Neon Genesis Evangelion uses its towering mechs to explore mental health struggles and societal existentialism in the wake of catastrophe, Attack on Titan layers its intense action with deeper philosophical questions.

Each series serves as a mirror of its era, capturing the internal struggles that gripped society at the time. Neon Genesis Evangelion explores mental health challenges and the difficulties of navigating a fractured world, reflecting the anxieties of Japan's Lost Decade in the 1990s. Meanwhile, in the 2010s, Attack on Titan examines humanity’s perpetual conflict with itself, the tension between being “special” or normal and how clashing ideologies drive people to self-destruction. Just as Evangelion embodied the existential crises of its decade, Attack on Titan reflects the societal turmoil of the modern world.

What Evangelion And Attack on Titan Say About Humanity

And How Bands Like Radiohead And Movies Like Joker Mirror Each Generation.

In the 1990s, bands like Radiohead and Nirvana captured a generation’s internal angst, giving voice to emotions like anxiety, depression, and mental health struggles in a way no other artists had before. Neon Genesis Evangelion did the same for anime and television, depicting mental health with unparalleled depth. The series featured powerful moments where characters confronted their inner turmoil, delving into the roots of their pain, understanding their triggers, and seeking solace. Through its raw, introspective storytelling, Evangelion resonated with audiences, reflecting the era’s emotional struggles and redefining how anime could explore the complexities of the human mind.

By the 2010s, films like Joker resonated with millions by portraying a man struggling to fit into a broken society that rejects him for being different—disabled, esoteric, and misunderstood. As he reaches his breaking point, he lashes out, transforming into the very villain society feared. Attack on Titan reflects this same theme, first through the conflict between humans and Titans, then between Eldians and Marleyans. Whether it’s race, gender, nationality, sexuality, or any trait that sets someone apart, there will always be a group that resents those who embody it, fueling division and the cycle of hatred.

Both Evangelion And Attack on Titan Offer Humanity A Solution

Neon Genesis Evangelion and Attack on Titan Try To Teach Their Audience A Lesson

While This is the lesson Shinji ultimately learns by Evangelion's end—when faced with the choice of a unified, pain-free existence or one of individuality and struggle, he chooses the latter. He understands that true self-improvement comes from relationships and self-discovery, even if it means facing hardships. The series suggests that personal growth is only possible through human connection and perseverance.

Meanwhile, Attack on Titan acknowledges the cannibalistic nature of society, both figuratively and literally. It suggests that this cycle of hatred is deeply rooted in human nature, but breaking it requires acknowledging the past. The series argues that true change comes when people take responsibility for history’s burdens rather than ing them down as fuel for future conflicts. Only by confronting past mistakes and refusing to repeat them can humanity create a future free from the endless cycle of violence. Attack on Titan challenges society to stop consuming itself and instead build a world where understanding replaces destruction.

Both Shows Are Pessimistic About Society Learning Its Lesson–And They Should Be

Fast Forward Today And The Same Issues Plague Us

Both Neon Genesis Evangelion and Attack on Titan paint a grim picture of society’s ability to learn from its mistakes, and for good reason. Evangelion presents a world where human connection is the only path to healing, yet acknowledges how difficult, painful, and often impossible it is for people to open up to one another. Shinji’s journey is a testament to this struggle—despite glimpses of hope, the series ultimately suggests that most people will choose to avoid themselves, trapped in cycles of self-doubt and emotional stagnation. The world doesn’t change; only those who fight against their nature have a chance to.

Attack on Titan takes this pessimism even further, showing how history repeats itself through cycles of violence, oppression, and vengeance. The series argues that, despite the horrors of war, humanity rarely learns its lesson—instead, it finds new ways to justify conflict. Even when characters seek peace, they are met with hostility, fear, and manipulation. The story doesn't offer easy answers because, in reality, solutions to deep-seated hatred are never simple. Both Attack on Titan and Neon Genesis Evangelion refuse to indulge in naive optimism, instead forcing viewers to confront the harsh truth: change is possible, but only for those willing to break free from history’s grip.