Evangelion’s Creator Finally Reveals the Anime's Shocking...

Evangelion’s Creator Finally Reveals the Anime's Shocking Original Ending Hideaki Anno Evangelion Shinji

By Evan D. Mullicane Published 1 minute ago Evan Mullicane is the senior editor and founder of Screen Rant's anime section. Having started as a writer for the Comics Team at the beginning of the Pandemic, Evan was swiftly promoted from writer to editor, and then from editor to lead of Screen Rant's newly established anime vertical. Throughout his time with Screen Rant, Evan has made a handful of appearances at conventions such as Anime Expo and San Diego Comic-Con, and has interviewed some of the biggest names in Anime and Comics history. In addition to editing anime and manga articles for Screen Rant, Evan is also a science fiction and fantasy author. In 2018 and 2019, his short story "The Demon's Mother" won honorable mentions from the Writers of the Future contest. You can find Evan on Twitter @EvanDM and BlueSky @evandmu.bsky.socia Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Neon Genesis Evangelion has one of the most memorable endings in anime history. While the original anime's ending was thematically appropriate and conclusive, confusion over what exactly happened made it unpopular with many.

Apparently, series creator Hideaki Anno was keen on delivering another, possibly even stranger, ending to his hit franchise, however. To celebrate a new theatrical release for the acclaimed Rebuild of Evangelion films, Anno's studio, Khara, revealed the creator's original plans for how to end the movie series.

I envisioned Rebuild of Evangelion as a compilation that would feature an alternate ending. Episodes 20 and onwards of the anime would be re-edited to account for the new finale. The finale in the very early rough plot involves a confrontation between Kaworu’s and Shinji’s EVAs. This culminates in Shinji forgiving Kaworu after the latter killed Gendo Ikari, who had fused with Asuka and the Adams, along with Eva Unit-02. After many twists and turns, I never imagined until September 2018 that the finale would be set at Ube-Shinkawa Station.

Neon Genesis Evangelion's Original Ending Would Have Fused Asuka and Gendo

Asuka from neon genesis evangelion looking angry

Anno's original ending will likely be a lot to take in, even for fans familiar with Evangelion's original labyrinthine ending.

The idea of Gendo fusing with Adam, Asuka, and her EVA is probably the most head-scratching part of everything. Though Gendo has a relationship with many of the characters in Evangelion, especially with Shinji and Rei, he and Asuka aren't two characters who interact that much.

It's possible that their fusion could represent the fact that both of them often play antagonistic roles in Shinji's life, but that feels more than a little unfair to Asuka, who is dealing with her own traumas and complex feelings in much the same way that Shinji is.

Perhaps the most explosive revelation, however, isn't the weirdest.

Evangelion's Films Came Close To Teasing Shinji x Kaworu

Shinji and Kaworu on the poster for Evangelion 3.0

It seems that Anno's original plan for Evangelion's ending would have placed a much greater emphasis on Kaworu, and more specifically, his relationship with Shinji.

Fans have long interpreted Shinji and Kaworu as potential romantic partners. Anno's original ending for the Rebuild films would have only fanned the flames, as it essentially would see Kaworu not only kill Shinji's greatest source of emotional turmoil (Gendo), but also his greatest romantic rival (Asuka).

Though it's debatable how intentional that reading is on Anno's part, this ending putting a greater emphasis on Shinji and Kaworu's relationship would definitely be a feather in the cap for fans of the popular ship.

How Does Rebuild of Evangelion's Planned Ending Compare To The Canon One

Mari piloting her EVA in Neon Genesis Evangelion (2)

While it's fun to speculate about what could have been, and it's sad that Kaworu and Shinji didn't get their time to shine, Anno and Studio Khara almost certainly made the right choice with the last Rebuild film's actual ending.

That ending saw Shinji, essentially, enter the Evangelion multiverse to finally find a sense of inner peace and self-acceptance. Notably, this ending sees Shinji run off with Rebuild newcomer Mari, in a decision that is still splitting the fan base 4 years later.

As tempting as it is to imagine what could have been, it seems like Anno's original ending was scrapped for a reason. Neon Genesis Evangelion's endings may always be confusing, but at least the canon one ends with overflowing hope.

Neon Genesis Evangelion Franchise Poster

Neon Genesis Evangelion Created by Hideaki Anno First Film Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth TV Show(s) Neon Genesis Evangelion Video Game(s) Neon Genesis Evangelion Movie(s) Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth, End of Evangelion, Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone, Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance, Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Character(s) Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami, Asuka Langley Soryu, Toji Suzuhara, Kaworu Nagisa, Mari Illustrious Makinami, Gendo Ikari, Misato Katsuragi

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Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion

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