Neon Genesis Evangelion’s Rebuilds Are Almost Better Than the Original

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Hideaki Anno’s groundbreaking 1995 anime is considered a hugely important and influential work in the history of the medium. What sets it apart from many anime of that era is that it grew into a large and successful franchise, including a complete re-telling that took Anno almost fifteen years to finish.

The Rebuild of Evangelion movies are divisive – some people really dislike them. However, many fans agree they’re a fantastic reinterpretation of the original series and a great set of films on their own. Despite this, a lot of viewers still prefer the darker, more emotionally intense character development from the 1995 Evangelion TV show, and a particular supporting character perfectly illustrates what made the original series so strong.

The Rebuild of Evangelion Movies Are a Spectacular Reimagining of the Original Anime

Remaking a beloved and influential work is always risky, and often meets with criticism. However, despite the immense popularity of Neon Genesis Evangelion, the Rebuilds have been largely well-received by fans. Hideaki Anno didn’t just aim to finish the story of Neon Genesis Evangelion with these new films; he wanted to revisit the entire series with a fresh perspective, and he accomplished this in many impressive ways.

The Rebuilds are a significant visual improvement over the original series. Each fight scene brilliantly combines the over-the-top action Studio Gainax was known for with the gritty realism that Evangelion does so well. While not perfect, the Rebuilds take advantage of modern technology and a wider screen format, even if the early CGI can sometimes feel a little distracting.

Many viewers struggle with how the characters are portrayed in the Rebuilds, but it’s not true for everyone. While some characters feel less developed – Asuka is a prime example, as her complicated backstory is simplified – others, like Rei and Kaworu, actually get more focus and their storylines in the Rebuilds are arguably more powerful than in the original series.

Despite the benefits of focusing more on certain characters, it doesn’t always improve a story. The original Neon Genesis Evangelion was celebrated for its complex characters and its refusal to offer easy resolutions or reward characters for their hardships. While it ultimately encourages self-acceptance, it doesn’t hesitate to punish both heroes and villains, leaving viewers with a bittersweet ending. However, the Rebuilds offer a much more optimistic tone, even giving a sort of redemption story to the character most fans consider the main villain.

The Rebuilds’ Treatment of Gendo Ikari Is Questionable

Gendo Ikari, Shinji’s father and the commander of NERV, is a complex and mysterious figure throughout both versions of Evangelion. He consistently maintains a distant and enigmatic presence, and while his opposition to Shinji is clear, his true motivations remain hidden. His emotional neglect of his son, and his refusal to connect with him even when Shinji is crucial to NERV’s operations, are central to the protagonist’s core traumas.

Throughout the series, Gendo evolves from simply a flawed father figure into a danger to everyone. It’s revealed his driving force is surprisingly simple: he desperately wants to be reunited with his late wife, Yui, and is willing to risk another global catastrophe to achieve it. While his ultimate goal stays consistent, in The End of Evangelion, his final, desperate pleas are denied. He’s killed by a ghostly image of Eva Unit-01, controlled by Yui herself, and is even prevented from joining the Instrumentality.

Unlike previous versions, the Rebuilds focus heavily on the complex relationship between Gendo and Shinji in the final movie. The climax centers around their ultimate confrontation and a long-awaited emotional conversation. Gendo actually apologizes to Shinji, and Shinji finally understands the reasons behind his father’s actions. When Shinji attempts to sacrifice himself to change the world, Gendo intervenes, taking on the sacrifice himself and ultimately being reunited with Yui in a spiritual sense.

As a huge fan, I’ve been thinking a lot about Gendo Ikari, and honestly, while the Rebuilds definitely try to make him a bit more sympathetic, I still prefer how his story ends in The End of Evangelion. Gendo was always a pretty awful person, even when you look at his feelings for Yui, and seeing his attempts at changing just get completely shut down felt way more impactful. Not every villain needs a happy ending or redemption, you know? The Rebuilds still show Gendo’s flaws and don’t let him off the hook, but that ‘heroic’ sacrifice just didn’t sit right with a lot of us. It felt… unsatisfying, honestly, after everything he did.

The Rebuilds Provide Closure, Even to Characters as Polarizing as Gendo Ikari

Both versions of the story feature Gendo, an older version of the main character who once struggled with similar issues but made very different choices. Gendo’s relentless pursuit of reuniting with his wife, Yui, actually went against what she wanted – for him to be a father to their son. In a particularly disturbing twist on Shinji’s emotional struggles, Gendo pushed away the one thing connecting him to Yui – his son – in order to chase after a memory of her.

The Rebuilds give Gendo a chance to admit his mistakes, but understanding what he did wrong doesn’t magically fix things – it’s unclear if Shinji even forgives him. Gendo’s story in the Rebuilds is less about his own redemption and more about helping Shinji find peace, which is a central idea throughout all the films.

The Rebuild films are best understood when you’re familiar with the original Neon Genesis Evangelion. They aim to resolve the complex relationship between Shinji and Gendo, effectively ending the patterns established in the original series. The Rebuilds offer a more hopeful conclusion for Gendo and most of the characters, creating a new world free from the Evas where they can finally mature and overcome their past traumas. Whether this new direction is a stronger ending than the original series is something fans will likely continue to discuss for years to come.

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2026-03-29 22:51