However, a few years after I had moved to Bangkok, and when I had all but forgotten about Evangelion, a friend recommended it to me, and I reluctantly watched it. Fifteen years after it was first broadcast I became hooked. Watching it I realized that so many Japanese anime and manga have paid Evangelion respect, and the strong influence it has had on the many parodies born from this respect. In a way I think you can say that Evangelion is the starting point for the Japanese anime and manga of today.

Evangelion is cool and stylish and features Japan’s unique and complex yet delicate view of the world. This kind of storyline would gain high acclaim in Europe, but I was not sure if the happy, easygoing Thais would be able to understand the attraction. But the reality is that shops that carry anime goods are full of Evangelion goods, posters and figurines that even give Gundam a run for its money. With the launch of the cosplay magazine "COSMODE THILAND", I frequently visit cosplay events and not only do I see "Asuka", "Ayanami", "Shinji" and "Kaoru" in cosplay, but I also see Angel cosplayers too. Thinking that Thais would not understand Evangelion was a big mistake on my part.
Today, the word “Otaku” has become a universally accepted word, and is gradually crossing cultural and language borders to become synchronized with psyche. Actually young Thai otaku appreciate storylines, which are even difficult for Japanese with an equal level of understanding. Of course they can completely comprehend the beauty of the individual characters (eg. Asuka’s tsundere etc.).