30 years after the premiere of Neon Genesis Evangelion I am still completely obsessed and perplexed by one of its weirdest ideas

I can’t help it, even though three decades have passed since the release of Neon Genesis Evangelion, I am still absolutely captivated by its complex mythology, especially by a concept that seems as bewildering as it is fascinating: the Seeds of Life. The first time I watched the series, I was drawn into a narrative that challenged the boundaries of science fiction and philosophy. And of course, like many other fans, I was left scratching my head, lost in thought. With each revisitation and reading on the subject, I realize that there are details of such depth that they are either absolute strokes of genius, or we are just overcomplicating things by trying to find hidden meanings in something that, in reality, may not have any. There’s nothing more to it.

What are these Seeds of Life?

Within the mythology of Neon Genesis Evangelion, the Seeds of Life are described as entities of unknown origin that were created by an ancient race known as the First Ancestral Race. These beings began to spread their seeds throughout the universe, giving rise to various forms of life, including humans and angels, whose existence is fundamental to the series’ narrative. The story suggests that the progenitors sent these seeds to different planets with the purpose of preserving life. Whether there are other motives or true intentions remains a mystery.

As the story progresses, we discover that two very specific Seeds of Life, Adam and Lilith, landed on Earth, giving rise to the creation of angels and humanity itself. Quite biblical. This relationship between the Seeds of Life and humanity raises very interesting questions from the perspective of this Japanese mythology about the origin of our existence and our relation to the divine, which becomes even more fascinating when we consider its scientific, philosophical, and religious implications.

Panspermia: a scientific and pop idea

The concept of the Seeds of Life in Evangelion is directly related to the theory of panspermia, which suggests that life on Earth could have been seeded by microorganisms brought by meteorites or comets. This idea has gained traction in the scientific community since Jöns Jacob Berzelius first mentioned it in 1834, and essentially proposes that life is not a unique phenomenon of Earth, but could exist elsewhere in the universe, a concept that is also reflected in the premise of Evangelion. The connection between these ideas invites us to reflect on the possibility that humanity is just a link in a vast chain of cosmic life and a lot of luck.

Evangelion is not the only work in the realm of pop culture that explores this idea. For example, the legendary Jack Kirby did so in the late 60s with the Celestials of Marvel, ancient and powerful beings responsible for the creation of life on Earth, presenting an interesting parallel. These beings, like the progenitors of Evangelion, act as catalysts of life, although their motivations and actions are very different.

Furthermore, the fascination with aliens has led to the emergence of numerous pseudo-scientific and pseudo-historical theories filled with anunnaki, reptilians, and other celestial creatures of extraterrestrial origin that supposedly influenced human civilization. Thanks to Erich von Däniken for the good times.

Philosophical and religious implications

As I have delved into the mythology of Evangelion and its representation of the Seeds of Life, I cannot help but be fascinated by the way these ideas appear in this manga and anime, both narratively and aesthetically. But beyond that, and its scientific basis, the existence of the Seeds of Life has other more personal readings.

From a philosophical perspective, this raises questions about the nature of divinity and the role of human beings in the grand scheme of things. Are we just a cosmic experiment of beings that came before us? Are we a plan B, a discard? Is there real intentionality? Are we children of chance or of causality? Or is there a deeper purpose behind our existence? I don’t know, what about you, what do you think about in bed at night until you fall asleep? These questions have been discussed throughout history by philosophers and theologians, and Evangelion contributes its two cents to these debates.

The cultural relevance of Evangelion

Over the years, Neon Genesis Evangelion has left an indelible mark on popular culture. From its complex narrative and characters to its impressive visual imagery, the series has influenced a generation of creators and fans. The Seeds of Life, in particular, have resonated with those seeking to understand the roots of life and its significance in the vast universe. You come to see giant robots fighting space monsters and you leave with an existential doubt. Like the good works of the genre, Evangelion bridges the gap between science fiction and philosophy, inviting viewers to question their own beliefs and the nature of their existence. This type of narrative is what makes Evangelion a work that is still very relevant.

If you haven’t seen Neon Genesis Evangelion yet, or feel like revisiting it to “blow your mind,” I encourage you to watch the series on Netflix or the new film versions on Prime Video. But don’t dwell too much on it, just look at how nervous Shinji was.

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