Rebuild of Evangelion

Sadly I have to wait for the dub of Rebuild 3 before i can see this.'

I will content myself with reading the Eva manga and SIRP in the meantime I suppose. I'm a slow reader so about 30 volumes of manga will take me a good while.

Also want to rewatch the original series at this point just because I've forgotten so much about it and I'm a perfectionist. I hate thinking back on a dhow and realizing I can't recall great chunks of it.

edited 25th Jul '14 2:21:35 PM by Nikkolas

Lennik is not around, so allow me to do it in his place.

Your analogy has a critical flaw in it, that being the fact that The Matrix Reloaded... was actually freaking good.

edited 25th Jul '14 2:22:57 PM by SaintDeltora

I was reading on the Eva Geeks forums that apparently the point of 3.33 being so bleak and hopeless was to make the audience feel empathy for Shinji, and to feel the same way as him when the revelations are given.

If that is the case, I'm just gonna say that the movie failed to do that, at least for me. Rather than make me feel like I was in Shinji's shoes, I was instead scratching my head at the choices made by the characters, and getting ticked off at the direction that it took. A good story has to emotionally engage the audience and make them want to see the heroes win or fail because they care for the characters, and because they believe that they can succeed. By making it so that all the other characters are basically jerks, regardless of the reasons, not to mention Shinji never getting to succeed without it backfiring in some way, I can't connect to him or the rest of the characters. Because of that, I am constantly pointing out flaws and holes in the script.

Basically, in trying so hard to get the theme across and how they want the audience to feel, I think the filmmakers dropped the ball. I get it, one shouldn't try to repeat the past, and mistakes are things that one should learn from and to think before acting. Now could you please go back to the story and characters so I can become invested in the events, not feel like I'm being talked down to?

I get that these themes and actions were present in the original show, and while they were indeed something to write home about back in 1995, I feel that in the close to two decades since then, it doesn't ring as strong. In those years, I have seen multiple shows challenge those ideas and either expand on or refute them, not to mention having grown up and have indeed matured and had successes where there were little to no negative consequences. Due to this, after seeing 1.11 and 2.22 Rebuild what the original series said and have a new perspective was exactly what Anno and crew needed to do in order to keep the show relevant. So to see them not only decide to return to the same themes and philosophy that the original show stated for 3.33, not to mention playing it all up like it is just as groundbreaking as when the original was released in 1995, is really disheartening. It's why I feel that 3.33 feels almost dated, despite the amazing visuals.

So basically, similar feelings I have towards The Matrix Reloaded.

Personally, some of the comments I see reguarding Rebuild 2.22 (or 2.whatever) make me wonder if there's some version out there people watched that cut off the last couple of scenes.

Because people seem to act as if it was portrayed as some unambiguously great, heroic action, and not something that would have destroyed the world if Kaworu hadn't descended from the heavens just then? Like, Shinji is clearly being badass and all, but badass =/= triumphant and good. Even in Rebuild 2 were are shown that Shinji being badass (or at least, being badass like that) also has clear negative consequences.

Now, you can argue with how Rebuild 3 depicted the consequences, but Rebuild 2 clearly set up that in spite of Shinji's good intentions, he fucked up badly.

Obviously, it did have negative consequences. But the thing about 2.22's ending, imo, was that it was ambiguous as to whether it was right or not. Yes, the world was about to end, but Shinji had no clue about that. Not to mention that he was starting to act for himself, and was able to save the person he cares for. Not to mention that if he didn't start up Berserk mode, the Angel would have won, and the world would have ended anyways. Again, it left it up to the viewer to decide whether or not the positives outweighed the negatives, or vice-versa.

I feel that 3.33 would have been much stronger if, rather than taking a one-sided perspective on what happened, it presented a balanced result.

Yeah but the only "consequence" of what he did in the movie is Misato and Ritsuko commenting on him initiating Third Impact. Contrasted with the last 10 or so minutes of Shinji being all awesome and doing everything to save Rei's life, a few seconds worth of dialogue are easily forgotten. They certainly don't have anywhere near the same dramatic effect or weight.

Maybe we should have seen...I dunno, the seas starting to rise, thunder and lightning, ya know, typical end of the world stuff.

I just can't see Rebuild 2 as having anything but a more or less happy or hopeful ending. Then again, I know people who thought EOE had a happy ending so obviously this whole series is so YMMV that we might all be insane and watching different things anyway.

edited 26th Jul '14 12:25:05 AM by Nikkolas

No wonder several of the dudes at Eva Geeks have theorized that the state of the world in 3.33 did not come about thanks to Shinji, and that it was the events during the 14 years he was inactive that led to it.

...But we did see the world starting to end. There was the whole bit where the lighting turned ominous and red, gravity stopped working properly around ground zero and the earth was starting to disintergrate and float upwards. Plus the red glowing rings that were previously shown in the Second Impact flashback, and the Eva growing wings ala End of Evangelion. And the earth cracking open in the middle of Tokyo 3.

I mean, in true Eva fashion, it was all to completely unfitting music, but still...

Okay, now I am quite seriously asking, is there some different version out there other people watch that didn't have those scenes?

No, Evageek's theory about Near Third Impact(2.22) > Third Impact (14 year time skip) > Fourth Impact(3.0) is based on:

• Terminal Dogma during 3.0 (Lilith, Mark 06, Spear of Cassius/Longinus, etc.)
• Kaworu dropping in on Unit 01 at the end of 2.22
• The "preview" of 3.0 shown after 2.22
• Speculation and observations of WILLE

edited 26th Jul '14 11:34:47 AM by TheAirman

Soooooo any clue as to what Anno is trying to communicate to us here?

Well 3.0 + 1.0 does equal 4.0

Anno: King of trolls.

I know a few western media creators that get called for trolling, but they got nothing on the master.

It seems like this rebuild series is impossible to watch. The films have limited theatrical releases, and you can't find the DV Ds anywhere

I dunno, I've quite easily found 1.11 and 2.22 on DVD/Blu-Ray at most of the DVD stores here in Aus.

I guess it depends on location really.

You're thinking of only the third film. And that's only because Funi is proving that they can redo.

I got the Blu-ray of 1.11 & 2.22 for about $30 off Amazon. Now, if you're looking at physical retailers, I recommend F.Y.E. (For Your Entertainment), if there is one in your area. I've been to couple in my State (and a few others at that) and they've all had DVD & BR for the Rebuild films in their Anime section.

You live in Maryland, right? I live in the freaking Kansas, so there is no way in Hell there isn't something in your area.

edited 7th Aug '14 6:34:43 AM by TheAirman

x6: Calling it right now, we will hear the "preview of next episode" music at the end of 4.0.

FYE really his highway robbery. There is nothing there I haven't found for way cheaper on Amazon or ebay or somewhere else.

Oh, definitely agreed. I got both Rebuilds on Amazon for 50% what FYE was asking for. I actually cringed when I compared their price for Attack On Titan to Amazon's.

I'm just saying that if my area has sources, no matter how crappy, then just about anywhere in the US will.

edited 8th Aug '14 12:56:57 PM by TheAirman

On the note of the Lantern drawing, here is what has been speculated by several of the diehard fans (and taken from, erm, Eva Geeks):

"1: Additional Episode theory - Maybe there's a supplemental episode (the "plus 1.0") . For example, what happens during the past 14 years. The "etc" could imply an additional episode.

Issues: This supplement could be before the eventual conclusion of FINAL.

2: 3.0 loops back to the start of 1.0 theory - Maybe the 3.0 and 1.0 is hinting that Q loops back into Jo (序, Prelude) as repetition? Kaworu's lines (the unexplained/mysterious ones from 1.0 and 2.0: "The third one again", "you never change, do you?", "this time, I'll bring you happiness"), could imply a loop. What Break means with no 2.0 could be that Prelude Break Q Prelude Break Q repeats within itself (from Q to Prelude) so a connecting episode could be depicted.

3: EVANGELION 3.0 + 1.0 = 4.0 (Addition) theory The most straightforward explanation is addition. In simple terms, 3 + 1 = 4. With nothing changing, the 4th installment is revealed to be FINAL.

Issues: Why would addition be necessary?

4. 1.0 means "New Eva: 1.0" theory The theory is 3.0 means Q, but couldn't 1.0 mean "New Eva" instead of Prelude? In other words, Q is the first part of a "New" series. Opponents are: the way the "Evangelion New Theatrical Edition" series logos are written, the difference in the 0 in "3.0" (compared to 1.0 and 2.0), but the 0 in "3.0 + 1.0" being the same. Proponents are: in the original plans, 3.0 and the finale were to be screened together. The "plus" in Eva 3.0 + 1.0 means the reappearance of Q + the finale. In other words, 『EVANGELION：3.0』+『SIN EVANGELION：1.0』(Evangelion New Theatrical Version: Q + New Evangelion Theatrical Version). The etc could mean New Eva 2.0 and 3.0 are also likely.

Issues: *Q once more screening in theaters. *Would Q stay the same, or would it be a remake. *Or: after the TV version of Q, will "New" 1.0 be broadcast.

無在原点 (Nonexistent origin) This is what's written below the『EVANGELION：3.0+1.0 etc.』logo. When thinking about the Kanji

• Nothing exists at the starting point *The original doesn't exist *The beginning doesn't exist

doesn't it give this impression? In the past there were things just written [on the Anno lanterns], and not necessarily related to Eva."

Translated from Japanese to English, so sorry if it sounds a bit Engrishy.

edited 9th Aug '14 5:04:24 PM by LDragon2

So Japan will be airing 3.0's TV broadcast on September 5. Let's keep our fingers crossed for a new Final preview.

edited 13th Aug '14 7:15:46 AM by TheAirman

So one theory I've seen on Eva Geeks is that Gendo is referred to as the King of the Lillin in 3.33, which would make Shinji the prince. Mari calls Asuka "princess", and even tells Shinji to at least look after said princess. So basically, they believe that this is evidence that they will either end up together or that Asuka will be pivatol in his recovery.

Your thoughts?

That is a HECK of stretch to call that evidence. I guess, I wouldn't be that surprised if they ended up together, but to call that evidence is.....reaching. Alot.

edited 14th Aug '14 12:56:44 PM by kiukiuclk

Ending up together? No, this is Rebuild, not NGE. As for having a big role in his recovery, that should be obvious. That she bothered to find him and drag his ass through the wasteland is itself the first step in that role, considering that she could and, as far as WILLE is concerned, probably should have just strangled him.

Of course, if she had simply restrained herself on the Wunder, Shinji may very well have not gone with Rei Q at all.

They did not end up together in NGE either. Asuka reject shinji for many reason but one them is cause he don't love himself or anyone around him. She reject him in the manga too and I don't see rebuild being any different. These are not Disney movies where everyone get over there problem in the last 5 minutes just to get a happy ending. Asuka is not a Disney princess looking for her prince. She a dark action girl looking to kick a guy face in.

Well, technically speaking, they did end up together in EOE; but what I really meant was that their's was the primary relationship among the three pilots in NGE, whereas in Rebuild that title belongs to Shinji & Rei (at least, until Along Came Kaworu).

But yeah, the "Prince & Princess" thing is reeeeaaaaally reaching, even for Evageeks.

edited 17th Aug '14 9:07:59 PM by TheAirman