Immortalized by Evangelion (and all of its offspring), personally I prefer Anno's live action work. He travels between fan service, pulp and arthouse like no other, if you're even the least bit interested in Japanese cinema, there's no avoiding him.
Movies
One of the most unique dramas I've ever seen, keeping me interested from start to finish without even a hint of boredom on the horizon. Make sure you don't miss out on this one.
Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time
I've seen the old series and films twice, I've watched all the newer features, but still Evangelion is a lot of waffle to me. In a way, I do appreciate the extended lore and dedication that went into this series, but I simply don't care enough about it to sit through the lengthy explanations and excessive melodrama. Luckily, this latest (and supposedly final) film has more to offer than just lore and drama. Shinji is still a shadow of his former self, blaming himself for not being able to protect humanity. He ends up in a small village, among some old friends, where he learns to appreciate life again. He pulls himself together again, right in time to join Wille in their last attempt to deflect another impact. This final Evangelion is a film with lots of ups and downs. The animation is exquisite, the action scenes are stupefying and a lot of the imagery is intriguing, but the drama drags the film down and the lore is simply too nerdy for me. I'd prefer Eva as a simple mecha action flick, but I know most people won't agree with me. Not a film that will bring new fans to the franchise, but existing fans will have a lot to chew on. A worthy finale.Read all
Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
Hideaki Anno's Shin Kamen Rider is a rare piece of fandom. It's clearly B-level kitsch, executed with an A-level budget, but without sacrificing that B-grade charm. Most tokusatsu films end up on the cheap and cheesier side, if you're wondering what a blockbuster rendition of the genre would look like, here's your chance. When Takeshi wakes up, he finds that he is turning into a monster while wearing a suit that gives him superpowers. It turns out a scientist made him this way, in an attempt to stop similar creatures that are being brought to life with more nefarious intentions. Takeshi accepts his destiny, but his fight will not be easy. I didn't know much about Kamen Rider, but the lore is quite a bit crazier than most other tokusatsu franchises I know. Anno doesn't hold back either and leans into the action and weirdness of it all. It's still a bit too cheesy for my liking, but I definitely appreciated the dedication and the random twists and turns this film took.Read all
Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
