How Hideaki Anno Revolutionized Evangelion’s Ending Forever

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Hideaki Anno, the mastermind behind Neon Genesis Evangelion, is admired by nearly everyone in the world of anime for his genius. This innovative series was revolutionary, not just because of its abstract storytelling and in-depth character development, but also due to its portrayal of a flawed hero. Yet, the conclusion of the anime has been a source of contention among its viewers, often due to Anno’s creative choices.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve always yearned to see the Evangelion series conclude in a way that does justice to its complex narrative. And so, back in 2002, Hideaki Anno unveiled his vision for Rebuild of Evangelion, a collection of movies delving deep into the franchise’s core, promising a fitting conclusion. The grand finale, titled Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time , was the culmination of this storytelling journey.

Hideaki Anno wanted to reverse the basic rules of animation for Evangelion‘s ending

The initial film among the four was actually a re-telling of the first six episodes from the original anime. Hideaki Anno had planned for the second and third films to deviate from the established storyline, instead focusing on new paths. The final part concluded the saga, and from the outset, he never aimed to create movies that would exactly replicate Neon Genesis Evangelion.

During an interview with The New York Times, Anno discussed pushing past certain limitations with the final installment of his series. He expressed a desire to infuse a touch of authenticity into the universe of Evangelion, as opposed to crafting a more fantastical environment.

In everyday conversations, there’s often a disconnect between people’s words and their true feelings. However, in animated productions, characters generally express exactly what they feel without deception. I aimed to flip this dynamic.

-Hideaki Anno

In animation, characters can sometimes tell lies or deceive, but not as frequently as those in live-action. However, Anno aimed to alter this. He expressed that the characters in Evangelion don’t always have to directly express their true feelings, much like real people who possess complex personalities. Anno was determined to incorporate such behavior into his anime characters.

Evangelion‘s finale showed the strength of Anno’s creativity

Shinji, as a character, isn’t your typical perfect hero. Instead, he’s imperfect and grapples with many challenges, which makes him feel more authentic and relatable to viewers. This also allows him to express a wider range of emotions compared to standard protagonists who primarily focus on achieving one specific goal. According to Anno, Shinji’s unique traits add a sense of realism to the anime.

In the final episode of Rebuild of Evangelion, there was an enigmatic yet optimistic finish, markedly different from the ending of the initial anime series. Additionally, it provided a more concentrated development for characters, specifically highlighting Shinji’s journey as he conquered his weaknesses and insecurities.

According to Anno, his goal as a creator was to produce projects that were both engaging and thought-provoking. He didn’t want Evangelion to be just another escape from reality, but rather a catalyst for people to embrace their own lives. In the end, Shinji, Asuka, and some new acquaintances embark on a fresh start, offering viewers a glimmer of optimism for new beginnings.

Right now, you can stream Neon Genesis Evangelion on Crunchyroll. Meanwhile, the Rebuild of Evangelion films are accessible on Prime Video.

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2025-04-24 12:44