Debuting in the 1990s,Neon Genesis Evangelionis widely regarded as one of the greatest anime of all time, particularly within the mecha genre. Naturally, its critical acclaim led to countless imitators, most of which fall short of the original. However, with the 2005 debut ofEureka Seven,Evangelionfinally found a worthy successor. Unfortunately, for those who missedEureka Sevenduring its original run, this recognition remains elusive. The lack of accessibility to the series makes it difficult for anime fans to discover how remarkable it is and how well it carries onNeon Genesis Evangelion’s legacy.
During its original broadcast in Japan and the United States in 2006,Eureka Seven(one of Studio Bones' best anime) achieved not only commercial success in both markets but also garnered critical acclaim and several prestigious awards. Its success spawned several follow-up anime that deepened and expanded the lore far beyond the original series. However, despite its commercial and critical success, since 2010, it has become increasingly challenging for new and old fans of the series to access it outside of purchasing the full DVD set.
Eureka Seven Is The Spiritual Successor To Neon Genesis Evangelion
No Other Mecha Anime Captures The Trials of A Mech Pilot
The inaccessibility ofEureka Sevenobscures the series' recognition as the true anime successor toNeon Genesis Evangelion. When Neon Genesis Evangelion debuted in 1996, it was unparalleled. The series blended traditional mecha action thriller elements, pitting human-piloted,giant bio-mechanical “mechs” called EVAsagainst Angels – an alien life form linked to humans seeking to exterminate or assimilate humanity by any means necessary. This classic mecha formula delivered dazzling aerial sequences, intense combat, and intricate battlefield strategies.
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However, unlike most other mecha stories of its time,Neon Genesis Evangelion’s true gift to the world of anime is its captivating portrayal of what it’s really like to be a mecha pilot. Viewers experience this up close and personal through the eyes of Shinji Ikari — a teenager with no military training who is forced into piloting an EVA against an Angel. Beyond the obvious challenge of learning to operate a war machine on the spot, piloting an EVA is impossible without first establishing a neural link between the pilot and the EVA.
Much likeEureka Sevenis now,Evangelionwas also unavailable on streaming for quite some time until Netflix picked it up in 2019.
At the time of its original broadcast, few mecha anime tackled such profound and cerebral issues as extensively asNeon Genesis Evangelion. Naturally, merging the minds of a troubled teenager and a war machine designed to destroy is hardly a recipe conducive to a peaceful transition to adulthood, but it makes for great content. So, beyond its intense battle scenes,Neon Genesis Evangelionoffers a poignant coming-of-age story exploring themes of family dysfunction, love, mortality, war’s psychological toll on individuals and society, and the essence of humanity.
Eureka Seven Updates The Neon Genesis Evangelion Vibe For The Contemporary Anime Fan
Eureka Sevenis one of the few anime series that comes closest to capturing the vibe ofNeon Genesis Evangelion, despite it being a completely different story. InEureka Seven, the enemies aren’t aliens from outer space but instead come from humanity itself. The story follows another teenage boy, Renton Thurston, who — unlike Shinji — craves action and adventure after spending most of his childhood goofing around and “lifting,” or surfing the Trapar particles generated by Scub Coral, an intelligent form of alien life that has covered vast portions of Earth’s surface.
Bones, the studio that produced Eureka Seven, is also responsible for such anime hits as bothFullmetal Alchemistanimes andMy Hero Academia.
Renton gets his wish when a massive mech crash-lands into his home. The pilot, Eureka, a mysterious teenage girl, instantly captivates Renton. Seizing the opportunity to help Eureka return the mech to its base, Renton eagerly joins her on a journey. He soon discovers that Eureka is a member of Gekkostate, a clandestine organization masquerading as a pro-environment, pro-sports magazine that Renton admires. However, Gekkostate’s true purpose is far more subversive: resisting the military junta that governs humanity.
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The mecha genre has become one of anime’s most representative thanks to its colossal battles and incredible designs of giant robots.
LikeNeon Genesis Evangelion, whileEureka Sevencan be viewed on the surface as a standard mecha anime, there is much more to its story beyond the central good-versus-evil theme. The series also delves into what it’s like to be a teenager involved in a military conflict, grappling with family dysfunction, war, death, romance, and the challenges of growing from a boy into a man. When all these elements—Renton’s coming-of-age in a traumatic situation, his budding romance with Eureka, and the series' progressive ideals of environmentalism and human dignity—are considered, it becomes clear that Eureka Seven can be seen as a spiritual successor toNeon Genesis Evangelion.
The Anime Industry’s Approach To A Legacy Series Like Eureka Seven
The second, but equally important, impact ofEureka Seven’s current inaccessibility is that it denies both anime fans in general, and mecha fans in particular, the opportunity to experience a great and iconic example of the genre.Eureka Sevenstands on its own as a unique and compelling anime. While it can — and should — be considered part of the broader conversation initiated byNeon Genesis Evangelion, it doesn’t need that comparison to be recognized as high-quality anime.
Eureka Sevenachieved its success through great storytelling, stunning art and animation, and compelling characters that fans are eager to invest time in. In other words, the lack of easy access toEureka Sevenand other great, though not necessarily mainstream, works highlights a larger issue in the anime industry: the problem of preserving content that fans once — and may later — want to revisit. During its original broadcast,Eureka Sevenplayed a pivotal role in showing that mecha stories could and should be more than just repetitive battles between giant robots. Currently, this privilege is locked away and accessible only to fans who had the opportunity to view the series in its previous broadcasts.
Though there is a broaderEureka Sevenfranchise beyond the initial anime, entries like the sequel seriesEureka Seven AOaren’t fondly regarded by many fans of the original.
Without periodic rebroadcasts, there is a real possibility that cerebral mecha anime likeEureka Sevencould be forgotten. This issue has been exacerbated by the rise of the internet and the shift towards a long tail and on-demand culture. Today, it’s easy for fans ofNeon Genisis Evangelionto search for more information on shows or series they’re currently interested in. However, a lack of access to historic anime likeEureka Sevenleads to a loss of vital media and information that could draw fans into the lore of the series, ultimately weakening their connection and support.
Eureka Seven
Cast
Eureka Seven is an anime series directed by Tomoki Kyoda. It follows Renton Thurston, a young boy who joins the renegade group Gekkostate, piloting a mecha called Nirvash. Searching for adventure and encountering mysterious phenomena known as “trapars,” Renton navigates complex relationships and battles to uncover the secrets of their world. The series blends action, romance, and existential themes in a richly developed universe.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Japanese animated television series created by Hideaki Anno. The show follows teenagers piloting giant mechs called Evangelions, tasked with defending Earth from mysterious beings known as Angels. As they confront these threats, they also grapple with personal and psychological issues.
