Neon Genesis: Evangelion - How THIS Symbol Might Explain More Than We Thought

[@BerserkDude]

*Plot twist* : I'm Max Derrat from another universe! Fantastic work, as always! I've never played the Evangelion games, so this new perspective was eye-opening. Anno is a master of hiding layered symbolism in plain sight. It'll be interesting to see how you unravel those mysteries! 😁

[@PSNSMANIACALMIND1st]

I told him you had this series covered on the Jungian front back when he announced this project. I wonder what he'll have to say about Berserk now that we all know he's watching your content. You two are in my top favorite creators list and I hope you guys can inspire eachother to dig deeper! Now, which one of you is going to do Elder Scrolls or Dune first??

[@BerserkDude]

@@PSNSMANIACALMIND1st Appreciate that, brother! I also have a Dune analysis on my channel, but I've never played Elder Scrolls (not much into games).

[@melancholyman369]

ofcourse you'd be here, good on you mate

[@BobelPop]

A saw your video and I have to say I love your analysis!

[@met4cap7788]

soliDARITY

[@ktt3171]

"is NGE the most analyzed piece of japanese Animation ever?" id say probably BUT a WHOLE ot of it misses the point

[@donpylon5102]

i remember the creator said that he put christian symbols into the show just bc it looked cool

[@PSNSMANIACALMIND1st]

@@donpylon5102 and yet it all happens to make perfect sense and be directly related to the story and characters that's some serious subconscious gymnastics... Or maybe Anno is being Anno, trolling people who can't think for themselves and want him to give them all the answers.

[@aerykfilmsphoto]

@@donpylon5102 but the crazy part is that even if he didn't know what he was doing with the imagery in his show (which he could just be trying to down play) it really seems like these concepts were coming through him either way. His intention doesn't make the Magick or the psychology present any less valid.

[@hermezztriplecool9131]

Which is basically "Stop Fapping!!"

[@vyiz1004]

@@hermezztriplecool9131 Ill go with that

[@ScarletDeath]

At this point, I've been studying Kabbalah for over ten years, but back in the 2010s i had a college class called 'religious studies in pop culture' and we had to pick a TV show to give a report on for our final project and I picked Evangelion and *tried* to explain a lot of what you're explaining (albeit very stripped down because.) I'm glad to see someone *finally* go further down this rabbit hole so thank you for this. I always felt crazy trying to explain this to most other anime fans on forums back in the day XD.

[@hermezztriplecool9131]

Give us some Kaballah insight into the Evas

[@ScarletDeath]

@@hermezztriplecool9131 no

[@hermezztriplecool9131]

@@ScarletDeath Thanks

[@pandemicspecial1940]

Have you ever seen the tree of life in full metal alchemists?

[@kiva_kaze]

You cant give us insight to Kabbalah and its connection to evangelion because its a loose connection and because the Kabbalah is the Sof to Torah and HaShems existence. Its the science of existence itself which is wrapped under thousands of layers, so study all you want but neither you nor I will ever truly understand its secrets. Its insulting to see you treat my religion like a hobby. Thanks.

[@thoughtinvestigation4263]

To your opening statement… it’s up there. Spirited away, Ghost in the Shell, Akira, Cowboy Bebop, lots of old classics have a stone solid fan base that’ll follow the IP’s forever

[@raioh4747]

yup I will watch anything that has those titles in it lol

[@mniakan3544]

It would be really great if Max made a video about Naoki Urakawa monster both the anime and manga

[@Zoran54321]

But those series aren't analyzed nearly as much as Eva, and that was the point of his statement. There's honestly not that much to pick apart in Cowboy Bebop (especially compared to NGE).

[@aerindinescarro47]

Howl’s moving castle/Castle in the sky are up there, most if not all films made by that studio are classics in all honesty

[@nowhereman6019]

Oh boy, Max is dipping his toe into the ocean that is Eva.

[@vetonrecica5558]

That's an abyss where you can't go back from.

[@ZeranZeran]

and I LOVE IT!

[@kaspersaldell]

This is gonna be good

[@anonkhmer149]

An ocean of LCL 😦

[@mniakan3544]

It would be great if max watched monster anime

[@damadatura]

You always have something new and deep to say about anything, no matter what has been already said 🥺 you're the best fren🖤

[@smallharry12345]

Can't believe I was finally first to one of your videos! I'm so happy and excited to see you cover NGE!

[@lordofPockets]

is true, all of this topics deepdown in Evangelion are,were, and will be talk about, but we care how you find the anime and how you talk about it

[@oopsalldrip1376]

It's either eva or berserk that gets discussed the most, though eva has the upper hand since it's marketed so damn much it's inescapable. Maybe Ghost in the Shell or the works of Satoshi Kon come closer than most, but I honestly struggle to think of anything that matches the sheer quantity that eva or berserk gets.

[@oopsalldrip1376]

Yeah, I completely forgot how much Dragon Ball gets since most of it's dunking on Dragon Ball Super.

[@nilspochat8665]

and not enough houseki no kuni discussions even though it's as emotionally and culturally charged as NGE

[@jkt3sc]

Eva - Mostly waifu wars that always end in Ramiel winning and crazy amounts of overanalyzing and other sinful deplorable actions that caused anno to hate his fanbase with a burning passion and create the rebuilds. Berserk - Guts theme, Griffith did nothing wrong, art is amazing, eclipse, horse, boat, Dark Souls, 2016. GITS - Over analyzing first movie and forgetting about innocence despite it being just as good, SAC 1+2 are GOAT, Arise great, Scar jo movie good just not good GITS, Matrix, Laughing at summersaults up stairs Dragonball - Powerscalling, Superman, Normies Satoshi kon - people who study film mostly My Personal Addition to most talked about anime Naruto - Goth Kids at school naruto running with headbands, Area 51 Raid, Madara Uchiha, Hinata wins the ramen bowl, Sakura got cucked, Sasuke and Naruto both have children named Burrito and Salad. JOJO - Persona, everything being a JOJO reference, MEMES

[@oopsalldrip1376]

@@nilspochat8665 Phos just can't catch a break.

[@whathell6t]

@@jkt3sc There’s other important anime/manga that impact the world, and not just the West. Astro Boy Rurouni Kenshin Yu Yu Hakusho Ranma 1/2 Lupin the Third Urotsukidouji Legend of the Galatic Heroes Mazinger Getter Robo Mobile Suit Gundam And then there’s the Tokusatsu medium, the long standing pillar of Japanese entertainment; and birthplace of Evangelion.

[@chasefukuoka61]

Another angle worthy of exploration is the trauma and depression Shinji represents, and how that ties into the social pressures and competition of the educational system here in Asia. I live and teach in Japan, where this movie has been embraced by young people since it first came out. Much of the attraction for those ages 12-15 is how Shinji's trauma mirrors their own experiences with the high-stakes testing madness of society, first experienced like a hammer on the head in junior high and high school. The Japanese film Battle Royale also explores this, as well as Western Hunger Games and Divergent series It's a traumatic shift, where friends from elementary school are now competitors, parents and teachers are pressuring you to cram meaningless information into your head, for tests (battles) which make no sense. Suicide and bullying sky rockets in junior high here. The situation is similar in Korea, Taiwan and China, much of the world now. For young people in Asia, junior high and high school are a heartless encounter with the "machine" thinking of adults, and many feel as Shinji does about it. They feel used and manipulated by adults, learning is no longer meaningful, its all "instrumental" for some far off future where they promise you will be happy. A good video depicting this madness in Korea here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ionWqJ95lpyXq8k

[@conceptualmessiah01]

NGE is the most perfect and beautiful piece of art made by mankind.

[@sergioreyes61]

Man, do I love these kind of hyperboles everywhere.

[@ゼロシン]

If there were no Ultraman there would be no NGE.

[@conceptualmessiah01]

@@ゼロシン If there were no planet earth, there would be no Ultraman.

[@conceptualmessiah01]

@@sergioreyes61 it's a fact, set in stone by the Gods themselves.

[@Ortium]

True

[@nukelesnick2779]

I didn’t expect my favorite creator to cover my favorite series… wow

[@davidsalazar13]

If I may, I have always understood Lilith to be Adam’s FIRST wife, prior to Eve.

[@turtlekappa7141]

Yep I was right. Someone beat me to it lol

[@Yr_218]

Yes and the outcast Cain was the father of her children not Adam.

[@schnoz2372]

how did you come to that conclusion? it never says that in the bible, must must be mandela effect

[@schnoz2372]

@@Yr_218 cain does not appear until after the fall of adam, and is adam and eve’s firstborn son.

[@davidsalazar13]

@@schnoz2372 the story of Lilith comes from Semitic texts that were around during the time that the texts from the Old Testament were being written. Many texts were ultimately scrapped from the canonical texts. Basically, Lilith is not in the Bible, but her story is from similar peoples, places, and times.

[@patrick9876]

Just watched Tranquil’s vid on Eva, and HOLY SHIT, if he hadn’t made the vid first, you certainly would have said what he said word-for-word, Max!

[@DrFerazza]

You literally explained one of my biggest questions from this series! Thank you!

[@ZeranZeran]

I am so glad you made this. Even on my first watch-through of Eva, that symbol really stood out to me, I researched it and tried to learn what it meant, and always ended up in articles reading about Judaism, Kabballah, or some other sort of mysticism. But I knew that much of Eva's themes were from it, but I never knew why or how, and I've been waiting to hear more about it. Thank you so much Max. This is just awesome. I love the way your mind works! This is amazing. I think it would make Anno proud.

[@DracoSuave]

I mean it's the sephiroth, in the tree of life formation. It's like... basic level mysticism? It's not that big a deal. Like, Final Fantasy named a villain after it.

[@ZeranZeran]

@@DracoSuave never got into final fantasy, so this was my first exposure to it, and it blew my mind.

[@DracoSuave]

@@ZeranZeran Yeah, Eva draws heavily from gnosticism and mysticism... it's a thing to do in some japanese media.

[@ZeranZeran]

@@DracoSuave I saw hints of it in my childhood through watching other people play FF, and through playing Kingdom hearts myself, but I never really knew anything about Gnosticism, mysticism, Kabballah, etc. Until I saw it on Eva (and ghost in the shell, shortly after). - Then I saw a Sigillum Dei, (7 sided star) tattooed on the hand of Damon Albarn, creator of Gorillaz... and I just had to look it all up. Learned about sacred geometry for the first time. I could only appreciate it after I got a bit older. But Watching Evangelion and seeing these symbols in so many places really made me start to think about life differently, and I feel like I'm really learning about spiritual beliefs for the first time. It has taken me down a wild rabbit hole of learning about different beliefs and religions, their symbols, and it has made me really passionate about learning more about it. I've been trying to learn more about Rosicrucianism lately, I guess I have a long way to go! Thanks.

[@crowstakingoff]

At this point, I think I've seen more people saying that the symbolism in the show isn't meaningful--which is a reaction to those who say it is--than people in the second group who are actually making that argument. While watching this video, I was actually intending to write in the comments how symbolic analysis is probably missing the point. But this video shows that mindset to be wrong; there is certainly meaning to at least some of the religious imagery. Some might say that the references to Adam Qadmon and the Sephirot are not "meaningful." After all, the main themes of the show could probably be expressed even if, say, a symbol other than the tree of life was used. I think the answer lies in the interconnection and non-exclusivity between aesthetics and meaning. Trixie Deracine summarized this idea in the words "Aesthetic is narrative." Aesthetics can make a work cooler, as was attested by the show's creators, but they can also communicate ideas. There is no contradiction. Thanks for watching Eva, and sharing this information about the show. I didn't know much about Kabbalah, and your explanation of the symbolism during third impact, like the part about Rei/Kowaru's union being the androgynous first creation, completely blew my mind. I'd like to ask, also: what did you think about the show's themes on the difficulties of communication? Many think of Shinji as autistic. Struggling to communicate might not be part of every autistic person's experience (or your own), but I thought the show might be interesting to you from that angle.

[@chasefukuoka61]

Hi .. That's an interesting possibility, that Shinji is autistic. I had not considered it before. I live and teach in Japan, where this movie has been embraced by young people since it first came out. Much of the attraction for those ages 12-15 is how Shinji's trauma mirrors their own experiences with the high-stakes testing madness of society, first experienced like a hammer on the head in junior high school. Friends from elementary school are now competitors, parents and teachers are pressuring you to study like mad, for tests (battles) which make no sense. Suicide and bullying sky rockets in junior high here. The situation is similar in Korea, Taiwan and China. For young people in Asia, junior high and high school are a heartless encounter with the "machine" thinking of adults, and many feel as Shinji does about it.

[@lordcavalier9688]

@@chasefukuoka61 I’ve never considered that angle. I was always under the impression it was depression, but a specific type experienced by the junior high kids does fit.

[@colaphoenix6849]

shinji isn't autistic, his mother died. the chances of humans recovering from that is near 0. seeing as whatever growth a person or idividual is suppose to have in their adulthood, they first have to be brought into adulthood by 2 parents, or at minimum a mom. children can replace a lost father with society, but children can not replace a mother as it is a deep and constant connection with one person for atleast 18 years. but even some people with 2 parents end up stuck in their childhood for most of their life. as for the christian symbolism, i always saw eva as an atheistic piece of art that kept collapsing into christianity like answers but realising the answer wouldn't be there either.

[@immortallix]

The show itself is certainly autistic if we need all these deep analysis vids to explain what's going on outside of shinjis head aka the actual plot.

[@crowstakingoff]

@@immortallixhahaha that is a really interesting take

[@solomonchishko1472]

This is great! I never thought about this before its a great addition to eva analysis. The depth of evangelion continues to amaze me.

[@dr.berg.8888]

When I first watched Evangelion I already knew about Kabbalah. So I figured out the meaning of the anime quickly. I read manga - the authors wrote that they were inspired by a kabbalist who came in Japan. There were videos about Evangelion and Kabbalah but they were not popular by many reasons. Glad that many people finally found out the true meaning of the anime.

[@thelaughingman8877]

Wowww... Im rlly hooked and may I know where exactly the statement that they're inspired from a kabbalist? Is the author you're referring to was Anno himself or any other partaker in production of the? Is it from any interview or is it written at some specific occurence in the manga?

[@abryant9166]

I think an important thing to note that wasn’t brought up here is, not only Ikari’s desk in the shape of the Star of David, but also that he is positioned under “keter” which is the crown of god and the final sephiroth. There’s also going to be some spoilers in this comment, so heads up to anyone else reading… In the Gnostic beliefs of alchemists, there’s a lot of discussion and reference to a figure named “Sophia” that existed at the time of Adam (separate from Lilith and Eve). Sophia, I guess was synonymous with the human soul, but also believed the be the “twin aeon” (twin deity) of Christ and was also called “The Bride of Christ” (she’s literally the “Holy Spirit” of the trinity, which is something left out from modern Christian mythos). When Adam falls from Eden (he was supposed to be the king of the new world), Christ comes down to raise him up to be back with Sophia incarnate. It sounds like, at least to me, that the alchemists were using their beliefs to try and make sense of what was happening alchemically in their process and this pagan belief mixed with their “monotheist” assimilation into Abrahamic beliefs makes sense as a transitionary period between the past and the modern. Gendo as the horrible, distant father figure is supposed to be Yahweh (hence the placement of his desk). Knowing this then makes sense of the relationship between Kauru (the one who Shinji develops feelings for) and Rei. Rei is a clone of Shinji’s mother and Sophia is the “twin of Christ.” I think Kauru is supposed to be the Christ figure in Evangelion because he wants to help Shinji, but then Shinji kills him. Shinji I think is supposed to be Adam. Symbolically this makes sense as well since Shinji is killing all the offspring of Lilith. So in other words, Evangelion is a long-winded futuristic analogy of Gnostic Alchemy and this is probably also why all the angels have a red stone in their chests as their weak point, because that’s the Philosopher’s Stone. If you want more info about this idea, look for the emblems in “Hieroglyphica Sacra (or Divine Emblems” published in 1764 by Dionysos A. Freher. The number 7 is important in the emblems as well, specifically with the “seven source spirits of god.” These illustrations are off Jacob Bohme’s work and are said to “embody the seven qualities of all things and the seven powers at work in every process.” These emblems are relatively popular in esoteric circles and you can probably gain a lot from these for your other videos as well.

[@άρης-ξ2η]

the evas' eyes of the main trio add up to 7 too: 1 eye from unit 00, 2 from 01, and 4 from eva 02

[@designworld-sy5qi]

Both Evangelion and serial experiments are deeply embedded with spiritual truths.. their creators really did their esoteric homework and it's so fun to dive into these series coming from a hermetic ist background

[@eriklopez8645]

Through all the forums, all the threads, all the video essays I have never heard this original take on evangelion and I'm so happy it was you who made a video on it

[@jade3866]

I’m so glad someone is actually talking about this symbol. I hate when people are like “the religious symbols in eva don’t matter” because quite literally, the meaning of the Kabbalistic tree of life diagram follows the story and interpersonal conflicts of Eva. Anno definitely did his research into religion, it’s way too spot on to be only for aesthetic. The story follows so many biblical myths it’s insane. It really unlocks a new understanding of the franchise that goes beyond just “depression art”.

[@victorfergn]

Nah, it's all about the aesthetic... like the crosses each time an Angel dies... which in fact they are called Apostles in Evangelion. If you know physics or basic post freudian pschoanalysis... the terms Sea of Dirac and Destrudo are used in very very very aesthetical way even worse is the use of 'Central Dogma' It has SOME references to the original source, like the Sea of Dirac which was a solution to an equation which yielled two results. I mean... particles and anti particles would annihilate each other and for sure they aren't enbedded in an anti spacetime like in the anime... they are part of our spacetime. The Central Dogma reference makes no sense, the only part that might make some sense is the lowest section of it where Lilith resides... you see LCL pouring out from her body... like representing the flow of information in only one way. By the way... the sefirots can only be rebalanced by following the Torah so... as you can see... it doesn't make much sense.

[@timrosswood4259]

​@@victorfergnIt doesn't have to be literal. The same basic idea is still intact, unification of souls into a single being.

[@kyriacostheofanous1445]

"Myths" Heh

[@ReynaSingh]

These videos get better and better

[@TheAnon03]

I was one of those people who spent far longer than seems reasonable discussing NGE back in the early 00's.

[@RodTejada502]

I've been reading and watching a lot of theories since the late 90's and this is fresh. Im at awe and my mind has been blown. Can hardly wait to see the rest of your theory!

[@rimjobledouche5201]

Friendship ended with Max Derrat. Now Tranquil Dionysian is my best friend.

[@w4ffu1z]

I actually just brushed up on the Qliphot last night. Great timing. Also, "sephirot" or "sephiroth" is the plural form of "sephira", the "good" side of the tree whereas the Qliphot, the inverted tree, are the dark or destructive side of those lights (literally: husks or shells) released uncontrolled by the collapse of the 5th Sephira (that of Strength), which was actually the only one to truly shatter.

[@zezimashelpr]

It's rare I hear anyone mention the Qliphot, kudos to you!

[@deadlyninja112]

Dmc5 mentions the Qliphot!!!

[@ohamatchhams]

The 4th Evangelion movie indirectly mentions Qliphoth manifesting as somekind of "dark/inverted universe" where the original Imaginary Evangelion which precedes the material Eva units had came from along with the machinations of cruel deities (Iirc it's described by Ascended Gendo as "fallen Angels" to have their Throne seized for ascension and his selfish wish to bring his wife Yui back), but somehow in the 4th Movie, Shinji manage to get more matured than simply "get his shit together" and tries to have empathy and provide resolutions, albeit in marathon-way to get the characters move on to their respective Ascension from their Cyclical torture of Evangelion's reality and opens the way for a fresh new beginning (as in Neon Genesis, but professing "farewell" or ends to every Evangelions) and provide happy normal ending for Shinji He might be not tied to Asuka, Rei, Kaworu or any other characters he met in the new start iteration but somehow the new character from the movie (being Mari Makinami, having her true name is "Mary Iscariot and acts as somekind of chosen Apocryphal Apostles conflating of Mary Magdalene's and Judas' special roles in their respective Apocryphal Gospels Gospel of Philip and Gospel of Judas) to be Shinji's new Syzygy in the new IRL without Evangelion (and hopefully doesn't repeat the same cycle as his father's did), which is also a psychological release for Anno to get away from the franchise in general and move on to his more attuned artistic passion projects, like Godzilla or Ultraman lol

[@marvelous_jack5228]

I never expected ya to do a video on Evangelion. However, this is a welcome surprise! Edit: This theory is definitely more satisfying than Lilith just bein randomly linked to the lamb of the apocalypse, it actually involves way more things into it that happens to Lilith in the series and makes it make sense in a religious symbolism sense

[@forgettable8300]

All i can say is i have been waiting for this forever and you didnt disappoint

[@iscesp04]

Your content is so under appreciated. Not underrated because I always expect the best and you always deliver

[@jadedlotuz5095]

Interresting. Good work. Never thought Evalngelion went this deep, but the analyzis and theories about it, is mezmerizing. And give sense of wonder. cheers.

[@hubguy]

Oh goodness thank you so much for covering this! I haven't seen a single video go into the tree in such detail and many don't even mention it at all despite it being such a prominent one in the film. There being 5 other moons makes me wonder if there was an even deeper plan at work. Perhaps fusing Adam and Lilith was only the beginning and they wanted to then seek the remaining 5 afterwards

[@memebump7612]

My favourite essay videos on Neon Genesis Evangelion was about how it's ending was actually a happy ending.

[@raioh4747]

that's the feeling I got from the series ending. I only watched it recently for the first time and I was surprised to find out it got so much hate, I thought it was one of the best endings I have ever seen

[@DracoSuave]

I mean... Rebuild's ending is a happy ending. EoE's was.... not... at all.

[@averagesoul8256]

@@DracoSuave i do find it somewhat happy actually since shinji rejected instrumentality and i think finally accepted himself as an individual ,which is similar to the original anime ending but with a darker tone with all that strangling asuka thing . For me however ,i love the original series ending much much more than any other one because it fit with the themes of the show way more imo but i still love eoe to death and the rebuild ending made me cry

[@DracoSuave]

@@averagesoul8256 I mean the original ending is that he rejects connecting with people and wants the world to be himself, alone with someone who hates him, for the rest of his life. Happy ending?

[@averagesoul8256]

@@DracoSuave happier than expected from how eoe was up until then . He saw his worth as an individual ,he understood that being unique has meaning and chose to not be part of the fanta along with asuka who even if she hates him ,she gently touches his cheek showing some affection towards his growth(thats how i interepet it amyway) . Eoe is not an ideal ending and it is the saddest ending we got but still a bit hopeful

[@sidewaysfcs0718]

Kaballah, christian gnosticism, dualism, even Masonry is all kinda there if you look for it, this show is lightyears ahead of anything else in refering western theology.

[@christiankraft8681]

I noticed that the marine life sanctuary in one of the rebuild movies is also shaped like the sephirotic tree. Probably reinforcing the idea of a cleansing of sorts. As the water treatment pools are arranged in the trees shape and the water goes from red (contaminated) gradually to blue (natural/uncontaminated)

[@astro-ko3cu]

Wow such a fantastic video,one of the best evangelion videos I've ever seen.

[@u.a.perfectace7786]

I am incredibly happy that you did this video. My mind was blown. Adam Kadmon and the explanation of the tree+ reuniting the broken pieces= Human Instrumentality. Very well detailed and a well executed video. ;D

[@astonishingmelanie]

Subbed and love the explanations! Evangelion really helps me in terms of my depression. It makes me feel not alone, and that it’s okay to be fine sometimes (like the fun moments or just normal moments in the show) and depressed others.

[@eroldren]

Would be quite interesting if you can take a look into Hideaki Anno’s previous project, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, the one which ultimately resulted in him conceiving NGE out of his depression from working on Nadia’s infamous production. Plenty of biblical references and other esoteric matters were used throughout the show. (i.e. the Philosopher’s Stone, Tower of Babel, Atlantis, Red Noah, Adam etc.) Nadia is usually overlooked; a mere throwaway footnote in NGE analyses. And with fresh eyes, perhaps there’s material to uncover with lingering concepts that might’ve carried over into NGE’s creation.

[@user-yg6ki7ou2y]

Gonna check it out

[@cceres]

The more I watch and read about NGE, the more convinced I am that it's more based on the Christian understanding/appropriation of Kabbalah than the actual Jewish Kabbalah.

[@VictorIV0310]

Lilith was actually Adam’s first wife.

[@yuriferro936]

In EoE, Rei/Lilith was resting in the last sephirot of the tree of life, Malkuth. She represents the material world (downside triangle), with humanity and all kinds of life, while Adam represents the spiritual world (the upside triangle).

[@reanimationeas342]

Seven is also supposed to be the number of creation. That's what came to mind when I saw Lilith's mask

[@archdiangelo7930]

So, did anyone else notice that the sephirotic grid created by the ten mass-produced evas is upside-down? Malkuth is at the top, disappearing into the focal point of the image, while Keter is at the bottom, closest to the camera. It doesn't look like the evas themselves are upside-down, so I don't think it's a quirk of the cinematography

[@ECCOphonehome]

An offhand thought: according to mason Manly P. Hall in his book Secret Teachings of All Ages, "The mediæval Qabbalists represented creation as a tree with its roots in the reality of spirit and its branches in the illusion of tangible existence. The Sephirothic tree of the Qabbalah was therefore inverted, with its roots in heaven and its branches upon the earth." Since SEELE were trying to kind of do their own thing in the face of reality (despite their apparent treatment of the task as sacred), perhaps this inversion is meant to convey the capturing by humans of the immortality of spirit.

[@badonkeykong5486]

Cant wait to get your take on Akira. Great vid btw!

[@movement2contact]

My take is that it's overrated, with nice animation...🙄 ✌️🤓

[@movement2contact]

@Reactance Mhm...

[@rafaelamaralsilva90]

You gonna love to see Angel's Egg.

[@Fruitcupper]

2:41 That's gotta be the most badass animal mascot to ever exist!

[@dlbyrd-gasca2730]

Nice! This video came out on my birthday! 🥳👍

[@folken09]

and here I am thinking that this was already well known information about NGE, cool vid dude xD

[@jordangarcia3833]

3:43 I have that symbol tatted on me with an Eva. This show has such gorgeous symbolism

[@ILOVECALGARY2024]

6:52 DIVINE LIGHT SEVERED YOU ARE A FLESH AUTOMATON ANIMATED BY NEUROTRANSMITTERS

[@saeyabor]

I've been subbed to you for years, but found this video from his and never heard of him before it.

[@Jeremyhughes86]

I'd say Berserk is more analyzed... that's just me though, I say this regarding the Berserk manga.

[@andreiiiksavvv6054]

Is it really? Most of it doesn't go beyond the golden age arc

[@Jeremyhughes86]

@@andreiiiksavvv6054 note... I said "I say this regarding the Berserk manga" meaning I was talking strictly about the manga... and yes it is. Eva overanalysis is just talking bin circles with just a hand full of topics and people disregarding the fact it was a critique against over indulging in escapism. Berserk analysis tends to be an analysis of the art and the symbolism within the art, and not just the symbolism in it with Eva... how the art tells the story as much as the action and dialogue... it is an analysis of the themes, narratives, and inspirations... comparing the parallels in early and later chapters as Miura liked those moments... so on. to perform the same with Eva, it has to be a comparative analysis of the combined franchise... NGE, Death and Rebirth, EoE, and the Rebuild series. the Berserk manga chapters that level of depth in a single...and possibly to remain... incomplete manga. it's just to deep for any analysis to not go to this extent, and the anime adaptations create too many plot holes for them to be considered as i see it. Anno created an amazing franchise, but it isn't as deep, and connected as what Miura did with Berserk...and the overanalysis of Eva comes primarily from the fact that on a lore level the lord matters... but the details don't matter to the story so people unnecessarily confuse themselves and end up beating their heads on the wall cause they tried to dive deeper then the story actually goes.... Anno's only real message is "get off your ass otaku, get some sun, join society, be productive." and that is it.

[@AbsurdistJiffu]

It is also interesting to note that Adam Kadmon is mentioned in the manga as well, specifically in the introductory dossiers.

[@pongo1085]

awe man dude, I was working on a script for a kabbalah related Evangelion video (due to being heavily into the Occult and Jewish mysticism), aw well, great video mate! You have my subscription!

[@meppledude6874]

I enjoyed this video a lot and learned new things, as usual. I really hope that you consider making another video analyzing Evangelion and perhaps even finding possible links to Jungian psychological

[@ArtificialVik]

It’s also worth noting that the amount of eyes Lilith has is the same amount of eyes each Evangelion has added up

[@gsuaveyt]

what about Unit 03?

[@ArtificialVik]

@@gsuaveyt hmm good point

[@ninja011]

About time Max! The Wait is over!

[@keyzack]

It is very well done my friend!

[@WTFMannyxFTW]

11:40 I would've never noticed that! Good eyes bro.

[@aerykfilmsphoto]

absolutely LOVE this. I knew there was a layer of Kabbalah that I noticed present in the show but I haven't seen analyzed in a meaningful way. For so long I wanted to know more about what was behind the imagery. Between this and the video you pointed us towards I feel a nagging desire satisfied that I didn't think I would. Thank you!!

[@TheFaqvideos]

Other great anime in a similar vein for you to take a look at some point: Tenshi no Tamago, Ergo Proxy, Serial Experiments: Lain, Texhnolyze, Monster (not much alchemy/mysticism here but it has some great ethics materials to be analyzed) and NHK ni Youkoso! (this one is great for mental health discussions).

[@jade3866]

Yes Texhnolyze is a masterpiece!!

[@fallzero7304]

Oh boiii Texhnolyze left me in a existential Crisis state That is one heck of a slow burn anime with infinite elements that are bound within each frame Whoever came up with that work wanted to share something profound with the world

[@Mubvekhar]

Great recommendations, Ergo Proxy, Texhnolyze, and Monster are fantastic and severely underrated. Lain is more well known, but still great with interesting themes. Haven’t seen the others, but based on your tastes in this comment I might have to check them out!

[@ostangvulkahn1875]

Dude this was an amazing video love it.

[@alexplaysgames_2]

Since you’re new, there is a Dark Heresy build for Neon Genesis that lets you run Evangelion theme D&D campaigns. It’s awesome.

[@wayfarerzen]

Oh, fun. Max finally noticed the tree of life. Please, do bark up this tree, it's got a lot to say. ;D

[@PanagiotisHalatsakos]

Soon he'll find the other sephirothic tree.

[@Aio-Project]

The points made in this video make a lot of sense after watching Tranquil Dionysian's video, however I wish that you had drawn clearer lines to where you were picking up his ideas. The idea that the Star of David connects the physical and spiritual seems to parallel the Jungian dichotomy of the conscious and the subconscious. Similarly, if in the lore of the anime (as found in the ps2 game), if only two of the First Ancestral Race's vessels made it to earth, perhaps they were the 9th and 10th vessels. The vital body and physical body respectively, the physical body being closest to subconsciousness (furthest from the divine realm in Kabbalistic terms, furthest from the Persona in Jungian terms). This would be in line with (as in Tranquil Dionysian's video) how Selle is embracing the collective unconscious, seeking human instrumentality through the junction Lilith and the mass production Evas which are modeled after the first angel Adam. The choice to make Lilith the mother of humanity is a head scratcher though... Lilith's appearances in mythology throughout Mesopotamia is incredibly illusive.... Thanks for the awesome video!

[@intevolver]

I thought I was stretching when I made some many of the same connections in the past, it's validating to see them discussed with such similar conclusions. For example, I thought there was no way that the Star of David silhouette made by Gendo and his desk could be an accident, especially with the tree of life on his ceiling. This is the first time I've seen the themes of Jewish mysticism in the show analyzed beyond simple aesthetics, thank you.

[@opoaotoroiocoko]

The eyes are also a mirror image reflecting the loss of adam's rib.

[@richardhaughton7367]

IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW!!!!!!!!

[@carlosmaurokrma92]

I have that symbol as a gigantic back tattoo but inverted as is shown in the TEOE, the tree of life is somewhat salvation but as well is death and hell in the anime. the Human instrumentality project is the supposed salvation for the humans, an escape from suffering but is also the end of humanity and in consequence, the death of shinji (as he would have succumbed to "be on the womb" again). In the end, as shinji chose individuality over meaningless connection, he brought destruction but also "saved" everyone from being orange juice with a conscience. The symbol is really dualistic in that regard and I think that is one of the reasons Anno decided to go with it, I love it.

[@Horseloverfat2374]

Awesome work! A very unique interpretation.

[@lsporter88]

A most excellent Kabbalistic Lesson. Also, you're a funny guy.😁👍🏾

[@Kenijamaru]

bro 1:11 into tranquil's video and im already feeling it

[@DanLuxe]

Watched Neon Genesis: Evangelion for the first time a few weeks ago and then watched some videos about it, explaining and analysing etc. I know this symbol, while I didn't study Jewish Kabbalah I am very familiar with it, also, people know it because of FF7 (Sephiroth). Happy you made a video about it! keep up the great work!

[@stephenkolostyak4087]

you beat me by 11 hours. ...

[@Th3Raz96]

Good ole Max comin through with the perspectives man 👌 I've been wondering about the religious iconography for as long as I've been watching the anime, and most people literally just settled with "because it looks cool" like 🤷🏼‍♂️ it's cool to finally get an idea of what was _actually_ intended by including them

[@remygallardo7364]

You want something that is heavily Nietzsche/Jungian that has almost been completely unanalyzed and has a wealth of depth and thematic existential horror? I've mentioned it before and I'll mention it again. Play Rain World. It is one of the most underappreciated and tragically ignored games I know of. I want to make a video on it myself but I only just recently finished watching your series on Aion and as a fellow autistic I can only make poorly conceived literal associations as I'm not particularly well versed in psychology and analysis like you.

[@ZeranZeran]

This game looks awesome, I'm gonna check it out. Thanks man.

[@thekrampuselbananoquevivee9947]

How is it Jungian?

[@naikou1633]

I actually had that game on my wishlist a while back. Man, how time flies...

[@ZeranZeran]

this game is really hard to play with a keyboard, or I'm just awful at it lmao. Gonna get my 360 controller for this one.

[@remygallardo7364]

@@thekrampuselbananoquevivee9947 The player itself does not directly experience too much in the way of Jungian psychological development in my opinion but the overarching story, lore, and history of the world is steeped in buddhist dogma and the eternal struggle of both an ancient race and a group of organic machine constructs caught in a consciously aware eternal recurrence loop of existence and their struggle to overcome rather than balance the ego and transcend the loop by ceasing to exist, including many core themes of alchemy such as the discovery and willful use of prima materia in an effort to subvert the cycle of development and the consequences that come from that.

[@Etrehumain123]

9:50 You want I blow you mind with your 5 hidden moons? There are a total of 5 stable Lagrange points.

[@rohaninitiative6058]

in 3:49 the shadow forms a hyper cube(i dont think its the star of david) which has a VERY deep occult meaning i believe

[@lefunnyN1]

what a coincidence i just finished the series and the movie and i was pondering the symbols in that show

[@DestinyDragon22]

The second triangle is likely Nerv HQ. If Seele's Symbol is the Triangle pointing down, Nerv is the other side of that coin. Seele's Goal of "unity as one" is contrasted by Nervs upkeep of "Seperation as many". Maybe it's an stretch but if that's the case, you could look on to Shinjis EVA suit. It has both triangles, symbolizing his contribution to both sides.

[@vvirtualvviolence283]

👏 We 👏 Need 👏 More 👏 Evangelion 👏 Videos 👏

[@Delicashilous]

The 10 sephirot or/and sephira. The 10 positive & 10 negative Meta categories of our Universe & existence. It has to do with numbers, planets, and the nature secrets of Life & Death. Also, is written in the originally khaballa. So much to tell, but that would destroy KZbin Comment section.

[@milkwater1204]

I never read much into the Kabbalah, but its explaination that the Universe is a finite space inside of God that He can project material aspects of Himself into is very interesting. It reminds me of the Holographic Principle in which the Universe is a holographic manifestation of the reality outside it, and that all of its properties emerge at its boundary, not from within. I think I'll read more into this stuff.

[@SamVargasArt]

Call it coincidence or synchronicity, but, I've been listening Ray of light, all week Zephyr in the sky at night I wonder Do my tears of mourning sink beneath the sun She's got herself a universe gone quickly For the call of thunder threatens everyone And I feel like I just got home And I feel The Rei of Light

[@daruween1398]

That komm susser tod hits hard

[@appletimepicnic2475]

When I first watched through the show and thought that Lilith was supposed to be Adam, I assumed the 7 eyes were because of God removing one of Adam's ribs to create Eve (the Evas).

[@alwayschill4522]

The four "Adams" we see in that scene about the FAR parallel to the remaining light vessels. Four Adams, seven Seeds, eleven in total.

[@jackass315]

MGS and NGE , both somehow made me feel small and afraid , forced my comprehension to grow , and yet made me feel at home , comfy almost

[@TaniaBlood]

Max Derrat is really a genius. But you too! Love it!

[@TheActualMrLink]

I actually never noticed that Gendo’s desk+reflection formed the Star of David! Good eye, Max!

[@bvzv]

Decalogue is traditionally depicted in art with two tablets being split with first three Commandments on single tablet and remaining seven on the other one just like Lilith's eyes are sorted on the mask.

[@thetechnostate316]

I’ve been wanting to see you do an NGE video ever since I saw your MGS2 video years back, you did not disappoint 👍🏻

[@maxderrat]

YESSS! Thank goodness.

[@okeneko5768]

11:42 the floor of gendo's office is an image related to quantum mechanics so that could be the material part of what the star of david unifies

[@tabithadickerson2525]

This inadvertently mirrors a lot of what happens in Xenogears too. Not likely a coincidence.

[@marcanton5357]

Kabbalah has it's origins in ancient Greek numerology, starting with Pythagoras. It's link and much more is explained in the excellently researched book Beware The World To Come by Christopher Jon Bjerknes.

[@sacrumalchemist3497]

I agree with some of the other comments Evangelion, Berserk, and ghost in the shell gets discussed the most!

[@whoopswrongbutton3987]

Another interesting point, God never wanted people to reach his level in the Bible, Tower of Babel story, and in the same way the great ancestral race never wanted to create beings like themselves. I forget where I heard it,But from what I understand the black moons gift knowledge in the white moon give power and if one world got both they would equal the great ancestors races, hence why they set up the lances to deactivate the soul of one of the two moons if one of each landed on the same planet, hence stopping the population of the planet from getting both the physical power and the spiritual knowledge which combined would make them to equals of the great ancestral race.

[@user-gk7kg5ul2x]

Interesting!

[@r.babylon2885]

I never noticed those different symbols on angels' chests before. The white figures at the end of this video.