RahXephon-Thoughts, Anyone?

[Gilgamesh]

I was wondering what everyone thinks about this anime. I just got it today and I think it is great, even better than Evangelion.

Many people have said that RahXephon is just a rip-off of Evangelion, but I don't think that's the case. I watched all of volume 1 and I can safely say that so far it is 100% unique and original. You can't really make a valid comparison between Shinji Ikari and Ayato, for instance-they're completely different characters. This goes for every other character in the series, as well. The plot is totally different from Eva, there is no organization similar to NERV in RahXephon, and BEST OF ALL, the series isn't choked with meaningless religious symbolism like Eva was...I mean, honestly, cross-shaped explosions? Hideaki Anno...what profound religious truths were you trying to pronounce with those cross-shaped explosions? Oh, wait, that's right, you just put that in there to add an aura of mysticism to the series that would appeal to a Japanese audience...I had almost forgotten.

In short, comparing RahXephon to Evangelion is like comparing apples and oranges. Oh, sure, they're both fruit, and they're both delicious, but you can't really go any farther than that.

Don't get me wrong; I love Eva. It was my first anime, even. But I have the sense enough to realize the flaws inherent throughout the series and to know that there are no such flaws in RahXephon.

This anime is just perfect. It has everything-mecha, a deep story, well-developed characters, stunning animation, and some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard. In fact I was so impressed by the opening theme song "Hemisphere" that I immediately downloaded it off of Kazaa, and I plan to burn it onto a cd with the rest of my anime music. Really, the music in RahXephon is comparable to the music in Haibane Renmei. And that's saying something!

I would recommend that anybody who has not seen this series to go out and buy it somewhere. I got mine used off of Amazon.com.

 

[Gilgamesh]

Wow, I guess no one has any thoughts.

 

[anon5354]

the series isn't choked with meaningless religious symbolism like Eva was...I mean, honestly, cross-shaped explosions? Hideaki Anno...what profound religious truths were you trying to pronounce with those cross-shaped explosions?

Yes there are many cosmetic religious symbols in the show (which I think is somewaht distractive), but at the same time there are also MANY and very implicit symbols that actually contribute more to the theme of the show than the plot itself (Ie symbol of Lilith and Adam, the beast and the concept of a soul etc...). Although I agree that for a Japanese audience that would generally not be fimiliar with Jusdeo-Christian myths, those "meaningful" symbols would be no more meaningful than pretty pictures.

RahXephon plays mostly on the concept of Ollin in central american cultures that progress is a series of destruction and creation and thatin the journey of life one has to make your "heart" your "face" which would allow you to find your path (sound fimiliar?). And we can see those who did not (ie the clones, that psycho white hair guy) get "destroyed". Similarly, I think those symbols are mostly meaningless to the common Japanese audience. What I think RahXephon did better is that it is more explicit in illustrating its points than Eva through its plot and character interactions. Eva on the hand focuses on psychology when it comes to the character interactions. But in terms of complexity of meaning I think Eva probably would be the winner.

Plus I definitely agree RahXephon looked much better

That's my thought anyway.

 

[Gilgamesh]

Yes there are many cosmetic religious symbols in the show (which I think is somewaht distractive), but at the same time there are also MANY and very implicit symbols that actually contribute more to the theme of the show than the plot itself (Ie symbol of Lilith and Adam, the beast and the concept of a soul etc...). Although I agree that for a Japanese audience that would generally not be fimiliar with Jusdeo-Christian myths, those "meaningful" symbols would be no more meaningful than pretty pictures.

RahXephon plays mostly on the concept of Ollin in central american cultures that progress is a series of destruction and creation and thatin the journey of life one has to make your "heart" your "face" which would allow you to find your path (sound fimiliar?). And we can see those who did not (ie the clones, that psycho white hair guy) get "destroyed". Similarly, I think those symbols are mostly meaningless to the common Japanese audience. What I think RahXephon did better is that it is more explicit in illustrating its points than Eva through its plot and character interactions. Eva on the hand focuses on psychology when it comes to the character interactions. But in terms of complexity of meaning I think Eva probably would be the winner.

Plus I definitely agree RahXephon looked much better

That's my thought anyway.

Alright I'm not sure I'm getting you, so I'll ask these questions:

Was Asahina "destroyed" in episode 19 because she did not reveal her love for Ayato to him and she didn't tell him about her blue blood? Also, did her dolem summon itself because she was having mental issues, much in the same way the RahXephon autonomously comes to the aid of Ayato? What do the dolem and RahXephon represent? Why does Asahina even have a dolem in the first place?

Episode 19 is by far my favorite episode in the series. The third time I watched it I cried very openly. RahXephon is truly a great series to have that sort of an impact on me. However, there were many questions I had about that episode that remain unanswered.

 

[anon5354]

I agree that ep19 would be the most dramatic if not the best episode in the seires. But I am quite confused by Ayato's reaction after what happened though. It seems as if he doesn't know he indirectly killed Asahina.

My guess is that most of the dolems are probably no more symbolic then just having some sort of enemies that look cool, like most of the angels in Eva. RahXephon would probably symbolize Ayato himself in a way. There is also this the thing about Rah and Xephon combing and become "RahXephon" that they babble about a few times and I have forgotten the details. Is probably on the same line as the "heart" and "face" conept in which Ayato must find his place in life and become what he is. He has to discover his heart which would become his face. I guess that's why rahXephon has his face covered most of the time. And if everyone can find their face, the world will naturally work out. This is what concept of "Ollin" or movement is mostly about and Ollin if you remember is what the pink hair girl addresses Ayato. (sorry for not remembering most of the lesser characters name)

Oh just FYI, the yellow dress girl's (real) name is "ixtli" which means "face" in Nahuatl languages And I also remember they talked about "yottol" which means the "heart". So you can see where these heart and face stuff are from.

There are plenty of "analysis" on the web for different peoples' interpretations on the maker's intent (besides selling merchandise and making sequels of course.)

 

[Gilgamesh]

I agree that ep19 would be the most dramatic if not the best episode in the seires. But I am quite confused by Ayato's reaction after what happened though. It seems as if he doesn't know he indirectly killed Asahina.

My guess is that most of the dolems are probably no more symbolic then just having some sort of enemies that look cool, like most of the angels in Eva. RahXephon would probably symbolize Ayato himself in a way. There is also this the thing about Rah and Xephon combing and become "RahXephon" that they babble about a few times and I have forgotten the details. Is probably on the same line as the "heart" and "face" conept in which Ayato must find his place in life and become what he is. He has to discover his heart which would become his face. I guess that's why rahXephon has his face covered most of the time. And if everyone can find their face, the world will naturally work out. This is what concept of "Ollin" or movement is mostly about and Ollin if you remember is what the pink hair girl addresses Ayato. (sorry for not remembering most of the lesser characters name)

Oh just FYI, the yellow dress girl's (real) name is "ixtli" which means "face" in Nahuatl languages And I also remember they talked about "yottol" which means the "heart". So you can see where these heart and face stuff are from.

There are plenty of "analysis" on the web for different peoples' interpretations on the maker's intent (besides selling merchandise and making sequels of course.)

Well, where can I find an analysis of RahXephon on the web? I've been searching for one on Google and other search engines for a while and I can never find anything.

 

[Lucent]

Well, where can I find an analysis of RahXephon on the web? I've been searching for one on Google and other search engines for a while and I can never find anything.

I had found a good one once, but the guy stopped updating just before he posted stuff about the movie. I lost the url months ago, and I havn't found a good replacement for it.

I concur with the episode 19 opinion that it was prob the best in the series. Asahina really grew on me just before all that stuff went down. I felt really bad for her, and Ayato too (to a lesser extent).

 

[anon5354]

There are none? Well my bad then, I just assume that they shoudl be some people that would have enough free time to make analysis

 

[Gilgamesh]

Well, if any of you guys find any sites that have an in-depth analysis of RahXephon, please tell me about it. I'll want to see it.