Technomancer wrote:Personally, I doubt that the phrase Duo mentioned has anything to do with Christianity or the bible. The idea of the hero being placed in the heavens by the gods is fairly prominent in classical mythology (think Hercules, Orion, etc). I know the idea also exists in Chinese mythology, and is no doubt widespread around the globe. The idea of reaching the stars as a metaphor for greatness is probably as old as humanity.
Also, although I am not certain of this, the show's authors probably come from a non-christian background. Their writing will reflect that. Think, after all, of some of the entirely ridculous presentations of Eastern or Amerindian religious concepts that appear in our own popular media.
Technomancer wrote:I don't even especially like this series, and I'm getting sucked into this...
It is true that Shinji could be called "The Beast That Shouted 'I' at the Heart of the World" given the title of the last episode. However, first I can't see any possible correspondance between Shinji and the Beast of Revelation, other than the word "beast", which is a pretty tenuous connection. The final episode is after all, essentially a sort of self examination on Shinji's part, and has no seeming connection to biblical themes, however twisted. Second, you're missing the fact that the title is a tribute to a Harlan Ellison short story ("The Beast that Shouted Love at the Heart of the World"). I'm afraid I haven't read this one, so I can't tell you anything about it. Interestingly, the Japanese word for love is "Ai" possibly suggesting a play on words.
But I think the meaning (in Eva) refers to the results of Shinj's self-examination: namely that he is alive, and wants to live his life as himself. He is recognizing that "I" (he) has worth. Biologically, man is an advanced ape (beast), but by shouting "I" the beast becomes something more, now possessing self-knowledge. At least that's what I think the writer is saying.
Duo 02 wrote:from stie and what not.
"Evangelion is like a puzzle, you know. Any person can see it and give his/her own answer. In other words, we're offering viewers to think by themselves, so that each person can imagine his/her own world. We will never offer the answers, even in the theatrical version. As for many Evangelion viewers, they may expect us to provide the 'all-about Eva' manuals, but there is no such thing. Don't expect to get answers by someone. Don't expect to be catered to all the time. We all have to find our own answers."
- Anno Hideaki - PA #43, translated by Miyako Graham from 11/96 Newtype
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