I've put this series off for maybe 10+ years, but I wish I had gotten into it earlier. As someone who's gone through depression and anxiety, NGE spoke to me like no other movie, TV, or anime before.

I feel the mecha battles and religious/mythical backstory is just a 'shiny' plot device to what the story is actually about: the rise, fall, and acceptance of the depressive mind. From the start, all the main characters have a profound emptiness inside of them (from lack of parental love/identity) and use their 'destined' roles as EVA pilots to patch that hole.

For a while, this works. Shinji/Asuka/Rei receive praise/admiration from their classmates/adults, and also form the first meaningful relationships in their lives. However, life is not constant and its many trials (Angels) eventually break the identity of our protagonists. When all you have is your 'role'/job/career, it's easy to spiral into depression when you're no longer needed or it forces you to do the unthinkable .

The ending of the series is just the acceptance of self. Yes, you are a messed up, "gutless, hypocritical, wimpy coward", but that's okay. By just existing, you have the right to live and connect with those around you. That the collapse of your fake identity (achievements/fame/whatever) is not who you really are. It's only when you give up that right , do you lose the chance to find your true identity.

EoE was an awesome, gory, cinematic thriller but the infamous ending really brought it together for me. In my view,

I feel like everyone needs to get their NGE explanation out there, and this is mine. Even today, whenever I feel down or start doubting myself, I just watch the EoTV ending: NGE Spoilers.