The End of Evangelion 1714278 225794513 2008-07-15T12:56:56Z Willbyr 394996 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225777917 by [[Special:Contributions/125.85.151.216|125.85.151.216]] ([[User talk:125.85.151.216|talk]]) speculative and POV {{article issues |OR = January 2007 |trivia = June 2007 |weasel = August 2007 }} {{Infobox Film | name = The End of Evangelion<br />新世紀エヴァンゲリオン 劇場版 | image = eoeposter.JPG | imdb_id = 0169858 | writer = [[Hideaki Anno]] | starring = [[Megumi Ogata]]<br />[[Megumi Hayashibara]]<br />[[Yuko Miyamura]]<br />[[Kotono Mitsuishi]] | director = '''Executive Director'''<br /> [[Hideaki Anno]]<br />'''Episode 25':'''<br /> [[Kazuya Tsurumaki]]<br /> '''Episode 26':'''<br />[[Hideaki Anno]] | producer = Mitsuhisa Ishikawa | music = [[Shiro Sagisu]] | editing = Sachiko Miki | cinematography = Hisao Shirai | distributor = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Toei Company, Ltd.]]<br />{{flagicon|United States}} {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Manga Entertainment]] | released = [[July 19]], [[1997]] | runtime = 87 min. | country = [[Japan]] | language = Japanese | amg_id = 1:281071 | budget = }} {{nihongo|'''''The End of Evangelion'''''|新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 THE END OF EVANGELION|Shin seiki Evangerion Gekijō-ban: The End of Evangelion}} is a [[1997]] [[anime]] [[film]] written and chief directed by [[Hideaki Anno]]; it won the [[Japan Academy Prize (film)|Japan Academy Prize]] for popularity<!-- Note Best Picture went to another film; this was specifically the popularity award according to the Evamonkey forums and some random sites I checked. -->. The movie also won the [[Animage]] Anime Grand Prix prize for 1997. The film can be regarded as either an alternate ending to the popular [[animated series]] ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV)|Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' or as a more detailed, "real world" account of the ending found in the series' original ending in episodes [[Do you love me?|#25]] and [[Take care of yourself.|#26]], which takes place almost completely in the psyche of the main characters (the style being largely shaped by time and budget restraints).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.evaotaku.com/html/rcb-production.html | title = The End of Evangelion: Production | accessdate = 2006-09-03 | publisher = EvaOtaku.com | date = [[1998-02-20]] }} </ref> The film is divided into two approx 45 minute "episodes," ''Episode 25': Air'' and ''Episode 26': まごころを、君に'' (Magokoro o, kimi ni, "''My Purest Heart for You''"). Both are shown without opening credits, but both include ending credits, meaning that credits for ''Air'' are shown halfway through the film. ''Episode 25: Air'', utilizes the original script intended for episode 25 of the original series and forms roughly 2/3 of the previous film, ''[[Evangelion: Death and Rebirth|Rebirth]]''. ''The End of Evangelion'' later became the second half of ''[[Revival of Evangelion]]'', a concatenation of ''Death(true)²'' and ''The End of Evangelion''. The film depicts the apocalyptic completion of the [[Human Instrumentality Project]], where individual identity is destroyed to create a single existence for all human beings - that is, people's AT-Fields are destroyed and the entirety of humanity is turned into [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#LCL|LCL]]. In this film, Shinji rejects the Human Instrumentality Project in favor of individual existence, whereas in the series, it is left ambiguous. Although the film is considered less abstract than the series' end, some fans dislike its violence and shock value relative to the original series. It is, however, a common misconception that Anno created the film as revenge on the ex-fans of the TV series. The numerous hate-mail and [[death]] threats sent to Anno are related to the theatrical release of ''[[Evangelion: Death and Rebirth|Death and Rebirth]]'', not the TV series.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} Some of these letters, along with letters of praise, are briefly flashed in the film, near the ending<ref name="death-threats">[http://www.tesuji.org/eoe_death_threats.txt "Death Threats Transcribed"] - (Detailed transcription of the letters appearing in ''The End of Evangelion'')</ref>. ==Plot== :''This summary only includes the main events of the film, and not any of the characters' personal or emotional journeys. :''All [[List of characters in Neon Genesis Evangelion|characters]] and [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary|terms]] are those of the TV series. Please check the corresponding articles.'' :''Titles of the episodes are in the format "original Japanese title/alternative English title".'' ===Episode 25': Air / Love is Destructive=== Still despondent from the death of [[Kaworu Nagisa]], Third Child Shinji Ikari pleads for help from Second Child [[Asuka Langley Soryu]], who is being held in NERV's private hospital facilities in a temporary coma. In his frenetic attempt to wake her up, he accidentally pulls the sheets off her bed, exposing her nearly naked body. After freezing in shock, Shinji [[masturbation|masturbates]] to [[orgasm]] while looking at Asuka's comatose body. The scene concludes with Shinji muttering "I'm so fucked up."<ref name="lowest">Shinji's words translate literally from the Japanese dialogue as "I'm the lowest". However, Manga Entertainment's translated them in the official English version as "I'm so fucked up" in the English dub and "I'm scum" in the English subtitles.</ref> Meanwhile, NERV commander [[Gendo Ikari]] and [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#SEELE|SEELE]] come to their final disagreement regarding the [[Human Instrumentality Project]]'s execution. SEELE initially attempts to break into NERV's [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#MAGI Super Computer System|MAGI]] supercomputer system using the other MAGI across the globe. After being released from detainment in the GeoFront, [[Ritsuko Akagi]] sets up a protection system for MAGI, [[Number of the Beast|666]], that will lock them out for 62 hours. As time is short, and the original MAGI computers are to be salvaged intact, SEELE is forced to send the [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#Japanese Strategic Self Defense Forces (JSSDF)|Japanese Strategic Self Defense Forces]] to invade the GeoFront rather than destroying the facility. The JSSDF, in the form of special forces commandos, move into the GeoFront and begin to indiscriminately and ruthlessly exterminate all NERV personnel, both combatants and unarmed employees, and even personnel who are wounded or have surrendered. Correctly predicting the JSSDF have received orders to kill the Eva pilots, Major [[Misato Katsuragi]] orders Asuka to be relocated from the NERV private hospital facility to within Unit 02. Upon discovering that Shinji is still within the NERV facilities, Misato sets out to rescue him personally. First Child [[Rei Ayanami]], however, goes to the LCL pool near [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#Terminal Dogma|Terminal Dogma]]; as she leaves her room, Gendo's glasses are shown on the floor, shattered. Concluding that their defeat is inevitable, Gendo bids farewell to [[List of characters in Neon Genesis Evangelion#Deputy Commander Kōzō Fuyutsuki|Deputy Commander Kōzō Fuyutsuki]] - addressing him, for the first time shown in the series outside of flashbacks, as "Professor" Fuyutsuki ("''Fuyutsuki-sensei''") - and retreats to Terminal Dogma to initiate Third Impact. Soon after, the JSSDF invade [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#Central Dogma|Central Dogma]] and the remaining NERV staff members make a last stand against the invaders there. As the destruction of the GeoFront was the main objective of their operation, the JSSDF detonates an N² bomb over its surface, shattering the roof, destroying the remains of Tokyo-3 and exposing the GeoFront to a barrage of missiles that fall down seconds later over the pyramid. Meanwhile, Misato saves Shinji from assassination by killing his assailants with shocking efficiency, horrifying Shinji even further. She then literally drags him into her car and drives toward [[Evangelion (mecha)#Evangelion Unit 01 (Shogōki: 初号機)|Unit 01's]] cage. In front of the elevator to the launch bay, they are suddenly attacked by JSSDF troops, and Misato is shot in the back while rushing Shinji into the elevator room. She shrugs off the wound and has an emotional final talk with Shinji, persuading him to end his cycle as a pilot and enter the Eva one last time. She gives him her cross pendant (now bloodstained), and a "grownup kiss", with a promise to "do the rest" when he gets back. Just after pushing Shinji into the elevator, Misato collapses on the floor and speaks her final words (to Pen-Pen and [[Ryoji Kaji]]); she is killed by an explosion several seconds later. Meanwhile, Asuka wakes up inside Unit 02 in the bottom of the underground lake outside of the pyramid. When the JSSDF drop [[depth charge]]s in an attempt to kill her along with her Eva, she is overwhelmed by her [[thanatophobia]]. Asuka suddenly comes to the epiphany that her mother has "always been with her" within Unit 02. She then regains complete consciousness and easily fights back the invaders, though they manage to sever Unit 02's umbilical cable in the process. SEELE concludes that Unit 02 is a burden upon their plans and sends the nine [[Evangelion (mecha)#Mass Production Evangelions|mass-production (MP) Evas]], Units 05 through 13, to destroy it. Asuka fights the MP Evas, defeating all of them just before Unit 02's batteries expire. However, one of the replica Lances of Longinus carried by the MP Evas breaks through Unit 02's AT Field and impales its head; Asuka is shown screaming in pain and holding her left eye, blood streaming from the wound. As Unit 02 powers down and collapses, held up by the Lance in its head, the MP Evas return to life and take to the skies, circling Unit 02 like birds before descending to tear it apart with their teeth. Although Unit 02 is powerless, and thus should not be synchronized to Asuka, she is again shown in extreme pain, holding her abdomen (which can be seen to be covered in a dark stain that is clearly blood) in addition to her eye, as if she is trying to hold in her insides. After the MP Evas take to the skies once again, Asuka, in a blood rage, wills Unit 02 to go berserk, fervently repeating "I'll kill you," although she is only able to make the Eva lift its right arm. Another replica Lance splits Unit 02's right arm in half; for a moment in the scene, it is also shown that Asuka's arm is split in half. Many replica Lances impale Unit 02; although her fate is not made clear, the NERV personnel back in Central Dogma assume that Asuka has been killed. While Asuka and the Evas are battling, Ritsuko goes to Terminal Dogma to stop Gendo's plan, ordering MAGI to self-destruct, and with it the GeoFront. However, Casper (MAGI's third core and [[List of characters in Neon Genesis Evangelion#Naoko Akagi|Dr. Naoko Akagi's]] personality as a woman) overrides the command and halts the self-destruct sequence. Gendo speaks a confession to Ritsuko, translated in the official English version as "Ritsuko Akagi, the truth is/I truly..." (the rest is inaudible) - to which she responds, "(You) liar...". He then shoots and kills her. Back at the GeoFront, Unit 01 activates on its own, breaks the hardened [[Bakelite]] blocking Shinji's path to the entry plug and emerges from it, destroying the remains of the pyramid and generating a new type of wing-like AT Field, similar to Adam's during Second Impact. The episode concludes as Shinji, witnessing the mangled remains of Unit 02 in the hands of the MP Evas, unleashes a scream of horror. <!--Are Unit 01's "wings" really an AT field? They are almost exactly like the wings that Adam was shown to have during Second Impact--> <!--Adam's wings were part of its AT-field--> ===Episode 26': My Purest Heart for You (Sincerely Yours) / ONE MORE FINAL: I need you.=== As Shinji writhes in mental agony due to seeing the dismembered Unit 02, Unit 01 generates a new type of AT-Field, which takes the shape of a crucifix surrounding it. As if in response to Shinji's (and Unit 01's) scream, the Lance of Longinus rockets back from the moon's orbit, halting before the floating Unit 01. The MP Evas pierce Unit 01's hands with two of the replica Lances, thereby marking it with the [[holy stigmata]]. They then proceed to bite and grab the "wings" of Unit 01's AT-Field, as their collective AT-Fields form a [[Tree of Sephiroth]], with Unit 01 in the center. This results in a massive explosion, seen from space in the shape of a stylized eye, revealing in its center the Egg of Lilith within the Geofront. (note that the "AT Field" during the scene is described by [[nerv]] personal as an "ANTI AT FIELD") Back in Terminal Dogma, Gendo pushes his right hand (fused with the embryonic Adam) into Rei's body; however, Rei defies Gendo's control, absorbs Adam's embryo and most of Gendo's right arm, and merges with Lilith on her own. The crucified creature transforms into a moving, glowing white figure of enormous and ever-increasing proportions. Lilith is freed from her mask and takes the shape of Rei, ascending to the sky and transforming the MP Evas into her [[avatar]]s. Terrified, Shinji is finally made to let down his AT-Field when Lilith/Rei reveals herself to also possess the body of Kaworu Nagisa. As Shinji submits to Rei/Kaworu/Lilith, the real Lance of Longinus penetrates Unit 01's core, transforming it into a cross-shaped Tree of Life. The Egg of Lilith, a black moon, rises from the Geofront into Lilith's hands. Inside Unit 01, Shinji retreats into a desperate internal dialogue with Asuka that results in his complete loss of hope. This is the beginning of Instrumentality, initiated on Shinji's decision within Unit 01: "Nobody cares whether or not I exist... nothing ever changes. So they can all just die." For people to willingly let down their [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#AT-Field|AT-Fields]], the barriers of their souls, Lilith takes on several forms and approaches each human individually in the form of the person he or she loves the most, or simply forces her way past their AT-Fields if he or she has no loved one (as is the case with First Lieutenant Shigeru Aoba); these actions reduce every human being to a pool of [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#LCL|LCL]]. Their souls, represented as red, marble-sized dots, make their way back into the Egg. Shinji is absorbed separately into Instrumentality: a [[vagina]]-like crease containing another eye appears in Lilith/Rei's forehead, into which the Unit 01 cross plunges itself. Rei and Kaworu show him that the sea of LCL, the union of all souls, is the world he wanted to create. Through a series of internal dialogues and reflections, however, Shinji concludes that it is better to live life as an individual, even though living and pain are inseparable. With this, Unit 01 bursts from Lilith's eyeball holding the Lance of Longinus, and Lilith's physical form decomposes and dies, as the Egg explodes. Shinji returns to earth with his physical form, emerging from the sea of LCL. The MP Evas fall to Earth in crucifix-like postures. Unit 01 (now in a fossilized state) and the Lance of Longinus drift off into space; Yui explains to Shinji that all living creatures have the ability to return to their original forms, as long as they have the will to live as separate individuals. Before leaving, Yui explains in a flashback dialogue with Fuyutsuki that the Evangelion will outlast the sun and moon and will serve as an eternal testament that humanity existed. Shinji then wakes up lying on a shore. Misato's rusted cross pendant is nailed to a piece of debris nearby, and Asuka lies motionless next to Shinji, still in her plug suit, her left eye and right arm covered in bandages. After Shinji awakens, for an instant, an image of Rei appears to him at a distance then vanishes, in the same fashion as in the first episode of the TV series. When Shinji notices that Asuka is lying beside him, he begins to strangle her, only to stop when she reaches up and caresses his face, the same gesture that Yui gave to him in their final talk. He breaks down, sobbing on top of her. The film concludes as Asuka's eye focuses on Shinji and she speaks the ambiguous phrase "[[#The final scene|kimochi warui]]". ==Scene Analysis== The ambiguity or abstractness sometimes utilized in certain scenes have led to many different interpretations on aspects of the film, characters, and series overall. ===Gendo's silent line=== Gendo's final words to Ritsuko are muted and were never scripted. There was originally meant to be an explosion in the background making the line inaudible, but even after it was cut, [[Hideaki Anno|Anno]] still wanted the line to be unheard. [[Yuriko Yamaguchi (voice actor)|Yuriko Yamaguchi]] (Ritsuko Akagi) had difficulty delivering the subsequent line "Liar" without knowing what Gendo had said. Anno gave her one small hint as to what the line was, and she knew exactly how to deliver the line.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} In the subtitled version, the line reads "Akagi Ritsuko-kun, I truly ..." However, in the dubbed version, the line is "Ritsuko Akagi, the truth is ...". <!-- I don't like this section. Subtitled translations should not be compared against dubbed translations if the difference is merely a change of phrasing. While I do believe the point is legitimate, I would rather have a direct analysis of the original Japanese script, as opposed to an analysis of the subtitled translation - which is itself inherently subjective. --> ===The final scene=== The closing scene is vague and highly interpretable, and has caused several controversies as to its possible meanings. In the scene, Shinji and Asuka have separated themselves from the collective human existence, apparently alone in the post-Third Impact world. There are indications that Shinji emerges first and considerably before Asuka does. Shinji has put up memorials to those he loved, and Misato's cross on her memorial has visibly rusted. Their interaction on the beach display a wide range of positive and negative human [[emotions]]. The world is irreversibly changed, however, and what happens afterwards is only hinted at. Asuka's closing line, "気持ち悪い。" ("Kimochi warui.") likewise can be interpreted in a number of ways. It was translated on Manga's DVD as "How disgusting," but it can also be translated as "I feel unwell/terrible/sick," "What a disgusting feeling," "Feels bad," etc. This has caused much confusion among Western fans, though the true meaning of the line is unclear in the original [[Japanese language|Japanese]] as well. An episode of ''Anime Yawa'', a Japanese show dedicated to anime, was broadcast on [[NHK]]'s [[satellite TV]] 31 March 2005; it described this final line and its original meaning: initially the final line was written as "I'd never want to be killed by you of all men, absolutely not!" or "I'll never let you kill me." ('' "Anta nankani korosareru nowa mappira yo!"'') but Anno was dissatisfied with all of Miyamura's (Asuka's [[seiyuu]], [[Yuko Miyamura]]) renditions of this line<ref>"Annno didn't live with my line no matter how many times I tried. Ogata and I were at a loss how we should play what Anno wanted to express; she even tried to ride on me and choke me to meet his demand. He must have been pursuing reality." [http://animaniajapan.livedoor.biz/archives/17687653.html "Asuka's final line in the Evangelion movie was Miyamura's idea"]</ref>. Eventually Anno, asked her a question which described what he was going for with this scene: <blockquote>"Concerning the final line we adopted, I'm not sure whether I should say about it in fact. At last Anno asked me 'Miyamura, just imagine you are sleeping in your bed and a stranger sneaks into your room. He can rape you anytime as you are asleep but he doesn't. Instead, he masturbates looking at you, when you wake up and know what he did to you. What do you think you would say?' I had been thinking he was a strange man, but at that moment I felt disgusting. So I told him that I thought 'Disgusting.' And then he sighed and said, 'I thought as much.'" <ref name"blame-the-seiyuu">[http://animaniajapan.livedoor.biz/archives/17687653.html "Asuka's final line in the Evangelion movie was Miyamura's idea"]</ref></blockquote> [[Tiffany Grant]], Asuka's English dub [[voice actor|voice actress]], says this: <blockquote>''The most widely circulated translation of the last line of EoE <nowiki>[</nowiki>''End of Evangelion''<nowiki>]</nowiki> is "I feel sick," but [[Amanda Winn Lee]] (voice of Rei Ayanami, who also directed EoE) said she asked several translators, and she felt "disgusting" was the most accurate adaptation. You could say she is disgusted with/sick of the situation or with Shinji himself. My favorite explanation though, is this one: My husband, [[Matt Greenfield]], directed the TV series and is very familiar with the whole Eva franchise. Matt has said that although (Eva creator) Hideaki Anno seems to change his mind frequently about what various things mean in Eva, Anno once said that Asuka's comment about feeling "sick" was a reference to [[morning sickness]]. Now THAT gives ya something to think about, doesn't it! Of course, Anno is quite passionate about the idea that every person should decide for him or herself what Eva means to them.''<ref name="personal-faq">[http://www.modusproductions.com/eva-r/tiff/stats.htm "Current Info"] - (a personal FAQ page by Tiffany Grant)</ref></blockquote> There have been speculations that Asuka may now be an amalgamation of Asuka, Rei, and Misato because of her apparent red and brown eyes, the same eye colors as Rei's and Misato's (respectively). Further, she is wearing bandages that correspond to the physical damage she suffered during her last fight in Unit 02 (pierced left eye, injured right arm); these injuries mirror Rei's injuries seen in the opening episode of the original series. Furthermore, Rei had appeared to Shinji above the ocean of LCL in the previous scene. This theory was first proposed shortly after the movie was released, and was popular for some time. One point raised against this theory is that in this scene Asuka's eyes are actually their normal blue, and not a reddish-brown. A scan of the [[Cardass]] Wide Card for the scene in question, which reproduces the original [[cel]] used for it, shows that her eyes look somewhat grayish, but this is because of the color tones and lighting of the scene<ref name"asuka-eyes">[http://www.evaotaku.com/html/evafaq.html "Neon Genesis Evangelion Frequently Asked Questions (and common misconceptions)"] says this: "Asuka's eyes are blue, not brown, at the end of the film.<br /> This is a scan of the Cardass Wide Card for the scene in question: [http://www.evaotaku.com/other/IneedYou.jpg http://www.evaotaku.com/other/IneedYou.jpg].<br /> As you can see, her eye is clearly blue (somewhat greyish, but this is because of the color tones/lighting of the scene - it is night after all)."</ref>. Another explanation of the scene that can also be derived from the explanation on the "ONE MORE FINAL: I need you." card is an affirmation of Shinji's choice to return to reality, and in doing so, separating himself from Asuka once more. His first impulse is to strangle her, to finish what he started during Instrumentality, but once he feels her caress (which is very similar to the one he received from his mother only moments before), he realizes what he's doing. He releases his grip and collapses as an emotionally broken little boy, which disgusts Asuka. This presents a more human response in showing Asuka's opinion over Shinji's behavior, but the act of caressing his cheek may represent a better connection between the two, since it deviates from Asuka's normal response to fight back or slap Shinji. Despite the somber ending, there are clear statements that the results of Instrumentality are not permanent. Both Rei and [[Yui Ikari|Yui]] comfort Shinji and tell him that people can restore themselves to physical existence if they want to, depending on the strength within their hearts (the appearance of specters of Rei in a school girl uniform earlier in the film over dead or dying persons as well as living raises the question over whether they joined Instrumentality and could return). This being said, it is obvious that Asuka is one of the first persons to manifest herself back into reality. Another Evangelion trading card explains:{{Fact|date=May 2008}} <blockquote>"In the sea of LCL, Shinji wished for a world with other people. He desired to meet them again, even if it meant he would be hurt and betrayed. And just as he had hoped / wanted, Asuka was present in the new world. Only Asuka was there beside him. The girl whom he had hurt, and who had been hurt by him. But even so, she was the one he had hoped/wished for...."</blockquote> ==Postmodernism in the film== [[Image:NGEscreenshot02.jpg|thumb|right|One of the e-mails to [[Hideaki Anno]] briefly shown in the movie; the text reads {{nihongo|"Anno, I'll kill you!!!"|庵野、殺す!!!|Anno, korosu!!!}}.]] The film contains some highly [[postmodern]] sequences, including a scene showing a young Shinji playing in the Geofront with film lights around him (indicating he's on a film set), and some live action sequences including scenes of the [[seiyū]] of Misato, Rei, and Asuka (supposedly posing as their characters){{Fact|date=May 2008}}, and some live-action video footage of a movie theater and its audience. In addition, much of the artwork has been used by artist [[Takashi Murakami]] to create the [[superflat]] style (a Japanese genre of [[postmodern]] [[pop art]]); scenes from the film have been featured at Murakami's exhibitions, and were discussed in depth in his book and exhibition, ''Little boy: The Arts of Japan's Exploding Subculture''. In addition, there are letters from fans, including a few death threats via the internet, along with graffiti on Gainax's headquarters shown in the film.<ref>[http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=8bXEPGq1r7Y YouTube - Evangelion subliminals many insert scene]</ref> These scenes are difficult to identify, but can be seen as a quick succession of flashes after the line "this is the end of your dream" and before the colossal Rei/Lilith figure bleeds from its neck. ==Music== {{seealso|The End of Evangelion OST}} In addition to [[Shiro Sagisu]]'s original scoring, the film prominently features selections of [[Johann Sebastian Bach]]'s music throughout the movie. Episode 25' has the Japanese title ''Air'', being named after the ''[[Air on the G String]]'' which is played during the episode. Other pieces included are ''[[Cello Suites (Bach)#Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007|Cello Suite No. 1]] in G Major'' (I. Prélude) and ''[[Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring]]'' (the movement has been transcribed for piano and plays again with [[string instrument]]s during the end credits. A further song, ''[[Komm, süßer Tod (anime)|Komm, süßer Tod]]'' (''Come, Sweet Death''), is derived in name from an orchestral composition of Bach. Although the song has an upbeat, catchy tune, it appears in the film at the beginning of Instrumentality, and the lyric extensively describe the singer's motivations for suicide. [[Komm, süßer Tod (novel)|A novel]] of the same name was published by [[Wolf Haas]] the year after the film's release, and is sometimes mistakenly believed to be the basis for the song.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} [[Pachelbel's Canon]] also features extensively in the film, particularly as ''Komm, Süßer Tod'' bears many similarities to it, especially in the verses, and it is played over the ending credits. The song in both the end credits and the credits to episode 25' is entitled "''THANATOS -If I Can't Be Yours''" and performed by [[Loren & Mash]], is based on "''THANATOS''", a background music piece used in the series. ==Video Versions== For the first laserdisc release of the series, which also include the first release of the video versions of Episodes 21-24, ''The End of Evangelion'' was split up into two 40-minute episodes with brief intros (similar to episode 22), edited credits (for each episode instead of credits for both between the two), redone eyecatcher-textboards (showing "Neon Genesis Evangelion Episode..." instead of "The End of Evangelion Episode..." and next-episode-preview-section in Episode 25. The episodic version of the film was on the last two discs of the 1997/1998 laserdisc release of the series (Genesis 0:13 and 0:14 respectively), each containing 2 episodes (the original TV episodes and the new End of Evangelion episodes respectively), although the movie was also released in its original cinematic form on VHS, laserdisc, and later DVD. ===English Release=== Along with the interpretations of certain scenes and lines of dialogue mentioned above, several minor changes were made to the English dub for creative purposes: the line "Hit 'em again" was added to the scene in which the JSSDF soldiers are burning NERV employees (offscreen) with a [[flamethrower]], whereas there was no corresponding line in the Japanese; a splattering sound effect was added to the scene in which Misato shoots a JSSDF soldier through the head; and a similar splattering effect is added to the scene in which the replicas of the Lance of Longinus (called Heavy Lances,) on which the Mass Production Evangelions are impaled, swell, and explode. In the commentary on the Manga Entertainment DVD release of the film, English language-version director Amanda Winn Lee pointed out and took responsibility for all audio changes, explaining why she felt them to be appropriate. Some fans have also criticized the English dub of the film for its introduction of (supposedly) gratuitous [[profanity]]; namely, the word "[[fuck]]" is used twice in the film. Previous dubs of ''Evangelion'' had contained profanity as well, including several uses of the term "[[bullshit]]." However, such strong profanity had not been used previously. English-language director Amanda Winn Lee defended both uses, contending that they were completely appropriate given the context of the scenes. ===''The End of Evangelion: Renewal''=== A new version of ''The End of Evangelion'' was released on [[June 25]], [[2003]] in Japan by Starchild and King Records as part of ''Renewal of Evangelion,'' a box set which "compiles new digitally remastered versions of the 26 TV show episodes, 4 remade-for-[[laserdisc]] episodes, and 3 theatrical features" and "includes a bonus disc with never-before-seen material". [http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/2386.php] This version of the film conjoins the "recap" film ''Evangelion: Death'' with ''End'', omitting the ''Rebirth'' segment from the first film (as it serves as little more than a teaser for the second film). The point of interest is the never-before-seen-material, which includes a live-action sequence with the voice-actresses for Rei, Asuka, and Misato portraying their respective characters that was filmed for the original movie, but was cut for unknown reasons (though some scenes, including three schoolgirls facing away from the camera as a track of Rei, Asuka, and Misato criticizing Shinji is played, do appear). The live-action sequence in ''Renewal'' appears to take place 10 years later than the events shown in "Evangelion" (where the Eva pilots are all 14 years old and hence here are 24 years old) where Shinji does not exist in it and Asuka, among other things, has a sexual relationship with [[Toji Suzuhara]] (in the TV series, they have almost no relationship, exchange no more than a dozen lines, and are very antagonistic toward each other). At the end of the sequence, you can hear Shinji's voice saying: "This isn't it, I am not here", proving it is a false reality seen through his eyes. Manga Entertainment has said it is "ironing out the contracts" to release the ''Renewal'' versions of ''Death & Rebirth'' and ''The End of Evangelion,'' hoping to have them out sometime in 2007.[http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=11704] Currently, [[Manga Entertainment]] holds the overseas license for the pre-''Renewal'' versions of the movies, whereas [[A.D. Vision]] holds the license for the ''Evangelion'' TV series, including the ''Renewal'' editions of the TV episodes (released under the subtitle ''The Platinum Edition''). ==Trivia== {{Trivia|date=June 2008}} * The red dummy plugs seen injected into the Mass Production Eva series before they launch are labeled "Kaworu". This is never explained, but has led many to believe that they are either programmed with Kaworu's personality or contain clones like Rei. [[Image:SI truth.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The truth about Second Impact.]] * When Misato is reading the disk containing the information of the second impact given to her by Ryoji you can read what it says on the screen. It's a text which speaks about anime but it has certain words like "Second Impact" in capital letters to make it look as if it is speaking about Evangelion. The text is actually a parody of Gainax's own studio origins and mentions mock names of several of their series. The [[binary code]] on the screen can be interpreted, but will only yield unintelligible signs, marks, and foreign letters which seemingly have no correlation with each other. * The scene where Maya is reading information pertaining to Unit 02 contains anatomical information of the Evangelion on top and a large list of seemingly random letter combinations. Upon closer inspection, the letters are in sets of three and either feature the letters "A," "T," "C," or "G." These letters are most likely a reference to the [[nucleotides]] held in a single strand of [[DNA]] of [[adenine]], [[thymine]], [[guanine]], and [[cytosine]]. * During Ritsuko's death scene, the boat she was riding during [[ANGEL ATTACK|her first appearance]] can be seen in the foreground as she plunges into the pool of LCL. * The number [[666]] makes appearances as both the Type 666 firewall Ritsuko sets up and in the numbering of the garage Shinji and Misato are in early on in the film (a sign on a column indicates that Garage 667 is to the left, thus implying they are both standing in Garage 666). ==References== {{wikiquote|Neon Genesis Evangelion#The End of Evangelion (1997)|The End of Evangelion}} {{reflist}} {{refbegin}} * {{en icon}} [http://www.evaotaku.com/html/evafaq2.html#question11 ''Eva Otaku FAQ''] * {{en icon}} [http://www.endofeva.com/ ''The End of Evangelion''] * {{MusicBrainz release|id=2f6dfc7c-5ead-45aa-ae71-44e830de88da|name=The End of Evangelion}} * {{ann anime|id=419|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion}} {{refend}} ==See also== {{portal|Evangelion}} * [[Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise|Neon Genesis Evangelion]] * [[Red Cross Book]] * [[List of Neon Genesis Evangelion media]] * [[Human Instrumentality Project]] ==Reception== {| class="wikitable" !Source !Reviewer !Grade / Score !Notes |- |[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/end-of-evangelion-dvd Anime News Network] |Mike Crandol |Overall (dub):A-<br />Overall (sub):A<br />Story: B<br />Animation: A<br />Art: A<br />Music: B+ |DVD/Movie Review |- |[http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=141 THEM Anime Reviews] |Carlos Ross |2 out of 5 |Movie Review |- |} * As of June 2008, ''The End of Evangelion'' is ranked #37 on [[IMDB]]'s "Top 50 Animated Films". ==External links== {{Neon Genesis Evangelion}} {{Production I.G}}<br /> {{DEFAULTSORT:End of Evangelion, The}} [[Category:Production I.G]] [[Category:1997 films]] [[Category:Neon Genesis Evangelion]] [[Category:Anime films]] [[Category:Doomsday films]] [[Category:Drama anime and manga]] [[Category:Mecha anime and manga]] [[Category:Science fiction anime and manga]] [[Category:Psychological thriller films]] [[Category:Featured in the Super Robot Wars Series|Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion]] [[de:Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion]] [[es:End of Evangelion]] [[ko:신세기 에반게리온 극장판 THE END OF EVANGELION 에어/진심을, 너에게]] [[it:Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion]] [[ja:新世紀エヴァンゲリオン 劇場版 THE END OF EVANGELION Air/まごころを、君に]] [[pl:Shin seiki evangerion gekijō-ban: Air/Magokoro wo, kimi ni]] [[pt:Shin seiki Evangelion Gekijô-ban: Air/Magokoro wo, kimi ni]] [[ru:Конец Евангелиона]] [[sv:The End of Evangelion]] [[th:อีวานเกเลียน: ปัจฉิมภาค]] [[zh:新世紀福音戰士劇場版:THE END OF EVANGELION]]