The End of Evangelion (1997) 2024

As Shinji Ikari (Megumi Ogata) grapples with the heart-wrenching revelation concerning his friend Kaworu Nagisa (Akira Ishida), he becomes engulfed by overwhelming feelings of guilt and despair. His emotional struggle is vividly illustrated during a visit to Asuka Langley Soryu (Yûko Miyamura) in the hospital; her vulnerable condition only intensifies his sense of powerlessness. In a moment of reckless abandon, Shinji inadvertently exposes the depths of Asuka’s vulnerabilities, leading him to a jarring awareness of his own deplorable actions.

Meanwhile, the shadowy organization SEELE operates behind the scenes, meticulously orchestrating events to achieve their sinister objective: the Third Impact, a catastrophic plan aimed at eradicating all life on Earth and facilitating Human Instrumentality. Gendo Ikari (Fumihiko Tachiki), Shinji’s father and the commander of NERV, schemes to merge the soul of his deceased wife Yui with Unit-01, revealing a complex web of personal and global stakes.

As the tension escalates, SEELE launches an attack by dispatching the Japanese military to seize control of NERV and eliminate its staff. In the throes of chaos, Misato Katsuragi (Kotono Mitsuishi) directs Asuka’s transfer to Evangelion Unit-02, which ends up submerged in a lake. In a tragic yet defiant moment, Misato urges Shinji to pilot Unit-01, sealing their connection with a poignant kiss before her downfall.

As the stakes grow ever higher, Rei Ayanami (Megumi Hayashibara) becomes intertwined in Gendo’s nefarious plans, serving as a critical piece to the impending disaster thanks to her link to the Angel Lilith. Simultaneously, Asuka awakens from a coma, only to learn that the essence of her departed mother now resides within Unit-02. This revelation empowers her to reactivate the unit and confront the military forces, yet SEELE’s unyielding pursuit leads her to a tragic end.

As the turmoil escalates, Shinji finds himself in the cockpit of Unit-01, which suddenly breaks free from its restraints. Soaring above the NERV Headquarters, he is met with a haunting view: the ravaged remains of Unit-02 and the lifeless body of Asuka. His despair reaches a boiling point, and he cries out in anguish, embodying the horrific consequences of their battles.

Rei’s betrayal ignites a sequence of events culminating in her transformation through fusion with Lilith, evolving into a colossal, white version of herself. The Lance of Longinus emerges from the Moon, providing SEELE with the necessary instrument to initiate the Third Impact. As Unit-01 is crucified by countless mass-produced Evangelions, the Human Instrumentality ritual becomes a dire reality, threatening the annihilation of humanity.

As Lilith’s essence permeates the mind of Shinji Ikutsuki, a character reflecting the confusion and chaos of the present situation, Shinji faces a spiral of introspection and misery. He is confronted by the apparitions of his past and contemplates the worth of his existence, arriving at the tragic conclusion that both himself and the world should be erased. The result is a catastrophic event led by Lilith, wherein human bodies dissolve into the primordial fluid of LCL, merging individuals into a single, shared consciousness.

Amid this existential quagmire, a transformative realization dawns on Shinji; he understands that life encompasses not merely the pursuit of joy but also the acceptance of suffering. This epiphany incites his rejection of Lilith’s new reality, leading to her obliteration and ultimately liberating the imprisoned souls of humanity. In this moment, Yui’s ghostly guidance whispers of hope, affirming that anyone can reclaim their physical form through sheer will and determination.

In a poignant conclusion, Shinji and Asuka reappear on a barren, post-apocalyptic shore, marked by the scars of their traumatic experiences. A fleeting vision of Rei’s ethereal essence momentarily captivates Shinji until Asuka’s touch pulls him from his reverie. Overwhelmed by his emotions, Shinji breaks down in tears, only to be met with Asuka’s unmistakable disgust at their grim reality.