Evangelion Movies & TV
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Sexual undertones, religious influences, makeup of the human spirit, and depression. These are only a few of the topics tackled by this series. There’s so much going on, but it rarely feels like things aren’t being given their due. This is one of the classic anime’s for a reason. The last two episodes are very confusing. However, I think it’s cool that it’s canonical with End of Evangelion. Each character becomes an archetype for multiple anime characters in the future (it’s no wonder this series revived the anime industry). There’s so much to say, and no good way to say it. A must watch series.
- Additional thoughts
- Shinji running away the second time feels unnecessary.
- The shows use of still scenes is next level. There are numerous times where nothing on screen is moving, but the audio (or lack there of) tell you more than a moving image ever would've.
- Discussions On Evangellion's Ending
End of Evangelion
It would be accurate to consider this movie a bit of a mind-fuck. A lot happens in 80 minutes, and not all of it is clear as day. With that in mind, End of Evangelion is a much better finale for the series than episodes 25/26 of the show. Apparently both endings are canonical, and that’s pretty cool. Lots of people dying isn’t exactly a surprise considering the stakes of everything. This is a series that needs to be watched to be appreciated (maybe some extra reading after too). The final scene is confusing (Shinji choking Asuka? WTF), but it’s actually a continuation of Shinji’s dream(?) of him and Asuka in the kitchen. There’s a lot going on here, but the rollercoaster is worth it.
Evangelion: 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone
The story is almost exactly the same as the first six episodes of the original anime. A few scenes have been moved around, the English dub is updated, and we see Kaworu at the end. These adjustments help make the story easier to digest. That plus the modern animations makes the movie quiet formidable when compared to the original anime. "I personally enjoyed the movie more than the first six episodes."
Additional thoughts:
- Would someone new to the show understand the story better if they watched this first instead of the original anime?
- Watching this made me re-recognize that the first half of the show is really good. It's the second half that starts to slip.
- Make sure to watch the end credit scene!
Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance
This movie covers much of the same content as episodes 7-12 of the original show. That said, it diverges in a number of fresh ways. It's at least as good as 1.11.
Make sure to watch the end credit scene!
Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo
Watch the end credit scene(s) from 2.22, otherwise 3.33 is more confusing than necessary. The biggest issue with 3.33 is that the plot goes nowhere. Shinji is essentially in the same place (mentally) at the beginning and end of the movie.
Make sure to watch the end credit scene!
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
After much reflection, it’s time to write down my thoughts on this movie (and to a degree the franchise). The ending of the original show is confusing. The ending of End of Evangelion is better, but still confusing. The ending of Thrice Upon a Time is the least confusing. All three endings are canon, which is something I think is really neat. After reading some discussion online, the ending starts to make more sense. This is a movie they should be watched at least twice to really understand what’s going on.
I’m still a big fan of all the characters. They’re mostly one note, but it’s done in a way to show their growth, strengths, and weaknesses. All of which drive the story.