Commander McBride Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 Well, with the 10th anniversary coming up, and the platinum set out, Evangelion's back in the news. Since I'd somehow missed seeing it, despite being a hardcore anime fan for the past five years, I figured I might as well finally watch it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now, I'm sure we're all familliar with the common Eva warning. The legends say that the series can cause mental instability and damage. It's common knowledge that watching more than a few episodes without a break probably isn't a good idea. I had to know if the warnings were true. I watched the whole thing nonstop. Including End of Evangelion. It probably wasn't a good idea. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mental effects present since viewing include: Effects which would be expected and are being experienced: -Depression -Loss of self confidence -Severe sense of lack of usefulness, self worth, and purpose -Severe loneliness (In a direct since) -Severe feelings of being alone (In a romantic sense) -Loss of motivation -Lack of desire to live -Lack of aversion to death Unexpected effects: -Complete loss of interest in pornography and hentai -Conversely, a substantially increased desire for real female companionship. Note that that desire is in a non-sexual sense. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Some of these effects, as noted, could be expected from what has been reported in previous cases of what I will refer to as Evangelion Overdose (EOD). From this experiement, I have concluded that the content of the series can, and likely will, cause mental effects in cases of EOD. Some effects are less expected, however. Perhaps the traumatic relationships depicted in the series have triggered a subconcious desire to conduct a successful one. Or, perhaps, the mental trauma inflicted by EOD is simply too great to be properly dealt with alone. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's coming on 24 hours since viewing, and some of these effects have become worse or recently appeared. I will continue to catalouge and report these symptoms, as well as investigating specific causes. Progress will be reported as it is made...... As long as I don't kill myself first. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In closing, the rumors of effects caused by EOD are not simply rumors. I must state that extended viewing of the series is not recommended, especially for those with pre-existing mental problems, and that the series should be watched at your own risk. I will also recommend that, if you wish to watch the entire series continuously, you should have a reliable emotional / romantic partner (Girlfriend, spouse, etc), or at least someone you feel you can freely communicate with and talk to, available to help contain any possible effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppy Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 There is only one antidote. Go and watch a fluffy comedy anime to bring balance back to the Force. But watch something 'safe' like Slayers or Love Hina or Full Metal Panic. If you watch Excel Saga or Shopping Arcade Aneobashi it may crack your (now) fragile mind. SHINJIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander McBride Posted October 7, 2004 Author Share Posted October 7, 2004 (edited) I'd like to, but I can't. I need to keep the conditions going for a while more, so I can continue investigation. Besides, probably due to the effects, the idea of remaining in this state seems somehow attractive to me. Although, the idea of watching something really wierd and inducing further damage seems attractive, as well... Edited October 7, 2004 by Commander McBride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eternal_D Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 uh, it's late, and I may be talking out of my ass but...it's just an anime! maybe it lets you think a little bit more about what you don't normally think of but your life is what you make of it! sit on your ass and feel depressed about it and do nothing, and that's where you'll stay. sit on your ass and feel depressed about it but go out and try to make something of your life, you'll at least get somewhere, if not just off your ass. I watched this series straight once...no crazy adverse side affects other than, hey, I wanna go buy some of those toys now. again, it's great your thinking of life, and honestly nobody's worthless if they apply themselves and give something back as a person(this could mean being a friend to your...well, friends, or being a son to your parents, or maybe just some stranger who helped a cat out of a tree). in brief, go out and live. there are 100 million things you can experience this life time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrono Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 Sorry to sound like a line from a song or a psy. book. But sometimes you HAVE to see into the depths of your inner darkness(depression, apathy, nilism, etc) in order to really enjoy some of the things we take for granted in everyday life(friends, family, sunshine,etc). It also spurs personal growth and helps the individual to avoid such things because they now understand their 'limits' better. So if it takes anime to invoke it.... so be it! Add to your self-destructive behavior, by listening to the ending song from Steel Angel Kurumi and thinking about the words and the characters. Or watch the last part of the anime AlienNine! But if you wanna wash away the current feelings go watch the old OMG OVA's or OMG Mini-OVA's! Though I really don't see how you could watch ANY series through without being bored outta your skull! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eriku Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 (edited) I first watched EVA in two sets, half one night and half the next, and experienced almost the exact same symptoms that McBride listed. I actually had to force myself to go to work the next day. A couple nights after watching, the symptoms had subsided a bit and I popped in a Lupin III DVD (Second series) and after watching several episodes and having a good nights sleep, I found myself on a more even keel the next day. However...I do still feel that there is a big speck of constant introspection that has been stuck on my brain ever since watching EVA that first time, which is a good thing. I know it's strange and almost unreasonable to attribute such powerful effects to an anime, but it is a well known phenomenon. Maybe there are subliminal things going on, who knows? Another strange thing is that now when I watch the series, it gives me an almost uplifting feeling, close to the opposite of the first time I watched it. The emotional rollercoaster is part of why its my favorite anime series of all time (sorry Froating Head). Edited October 7, 2004 by eriku Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anubis Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 If you really want an experience: Watch something fluffy, and then in a couple of weeks tackle Eva again. In two halves maybe. Everything you might have missed the first time again may hit you, you'll see "that's what he was talking about" and other nuances throughout. Good stuff. The second time you can savor the characters building themselves up, some actually making some strides, and then have everything crash down. There's a loit of depth behind many characters. Read the manga as well. Expands the character angles wonderfully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JELEINEN Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 Mental effects present since viewing include:Effects which would be expected and are being experienced: -Depression -Loss of self confidence -Severe sense of lack of usefulness, self worth, and purpose -Severe loneliness (In a direct since) -Severe feelings of being alone (In a romantic sense) -Loss of motivation -Lack of desire to live -Lack of aversion to death Wow. I get those exact same effect whenever I watch a Star Trek show made within the last 15 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsu legato Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 I once watched several episodes of Eva back-to-back, and I experienced an overwhelming urge to smash the TV, VCR andVHS tapes into tiny, subatomic particles. The only thing that restrained me from doing so was the fact that I liked my TV and the tapes were lent to me by a friend who wanted them back. Other than that, the only side effect I experienced was the desire to hunt down the collective staff of Gainax and somehow force them to "give back" the hours I'd wasted watching Eva. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hikuro Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 You know, I missed big pieces of the series here so I didn't really feel anything except watching End of Evangelion...which made me feel a bit ill at ease during those 2 hours of my life....and 5 minutes of the beginning....if you catch my drift. Hmmm, but thinking of this makes me wanna see if I can lower my sanity level any more from what it is or not....you shouldn't have given me the idea good job! After work I'mah go buy Platnium edition! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfunk Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 I liked it, cept for the too much wacking off, everyone does it, but damn, dont animate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhyone Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 (edited) I read that some things you will do at most once in your lifetime, things like moving a piano. For me, it's watching Evangelion. Once is enough. Took me a few weeks to free myself from the controvoluted plot. (I have a simple mind; I had to watch Ghost in the Shell three times before I understood it.) I do collect Rei, Asuka and Misato gashapons, although not the Evas. (Definitely not!) Edited October 7, 2004 by nhyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 I liked it, cept for the too much wacking off, everyone does it, but damn, dont animate it This comming from the "Kermit" avatar of yours, mister "High-And-Mighty"? I watch Eva, and the flow was too poorly organized for me to get emotionally attached too. Now Macross had me going (hence the reason that I bug you all here ). Terranimga was different. You had to not keep track of the story to avoid gettting a headache, but all the things that happened up to the end nearly put me in tears - I said nearly, I'm a guy, after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skull Leader Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 I once watched several episodes of Eva back-to-back, and I experienced an overwhelming urge to smash the TV, VCR andVHS tapes into tiny, subatomic particles. The only thing that restrained me from doing so was the fact that I liked my TV and the tapes were lent to me by a friend who wanted them back. Other than that, the only side effect I experienced was the desire to hunt down the collective staff of Gainax and somehow force them to "give back" the hours I'd wasted watching Eva. I'm with BSU, I went to an all-night Evangelion party once... we watched the whole thing, and I was only pissed that I actually stayed for the whole thing, I hated it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jemstone Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 McBride, that's what you get for not listening to our warnings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob joe mac Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 I dunno I watched the entire thing in two big parts... I watched eps 1-14 in a row... and was mildly entertained by the old skool giant robotness of it all but then after that... the show really lost me and I stopped there for the day and watched 15-26 just to see how it ended and honestly i felt that the TV's ending was by far the most optimistic ending ever... all I took from it was hey you can make life what you want it to be and your aren't destined to do one thing but you can make your own decions... and my faith in the show was remotly restored then I saw EOE and it went back down like 10 notches... Note this is entirly my own opinion not to offend anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerwalker Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 Commander: you have to write a paper about that and maybe you are the next year Mental Health Ig-Nobel: Ig Nobel prize site prize winner !!! I'm serious about it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dangaioh Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 There is only one antidote. Go and watch a fluffy comedy anime to bring balance back to the Force. But watch something 'safe' like Slayers or Love Hina or Full Metal Panic. If you watch Excel Saga or Shopping Arcade Aneobashi it may crack your (now) fragile mind.SHINJIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! McBride, at the end of your experiment... do watch the Excel Saga and Shopping Arcade Aneobashi... then watch Kyatto Ninden Teyandee (aka: Samurai Pizza Cats... U.S. release). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppy Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 hehe, I'm watching Excel Saga at the moment, and even watching 2 episodes back to back threatens to destroy my sanity! And I like it. On the topic of weirdness overload, I just read the whole 174 (currently) episodes of the Gantz manga. There were some parts in it where I wondered if a seriously unstable individual with a desire for clock towers/postal offices would do if they read it.. ..nothing I'm sure, but it's got some damn twisted stuff. Great story though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidkorrupt Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 i watched it and had no strange negative effects just remember its all make beleive. a lot of japanese movies deal with feelings of isolation and loneliness. its a negative side of living in such a fast paced capitalist society that produces cool cool toys. kairo, suicide club, and serial experiments lain all followed similar themes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radd Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 Immeadiately after watching Evangelion, you should go and watch 'Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventures'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scand Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 The only feelings I had after watching EVA was; Wow! What a waste of time!. It's funny how two crummy episodes can ruin a great thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 Evangelion turn you off of hentai? Have you seen the giant Rei? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander McBride Posted October 8, 2004 Author Share Posted October 8, 2004 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myk Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 No, no, no. You should watch Amazing Nurse Nanako to counter any effects of excessive Evangelionism... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NERV Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 well i suppose that tacking on EOE is the main thing causing ur problems, cuz the conclusion of the series should leave feeling good but then if you go watch eoe right after it, itll probly bring u down lower than u were, overall id say its a rather depressing series but it doesnt get me depressed, it doesnt do anything specific persay to me, but i would consider it very powerful, however, there are more powerful things, like voices of a distant star and saikano, particularly voices, its only a half hour long but they managed to pack some pretty powerful emotions into it, i get all teary at the end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyClone Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 May I humbly suggest that one of the best antidotes to the Evangelion side-effects you describe is Dai-Guard? Great up-to-date anime with old-school robot flavor, with a rather amusing parody/satire of Eva and other post-modern shows. I'm a huge Eva fan, but I really needed Dai-Guard after watching "The End of Evangelion." Sheesh. Best, --MyClone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyryder Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 Would watching FLCL after watching Evangelion be good, or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewtal Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 Clearly the only option is to watch Commando, or Votoms, then get to the gym. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Jenius Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 If the series effects you that much, then perhaps you should take up other hobbies. I've seen the series multiple times and everyone here can attest to my continuing efforts to push the envelope of irreverence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyde01 Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 (edited) What's up everyone, lurker here who doesn't post much. Commander, I'd say forget the experiment, take a long break from watching screens in general, then check out FLCL and Abenobashi Mahou Shotengai. Both weird, made by the same guy as Eva, but weird in a funny and entertaining kind of way. Edited October 9, 2004 by cyde01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chronocidal Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 (edited) I'd highly recommend FLCL, especially ep5.. total random insanity can be a good thing to cure depression. I think being high on caffein (or your own drug of choice) helps a bit though. FLCL also seems to make quite a bit more sense if you don't sleep for a few days. Edited October 9, 2004 by Chronocidal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.