroys humanity himself.  

Anno wanted to express that a normal human being, such as you and I, would not last in this situation, would not rise to the occasion and come out on top.  No, we would cower in fear and completely fall apart into nothing.  Not only that, but the common theme of young men as being the only ones able to pilot was cast aside in Evangelion, as there are three female pilots and two males.  Lastly, humanity was not versing another life form or another planet, but rather holier beings, a high power that they had no chance of winning.  This series was made to destroy all feelings of joy that comes from watching something heroic.  

That's why Evangelion is considered an Independent Media source.  If Anno had been successful with his first series and produced Evangelion in a more elaborate studio, he might have been blocked from creating these ideals in the show.  That's why it matters, that Anno got creative expression due to his form of releasing the show. 

Even though I have rambled as to why this show is filled with importance, stemming from its production and its context, it does not really matter in the grand scheme of things.  It's an anime, hardly holding power in the real world.  It's a television series that some people who never take the time to watch it, consider it child's play due to it's medium, and thus cast it aside.  Although Evangelion is a great form of independent media, it does not hold against large corporations and companies with its own opinions.

In conclusion, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a great example of Independent Media in action.  It breaks the mold, coming from a modest studio with no creative blocks.  It express Anno's views to people willing to listen and served its purpose. 

You should watch the show.