Rebuild of Evangelion: Final Movie [Shin Evangelion Gekijouban:| |]

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Magin

So I decided to watch this in Japanese theaters, despite my own japanese ability being about elementary-school level. Even so.. I'm gonna dare to call this Anno's masterpiece. From what it seemed to me, Anno took the Eva series and wrapped up the story pretty nicely with a beautiful bow tie.

Spoiler for 3.0 +1:

First, I caution this, for anyone reading: take my impressions with a grain of salt, because I don't understand japanese quite well enough. But it seemed to me that the ultimate message of the movie is, "Yeah, you dun fucked up in the past. But it's time to get over yourself and move on with your life." I admit, I do have a nitpick, but that of course is with the old shipping wars.

Outside of the Eva battle with Mari in the beginning, we start out with those who are left dealing with the fallout of the third movie. Asuka being Asuka, Rei 3.0 knowing nothing about the world, and Shinji withdrawn from PTSD after the events of the third movie. We have everyone dealing as best they can with the new world otherwise, so an interesting perspective... especially as Rei bonds with Kenji's daughter (yes, you read that right- that much time has passed).

We go through this for a while, with Rei eventually taking care of Shinji... even gets him moving again. Then when she ultimately goes Pop! (I assume this has something to do with being part Angel or such)... Shinji FINALLY moves. And then the movie gets back into Eva-overdrive.

The Eva battle was pure eye-candy, with Asuka and Mari doing some badass fighting to get to the core of it all. Of course, Gendo and Futsuyuki are on their way as well. And this is where things really get cranked to 11, and completely go away from the original series. Now mind you, there was plenty of references to End of Evangelion at this point, including a Giant Rei Head. Of course, you have Misato's squad providing support, but ultimately Gendo does initiate Additional Impact.

Which leads to my biggest Goddamn! moment: it appears that the issues between Shinji and Gendo finally get aired between them... I wish my Japanese way better, but I've always been of the opinion that Gendo wanted to be a husband more than a father (there's a reason why he usually wins the sarcastic Father of the Year award). You get two Eva-01s fighting each other with Lance of Longinous (because of course Evangelion goes into WTF territory), and we even get decent backstory for Gendo. Outside this battle, Misato decides to go down with the ship (dammit Misato, handing care of your son over to Ritsuko like that!), and Mari delivers another Lance, but modified- I'm forgetting its name. And with this, Shinji apparently gets Gendo to stop being so selfish and think of Yui again. And apparently this sets Gendo at ease.

Enter Kaoru at this point, asking Shinji what he wants. I'm assuming this is where the Next New World gets built (and the background Song here was FANTASTIC!), and the implication is that everyone will be coming back. Shinji finally says goodbye to kaoru and Rei (gah! My Ship!)... hell, since the Lance has to go through Unit 01 to trigger it all, we see the last of Yui's spirit sending her son off into the New World. This almost teared me up. And this would lead to the redux of the infamous Beach Scene... except now it's just Shinji and ultimately Mari (grrr... I'll allow it, even if I'm not a fan of this new ship). Of course, all Evas are now wiped out of existence... and where does this lead? The implication of the new world seems to be about 3~4 years later, as definitely both Shinji and Mari have grown a little, and I think also Rei and kaoru appear a little older- I didn't catch enough of Asuka, and I think we see a brief glimpse of other main characters at the train platform too. So Holy Shit, a (relatively) Happy Ending for Eva? Anno must be getting old... but I'll take it, dammit!

I think the only people who are mad at this are those saying the ReBuild movies are horrible compared to the original Eva, or the usually shippers. I admit, I'm kinda in the second category; after many, many years of Asuka vs. Rei, Anno gives us all the finger by having new girl Mari be the final winner in terms of shipping. Not happy about that personally, but I can accept it.

When English Subtitles finally get put on, I'm definitely re-watching it. With the exception of 3.0, I've preferred the Rebuilds to the original, and this was a fantastic way to wrap up the series.

Watch the JP subs. Way easier than just pure audio. But yes, you are more or less spot on. Gendo is basically that one guy who became over attached to his partner far beyond what is healthy because he could not face his own issues. So like his son basically except Shinji got over it.

And yeah, that Yui and Shinji scene was A+

[LG-MAX 2.o]

Blu-ray come out August 25, 2021: https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/%E7%B7...3S0Z40X0VQCGSE

[saya_leviathan]

It's heading for Amazon Prime Video on August 15.
https://twitter.com/khara_inc/status...14176179912707

[Wheeljack83]

Originally Posted by Ligerleon89

Spoiler for Just my thoughts about what I know so far as vague as I can make it.:

Considering that this is the final Rebuild of Evangelion and after the information I got, and even more proof from people who actually watched it; I'll say this, as much as people want the shipping stuff to happen. It's not going to go the way some people would think. After this, Anno's done with Evangelion possibly for good.

Good riddance I say. Tired of all the false broken promises, disjointed storytelling and overhype.

Originally Posted by Cosmic Eagle

Asuka wasn't really sunk though.

Spoiler:

Shinji and her acknowledged they liked each other before Shinji saved her from the Black Moon/ Lilith core/ wherever the hell that was supposed to be. But where the heck is she in the new world....Like damn Ano, don't fridge her like that. Everyone else of the pilots showed up

Spoiler:

It's garbage storytelling and everyone knows it, and no one is really ballsy enough to call a spade a spade. The story ends with Shinji getting together with ....f'n Mari!

Shinji and Mari have like no emotional connection at all and have barely any dialogue at all with each other. They have no interaction or meaningful dialogue exchanges to speak of in the third movie. This isn't about SHIPPING. It's bad storytelling and not servicing the characters you created and set up and nurtured for decades. It's trash writing.

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Wheeljack83

Good riddance I say. Tired of all the false broken promises, disjointed storytelling and overhype.

Spoiler:

It's garbage storytelling and everyone knows it, and no one is really ballsy enough to call a spade a spade. The story ends with Shinji getting together with ....f'n Mari!

Shinji and Mari have like no emotional connection at all and have barely any dialogue at all with each other. They have no interaction or meaningful dialogue exchanges to speak of in the third movie. This isn't about SHIPPING. It's bad storytelling and not servicing the characters you created and set up and nurtured for decades. It's trash writing.

Nah, you just expected something that was never there at all. Also to call a spade a spade? This was indeed a fitting thematic end.

In the first place, since when was EVA even a romance about whom Shinji ends up with? If anything the central relationship in every of his in every iteration of the story, is with Rei and their relationship is not your usual shipping romance. He did what he set out to do with everyone of the cast. Mari coming in at the end is just basically symbolic of a new start, that's all

[Wheeljack83]

Originally Posted by Cosmic Eagle

Nah, you just expected something that was never there at all. Also to call a spade a spade? This was indeed a fitting thematic end.

In the first place, since when was EVA even a romance about whom Shinji ends up with? If anything the central relationship in every of his in every iteration of the story, is with Rei and their relationship is not your usual shipping romance. He did what he set out to do with everyone of the cast. Mari coming in at the end is just basically symbolic of a new start, that's all

Spoiler:

Who says he has to end up with anyone?

You are honestly lecturing me that it's not about a romance about whom Shinji ends up with he ends up with freaking Mari? Seriously? How do you defend that?

Why does he need a new start with Mari of all people? It's dumb and ridiculous.

The fact that we waited 9 years for this movie is absolute garbage.

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Wheeljack83

Spoiler:

Who says he has to end up with anyone?

You are honestly lecturing me that it's not about a romance about whom Shinji ends up with he ends up with freaking Mari? Seriously? How do you defend that?

Why does he need a new start with Mari of all people? It's dumb and ridiculous.

The fact that we waited 9 years for this movie is absolute garbage.

No, it's not a romance.....The entire movie as a whole would have made that clear. You base your opinion off one scene at the end while disregarding everything else?

Why does he need a new start with Mari of all people? It's dumb and ridiculous.

Because Ano wanted something to say, EVA's plot is done, let's go forward now? It's less about Mari than conveying this. Could he have done it another way, sure.....But it's not exactly a major deal in light of the rest of the show. To each their own though

[Magin]

To add on, the ultimate theme of the movie is, It's Time To Let Go And Move On.

This includes all the shippers of the original series: Anno's basically saying, it's time to move on from Rei and Asuka (despite these two being the primary girls for over 2 decades), and have something new instead, your ships be damned.

[Last Sinner]

Anyone with a clue would have known that from the original series...If people seriously needed the movies to get that, or still don't, then I laugh.

Furthermore, it is rich of Anno to say that. There was no need to do anything beyond the original series. Sure, there is a fanatical following of Evangelion. But if you're going to tell me Anno's own obsessions aren't part of the problem, I laugh even harder.

And that is why I - and many of my friends - refer to this franchise as Don't Mention The War. Most people have moved on. The rest should too. Especially Anno. That includes getting mental help. Hmm, maybe Mari was his IRL psychiatrist...

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Last Sinner

Anyone with a clue would have known that from the original series...If people seriously needed the movies to get that, or still don't, then I laugh.

Furthermore, it is rich of Anno to say that. There was no need to do anything beyond the original series. Sure, there is a fanatical following of Evangelion. But if you're going to tell me Anno's own obsessions aren't part of the problem, I laugh even harder.

And that is why I - and many of my friends - refer to this franchise as Don't Mention The War. Most people have moved on. The rest should too. Especially Anno. That includes getting mental help. Hmm, maybe Mari was his IRL psychiatrist...

I care more about the branch companies of Gainax TBH....what happened to Gaina? Where is Top wo Nerae 3???! Anno obviously is doing well. What about the rest?

[Magin]

I re-read through this thread from the beginning (all the way back in 2012!)... and so all those other opinions were interesting, to say the least.

I'm certainly more of a fan of these newer movies, but of course so many are fans of the original series, and hence a lot of the vitriol about these movies. Of course, it does raise the question of "Why would Anno re-do the series?" Which still remains a good question, but some of th ideas that I saw and might be true:

Probably the biggest one, for those who don't know, is that there were a lot of issues with Gainax. While the original Eva as between Gainax and Production I.G... one idea tossed out was to remake the Eva series, but this time with Anno's own studio Khara. Actually, I'm thinking that might be close to the truth: re-do the series, but make sure that Gainax can't claim Eva anymore (my understanding is that Anno was PISSED at Gainax, but I forget all the reasons why)

Another theory I'm willing to float of why these even exist: so that the entire franchise, including the spinoff games and manga, could finally all be tied together. So call these movies an alternative but still canon. If you like your psychological mindfuckery and teenagers dealing with PTSD and generally Bad Shit Happening (this is how I'm going to phrase it, since no one, not even Anno himself, can tell you the real message behing EVA), enjoy the original series. Meanwhile, I have enjoyed Shinji actually making a goddamned decision and growing a pair of balls in the face of literal world-ending events... I'm hearing a term called "Reiwa Energy" being used to describe a slow but sure cultural shift in some manga at least, and I'm just going to say that this final Eva movie also uses the so-called "Reiwa Energy"

Oh, and one other comment still strikes me: While Anno himself is done with the franchise, supposedly he's said that if anyone else wants to do their own take on Eva, Anno would enjoy a legacy like that of Gundam, being a major franchise in japan.

[Guardian Enzo]

Anno is “done” with Eva the way Miyazaki is retired. There’s not enough salt in the world.

Also worth noting that I.G. had relatively little to do with the original TV version of NGE. It was Tatsunoko that co-produced it with Gainax. It was only with the Eva movies that I.G. moved into a co-pilot role (which led to a similar relationship on FLCL).

[Wheeljack83]

Originally Posted by Magin

To add on, the ultimate theme of the movie is, It's Time To Let Go And Move On.

This includes all the shippers of the original series: Anno's basically saying, it's time to move on from Rei and Asuka (despite these two being the primary girls for over 2 decades), and have something new instead, your ships be damned.

Then he shouldn't have waited 9 years to make this. Unforgivable.

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Anno is “done” with Eva the way Miyazaki is retired. There’s not enough salt in the world.

Also worth noting that I.G. had relatively little to do with the original TV version of NGE. It was Tatsunoko that co-produced it with Gainax. It was only with the Eva movies that I.G. moved into a co-pilot role (which led to a similar relationship on FLCL).

Pretty much this.

[Magin]

Originally Posted by Wheeljack83

Then he shouldn't have waited 9 years to make this. Unforgivable.

I could make comparisons here and go off on a tangent, but I'll cut straight to the chase: yes, nine years is a long time for a final movie. But not-so-fun-fact: the movie almost really didn't happen, and so everything in 3.33 would've remained unanswered... but I suppose you'd be fine with that.

It took 9 nine years because A) Anno only got his creative spark back after directing Shin Godzilla in 2016 and B) it would've been released in 2020, but we had this thing called Covid running rampant (arguably we still do).

Yes, nine years is a LONG time. But it's his story, and he finally finished it (for now), and finished it in an excellent way. So I'm more than willing to forgive him. Don't be upset that your ship was sank, though that's probably asking too much.

[SidVicious]

I can't wait to see this movie.
So many years waiting and it's almost here.

[Wheeljack83]

The only person who isn't letting go and moving on is Hideaki Anno.

[Kanon]

Watched it, and the message is... exactly the same as that of the original series? Was there any point to these movies beyond being giant cashgrabs?

Spoiler for Spoilers:

I did like that we finally got Gendo's perspective at least.

Mari ending up with Shinji is really just a giant middle fingers to shippers, nothing more. I do find it hilarious that people have been fighting for decades over Asuka and Rei and a newcomer ends up winning, but I wish it actually made sense within the story. I don't remember them interacting much. It's also rather funny that Asuka gives up on Shinji because "she grew up before him", and the one who ends up with him is even older (from his mom's generation).

It also sure would have been nice if Mari had been given a backstory beyond "she was Gendo and Yui's colleague and friend". They even drop that her real name is Mary Iscariot near the end of the movie and... it leads to nothing.

[ars89]

I'm just happy its finally over.

[Kanon]

Now that I'm done avoiding spoilers I've been checking out discussions here and there and people are comparing the ending to Madoka's when they should be comparing it to Rahxephon... which to me has always been the superior version of Evangelion. I'm probably going to get hanged for saying this.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by ars89

I'm just happy its finally over.

For now...