The themes of Neon Genesis Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン, Shin Seiki Evangerion) have been the subject of continued casual and academic debate since the Japanese media franchise was created by Gainax.
Phrases used in episodes, their titles, and the names of the background music frequently derive from Sigmund Freud's works[4] and perhaps some Lacanian influences in general.
Similarly, many scenes overlap images of Shinji's mother with depictions of his potential lovers, both lining up with Freudian theories.
This is further established in Shinji when he claims he has no life without Eva, and this is disproven by the world shown in episode 26, followed by the famous "Congratulations" scene.
Anno suggested a grand theme with the work, including the nature of evolution, the existence of God, and its impact on humanity.
[14] Hiroki Sato, head of Gainax's PR department, and Toshio Okada have made similar statements.
[23] The Marduk Institute is a front organization for Nerv, tasked with finding teenagers suitable for piloting Evangelion units.
[28][29] Carpentieri writes, "Eva’s message for our age is one that radically and bravely attempts to upend, deconstruct, and recontextualize an understanding of Biblical narrative in a useful way.
"[30] Themes of individuality, consciousness, freedom, choice, and responsibility are heavily relied upon throughout the entire series, particularly through the philosophies of Søren Kierkegaard.
Not to mention any of the suffering on Earth known as destitution, illness, misery, privations, misfortune, pain, anguish, grief, or regret.
"[31] The Human Instrumentality Project may be inspired by the philosophy developed by Johann Gottlieb Fichte[32] and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
[37] Orbaugh notes that "the young protagonists incarnate monstrosity/hybridity in several ways simultaneously", highlighting their cyborgization with the Evangelions and the "Angel" DNA which allows their synchronization, with additional hybridity for the mixed-race Asuka and the cloned Rei.
[38][Note 3] Combined with the resulting and literal Oedipal complex, the act raises questions about gender and sexual identity.