What the New Simpsons Movie and Evangelion Have in Common
So what do they have in common? Not much actually, but there’s a certain scene in the Simpsons Movie that reminded me so much of Evangelion that my jaw dropped.
About an hour into the movie Homer has once again screwed up and Marge has left to go to Springfield (long story, won’t spoil it for the people who haven’t seen it yet) with the kids and after he’s almost killed by a polar bear he is rescued by an Indian woman who takes care of him. She provokes an epiphany, a sudden realization, out of him and this is where it gets spooky. If you’ve watched episode 26 of Evangelion you’ll know doubt remember the ending, either because you hated it or because (like me) you loved it. The epiphany Homer experiences resembles the one Shinji has so damn much!
Homer is surrounded by trees (this is going on in his head) who starts clapping at him for finally realizing that he has to do the right thing and go to Springfield and find Marge and the kids. This is nearly identical to the final scene in Evangelion, in which Shinji accepts his existence and who he is and everybody also starts clapping at him.
As Homer is slowly realizing the truth his body parts are put back together (again, this is all in his head), whereas in Evangelion glass starts breaking representing Shinji breaking through his shell.
I wonder if the guys behind The Simpsons had watched Evangelion prior to this? If yes, then that would be awesome! If not, then it seems like too much of a coincidence to me. But then again, maybe I’m putting too much into this?
I really wish I could show this to you through video, but the pictures below will have to do.
Anyway, I loved the Simpsons movie! I highly recommend it.
July 30th, 2007 at 7:14 am
I just wanted to say…
I love your critiques and your blog!
July 30th, 2007 at 9:36 am
Thanks a lot, I appreciate it. :-)
August 1st, 2007 at 5:00 am
Hooray, I’m not crazy. I just saw the movie, and this scene hit me like a truck. I love the last episodes of Evangelion, and it would be really cool if this was a direct reference. Thanks for posting this comparison :)
August 1st, 2007 at 10:01 am
I’m glad I’m not the only one! I thought it was just me for a minute there. It’s uncanny how similar those two scenes are. :-P
August 1st, 2007 at 10:18 am
heh yer… i thought the same thing…. thought i was just too eva crazy…guess not ^__^
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Look here for the simpsons scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWw6JiGFjwQ
and here for the evangelion scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHx-U9KwoUI
I am convinced.
August 3rd, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Thanks a lot for posting those two scenes zeds cat!
August 4th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
thanx man i spotted that strait away thought i was to much of an eva nut
August 7th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
i found this through google to find out if anyone else saw the same similiarities. i was amazed sitting in the theatre when i saw that scene. its definitely an homage to evangelion. no doubt about it