This show is very special to many people and it is one of the classic animes. After watching it, I understand why. It is extremely unique and engaging, the animation is great, the song-choice and music are phenomenal, the characters are outstanding, and overall it is a very enjoyable experience. However, it is not without its problems. I will quickly highlight some of the positives and negatives as I see them, as to give people who haven't watched this series an idea if it is something they might enjoy.
First, I will start off with something that this show gets incredibly right: the characters. Whether it's Shinji, Asuka, Rei, or one of the other great characters, this show manages to encapsulate them fantastically. Yes, they can be incredibly frustrating, but, strangely enough, that's where some of their charm comes from. To call them likable would be incorrect; they are, however, completely relatable. This show shows mental illness and depression in such an empathetic light, and it shows it amazingly - better than I've ever seen it otherwise portrayed in fiction, in fact. Of course, this is probably because director Hideaki Anno was suffering from clinical depression as he worked on the series. For showing it so well, so honestly, I thank him. The complexity of the characters will sometimes leave you in horror of what they are doing, but that's where much of the shows power comes from.
Unfortunately this show is not without its potential faults. The plot is very complex, which, in itself, is not a bad thing. (Actually, it's a good thing that it makes its audience think, and it wouldn't be NGE if it didn't.) However, the plot is also convoluted. Many important points are quickly passed over, many characters end up having no real purpose at the end of the show and are almost forgotten by the writers, and plot points are often spoken about as though we, as viewers, already know what's going on, when in fact we have no idea. Often I found my enjoyment of the show impaired by being totally uncertain as to what was going on. Mystery is good, however, total confusion is not. Although, some people may love that about this show, and I know some people do. The positive of this is that the show constantly keeps you on your toes. For my taste it simply went a little bit overboard in that department.
If you love to slowly pick apart at a show and gradually figure out what's going on, then this is for you. Of course, that's only in referencing the plot. These characters are incredibly important the anime and I think any anime fan should give this show a chance. Whether you end up liking it or not, I sincerely believe it will be worth your time. The characters are too unique and interesting to not try it. However, I will leave you with one word of caution: the series does suffer from an inconsistent tone, and the series only truly finds its footing in the second half. If at first you find yourself not enjoying the show, I would recommend continuing.
