>>3610802I could make the argument that you just see carefully chosen esoteric influence because Anno and his team took names and shit in order, from a story that already exists and has designated roles for either characters or "lore" or whatever you want to call what makes up a specific religion. Not to mention these religions not only have text but music, paintings (specific imagery based on it), and more art in general
They may have some basic knowledge of these religions, as some interviews or things written by Sadamoto imply, but at least I don't see it incorporated in that way with that intent behind it.
I can look at some cool painting about the apocalypse and then go and use similar imagery in my work, make four characters and then let people go "OH I get it! These shot here is referencing that one painting about the apocalypse! And if you think about it, these four characters then are a reference to the four horses! This work is so great!"
