Evangelion isn’t deep: Hideaki Anno says it only pretends to be

And it turns out that Evangelion isn’t as deep as we thought it would be. For almost three decades, Neon Genesis Evangelion was considered one of the most complex and enigmatic anime ever created. Religious symbols, psychological traumas and philosophical dialogues led many to believe that the work hid deep meanings.

However, an old interview with creator Hideaki Anno recently went viral among the Japanese public, who are now beginning to see the truth behind so many things that the anime showed.

Evangelion isn’t deep: Hideaki Anno says it only pretends to be

In a 2004 episode of NHK’s Top Runner, Anno clearly said:

“Evangelion is often called philosophical, but in reality, it’s not. It’s just pretentious.”

This quote recently gained attention online after a more complete transcript was shared in Japanese communities. It shocked many fans who had spent years dissecting the series.

Anno said Evangelion was made to look smart, not to actually be smart. He used the Japanese word “gen-gakuteki,” which refers to someone showing off knowledge to seem intellectual.

Anno Explains: No Hidden Meaning in Evangelion

Anno revealed that the mysteries and complex themes were simply stylistic choices to make the series look intellectual.

“It looks like there’s something behind it, but there isn’t. There’s no hidden meaning.”

He also admitted that the Christian imagery was chosen for visual reasons, not for any religious message. Anno also criticized how some viewers used Evangelion as an emotional safe space. He didn’t like how it became an escape from reality.

“Eva became a comfortable place for viewers to hide from reality. I didn’t want that.”

This led him to shift direction in later works. In The End of Evangelion and the Rebuild movies, the tone is more raw and confronting, less open to overinterpretation.

Although he downplays the intellectual aspect, Anno confirmed that the emotional content was sincere. Feelings like loneliness, anxiety, and self-doubt reflect his own struggles during production.

So even if Evangelion isn’t deep in a philosophical sense, it’s deeply emotional — and that’s what truly resonates with fans. Anno’s comments revive a classic debate: does the creator’s intent matter more than audience interpretation?

Even if Anno says Evangelion isn’t deep, millions of fans found meaning in it. That emotional connection is real — no matter what the creator says now.

via Você Sabia Anime