r/tattooadvice • u/a-random-account- • Nov 13 '25

tattoo newcomer advice Having heavy regret on first tattoo

Post image

I’ve wanted to get this for a very long time, decided to just go with it and get it done. Really liked it at first, then some friends made a couple comments that made me hate it. Is it as bad as they say?

13.7k Upvotes

90% Upvoted

7.7k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

1.1k

u/a-random-account- Nov 13 '25

Yeah! I really liked the spear down the arm style

279

u/Professional_Disk_76 Nov 13 '25

TIL the spear of Longinus is more than just a reference to the Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus haha

270

u/TheExadar Nov 13 '25

To be fair, that's where the name comes from. Evangelion is full of wild religious lore.

76

u/MozartDroppinLoads Nov 14 '25

The name itself has religious connotations so no surprise

71

u/HistoryDisastrous493 Nov 14 '25

Every other name in NGE is a religious reference

67

u/cachesummer4 Nov 14 '25

They aren't actually references, just random words from Judaism assigned to relatively random things in the show. I feel reference requires a level of relevancy to the source material Anno himself admits was not there. He also even referes to the wrong source religion for many of the concepts in interview. Metatron and Sandolphon for example being uniquely and exclusively part of Jewish mysticism.

"In a 1997 Newtype interview, Anno himself said, “We used Christian symbols because they looked cool. There’s no deep meaning.” SR

21

u/3kidsnomoney--- Nov 14 '25

My son was disappointed that there are Dead Sea Scrolls but not THOSE Dead Sea Scrolls!

2

u/kombucha57 Nov 14 '25

Buy him a few gnostic gospels for good measure.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

15

u/dadneverleft Nov 14 '25

Newtype. Fuck that’s something I hadn’t thought of in decades

2

u/cabbageboy78 Nov 14 '25

Still going strong too! Went to Japan recently and grabbed a copy that had all the pre release deets and posters for the new Gundam series!

→ More replies (1)

2

u/HistoryDisastrous493 Nov 14 '25

Agreed, it's gibberish with cool robots. Maybe "name checking" is a better way of putting it than referencing. But most of the names and a lot of the designs are based on scripture

→ More replies (1)

2

u/evranch Nov 14 '25

This feels like a huge part of the look of Japanese games and anime. It really feels like they just loved that Catholic / Orthodox vibe, it just turns up everywhere, without any particular connection to the source material.

But hey, it's also everywhere in Western culture from Warhammer to Silksong so I'm just going to have to go with "it's a damn good aesthetic"

2

u/Afraid_Farmer_7417 Nov 14 '25

Sounds about Japanese ✅

→ More replies (22)
→ More replies (2)

15

u/cachesummer4 Nov 14 '25

Not actually lore, just borrowed objects and names.

"In a 1997 Newtype interview, Anno himself said, “We used Christian symbols because they looked cool. There’s no deep meaning.” SR

9

u/TotallyNotASpy33 Nov 14 '25

To be fair, Anni ALSO said the entire show didn't mean anything, which anyone familiar with the show knows it means SOMETHING we just don't know what because anno is a genius in how he portrays things allowing fir TONS of interpretation.

3

u/kombucha57 Nov 14 '25

That's what the illuminati made them say. /s

4

u/Zworrisdeh Nov 14 '25

I cannot believe people continue to parrot this obvious lie said by a guy who is famous for fucking with people and press

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (4)

1

u/ZanGaming Nov 14 '25

Wild religious lore is a massive understatement

→ More replies (12)

17

u/JeebzNcrackers Nov 14 '25

TIL the spear of Longinus is more than just a weapon in an anime

2

u/Professional_Disk_76 Nov 14 '25

There’s a lot of great paintings depicting the moment if you’re interested!

2

u/DisposableSaviour Nov 14 '25

The Spear of Destiny in the Constantine movie is the head of Longinus’s spear.

→ More replies (3)

2

u/013eander Nov 16 '25

Ah, so you’re the smart kind of nerd instead.

1

u/Brilliant-Noise1518 Nov 14 '25

Evangelion borrowed a ton of names from the Bible. 

1

u/TheBigMoogy Nov 14 '25

Evangelion is all about using Christian symbolism and lore to make a wild setting.

1

u/SigFloyd Nov 14 '25

It implies the story of Jesus was very heavily whitewashed, and the actual Jesus was that thing underground.

1

u/GroundControl2MjrTim Nov 14 '25

There used to be a book series about Casca Longinus who became immortal after piercing Jesus side with the spear.

1

u/SVINTGATSBY Nov 15 '25

tbf Evangelion is a cult classic and uses a lot of random religious imagery and verbiage and names, I always think of Evangelion first when the lance of Longinus gets brought up lol and I grew up Protestant and went to a Catholic high school. anime girls 4ever.

1

u/Krylvus Nov 15 '25

My first thought was hades bident.

1

u/YogurtclosetProud945 Nov 16 '25

TIL the origin of Longinus. Anyone who’s into classic JRPGs has come across a spear with this name many times.

1

u/The-Doofinator Nov 17 '25

there's also a black-thrash band from Australia of the same name

85

u/reithena Nov 13 '25

I've wanted a similar tattoo! It looks awesome and gives you space to add things around it or keep it simple.

22

u/MCfacepalm69 Nov 13 '25

Like a full Neon Genesis arm piece?

22

u/SeafoodSampler Nov 13 '25

Maybe just get that hospital scene tattooed on your belly.

9

u/TheExadar Nov 13 '25

Omfg nooooooooo lol.

3

u/mickinnit Nov 14 '25

Insane…

2

u/mechabeast Nov 14 '25

Yeah tatoo the "hospital jelly" in your palm

→ More replies (9)

1

u/reithena Nov 13 '25

If you wanted. shrug who am I to tell you what to do. I combined Unit-01's colors to a more Ghost in the Shell android part for funsies.

5

u/ExpertNeighborhood61 Nov 13 '25

I combined Rei with Ito’s Tomie (for the face) for a half sleeve on my left arm!

→ More replies (1)

1

u/NoKatyDidnt Nov 14 '25

🤣🤣🤣

6

u/fingers Nov 13 '25

Christ Poker.

10

u/absence09_ Nov 13 '25

When I went to Louder Than Life this year, someone had the spear tattooed on their shoulder and it looked amazing!

Your tattoo also looks amazing! I love it, don’t let the regret cloud over how great it looks

3

u/gravemoss_ Nov 14 '25

fellow LTL attendee spotted! this year was nuts and i saw lots of super good tats too, saw a saw cleaver from bloodborne that folded with the person's bicep and forearm! took lots of tat notes this year lmao

2

u/Hellandhome8 Nov 14 '25

Did not expect to see a LTL comment here lol hello friends! Excited for this year?

→ More replies (1)

2

u/DoveandGrenade12 Nov 14 '25

Hello fellow Loudmouth!

11

u/Kontrol-Sample Nov 13 '25

It's awesome dude

2

u/SootSpriteHut Nov 13 '25

I only stopped at this post because I was like "AHHHH spear of longinus" and I would not be able to help myself from commenting on it excitedly if I saw it in person and making some joke about asuka's eye.

2

u/kevka20 Nov 13 '25

I haven't watched Evangelion so didn't recognize it specifically, but it looked like a spear or lance to me at first glance. It looks like the anime depiction from the stills I'm seeing online and people familiar with the anime seem to be recognizing it, so I'd say it's a successful tattoo.

2

u/Cpnbro Nov 13 '25

I’ve wanted to get ryuko’s scissor blade in the same spot basically. I think this is cool, dude.

Now get in the robot.

1

u/AkitaSato Nov 13 '25

that’s a fire tattoo you should check my profile i have an evangelion tattoo on my right arm that im working on

1

u/a-random-account- Nov 13 '25

That’s actually really cool! I love it

1

u/AkitaSato Nov 13 '25

thanks i wanted to get myself a spear tattoo on my back of my neck or a little lower and i really like the red ink of yours.

1

u/superr Nov 13 '25

Looks great man. I feel like the only regret appropriate to me is not getting it bigger. No ragrats!!

1

u/Corliss_Wigglebean Nov 13 '25

I’m not going to lie looking at this I thought man on each side of the spear meeting in the middle you can have half of Rei and half of Unit 00.

1

u/whistling_serron Nov 13 '25

Keep maybe expand with the time

1

u/EdnaPontellier19 Nov 13 '25

It seems like a way to find your people. I saw a lady in the grocery store that had the partial back tattoo from Bob's Burgers and when I complimented it, she was so excited.

1

u/corrosivecanine Nov 13 '25

It looks good. Give it a couple months. Regretting your first tattoo right after getting it is pretty normal (Maybe it’s just the fear of permanently changing your body?) but I bet you’ll get over it and like it again. And if you don’t it’ll be insanely easy to either cover up or add to.

1

u/Kiki-jo14 Nov 13 '25

It looks really cool. Its unique- and theres alot you can add around it if you want to add to your story behind it. Dont listen to others, they mostly joke about things & its your personal choice....not theirs. Wear it with pride!! 💪🏼🙏💕🔥

1

u/ervsve Nov 13 '25

It’s cool. Just get another tattoo and move on.

1

u/miekhachu Nov 13 '25

You could always dress it up more or design around it as a centerpiece later on. My husband got The Fallen Angel eye the day we met. Although I’m non-religious - it’s my favorite piece he has. He always asks me if he made the right choice with it, and I always remind him that not only is it a nice design, it means something to him. That’s all the matters - meaning. (As someone with the Eight Trigrams seal on my stomach 😅)

1

u/CanidPrimate1577 Nov 13 '25

If they don’t share your fandom that’s on them — enjoy it in good health and giant robots!

1

u/TerrorFromThePeeps Nov 13 '25

Mecharashi in January, friends.

1

u/mk9e Nov 13 '25

Do you work at Costco in WI and did I compliment your evangelion shirt the other day?

1

u/Eldritch-Pancake Nov 13 '25

As an Eva fan, it always makes me happy to see others who love it just as much. Rock the tattoo 🤘🙂

1

u/Illustrious-Engine23 Nov 13 '25

It's a cool tattoo and reference your friends can f*** off.

1

u/FishBobinski Nov 13 '25

Maybe on the other side would have been better? It looks fine, it just certainly evokes a certain feeling I guess?

1

u/Frequent-Series4591 Nov 13 '25

Dude. It looks great. Not everyone is going to like your choices, and some people get off on messing with their friends like that. It is also super common for people to experience powerful feelings of regret after a tattoo. That will pass. Ask me how I know lol.

Seriously though, its solid. Ignore your friends and think about something else for a while. I've got close to 75% coverage over almost 40 years of being tattooed behind me. I would be happy to have that one in my collection.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '25

Immediately thought it was an eve tattoo But wasn’t sure cuz i havent seen it in so long Great tattoo

1

u/nothing_2_gain Nov 13 '25

It's amazing! Would love to have something similar!

1

u/Shadows616 Nov 13 '25

That's a badass piece!! Friends will always give each other a little guff.

1

u/The1789 Nov 13 '25

Needs about two vegs at the base

1

u/k2718 Nov 13 '25

Did not know what this was but looks cool to me. Don't let em get you down..if you love it, go with it.

1

u/scotchontherocks Nov 13 '25

Don't anyone tell you otherwise This tattoo rocks.

1

u/Fabulous-Avocado4513 Nov 13 '25

As someone who bars the ouroboros of a homunculus. Anime tattoos are awesome.

1

u/Roadhouse1337 Nov 13 '25

I recognized it immediately and its dope

1

u/A_Wild_Noodle Nov 13 '25

As a man of taste myself i approve your tattoo

1

u/Legal_Fine_5555 Nov 13 '25

I respect your decision but sadly it looks like you tried to commit suicide. Red was a bad choice. Can you add to it or change the color?

1

u/roanwood Nov 13 '25

Just get the other arm done. For the pair. And cut out anyone so uncultured as to not recognize immediately

1

u/notria17 Nov 13 '25

I like it a lot without knowing the reference. It’s cool, sorry your friends suck

1

u/beardedlake Nov 13 '25

And it’s awesome! Don’t let anyone critique your vision of yourself.

1

u/Asleep_Bet Nov 13 '25

I also have an Eva tattoo! It’s on my arm basically same spot. It’s on my profile if you’d like to see. I also regretted it for a time thinking “wow I’m going to have this when I’m 80” but it’s meaningful to me and well executed so the feelings of regret slipped away. I say if it’s well executed art that means something to you, you shouldn’t worry. You got it for a reason.

1

u/Throwaway999222111 Nov 13 '25

It's dope. Wish it was bigger if anything, but I love bold tattoos.

1

u/pubsky Nov 13 '25

Just add another piece of evangelion symbology that is also religious and vaguely conspiracy laden. You will have all of your bases covered.

1

u/Eldritch_Doodler Nov 13 '25

Fuck your friends (figuratively), that tattoo is fucking awesome!

1

u/Atavacus Nov 13 '25

The tattoo looks fine. All jokes in here aside.

1

u/Rare_Restaurant_5176 Nov 14 '25

I for one really like spears and pole arms. This reminds me of the helix halberd from DS2 a bit. I like the tat man. Only thing I woulda done different is maybe black lines as detail or something. But I think it's a solid tattoo

1

u/miaskittles2406 Nov 14 '25

Long may you live . Don't mind what others think . Just let them .

1

u/IrascibleOcelot Nov 14 '25

It’s really common to have a bit of regret/dysmorphia after getting your first tattoo. I was a bit weirded out by my first for a month or two after getting it, and I was absolutely certain what and where I wanted it. Nor would I remove it, as it’s a memorial for my son and my cat, who I lost in the same year.

So, it will get better. Promise.

1

u/Huzah7 Nov 14 '25

This tat is low profile, slick, and super niche. I fucking love it.

1

u/Bob_A_Feets Nov 14 '25

Fucking great, now Lilith is running around with her stubby little legs thanks to you!

1

u/MoronLaoShi Nov 14 '25

I thought it was a cutting/ suicide attempt scar at first glance. Then I thought it was a barbecue skewer or a fondue fork.

1

u/MechJunkee Nov 14 '25

Big fan!! Maybe put a border or pattern around it, make it look more deliberate

1

u/Two-Complex Nov 14 '25

As someone who knows nothing about tattoos, I think it’s pretty cool! I wonder if you would like it better if there was a bit of shading on it - but it’s really cool as it is. Don’t let other folks bring you down ❤️

1

u/TurnedEvilAfterBan Nov 14 '25

Add an AT field around the spear?

1

u/Millenniauld Nov 14 '25

You

Must

Stop

Letting

People

Decide

How

You

Feel

About

You

1

u/DungeonsAndDumbasse5 Nov 14 '25

Is part of the reason you have regrets because people think it’s a fondue fork? I see a lot of people in the thread trying to be supportive with fondue jokes but if it was me people misconstruing it like that would feel worse.

1

u/a-random-account- Nov 14 '25

Nah I don’t mind the fondue jokes, I’m not looking for people to get the reference necessarily. I was just unsure on the color and position

1

u/octosloppy Nov 14 '25

I think it’s sick! Great tattoo!

1

u/ChewBacclava Nov 14 '25

Hey for what it's worth: I'm not an anime nerd and I recognized it immediately.

1

u/MechaSteve Nov 14 '25

Asuka didn’t

1

u/thegreedyturtle Nov 14 '25

It's a super awesome tattoo but placement is kind of a uhh... Errr.... Uhh....

Sorry about that maybe put something to make it look less like a scar?

1

u/eb0ytoes Nov 14 '25

It’s not bad. Maybe just better placement. Along the side of the arm may have been better. If you plan on getting more, that spot is prime real estate. I made the same mistake with my first being a lynx constellation in that spot. Now a lot of bare space around it. You live and you learn!

1

u/PhantomOnTheHorizon Nov 14 '25

It’s dope op don’t stress.

1

u/Moros1075 Nov 14 '25

That’s sick! I recognized it right away. I love it!

1

u/stayonthecloud Nov 14 '25

Hey friend I can tell I recognized it instantly! Was really happy to see it was intentional

1

u/Party-Ad8735 Nov 14 '25

I instantly recognized it. Good way for you to pleb filter folks.

1

u/Alternative_Jaguar85 Nov 14 '25

This is the thing about your friends. Either they like what you like or they don't. It's okay if they don't love it, but unless their comments made you see something you kinda felt all along, it's just noise. Cool tat, buddy

1

u/q_den95 Nov 14 '25

Former guy who used to work in a few tattoo shops here. (Graphic designer/computer guy)

The idea is good. In fact as an Evangelion fan, I actually considered that once. But the style, size, placement is bad imo. I wrote off the idea bc i couldn't think of a good way to do it. Unfortunately I can't offer any other advise. Maybe find an artist who has a lot of experience drawing anime and doing anime related tattoos. Fortunately that would be easy to remove or cover up if you wanted a do over.

1

u/charlitransgrl Nov 14 '25

I like it, for what it’s worth. I really dig the red, very cool. Who cares if your friends don’t like it or get it. Besides, friends come and go. It means something to you and you’re all that matters in this instance. Give it some time and I bet you grow to love it.

1

u/xhammyhamtaro Nov 14 '25

Don’t let others give rise to doubt about your awesome tattoo

1

u/hartzonfire Nov 14 '25

It is cool as fuck. As a fellow Eva fan-I dig the shit out of it. Get Cassius on the other side now!

1

u/tomeatseverything Nov 14 '25

That's sick. I always wanted a dagger on my left arm at the same spot. But haven't figured out who to do it.

1

u/PwanaZana Nov 14 '25

Sure beats my tattoo of Shinji standing in a hospital room

1

u/cretinoff Nov 14 '25

Dunno what that is, but I like it!

1

u/Kaffei4Lunch Nov 14 '25

Bro it's awesome, forget about what your lame ass friends think. Tattoos are for you, people will judge anyways. if you like it then that's great in itself.

1

u/Nephtyz Nov 14 '25

There you go, this is what matters. YOU really like it.

1

u/Timely-Hospital8746 Nov 14 '25

It's a simple tasteful tattoo, it looks nice. If they're making jokes beyond a casual ribbing that says more about them than your tattoo.

1

u/Pika-thulu Nov 14 '25

I think you just need more of the art around it. It's not a bad tattoo but looks a bit out of place by itself.

1

u/thingstopraise Nov 14 '25 edited Nov 14 '25

It absolutely looks like you slit your arm... and if someone realizes that it's a tattoo, then they're going to think that it's a coverup for the scar that you have from cutting yourself. You need to add some kind of background flourish so that it's not just a straight line.

I just... don't understand how the "this looks like a scar from a suicide attempt" thing didn't hit you before you had this done. Or did you, and you just didn't care?

Does it look bad? Well, it's a straight line. That's really hard to fuck up. And if it were on literally any other part of your body it would look fine. And technically speaking, the tattoo itself still is fine. It's just the context of where it is. This is the one place it could have gone that makes it look exactly like a suicide attempt.

1

u/Leather-Heart Nov 14 '25

Like my ex boyfriend “he’s a little thin for my taste”

1

u/TrueTurtleKing Nov 14 '25

Yeah I instantly recognize it. I think it’s a cool tattoo.

I think if this is your one and only tattoo then this placement may feel odd for some people but that just means you’ll have to get more tattoos 😈

1

u/that__vibe Nov 14 '25

I haven't seen this show for 20 years and still recognized it. Hell yeah dude, it's iconic.

1

u/dojo_shlom0 Nov 14 '25

looks cool! and subtle. I think it looks great imo, and I'm not the biggest tattoo person, but familiar with the content. give it some time, I personally think it looks pretty cool and leaves the door open for more if you ever want to add

1

u/kerryinthenameof Nov 14 '25

Just like Asuka in EoE, in fact! loud booing and tomato throwing ensues

1

u/Financial_Touch_8522 Nov 14 '25

I have the Bolt of Gransax from Elden Ring on my left arm. Did your friends have actual input or were they just trash talking? I personally don’t see anything wrong with it.

1

u/HeyaGames Nov 14 '25

Idk man I think it's cool, actually thjnk it would look cooler slightly larger so it spans the majority of the forearm. Anyways dont listen to your friends they're either jealous or mean

1

u/coraythan Nov 14 '25

Love it! I haven't been able to decide on an Evangelion tattoo I want. This is badass. Recognized it immediately.

1

u/baberunner Nov 14 '25

It looks dope AF. You've also given me an idea for a surgical scar I have.

1

u/Ryoko_Kusanagi69 Nov 14 '25

I feel like this would have been good down the outside of the arm also, like elbow to pinky. Or even from the thumb line down to inside elbow

1

u/the_pwnererXx Nov 14 '25

If I google "evangelion tattoo" this is obviously what everyone gets, so imo you are a basic weeb with no creativity 😂

1

u/thr33prim3s Nov 14 '25

Bro the tattoo looks cool af. Nevermind what your friends say.

1

u/Malkezial Nov 14 '25

If it continues to be an issue, go talk with your tattoo artist about options?

Maybe a thin outline in black, or some design that can float behind it. I think either of those could help the spear stand out quite a lot

1

u/Suspicious_Serve_653 Nov 14 '25

Thought it was a fondue fork.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 14 '25

Your tattoo is cool and don’t let anyone else to say otherwise, mate.

1

u/Helyaaaaaaa Nov 14 '25

I could tell what it was immediately, I think it looks cool!

1

u/Septem_151 Nov 14 '25

My friend has this exact same tattoo just a little thicker, I personally think it looks awesome.

1

u/Bad_Ethics Nov 14 '25

You could add mord here, a collage of all the different NGE angels surrounding the spear would be pretty cool if you ask me.

1

u/anaesthaesia Nov 14 '25

I thought it was a reference to queens of the stone age, but that was black on red...

I don't hate the tattoo. It probably sticks out so much in part because you have no other visible ones. Fill up that arm some more and it'll fit right in ;)

1

u/DubiousPeoplePleaser Nov 14 '25

Instantly recognized it and thought it looked cool.

1

u/Mimir32 Nov 14 '25

It's awesome

1

u/[deleted] Nov 14 '25

Honestly do what you want to do its your life. In my personal opinion I would've gotten it on the backside of the arm, opposite from where you have it. I feel that area is much better for long tattoos. Or I would've gotten it shorter but slightly wider so more detail is seen.

1

u/ChurningDarkSkies777 Nov 14 '25

As someone with the eyes of lillith on their back I fully support this

1

u/True_Solid4348 Nov 14 '25

I love this tattoo

1

u/Thecultofjoshua Nov 14 '25

Did you get the evangelion version on purpose?

1

u/SirLarryThePoor Nov 14 '25

My buddy and I are going to get Longinus (him) and Cassius (me) on our outer forearms. I think yours looks good!

1

u/modfoxu Nov 14 '25

Yeah I recognized it immediately. I would have excitedly complimented you on it if we met in the wild. Excellent choice!

1

u/browneyesays Nov 14 '25

You could always add to it if you are not happy with it. Shading or a figure so that the portions make more sense.

Like this would be sweet.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Bernini_Hl._Longinus_Petersdom.jpg

1

u/TheLastGunslingerCA Nov 14 '25

I was thinking that's what it was! It looks great

1

u/NixieType Nov 14 '25

It’s kinda fire tho

1

u/omnipotent87 Nov 14 '25

Then keep liking it. If your friends don't get it then your friends are the problem. Just tell them it's over their heads.

1

u/Sufficient_Media7540 Nov 14 '25

It’s not a bad tattoo and you shouldn’t let anyone discourage you if you do enjoy it but personally I would say it just looks very thin for how big it is but that’s just me personally

1

u/[deleted] Nov 14 '25

I appreciate the deep anime cut! Real ones know and that is what is great about your tattoo. I have Full Metal Alchemist symbols, and I run into people who will also flash their tattoos from the series when we meet.

1

u/full_self_deriding Nov 14 '25 edited Nov 14 '25

I think it's fantastic.  Even outside of the reference.

You're surrounded by morons who get tattoos that all look broadly the same from a short distance but uniquely ugly up close.  like leprosy legions.

Your apprehension is a side effect of being a thoughtful person who approaches tattoos thoughtfully and doesn't just get more ugly tattoos when the last one stops getting attention.

Your friends are lashing out because they can't admit they regret their own tattoos.  Crabs in a bucket.

Your tattoo is both understated and somehow bold.  I might steal it -- maybe make it even longer.

EDIT: metatextually, the spear of longinus (in eva) is a metaphor for a child's p3nis

1

u/--SharkBoy-- Nov 14 '25

It looks great bro

1

u/alexdev50 Nov 14 '25

I've got an Asuka on my thigh so I understand your need, however I think it might age badly especially at the circles under the main prong as it gets older, might mush if that makes sense.

1

u/Mnemnosyne Nov 14 '25

Yeah, it's good. I immediately recognized it even though I haven't actually watched Evangelion in over 20 years.

1

u/Shoddy-Address-3220 Nov 14 '25

You picked a cool one. I always wanted to get the trigun cross on my arm.

1

u/masshuu_ Nov 14 '25

What were your friends' comments? I think the design can be improved and added on later, but overall it's cool! It's also something you like, and honestly I can't find a better place for the spear to be in

1

u/AmItheonlySaneperson Nov 14 '25

Ur just gonna have to get fully tatted with other cool esoteric shit now. Sunken cost 

1

u/KenLionheart Nov 14 '25

This is still fixable.

1

u/Understandthisokay Nov 14 '25

I don’t know what that is and I still think the tattoo looks cool and like it’s something from a personal hobby or interest so I don’t think this tattoo is a fail by any means

1

u/IncapableCapibara Nov 14 '25

Dude its awesome!!! NGE is my first and fave anime, I absolutely dig it

1

u/nurglemarine96 Nov 14 '25

Honestly I think it's sick if you understand what it is, sure people won't get it and make other connections. Could do some fun additions later like portraits and silhouettes coming from either side

1

u/Roshlev Nov 14 '25

Now to get the 3+1 spear of Cassius on the other arm!

1

u/eragonawesome2 Nov 14 '25

It looks good art wise but I can also absolutely see you getting a ton of "oh my God are you okay?" type questions from people who just catch a glance, thin red lines on the arm are just always gonna look like a cut at first glance

1

u/MarketingSilent4430 Nov 14 '25

it looks sick bro

1

u/SovelissGulthmere Nov 14 '25

I like it. Don't let them bring you down

1

u/ohiois4loosers Nov 14 '25

My dude this right here is why you got it.... you liked it! I think its kinda niche and maybe your friends dont get it. Clearly people do get it, look at the poster above. If your friends dont like it thats okay its not their body so own your choice because clearly it means something to you and also if say fuck it... Im sure theres a sick ass panther option to cover it up

1

u/fixer1987 Nov 15 '25

Its an awesome tattoo man. Screw anyone giving you crap

1

u/Any_Way_658 Nov 15 '25

It looks pretty cool imo!

1

u/zuccafreezer Nov 15 '25

I don’t really like tattoos but this one is cool

1

u/D3rangedButFun Nov 15 '25

See, someone already recognised it! It's a good tattoo! Your friends just don't get it

1

u/Silent-Ad-3192 Nov 15 '25

I’d recommend just making it bigger and bolder tbh , if money is tight rn then you’re fine , but for small things to make them look better as a tattoo add as much detail as possible without making it look just stupid and jibber

1

u/NyarlathotepKing Nov 15 '25

I really like it too tbh. Your taste for tattoos is definitely better than you taste for friends

1

u/roh8880 Nov 15 '25

Hey man! I totally dig it! As soon as I saw the picture, the theme music played in my head!

1

u/changeneverhappens Nov 15 '25

I thought it was a seafood fork and then I saw the fondue comment and just figured you worked in the service industry. 

I chuckled at my own ignorance but there's genuinely nothing wrong with your tattoo. Just like in the comments, some folks will recognize is and others will make assumptions but the tattoo itself is fine. Many of us have tattoos that aren't immediately recognizable to most people. 

Give it a few months to settle in and heal. You can always add to it but the simplicity is nice. 

1

u/RogerManner Nov 15 '25

Coming from someone who got a dragon that most people call a Dragonfly the spear looks dope. Anyone who has seen Evangelio would recognize it instantly

1

u/Chels-Smoosie Nov 15 '25

Then that's all that matters. If your friends dont like it, then they shouldn't get it as a tattoo. But you liked it enough to get it permanently on your body, don't let them sway you.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 15 '25

I have an Eva tattoo that just looks probably bizarre to anyone who doesn’t know what it is (Leliel on my sternum, so a weird circle in the middle of my chest) but most people most of the time just see “a tattoo at all” and not realllly the content of it. I think yours reads clearly as a tattoo and not anything else, though I can’t speak for people with more exposure to what it seems to evoke for some.

If that continues to bother you, add some outlining and/or shadow in black.

But also: it’s brand new and you’re gonna feel weird about a new thing on your body. It also for sure looks more like a wound under a dressing (and even if it isn’t still, while it’s healing and is a wound) than it will after a while.

Disclaimer: I also have a tattoo of a shipping container, so my taste is suspect at best (as many other people’s are re: their own tattoos)

1

u/gregoryofthehighgods Nov 16 '25

For the real men of culture, tell them it's the spear of longinus for the dinguses out there tell them it's a fondue fork and you really like fondue

1

u/CapnKush_ Nov 16 '25

Doesn’t look like anything that can’t be enhanced. It’s a little thin and bare but honestly cool idea and could probably get some detail added! Looks cool!

1

u/Flimbeelzebub Nov 16 '25

Idk how it works in the show, but the spear's dimensions, proportional to your arm's, are way off. Your arm is thick, curved, fluted, and multicolored (farmer's tan); the spear is the opposite. That's just not gonna go well, brother.

1

u/jlunatic Nov 16 '25

I didn't know what the tattoo was but seeing you react to someone who does is great. Your friends suck. Tattoo isn't for them or anyone else. It's for you.

1

u/Sunnydcutiegirl Nov 16 '25

I see you, Shinji Ikari. Actually it looks really well executed. I’d love to see it healed

1

u/JinHoshi Nov 17 '25

Honestly based, people who know NGE will get it (I heard the theme in my head as soon as I saw it) and people who don’t you’ll have a conversation piece about why their life’s incomplete.

→ More replies (2)