The Evangelion Conspiracy: Was the Legendary Anime a Masonic Plot?

• 
• Post on X
• 

Neon Genesis Evangelion is more than just an anime; it’s a cultural phenomenon that redefined a generation. Directed by the visionary Hideaki Anno, this post-apocalyptic saga of teenage pilots, giant bio-mechanical weapons, and invading celestial “Angels” captured the anxieties of 1990s Japan. But beneath its complex plot and psychological depth lies a web of tantalizing conspiracy theories, the most persistent of which claims the entire series is a veiled reference to the world’s most famous secret society: the Freemasons.

Cracking the Code: The Masonic Symbols in Plain Sight

Freemasonry, the centuries-old fraternal organization, is a cornerstone of modern conspiracy theories, known for its iconic symbol of the Square and Compasses. Theorists argue that Evangelion is saturated with clever, hidden references to these Masonic tools.

The clues, they claim, begin with the protagonist’s name: Shinji Ikari.

・The surname Ikari (碇) means “anchor” in Japanese. However, proponents of the theory suggest it’s a clever play on words. The character for “stone,” ishi (石), combined with the chaacter sada/tei (定) from the word for “ruler,” jōgi (定規), creates a symbolic link to the stonemason’s tools.

・Shinji’s estranged father, the NERV commander Gendo, had the original surname Rokubungi (六分儀), which means “sextant”—a navigational tool often associated with the compass in esoteric symbolism.

・Putting it together, Shinji’s own name is said to be a pun on “Shinji” (神児), meaning “God’s Child.” The implication? A divine child born from the symbolic union of “stone” and “ruler/compass.”

The alleged clues don’t stop there. Fans point to a flashback scene where a young Shinji endlessly builds and destroys a pyramid in a sandbox, and the fact that there are 18 Angels in the series—a number that can be derived from adding the digits of 666 (6+6+6). For some, these are not mere coincidences, but deliberate nods to a hidden Masonic influence.

The Anno Connection: From Nadia to NERV

The conspiracy deepens when looking at director Hideaki Anno’s earlier work, the 1990 anime Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. The series’ main antagonist, Gargoyle, is the leader of a secret society called Neo-Atlantis. His striking design—a triangular mask with a single, emphasized eye—bears an uncanny resemblance to the Eye of Providence, the all-seeing eye famously associated with Freemasonry and the Illuminati. This has led many to believe that Evangelion is a thematic successor to Nadia, continuing Anno’s fascination with secret societies controlling the world from the shadows.

A Web of Conspiracies: Beyond Freemasonry

The symbolism in Evangelion extends far beyond just Freemasonry, weaving a tapestry of occult and esoteric references that has kept fans analyzing the series for decades.

・The NERV logo incorporates a fig leaf, a direct reference to the story of Adam and Eve.

・The Tree of Life from Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism, is a central and explicit element of the show’s lore.

・The shadowy organization SEELE, which controls NERV, is often compared to the Rothschilds. SEELE’s “Human Instrumentality Project,” orchestrated by a council of 12 powerful figures, is said to mirror the alleged “World Revolution Action Plan” of globalist elites.

So, is Evangelion a genuine piece of Masonic propaganda? The more likely explanation is also a testament to Hideaki Anno’s genius. He and his team were master storytellers who intentionally incorporated these pervasive urban legends, conspiracy theories, and religious symbols as powerful motifs.

They created a world so rich and multi-layered that it invites endless interpretation. By tapping into these deep-seated cultural myths and anxieties, they crafted a story that felt both fantastical and chillingly real. It is this very depth, this deliberate ambiguity, that has made Neon Genesis Evangelion a timeless masterpiece and a source of endless fascination for fans around the world.

※ Unauthorized reproduction, video creation, and uploading of this article's content to YouTube, blogs, or other platforms is strictly prohibited.

Related Articles