As a long-time anime enthusiast who grew up watching both Gundam and Evangelion, I find it fascinating to delve into the similarities and differences between these two iconic franchises. While they share a common goal of deconstructing the giant robot genre and exploring deeper human themes, their creators’ unique perspectives shape their narratives in distinct ways.
Tomino, having grown up post-World War II Japan, crafted Gundam as a critique of war’s unnecessary evil, focusing on the political corruption that fuels conflict. On the other hand, Anno, who lived through the Cold War, created Evangelion amidst constant anxiety about humanity’s impending doom, set in a world devastated by catastrophic events.
While it’s exciting to hear about the next Gundam show helmed by the Evangelion team, I think it’s important to remember that Gundam never needed an “Evangelion-style makeover.” The franchise has always been about the toll that giant robots take on individuals, especially children, and its messages remain as relevant today as they were decades ago.
Now, let me share a little joke: Why did the young Gundam pilot bring his therapist to battle? Because he wanted someone to help him sort out his Mobile Suit issues! (I promise I won’t quit my day job with that one!)
Enthusiasts of anime were taken aback yet thrilled when Sunrise declared they’d be jointly producing the upcoming Gundam series with Studio Khara. This partnership involves veterans from the industry who have contributed to the creation of “Neon Genesis Evangelion”, among them Hideaki Anno, a key figure in the series. Fans are elated at this news, anticipating that Anno and his team can replicate the deconstructive essence that made “Evangelion” an unprecedented success. Fans eagerly hope for the new Gundam to be melancholic, rebellious, and a deep exploration into one creator’s grim perspective.
It appears that fans sometimes overlook the fact that the essence of Gundam has remained consistent since its beginning. The Gundam series has consistently explored the emotional strain its characters endure while operating mechas and the moral implications of using children in military service. Even before Shinji was urged to enter the robot in Evangelion, Amuro Ray was coerced into the Gundam in the original Mobile Suit Gundam show. Both Gundam and Evangelion have served as a critique of the mecha genre, challenging the idea that possessing a giant robot offers power, while also highlighting the mental distress associated with piloting a destructive weapon. Although Evangelion is more abstract, Gundam’s themes mainly revolve around the message that war is detrimental. It seems that fans underestimate how much the original Gundam shows contributed to the development of Evangelion itself.
Gundam Deconstructed The Mecha Genre Long Before Neon Genesis Evangelion
One perspective is that Neon Genesis Evangelion might not strictly fall under the category of a “mecha” series, given that the machines piloted by the characters are not purely mechanical. Instead, the show primarily explores how operating these Evas influences the characters’ personalities and relationships, rather than focusing on the robots themselves. However, despite this departure from typical mecha storytelling, it still adheres to and challenges the conventions of giant robot shows, offering a unique take on what such a series could offer.
Gundam is frequently seen as a classic mecha series due to its widespread popularity worldwide. When people imagine colossal robots, they often envision Gundam as the archetype, while Evangelion challenges that stereotype. Nevertheless, both series function as critiques and analyses of the giant robot genre, exploring the mental aspects of piloting robots. The Gundam franchise consistently maintains a realistic approach, with its creator Yoshiyuki Tomino stating that the foundation of the original series was influenced by Japan’s use of child soldiers in the Pacific Wars.
Pre-1979 shows such as “Mazinger” and “Gigantor”, which came before “Mobile Suit Gundam”, revolved around the dream of owning and operating a colossal machine as a kid. These well-known giant robot anime emphasized the joy of utilizing a robot, a fantasy shared by many children. Contrarily, Tomino crafted and directed “Gundam ’79” to portray that piloting a giant weapon isn’t supposed to be enjoyable. This original series is recognized for initiating the Real Robot subgenre, which offers a more realistic perspective on colossal robots.
The Protagonists in Gundam and Evangelion Were Always Meant to be Atypical
In the original series, it was just Amuro Ray who could operate the Gundam, making him shoulder a significant load of responsibility. Notably, he was merely sixteen years old at that time, unlike other mecha protagonists. Instead of displaying maturity beyond his years, he behaved more like an average teenager. Frequently, he found piloting the Gundam challenging and would disobey commands. Moreover, he often grumbled about his duties and needed encouragement to return to action.
In a similar vein to how Evangelion uses Shinji throughout the series, Shinji was compelled to become an Eva pilot by his father. The narrative delves into Shinji’s gradual psychological deterioration as he repeatedly enters the robot. Both Shinji and Amuro are manipulated by adults in their lives, addressing the moral dilemma of children being engaged in warfare. While Evangelion primarily focuses on the emotional repercussions of youngsters operating massive weapons, Gundam serves as a critique of war itself and how individuals are disregarded within military institutions.
I’ve noticed that Yoshiyuki Tomino consistently explores the grim realities of child soldiers across his future Gundam series, such as in Zeta and Victory. Among these, Zeta Gundam stands out for its bleak portrayal of war, reflecting Tomino’s growing pessimism towards conflict. The final episodes of Zeta are notoriously dark within the mecha genre, culminating in the deaths of almost every character and a mental collapse of the main protagonist. This despairing conclusion seems to have left an indelible mark on subsequent mecha productions, like Neon Genesis Evangelion. In fact, the End of Evangelion film takes this idea to an extreme, with all of humanity merging into a single consciousness, much like primordial fluid. Similarly, the original Evangelion series concludes on a somber note, leaving few survivors.
The Difference Between Gundam and Evangelion Isn’t Subtle
One notable distinction between traditional Gundam and Evangelion lies in their storytelling styles. While Gundam tends to be straightforward and clear, Evangelion deliberately confuses viewers through its unusual dialogue and dreamlike visuals, making one wonder about the reality portrayed on screen. Interestingly, even though Gundam usually maintains a direct approach, its creator Yoshiyuki Tomino experimented with a more surreal atmosphere in Space Runaway Ideon. Tomino directed Ideon to be less literal and featured an ending that was even darker than Zeta Gundam. Fans have noted several similarities between Ideon and Evangelion, particularly the biblical themes present in their respective finales.
In terms of Gundam, the main distinction arises from the upbringing of its creators. Tomino, born in post-World War II Japan, viewed war as a senseless evil, and his work primarily explored the factors driving humans to wage war and the societal corruption that fuels conflict. On the other hand, Anno, who lived during the Cold War, was constantly worried about the imminent destruction of humanity. Evangelion is set in a world devastated by catastrophic events, focusing on humanity’s struggle to recover and its impact on the new generation. Gundam GQuuuuuuX, however, will be set in a post-war society where the protagonist seems to live during peaceful times.
Both franchises strive to challenge and explore the giant robot genre by delving into profound themes concerning humanity. Although the concept of a giant robot initially seems thrilling, creators like Tomino and Anno were primarily fascinated with the psychological impact it would have on individuals. While the anticipation grows for Anno and his team’s upcoming Gundam project, it’s important to remember that the franchise didn’t necessarily require an Evangelion-like transformation. Instead, Gundam has consistently focused on warning people, particularly children, about the dangers of engaging with robots.
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2024-12-29 17:12