Neon Genesis Evangelion is widely regarded as one of the most complex and thought-provoking anime series ever created. Its narrative delves into deep psychological, philosophical, and existential themes, blending sci-fi, mecha action, and character drama. One of the more striking and often discussed aspects of Evangelion is its frequent use of religious symbolism, particularly the use of elements from Judeo-Christian, Kabbalistic, and Gnostic traditions. While the series does not adhere strictly to any one religion, it draws from a variety of religious traditions to craft a unique and layered narrative.
In this article, we’ll explore the religious themes and influences present in Neon Genesis Evangelion, analyze the symbolic elements borrowed from various religions, and discuss how these elements serve to deepen the series’ thematic complexity. While the series itself is not “based on” any particular religion, its heavy use of religious imagery and themes provides a fascinating lens through which to examine its narrative and ideas.
The Use of Judeo-Christian Symbolism in Evangelion
One of the most immediately recognizable features of Evangelion is its frequent reference to Judeo-Christian religious themes. From the names of its characters to the titles of its episodes and the designs of its angels and robots, Evangelion makes use of an array of Christian symbols and terminology, even though the series does not follow traditional Christian doctrine. The use of these references is often more about evoking deeper philosophical questions and creating a sense of mystery rather than presenting religious ideology in a direct or orthodox manner.
1. Angels and the Battle for Humanity
The central conflict of Evangelion revolves around the battle between humanity and a mysterious group of beings called Angels. These powerful, often otherworldly creatures resemble biblical descriptions of angels but differ significantly in both form and function. In the series, the Angels are portrayed as destructive forces that threaten to bring about the end of humanity. The fact that they are called “Angels” and not “monsters” or “aliens” immediately evokes the biblical sense of divine beings, though their motives and origins are left obscure.
The idea of angels in Evangelion is closely tied to the concept of the apocalypse or the “End of the World,” a theme that echoes apocalyptic narratives in Christianity and other religious traditions. In the Bible, angels are messengers of God, but in Evangelion, the Angels seem to be heralds of doom, with each one representing a different existential or cosmic threat to mankind. Their names and traits are taken from various religious texts and interpretations, adding layers of meaning to their roles in the story. For instance, one of the Angels is named Sachiel, a name borrowed from an angel in Kabbalistic traditions, while another is named Ramiel, a reference to an archangel in Jewish mysticism.
2. The Human Instrumentality Project: A Christian-like Redemption Narrative
The overarching project in Evangelion, known as the Human Instrumentality Project, is a plan devised by the secretive organization SEELE to bring about the transcendence of humanity. This project aims to eliminate human individuality and merge all human souls into one unified existence, effectively ending loneliness and suffering. This concept of unification can be compared to certain Christian ideas of salvation or communion with God, though the project in Evangelion is presented as a more controversial and ethically dubious pursuit.
SEELE’s desire to transcend human limits and reach a higher plane of existence also echoes Gnostic themes, where salvation is sought through esoteric knowledge and the transcendence of the material world. In Evangelion, the Human Instrumentality Project acts as both a literal and metaphorical “second coming,” aimed at achieving a type of apocalyptic rebirth for humanity.
Kabbalistic and Gnostic Influences
While Evangelion incorporates Christian imagery, it also heavily borrows from Kabbalistic and Gnostic traditions. These mystical and esoteric branches of Judaism and Christianity provide a framework for much of the series’ symbolic and narrative structure.
1. The Tree of Life: Kabbalistic Roots in Evangelion
The Tree of Life is a central concept in Kabbalah, the mystical tradition of Jewish thought. It represents the map of divine creation and the structure of the universe, made up of ten interconnected spheres or Sephiroth. In Evangelion, the Tree of Life is directly referenced in the form of the Sephirotic Tree. The design of NERV’s headquarters, the arrangement of the Angels, and the very structure of the Human Instrumentality Project are often depicted in ways that visually echo the structure of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
The Sephiroth in Kabbalistic teachings represent aspects of God’s nature and the path of spiritual ascent. In Evangelion, these connections are metaphorically explored through the characters’ psychological journeys and the overarching battle between free will and predestination. Just as Kabbalah suggests that individuals must pass through each sphere to reach enlightenment, the characters in Evangelion are on a personal journey toward understanding themselves, their relationships, and their place in the world.
2. The Gnostic Concept of the Demiurge
Another religious influence in Evangelion is Gnosticism, an ancient belief system that emphasizes the pursuit of hidden, esoteric knowledge and often views the material world as corrupt or flawed. The Demiurge in Gnostic thought is a figure that creates the material world and holds humanity captive within it, preventing them from realizing their true spiritual potential. In Evangelion, Gendo Ikari, Shinji’s distant and enigmatic father, plays a role that resonates with the Gnostic idea of the Demiurge. Gendo’s manipulations of his son, the creation of the Evangelion units, and his control over the fate of humanity can be seen as an embodiment of the forces that bind humanity to a limited, suffering existence, forcing them to confront their own isolation and inability to achieve true understanding.
The idea of a false god or a controlling force that keeps humanity from achieving enlightenment parallels the Gnostic belief that the material world is a veil that prevents humans from achieving spiritual liberation. This theme is explored throughout Evangelion, as characters constantly wrestle with their own limited understanding of reality and struggle to break free from the forces that control their lives, symbolized by the NERV organization, the Evangelion units, and Gendo’s actions.
Eastern Philosophical Influences
Although Evangelion draws heavily from Western religious traditions, it is also influenced by Eastern philosophies, particularly Buddhism and Shinto. These traditions offer an alternative view of the human condition and spirituality, focusing on impermanence, suffering, and the nature of existence.
1. Buddhism and the Cycle of Rebirth
Evangelion reflects elements of Buddhist thought, particularly in its exploration of suffering, attachment, and the cyclical nature of existence. The central characters in Evangelion are all trapped in cycles of emotional pain, psychological trauma, and isolation. This mirrors the Buddhist concept of samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that is driven by attachment and ignorance. Characters such as Shinji, Asuka, and Rei are caught in their own personal samsaras, unable to escape their emotional suffering or break free from the patterns of their lives.
Buddhism’s focus on overcoming attachment and achieving enlightenment through self-realization and detachment is echoed in the Human Instrumentality Project, which seeks to transcend individual suffering by merging all human souls into one. However, this transcendence comes at the cost of individuality and the very essence of what makes someone human. In this sense, Evangelion critiques the Buddhist ideal of detachment, showing that the loss of individuality and human connection can lead to a form of spiritual annihilation, rather than liberation.
2. Shinto and the Reverence for Life and Nature
Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, plays a subtler but significant role in Evangelion’s thematic exploration. Shinto emphasizes a deep reverence for nature, the divine spirit inherent in all things, and the interconnectedness of life. The portrayal of the Evas—the bio-mechanical giants that the protagonists pilot—can be seen as a symbolic reflection of this Shinto connection to the natural world. The Evas are not merely machines, but living organisms that are intrinsically connected to the pilots and the world around them. This bio-spiritual connection mirrors the Shinto belief in the divine essence of nature and the importance of maintaining harmony with it.
In addition, Shinto’s concept of kami, or spirits, is subtly referenced in the character of Rei, who is not only a pilot but a being whose very nature seems to be tied to divine forces. Rei’s complex relationship with life and death touches on Shinto ideas about the divine and the cyclical nature of existence.
Conclusion: A Multi-Religious Tapestry
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a series that does not adhere strictly to any one religious tradition, but instead creates a complex, multi-layered narrative by drawing from a variety of religious, mystical, and philosophical sources. The use of Judeo-Christian symbolism, Kabbalistic and Gnostic influences, and Eastern philosophies like Buddhism and Shinto helps to deepen the series’ exploration of the human condition, identity, and existential questions.
Rather than presenting a simple or direct religious message, Evangelion uses religious imagery and ideas to raise questions about the nature of existence, the search for meaning, and the struggle between individuality and unity.
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