That I think the first truly, really great episode is "Lilliputian Hitcher" (the 13th one) makes me feel like I was watching the series wrong a bit, since the reason is a change of pace from sidelining the three kids, expanding its world by having the adults dealing with a problem by themselves, and thus modulating the angst down a tad for once. I know about the series' background, including Anno's depression reflected into his characters and expressionistic animation. But when the first half's characterization and storytelling don't catch up yet with this self-expression, it often leads to a bluntness that overwhelms everything else. The second half is significantly better though, as the story gains more complexity and epic sweep to match its frenzied emotional style. And if the final two episodes don't fully satisfy, their unconventional, ultimately therapeutic expressionism are bracing enough to compensate as an end point.
Shout by PongpengVIP 2BlockedParent2020-05-03T12:01:40Z
That I think the first truly, really great episode is "Lilliputian Hitcher" (the 13th one) makes me feel like I was watching the series wrong a bit, since the reason is a change of pace from sidelining the three kids, expanding its world by having the adults dealing with a problem by themselves, and thus modulating the angst down a tad for once. I know about the series' background, including Anno's depression reflected into his characters and expressionistic animation. But when the first half's characterization and storytelling don't catch up yet with this self-expression, it often leads to a bluntness that overwhelms everything else. The second half is significantly better though, as the story gains more complexity and epic sweep to match its frenzied emotional style. And if the final two episodes don't fully satisfy, their unconventional, ultimately therapeutic expressionism are bracing enough to compensate as an end point.