In E7 context, the mecha are actually ‘alive’, similar to the EVA’s. The LFO’s are based around biological bodies.

As for the interpretation, I do not believe that the creators intended for the audience to ‘understand’ the messages about Tibet, dehumanization, and such presented. No, E7’s demographic would not understand such concepts. The concept of ‘innocence’ is to be disputed as well. The wonderful thing about E7 is it’s superb charcter development. I wouldn’t exactly call them naive, but rather, they resemble us. Their actions resemble what actual people would do in such situations. And that is the show’s appeal.

Your review and analysis of Eureka Seven, is by far the most well thought out and presented I have seen anywhere so far.
I absolutely loved this anime, not because of it’s excellent script work, and not even for its amazing cinematic artwork, nor was it even for the well rounded characters that worked around each other throughout the whole series.
It is firstly due to what is shown to the audience at first subversively, but then becomea such a larger part of the anime itself. The dehumanization of ones enemies, or just people or things in general. I love how Eureka Seven lets the viewer realize these important elements and tugs and even at times screams at ones emotions and Moral alarm.
In short This post is really about my appreciation of your review on this topic on this anime, and how well I think you pinned it!
It is good to know there are others out there that can see the interwoven and subtle messages left by these amazing writers.

It’s taken me two or three months, but today I finally finished watching Eureka Seven. Like whenever I finish reading a book or watching a long TV series, I feel like I’ve accomplished something big, but at the same time, I’ve grown attached to t…

And yup, I agree there are some definite similarities to Bokurano. Though with that show, the mecha action is almost an after thought compared to the foreboding, almost heart breaking characterization.

@S.A.: I’m kind of aware the LFOs are actually "alive", or rather, living organisms from the "eighth dimension". I’m not sure if that applies to the KLFs as well though? To be honest I’m a little hazy on that whole aspect of E7 right now, must rewatch!

@j.valdez: "With this particular aspect one could say that truth is stranger and far more brutal than fiction." That’s for sure, or rather "Now and Then, Here and There" along with "Grave of the Fireflies" did that. I do admire and really enjoy Eureka Seven if just for that innocent naivety; like how Renton or Eureka can just strap on a parachute and surf their way through the clouds!

We see it as a novelty of the specific art form that we follow. However, youth on the battlefield is not new or even uncommon. One only has to look at the conflicts in some regions of Africa for a current example. With this particular aspect one could say that truth is stranger and far more brutal than fiction.

I advise you to rewatch or peruse through episode 18 again however, as it pertains to the LFOs origin.

I’ve noticed a similar effect in Hiroyuki Morita’s Bokurano. The heroes are initially led to believe that piloting the big shiny robot is just a game; it is only after their first battle that they see the after-effects, which are tragically counted in human lives. E7 does have that ‘fun’ side you mentioned though (an aspect which Bokurano really seems to lack!). Although I expect to see it diminish as the episodes progress, it makes the serious themes much easier to digest.