『新世紀エヴァンゲリオンの終末論』 : 終末論的伝統の「東」と「西」との比較文化論的考察

This article is an analysis of the popular carton, \u27Neon Genesis Evangelion\u27, focussing on Apocalyptism and its dissolution. Certainly, this cartoon contains those motives which have been typical of apocalyptic stories. It is also certain that these descriptions of the \u27end\u27 of history Insinuate the contemporary setback of the idea of the ever progressing World. In this carton, however, it is Apocalyptism as such which comes to the end. Experiential reality will not foreshadow, as the destination of its inherent d evelopment, any apocalyptic Utopia. This is the very reason that Apocalyptism was required in the West in order to radically terminate the repetiton of sinful human behaviours. Such Apocalyptism, however, is difficult in taking deep root in Japan, where human life has been imbued with Oriental pantheism and the concept of erernally returning time. In this respect, \u27Neon Genesis Evangelion\u27 calls our serious attention, as it clearly shows the cultural difference between the West and the East in their apocalyptic imagination