Take Care of Yourself (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

"Take Care of Yourself", also known by its Japanese title "The Beast that Shouted 'I' at the Heart of the World" (世界の中心でアイを叫んだけもの), is the twenty-sixth and final episode of Hideaki Anno's anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, produced by Gainax.[1] The episode was written by the series director Hideaki Anno and Yōji Enokido and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, with additional dialogue. It aired originally on TV Tokyo on March 27, 1996.

"Take Care of Yourself"
Neon Genesis Evangelion episode
Episode no.Episode 26
Directed by
Written byHideaki Anno
Produced byYutaka Sugiyama
Featured musicShiro Sagisu
Original air dateMarch 27, 1996 (1996-03-27)
Running time23 minutes

Plot summary

The Human Instrumentality Project continues as mankind attempts to complete its existence. Shinji continues to struggle with the impact of his personal existence, and eventually views a world (resembling a light-hearted, comedic high school setting) in which he is not an Evangelion pilot. Shinji, now understanding that his existence is not fixed, destroys the constrictive shell which he had formed around himself. He is met by all of the other characters from the series, who applaud and congratulate him, and, in response, he thanks them all.[2]

Reception

Due to the controversially ambiguous nature of the episode, the audience reception was mixed. Some viewers found the episode to be a fitting conclusion to the series, while others felt that it was unsatisfying and confusing,[3] which even led to death threats to the series creator Hideaki Anno.[4] The episode features a combination of live-action and animation, and its focus on psychological and religious themes has been the subject of much analysis and interpretation.

Some viewers praised the episode for its deep exploration of the main characters' inner struggles and the series' overarching themes of psychological trauma and religious symbolism.[5] Others felt that the episode was too abstract and failed to provide clear answers or closure to the story.

Many fans and critics have noted that the episode deviates significantly from the established continuity of the series, and that the climax of the episode is open to multiple interpretations. Some interpreted the episode as a commentary on the nature of humanity and the role of religion in our lives, while others saw it as a representation of the characters' personal struggles with mental illness and self-acceptance.

References
  1. Anno, Hideaki; Masayuki; Tsurumaki, Kazuya (March 12, 2006), Sekai no Chuushin de Ai o Sakenda Kemono, Neon Genesis Evangelion, retrieved January 18, 2023
  2. "The Very, Very, Very Confusing End of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion,' Explained". Thrillist. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  3. Parker-Dalton, Jacob (January 29, 2021). "In Defence of Congratulations: Why Evangelion Never Needed Another Ending". OTAQUEST. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  4. "'Evangelion' studio receiving threatening fan comments; will report offenders even outside Japan". Japan Today. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  5. "The Very, Very, Very Confusing End of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion,' Explained". Thrillist. Retrieved January 18, 2023.

"Take Care of Yourself" at IMDb

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