I read this interesting rumor about how The End of Evangelion came about. It said that a lot of viewers weren't satisfied with the last two TV episodes, since, instead of answering questions and unraveling threads, they don't even resolve anything. Besides, it seems too simple (too impossible?) to assume that Shinji finally decides to live in harmony with everybody as best as he could. Is that even an option, considering the kind of individual he is, that he's a wreck already (Kaworu) and has inadvertently caused a lot of suffering (Touji)? It's just no go, declared this group of viewers, demanding that the Eva mysteries are brought into light. Anno Hideaki was reportedly exasperated by the demand, and the answer: the End of Evangelion.

First of all, I think End of Eva satisfies those who think such a "heavy" series deserves an equally mind-boggling conclusion. There's plenty to boggle your mind, all right. Asuka proving that she can scream as hair-raisingly as Shinji is naming only one. And, hey, if humans have already succeeded in causing the Second Impact, why not the third? Ka-boom! and the world as we know it is history, this time in more epic proportions.

Due to such a controversial storyline, people naturally react in different ways. Some are just blown away by the entire spectacle, others are disgusted because all characters but two are taken out of the scheme of things (not nicely, unfortunately for some of them), yet others are simply puzzled and tired seeing the sheer amount of "food for thought" offered along the plot. If Anno intended this movie to provoke, he surely couldn't have done better. End of Eva also divides the story effectively. If you want to see violence and fast-moving plot, watch "Air." Want to wax philosophical and get a new outlook on things (not to mention a last look at some NERV employees)? Put on "Magokoro wo, Kimi ni." In a nutshell, you know what to expect from each episode.

When all's said and done, The End of Evangelion may be the end of the Evangelion universe, but it's also a fresh start for two certain children. After all, the end of one story is the beginning of another.

Back to Opinions