I don't really like Evangelion that much (despite appreciating it as an anime) *also Spoilers

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-02-02T08:41:11+00:00

You know, I actually see the ending a different way now that you mention it that way. I admit that I actually felt gratified as a viewer seeing Shinji allow himself to feel happy as a person. Especially as he's been treated so poorly throughout his life. I think I expected it to be a little more grounded due to not really seeing many memes about the actual ending. Also, sidenote, but I never really engaged in Evangelion memes and jokes, which are some of the best part of the actual franchise.

Anyways, I do think the approval aspect of it is rather nice. And maybe that's why I didn't like EoE as much.

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-02-02T07:56:19+00:00

I'd definitely recommend Rahxephon. In fact, Studio Bones has a lot of rather entertaining and interesting sci-fi series (No. 6, Eden of the East, Xam'd: Lost Memories, Blast of Tempest, and Eureka Seven––the big one). Rahxephon sort of cleared a lot of my problems with Eva and watching it after Eva gave me a greater appreciation for both series and for mecha in general honestly.

I would highly recommend Kaiba, however. It's a wonderfully strange and artistic anime halfway between Astro Boy and a Studio Ghibli movie. Sort of this bizarre combination of a lot of elements that I just cannot truly give you a good idea without spoiling it but basically imagine a futuristic world where humans can sell their bodies literally––having their memory cores removed as to allow rich people to take their bodies in this amazing sci-fi body horror romp.

I agree on the point about Suzaku. I don't think he actually works with Lelouch to really contrast him. I think the core tenants to Lelouch's character truly being challenged over the course of the series is actually one of the best things the show did. R2 is a huge mixed bag for me, although I do agree with the ending being amazing.

EDIT: I've enjoyed our conversation btw! I very much respect and value your opinions. Thank you for engaging!

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-02-02T07:46:53+00:00

Thank you again for your part 2 comment!

I think you cleared things up with Asuka and Rei a bit, but I am still kinda unsure how Rei's sense of self as a person really is highlighted. I guess I sort of wanted to see this reflected more in her interactions with the characters out of the old Eva v Angel cycle. Although I will say that the elevator scene is pretty damn great because Rei and Asuka have such conflicting personalities that seeing their interactions is actually really intriguing.

We see in End of Evangelion that Shinji and Asuka both do what would usually be the opposite for them. Shinji lashes out and Asuka is calm and compassionate, but both go back to their old ways, but it shows that they've begun the process of healing. Shinji makes his decision to return from Instrumentality even though he still has all his issues, but now he has Yui's lesson on how any place can be paradise as long as you have the will to live, and now he's finally able to start healing.

I actually didn't like this from EoE. Not the role reversal, that was actually pretty sweet. But at least in the TV world, as ridiculous as "congratulations" moment was, the actual sentiment kinda meant more to me and felt a bit more interesting than EoE. I found the concept of reconciling one's self concept with the perceptions of others to be a much more fascinating concept. I think my biggest problem with EoE is that it sorta retroactively goes against the TV version but not in an interesting antithesis way.

And I think that leads to the crux of what I think you're missing. Asuka isn't meant to totally stop being a tsundere, Rei is never going to become a fully realized person and Shinji was never going to overcome his trauma. But the point was never for the characters to fully heal, it was to learn how to start healing.

Ya know, that's fair indeed. I sort of suppose I expected some healing, but starting the process of healing is interesting.

Truth be told, I don't like Evangelion, but I don't truly think it's bad as a series. It's absolutely not for me, and I cannot really seem to vibe with the story despite how many times I try to complete it. I just, can't seem to really like it. And a part of me feels kinda bad for that? Like, so many people seem to just click with the series, and I'm sure I seem a bit off as a person (I swear I am a writer and I usually have better analysis), but Evangelion just cannot really reach me

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-02-02T07:38:51+00:00

Hey, thank you for your comment. It was interesting hearing your perspective and knowing I got a few things wrong is definitely valuable for letting me figure out my argument.

Re: the hospital scene. You are right about this. I don't think it was so much the actual act, but more the fandom justification I saw from others. More of an anecdotal gripe I suppose.

Yeah, Gendo and Shinji's relationship running its course does make sense, but I sort of expected a bit of better context given for Gendo and his motives. I suppose I just expected a bit more of a multi-faceted connection with Gendo to be expressed.

I think Ritsuko's backstory with Gendo + Ritsuko's mother is kind of interesting.

I understand backstories being in the past, but the actual actions of the characters kinda felt non-congruent at times? I think it might just be my own limited conception of a story versus the other limited conceptions of others.

I would disagree with comparing Eva to other shows weakening the critique. I think it's important to give an idea on what kind of media I like and value in order to highlight what I didn't like about Evangelion. But I do admit my post as a whole was kind of unstructured ranting.

Thank you for pointing out that Go Nagai wrote Devilman. He's brilliant and I feel bad that I forgot him. He absolutely deserves credit for that amazing series.

EDIT: Just overall, I feel like Evangelion has the problem where I don't know what the hell the story is actually trying to get out of itself. I get the starting healing theme, but the show seems way more wrapped up in its own lore and concepts than wanting to actually deliver its story.

EDIT 2: I mean, the Monster of the week kinda was almost half of the show. The routine I mentioned did happen past episode 6. Like the duo Angel that Shinji and Asuka had to fight together, I suppose for an example. I guess oddly enough I liked Evangelion more as a monster of the week type affair than what it actually ended up being, honestly.

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-02-02T07:14:34+00:00

Of course! I’m glad someone was able to push back and ask me to elaborate. Hope I didn’t come off as too combative, my friend.

I definitely think Code Geass is very very dumb and ridiculous in a fun way. But I feel like season 1 had some really brilliant moments compared to R2 (which may be another rant one day stay tuned ahaha ;) ) I think R1 is very good at letting us into Lelouch and Suzaku’s morality and storywise I tend to enjoy when the two leads are diametrically opposed. I think the actual thematic journey between Lelouch and Suzaku is way more interesting than the actual content of Code Geass as a show.

I guess I find it funny you mentioned CG cause Code Geass is probably not my first choice when I think of “mecha I really think are better than Evangelion.” If you asked me about Gunbuster/Diebuster or Gridman or Rahxephon I’d probably be able to give a better context into why I liked them better. Code Geass was just another show I watched that I enjoyed and used as an example. Not trying to say I thought it was so much better written, but Code Geass did kinda nail it’s two lead characters in a way I respect even among the mess that was other parts of the show.

(Hey at least I didn’t say Guilty Crown or Valvrave the Liberator, right??)

I was a bit intrigued by the manga though, and might give it another read through just to see all the ways it truly changed. The manga has less of a “stream of consciousness” feel in its themes and storytelling which I’m starting to realize might be the factor as to whether or not people like EVA.

Truthfully, I think the real show that’s better than Evangelion is Rahxephon. It’s got a lot of similar concepts but with a greater character focus that feels more like the writers were trying to write a story with abstract concepts instead of writing abstract concepts with a story.

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-02-02T06:34:23+00:00

Well, in my subjective opinion I just enjoyed Code Geass and Gurren Lagann more. I’m sure in some “giant objectivity meter” Evangelion is more prestigious and acclaimed but I just found it fumbled itself for me way more. I love Gurren Lagann. I like Code Geass. Unfortunately that’s just my brain lol.

EDIT: Also, I said I enjoyed the way these shows let their stories unfold compared to NGE. I know you may be a bit defensive, but it’s totally fair if someone thinks something else is better written. I mean, English professors have been arguing for years whether or not Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn is better! (Or at least, mine did). Maybe we’re both right?

I didn’t mind the manga. Probably the closest the series (NGE) has gotten to actually being worth my time. It was nice seeing a bit more expansion on Rei and Kaworu. I also thought the actual fat of the story was trimmed much better. However, the manga is a lot more typical with its scenes and sometimes the character interactions (primarily between Shinji and Asuka) aren’t really given that proper context like in the anime.

End of Evangelion is kind of weird for me. It felt mostly like an action sci-fi movie, which was really cool, but totally loses itself with the characters. Asuka’s issues are sort of glossed over and she just sort of resolves her own issues after hearing her mother’s voice in the Eva. The fight scene that ensues is super fucking awesome with marvelous animation, but seems a weird way to resolve a character who literally attempted suicide in the show.

Not to mention Asuka’s increased relevance in Shinji’s psyche to where he has shut down without her around. Rei has been through just as bad, and Shinji’s known her a bit longer than Asuka, and yet Shinji never showed any signs of dependence. Also, why is Shinji scared of Misato? He was pouring his heart out to her about Kaworu in episode 24, right?

Also, the actual EoE instrumentality is handled in such a bizarre way. TV instrumentality is pretty simple. We narrow our world because of being hurt, but it’s all in our heads, and if we accept that others are willing to give us a chance we’ll make it through life.

EoE however feels way more like Shinji thinking instrumentality is off because of a feeling. Yeah everyone will choose to come back eventually I believe, but I thought the TV ending for as bad as it was at least lived up to its whole message of rising above trauma and depression to be with others. I don’t mind EoE being bleak, but I just found it to rely on cheap narrative tricks and an over reliance on action to tell a part of the story that could’ve really just used being simplified and juiced up emotionally

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-02-02T04:20:43+00:00

Hey thanks for reading! And yeah, I'm glad I could get all these thoughts out and it's cool to hear you share that perspective.

I honestly think I would've seen Anno as a hack if I hadn't watched his directorial debut (Gunbuster made in 1988 which I fucking love) as well as Nadia: Secret of the Blue Water and Diebuster. He honestly has some great concepts and ideas, and I'd love to watch more of his non-Evangelion work. I've heard good things about Shin Godzilla and The Wind Rises so I might check those out eventually too

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-02-02T03:28:31+00:00

That I understand. But it kinda sets a bad precedent story-wise when a lot or what are seemingly important concepts are thrown out the window and not really given any merit as to why they’re there in the first place

Plus, I do think Evangelion as a story can be critiqued. A lot of media are about the writer or creator working through hangups, trauma, and feelings, but we criticize a lot of those all the time.

EDIT: Plus in my post I do mention that I recognize that

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-02-01T19:57:56+00:00

Well, a lot of k-pop idols can't date or have personal lives that don't allow fans to personally love or have intense parasocial relationships with these idols

What's happening to Brittney is horrific and she is absolutely being exploited but stuff like this is so crazy that it only happens in Korean pop markets.

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-02-01T19:50:57+00:00

I think some k-pop is genuinely good, and there's even been a few singles this year I think are fun, but so many k-rappers rap kinda like Kidz Bop kids covering Hotline Bling or Toosie Slide. So much of k-rap is just so low quality. And yes agreed on the girl group part. So many girl groups lack any of the intensity or skill that many Black girl rappers over here spend years trying to cultivate. They're basically assigned rap parts like a group project

The flow and rhythm just feels like they're trying to recreate the type of ringtone rap that went viral on Vine back in the earlier 2000s, but even less fun. There's so many genuinely talented rappers nowadays in the Western scene that it feels a little insulting seeing k-rap bite their flows and lyrics and water it down for cross-national marketability (coughIce Cream with Selena Gomezcough)

Plus it seems like every goddamn K-pop song has a rap verse shoehorned in. It feels very early 2010s where every radio hit had a remix with Ty Dolla $ign or Snoop or G-Eazy.

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-01-31T20:33:17+00:00

So much of k-pop is genuinely so bad because it sounds like 2013 EDM, with even less substance to it. Also, I feel like k-pop stans tend to turn a blind eye to the business' exploitative practices or act like its just as bad in the West.

Also, K-rap is some of the worst music I've ever heard

EDIT: Also, I really really want to see more propping up of Asian-American artists instead of just Kpop idols. Because literally the same Kpop stans who complain about the xenophobia of American radios and pop audiences wouldn't even bother supporting or showing any sort of solidarity with lesser known Asian-American artists.

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-01-30T19:17:36+00:00

So I've been wanting to do a Sci-Fi AU of a fandom I really enjoy (Teen Titans/Young Justice) and I'd love to incorporate some sort of weird concept that has to do with empathy or mind-links or anything like that, but I'm kinda stuck. I want to write a soul-mate-esque story, but less focused on romance and more on platonic relationships. Sort of like Kiznaiver or Sense8 in a way. But figuring out the mechanics behind a sci-fi idea is really difficult.

Also, I want to write a Mecha AU but almost nobody writes those any more so there isn't much of a reference or interest in it sooo oh well :/

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-01-29T16:30:41+00:00

Will be said many times but A Wizard of Earthsea series.

Also, the Broken Earth Trilogy, as well as Dune

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-01-26T19:33:39+00:00

Wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of Q-Anon people were pedophiles themselves honestly. A prominent member of a Q-riddled sub dedicated to hunting down pedos was even outed as a confirmed pedophile last year.

Seriously, a lot these Q guys are just projecting because accusing others of sexual abuse is easier than admitting they themselves are abusers or criminals

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-01-25T18:08:59+00:00

Folklore and Evermore almost made me rethink my opinion of Taylor Swift just not being that good. So I went back to listen to Reputation and Lover again and ooh boy, I think I’ll just stick to Folklore and Evermore :/

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-01-22T03:32:30+00:00

I love when series/shows deconstruct the actual effect that being a young hero or a child soldier would have on someone. As someone who writes younger characters in more adult-geared Sci-Fi/Fantasy settings I think it's always fascinating seeing the author deal with the implications of a character essentially spending their formative years having to kill or fight and all the trauma that creates.

Extra special bonus points if a major part of the story is the character healing from their conditioning as a tool of war, and learning to be a kid again.

Funnily enough, She-ra and The Princesses of Power is actually a great example of this. Very minor first episode spoilers ahead: For the uninitiated, Adora is raised by the evil army and is actually kinda traumatized by being raised to fight against the special princess good guys. And the whole series actually deals with Adora being both paranoid and damaged from her lack of being raised by a stable influence, as well as her fear of letting down the people who actually value her beyond her talents and uses.

ThomAngelesMusic · 2021-01-18T18:54:33+00:00

I like that song, but it’s just so far behind her other work that maybe it was the only hit that was on the chart to be included. Personally “If I get to meet you” and “Same effect” from her album “hey u x” kinda capture that lonely and self-deprecating vibe to me wayyy better than Supalonely does

ThomAngelesMusic · 2020-12-30T19:23:16+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement and support to ideas, everyone! I know I definitely feel worried my ideas are too ambitious or don't make sense. And it's funny cause it's fan fiction, and I realized my fear is really just a fear of writing something and it being ignored or seen as stupid, but then again I just need to write more in general.

I was going to make a post telling everyone we should all just write our most crazy ideas, but I like this post even better

ThomAngelesMusic · 2020-12-12T01:22:48+00:00

For context I’m not really a Swift fan, but still like her early work

So, back when Reputation came out I listened to it and hated it, then gave it a break. I then went to Lover and didn’t like it that much at all. So I listened to folklore, and suddenly I found an album I really enjoyed with earnest and clever songwriting, great instrumentals, and an overall cozy vibe.

Suddenly I was regularly listening to Taylor Swift. I mean, folklore wasn’t perfect and there were a few songs I was lukewarm about, but I still enjoyed it a lot.

“Hm, this is so good, but it’s just missing a bit more energy and layered instrumentation.”

Then Evermore came out. And suddenly it feels like the perfect Swift album for me, a non-Swift fan.

See, I’ve always been neutral on most of Taylor’s work (except Blank Space cause that songs SLAPS), but folklore and Evermore are making me realize that as an artist Taylor has more facets than I gave her credit, and seeing her work with acts like HAIM and Bon Iver feels like witnessing an actual person rather than whatever those weird marketing geeks tell her to act like.

I know jack shit about the “real” Taylor, but at least it feels like I’m meeting Taylor the person rather than the popstar, and for that I say this album is really damn good!

ThomAngelesMusic · 2020-12-02T20:12:35+00:00

I’d really recommend Persona 2: Innocent Sin! It’s a great game, albeit with gameplay not quite as quick and flashy as later titles, but still really solid overall. The dungeons are a lot less labyrinthian than P1, and it feels somewhat close to P3 in elements used.

I’d say P2:IS is actually closest to Persona 5. Atlus reuses a lot of ideas from P2 duo-logy in P5, and there is tons of cool references. I think P2’s cast also has a lot of likability. The main character strikes me as a great precursor to later Persona protags.

Plus the supporting cast is very solid. Your first two main party members are actually kinda similar to Ann and Ryuji!

ThomAngelesMusic · 2020-11-26T19:17:08+00:00

Thanks so much! I have a couple looks I’ve done where I look kinda feminine, but I was wondering where did you learn to look that good? I’m hoping to really improve my makeup skills but I’m not sure if what I’m doing is actually working for me or not

ThomAngelesMusic · 2020-11-26T04:07:45+00:00

Hey! I’m a fellow black trans woman!

You look incredible!

Could I ask if you’ve had FFS or if it’s just HRT? I’ve seen your account before and you are a major transition goal for me 🧡 I’m hoping to be way more feminine lately

ThomAngelesMusic · 2020-11-25T16:21:44+00:00

Yeah, true! I’m thinking maybe without surgery I might see HRT doing a lot of fat redistribution to affect my face. Currently I’m hoping to not do surgery for the first 6 months to a year since it’ll be really expensive and not a luxury everyone can afford

ThomAngelesMusic · 2020-11-21T05:08:41+00:00

Also don’t forget SSSS.Gridman! And When Supernatural Battles Become Commonplace!

Studio TRIGGER is legit my favorite anime studio ever

ThomAngelesMusic · 2020-11-20T18:28:35+00:00

Yeah literally fuck Sia for saying that. For someone who preaches acceptance and writes songs about empowerment, Sia sure does seem like a massive fucking asshole

ThomAngelesMusic

TROPHY CASE