[EVA] Evangelion Theories and thoughts....

[Zhou Tai An]

>Mainly because this has little religious speculation.  More of a
>  moderate view, ne?

Define moderate. ^_^


>Umm ... there are DISTINCT ways in writing "shin" the one that was
>  used is specifically the one used for *new*.  It is written
>  completely different if you want the "shin" that means truth.
>  [set your NJwin to Shift-JIS]
>
>$B?7(J = New
>$B??(J = Truth

I know that! I'm not dumb! ^_^ Looking at it another way, I said. (A
double-layered intepretation, sort of)

>The word evangelism defines the winning or revival of personal
>  commitments to Christ.  A sorrt of relevation or 'gospel.'  I
>  have also heard that this word takes root in German (which I
>  do not know so if there is evidence or counter-evidence of this
>  do tell).
>If you just take the title to be "New Century" ... you just
>  ommited the big part: EVANGELION.  O_O

Maybe I don't like the sound of it? ^_^

>He withholds his intention (prupose/thesis/goal) as a part of 
>  EVA.  Our speculations upon such matters does not lead to the
>  true goal nor is it truly beneficial.  So why do we continue
>  to speculate on it?  I did not say he was the ONLY evil man ...
>  but I did call him an 'evil man'.  So yes, there are many
>  authors that do the same (an example is in --Ghost in the Shell--
>  ... it has more 'clues' and more leading towards a few directions
>  but it still does not make a concrete statement ... it's just
>  that EVA has more loose ends subject to socratic dialoge).

It is Art's prerogative not to make specific statements, actually.

Yes, GITS was much clearer. But look at Akira now. ^_^

>Interesting, FF3 was the very flat Famicom game ... great RPG in
>  the time ... but upon FF4 the FF series had more story.

Japanese ones or American?

>I cannot tell you what to believe.  I did offer another perspective
>  onto what has already been given.  Listen to the words.  Unlike
>  other series, say --Saber Marionettes J-- or --Fushig Yuugi--,
>  the songs were made for the series BECAUSE of the series.  For
>  EVA's theme, Takahashi Yoko's theme was just made as another
>  song [see the dates marked on the CD single] ... the song was
>  CHOSEN by GAINAX for the series.
>Define a song that is meant to "sucker" one into it.  There are
>  many great songs BESIDES "Zankoku Na Tenshi No Teeze".  There
>  is likly to be a REASON why this specific song was CHOSEN.  Be
>  sure to check up on some J-pop ... because it ranges from many.
>  I'd say the early episodes are more the "suckering" (esp. when
>  Asuka shows up) in the end you realize the significance.
>  Usually one takes EVA (when first watches it) takes it at face
>  value then gets into the deeper aspects [unless one has spoiled
>  the series and read before watching].  Even if the title theme
>  were to be something to *lull* you into something, the answer
>  still has a good posibility of lying in there.

Interesting. I await your findings.

>Well, I assumed that people here are smart enough to figure that
>  out.  You seem to assume people here are dumb as to not see
>  that.  Have more faith of the people on this ML please ... maybe
>  less ML time can get ya less cranky.

Hey, it was a joke! I have never meant in any of my posts to discriminate
against or slander people. (Of course, untentional effects are another
matter entirely. ^_^)

I was going to take an ML break anyway...I have that darn 4000+ words story
to finish.

>Don't you mean *D-Type* (not B2)?

Gomen.

>I actually LIKED FF7.  (Wonder what else will be included on
>  International Edition)  I think Tetsuo Nomura enhanced it.  He
>  definately improved the character designs.  Sorry for detering.

Gaah. Why does everyone like FF7? ^_^ Never mind...maybe that essay on
Square's fallibility will see the light of day soon. 

One very last rant:

FF7 was disappointing! VERY! ^_^

(Sorry, but that is a major sore point with me.)

>Except that what I said was a joke and too many ppl here took it
>  for real ... ignoring the smiley.  DAMMIT, I love Ayanami but
>  it doesn't go that far ...   :P

How far is far?

>Well, that is one way to see it ... but there are many other ways
>  as before mentioned.  EVA, at least in my case, did not enlighten
>  me but just more entertainment.  EVA does have the potential
>  and possibility to go further, but to me nothing more.

Tastes again.

>> Boo. I still maintain Shinji is the Messiah.
>
>Maybe I should have put a disclaimer at the top of my posts, but
>  I'd think that it was naturally given that - I cannot tell you
>  what to believe.  I am just expressing my thoughts upon the
>  matter and putting it up for debate.  If you think of Shinji
>  as the Messiah, please support your standpoint with some kind
>  of epistemological evidence such that I can be PROVEN wrong.

I did not feel like arguing. I don't now either. ^_^ 

>The most we can do is specualte and debate such theories.  This
>  ML has served that function and continue to serve it.  Unless
>  there is some official book released by GAINAX which does tell
>  the answers this is the best we can do.  Your point being "the
>  answers will not be known" is already what the majority tends
>  to believe, so all you just did is reiterate the obvious.  From
>  what I've seen (since your notoriety on this ML) nothing has
>  stopped you from responding ^_^

I'm notorious? ^_^ Okay, okay, you caught me in a bad mood there. I'm not
usually such a weak debater.

>Reiteration of the obvious.  Then tell me, why have this ML instead
>  of a hard written FAQ?  Because the answers are not set in stone
>  we debate to mold the theories into a harder form.  The world is
>  dynamic, even religions change in such an environment.  Theories
>  on EVA should be 'weather tested' to demonstrate its dynamics.

And the best place to test them is on the ML.

>I think it was Patrick Yip's words when I quote "EVA rewards
>  thinking."  All hail the 'evil man' but shun from his middle
>  finger called: "Fly Me to the Moon"

Something like that. ^_^

On a related note (and to partially respond to Dayspring's mail) how's my
Symbolism FAQ?
I created it in part to advise EVA fans on the possible symbolic
interpretations of the series, and also to engender more fan speculation
(like there wasn't enough). Any thoughts on that?



Zhou Tai An (kain at pacific.net.sg) "There is no one simple truth." - Rune Walsh

"Who is this? This is I. Who is I? What is I?		   - Rei Ayanami
I am myself. This object is I. The figure that forms me."

When someone stands in the light but does not give it out, a shadow is created.

The ways of nature and of life are strange and deep. They are not to be
understood. In the midst of angers and of wars love's secret work goes on,
and binds us all by blood, and this, whether love is denied or bestowed. -
Pearl S. Buck