Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997)

Director: Anno Hideaki
Stars: Ogata Megumi, Hayashibara Megumi, Miyamura Yûko 

Runtime: 87 minutes

Synopsis: Concurrent theatrical ending of the TV series Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995).

Verdict: When the end credits of the final episode of “Neon Genesis Evangelion” started rolling, I was left speechless in front of my screen. Calling the last 5 to 6 episodes of the anime mind-boggling would be doing them a disservice as I instantly understood that they exceeded anything I could’ve hoped for in a show about a young pilot recruited to keep the Earth safe from mysterious creatures called Angels.

Divided into 26 chapters, Anno Hideaki’s creation takes its sweet time to properly develop the stakes of the narrative and deconstruct its protagonists. Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Misato, and every character taking part in the story is interesting in their own way, making their journey one I deeply cared about and connected with.

Enhanced by the show’s stunning cinematography, the first two-thirds offer layer upon layer of character growth and epic action sequences, purposefully keeping a lot of stones unturned to pave the way to an ending where all the cards are revealed. The themes of the tale almost come across as an unexpected reveal and I was truly taken aback by its sudden philosophical turn. Questions about subjects as heavy as loneliness, identity, religion, depression, or even the burden of existence start to arise, and they’re all handled in a way that invites the audience to experience them from a metaphysical trance. The last few episodes are hypnotic; they’ll leave you in a state of self-evaluation and heavy reflection that may or may not cost you a few hours of sleep. The gorgeous abstract imagery only adds to that haunting feeling of annihilation, recaptured once again in the thematically apt alternative ending released a couple of years later in movie form.

“The End of Evangelion” came out as an alternative conclusion to the many dissatisfied fans of episodes 25 and 26. Without steering away from the franchise’s main themes, it communicates its message in a much less ambiguous way to the audience. The events are shown from a third-person point of view, pulling us back from Shinji’s distorted mind to instead expand on the characters’ ultimate fates. Regarded as one of the best animes of all time, it complements the show like a charm by offering viewers a different perspective of the perplexing incidents that occurred in the last two episodes.

The only complaint I have about “Neon Genesis Evangelion” is the fact that it felt slightly repetitive in its middle. But other than that it’s a franchise that will most certainly stick with me for a very long time and one I cannot wait to revisit sometimes down the line. It may not be as accessible as “Death Note” or “Attack on Titan”, but its unique take on complex themes and its meticulous focus on character growth makes the watch a highly rewarding one.

FINAL GRADE: 9/10