I'm more surprised than anything regarding your reply which is really cool.
Not sure if you played the OG Grandia, but even that explores the dangers of technological and industrial overreach. The last Grandia explored aviation (still quite enjoyable because of the soundtrack and peak voice acting). Other examples are there, but I'll mention that later.
As for Evangelion, I consider it fantasy than true sci-fi because the Angels don't come from an exoplanet or a whole other galaxy. They're more like unclassified earthlings, but with an underlying supernatural background than actual extraterrestrials.
Said semitomboy from North Carolina wasn't that impressed with End of EVA. She and I are more likely to explore more obscure space operas like Black Science which delves into the consequences of untested experiments. That and altered reality caused by technological overreach caused by futuristic scientists messing with space time. Resulting in an altered reality where characters have to endure a hostile environment like never before.
I also love the similarities Black Science has with my beloved Turok: Dinosaur Hunter or Turok Evolution (the GBA version which told the story better while presenting it like a comic book). I'm also surprised that Turok is back.
No way would I want to live in a warped reality with dinosaurs, the megaladon (would eat all the tuna) or that prehistoric primate, the Gigantopithecus (very dangerous great ape). In other words, we don't want extinct animals next door.
Music and Creation in sci-fi like Rahxephon is something you don't see in anime everyday besides Macross. My big Virgo friend loves that series.
That same friend your age should watch SEED Freedom if she hasn't already. At least she was able to enjoy a wide variety of manga, not just The Origin and historical stuff. Such as Emma, Rose of Versailles and so on. She should check out Hyper Police as well which I think has endearing demons.
