Should I recommend/introduce Evangelion to someone already deep in misery?

[quidam]

No, this is not a joke or bait.

So, my mother has an even lower self-worth than I do. She has no friends, no real hobbies, and is in constant pain from spinal problems. I also have no real friends, but I at least do have some hobbies that bind me to this world, and my levels of pain are nowhere near hers. She also has her own mental health issues, but has had little success with therapy, since her therapist usually, according to her, simply downplays her disabilities and encourages her to fix things for herself. I also have this problem, but have learned to resolve it by internal dialogues. She is not so much afraid of her death than she is of the interlude, as she sees it, between now and then, about 15 years time at most probably, based on her conditions. She lives with me in an apartment. It is not a typical parental relationship and I feel many ways about it.

One thing that I feel is that, in some ways, she could benefit from watching Evangelion --- at least the original TV series. For me --- and please, I am not trying to start anything here --- a message of the original instrumentality is that we must learn to live for ourselves and to love ourselves and to figure out how to interact with others, even though, in some ways, we are all, ultimately, lonely islands in an infinite communal sea, borne from a void to which we return after only a short moment of chaotic existence. Based on this interpretation, I have thought for some time that she might really come to love the show, as I have; seeing herself and her own trauma reflected in the characters and empathizing with them through that, in particular.

However, I am concerned about several things. First, I wonder if I only feel this way because I have no one with whom I can discuss the show in real life (hence also why I recently made my account here) and so want to push it on her so that I can have another outlet for something that interests me. Second, I worry that her experience of watching the show might make her feel even worse, since the show has a reputation for doing that to people, even with all the beautiful things it has to offer as well. For me, that only really happened and stuck following my second watching of the show and with The End of Evangelion, but, as we know, this show means different things to different people.

I really don't expect any answer to this question. The time it would take to provide enough context to offer people a reasonable chance to say something that makes sense for me is inordinate. But I guess I would still appreciate thoughts people might have, as well as, if one is comfortable, the sharing of similar experiences to the one that I am describing that people might have had.

Thanks. I appreciate all of you.

[Blockio]

It's not the worst of ideas by itself. Eva by itself is a story about hope and growing as a person, so if she grasps that, there's a good chance that it might help her; but at the same time, therein lies the biggest problem, if she grasps it. The only ones who can judge that are you and her. Go up to her and ask. Give her a description of the show, be upfront about how harsh is can be, but also about how much it helped you. Let her be the judge if she wants to see it

[robersora]

My question would be, does your mother generally enjoy watching Anime? Like, do you imagine Evangelion being a show whose superficialities immediately click with her?

[IgRAzm]

Depends on her character, and whether she likes to think about people and how they work (not that far from that to thinking about the characters imo, as in Eva they appear a lot like real people at times). It's possible she will relate to one of the main characters strongly - from my experience, that can make for a strong impact and liking of the show. Elder people tend to have a lot about their current live depend and recall their past - it doesn't necesserily mean that this past is what makes them depressed rn, more about that it shaped them in a certain way. How much are they aware of it depends. It can also be about children, women who often think of themselves as mothers can get a lot from watching a show that explored parenting from different angles, I'd think. Shinji's father-son dilemma could make them pretty mad, though, lol.

I don't think there would be much harm in showing based on your description, personally. If she isn't interested by episode 6 of thorough watching, it might just be not for her. Also, it seems to me it can be hard to estimate as a younger person, what really creates a level of deep misery in someone else. I mean, for some, getting out of their shell to really relate to a character makes for a strong connection, but not all people are like that - but people are very resilient, more than it can appear. Eva can leave an impact, but it has to be a very unlucky lottery for it to be really harmful, I think. Anyway, younger people are people of a rushness - I can see someone really emotional and suicidal get that impacted to make a permanent mistake; an older person - what it can even do, that they didn't experience in some form in their life already?

All the stuff before - unless she has bad heart sicknesses. Because I don't know how to predict that stuff and people die from the heart all the time. My mother has some, though, and it went fine, but she is younger too.

[Kendrix]

I'd consider first if she's the type that generally likes "dark" material like horror, psychological etc.
If she does it might be be a good thing.

But if she's the type of person who prefers fun feelgoodsy stuff & generally wants to be distracted when they're upset id go for something wholesome feelgoodsy instead

And of course keep in mind that what music/shows/books etc prove lifechanging to you can be a very subjective thing so as the above poster said don't force it if shes not interested by ep 5

[BernardoCairo]

I believe it varies from person to person. In my case, it was a pleasant experience.
When I first watched Evangelion, I was at rock bottom. This may seem like a joke, but I could barely look at myself in the mirror. I hated my appearance, my cowardly attitude, my selfishness and so on. I hated myself. In fact, for a very brief period of time, I used anime to escape from my reality...
That's why seeing Shinji and Asuka finally accepting themselves, while rejecting Human Instrumentality, was so emotional. The idea of being able to love yourself, which before seemed so distant, was right there in my face.
Obviously my problems didn't just cease to exist. However, it was this series that made me want to live more, love myself and be thankful for those who were really willing to help me, who cared about me. And I will always be grateful for that.
The world isn't perfect, humans are not perfect, I'm not perfect. But that's ok. Pain exist, but it can be forgiven.