Rebuild of Evangelion: Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Movie
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 is the fourth and final entry the Rebuild of Evangelion movie series. This series acts as a recreation of the Neon Genesis Evangelion story on a fundamental level and has major differences when compared to the original in both story, characters, and development.
Unlike the TV series (animated by GAINAX), the Rebuild series is animated by Studio Khara, an animation studio founded by Evangelion Director Hideaki Anno in 2006. In addition to Anno, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto provided character designs and Ikuto Yamashita created the mecha design. The movie also included newly available 3D CG technology that wasn’t present in previous movies.
This movie is currently still in production and is set to release on June 27th, 2020.
Development
Since the release of * Evangelion 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo*, very little news about the development of 3.0+1.0 has been announced. Archives of the official Evangelion website show a potential 2013 release date, but this was changed shortly after the release of 3.0. Potentially the biggest news of production and development came in the form of an interview with Hideaki Anno regarding Godzilla: Resurgence (Shin Godzilla), which he was to direct. In the interview, Anno apologizes to his Evangelion fans, saying “First of all, I would like to apologize. I have kept you waiting for the new Evangelion for a very, very long time. I am deeply sorry.” He continues to say that Evangelion is, in a way, a part of his very soul and that working on it was like tearing a piece of his soul off bit by bit. After doing this for so long, he left that he had nothing left to give. By working on a different project, Anno believed he would be able to return to Evangelion once again. An event called Operation 0706 occurred at Japan Expo in Paris that showed the opening scene of the film. Eventually, on December 27th, 2019, the release date for the movie would finally be confirmed as being June 27th, 2020.
Operation 0706
On June 24th, 2019, Toei announced that the first ten minutes of 3.0+1.0 (referred to as Avant 1) would be screened at Japan Expo in France, Anime Expo in Los Angeles, and various other locations on July 6th. An application titled EVA-EXTRA was also released on July 1st that same year and provided information about the event and gave other news about the Evangelion franchise in general.
Summary of Avant 1
The opening scene begins in blood-red Paris, as the Eiffel tower is prominently displayed in the background. Ritsuko, Maya, Mari, and a handful of other members of WILLE are attempting to activate what they refer to as an “Anti-L system”. The concept of an “L Barrier” is mentioned by Asuka at the end of 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo, but the details behind it are unknown at this point in time.
As the group continues to activate the system, they are attacked by a group of “44A” units and Mari is tasked with either destroying or holding them off with Evangelion Unit 08 while they continue to work. After these units are dealt with, a “4444C” unit appears from behind a camouflage system along with numerous “44B” units. The 4444C unit is equipped with a positron rifle, while the 44B’s act as generators for the rifle. The positron rifle is fired, but the group manages to block the incoming blast, though they are now unable to block a second. Mari charges in with the top of the Eiffel tower in an attempt to prevent a second shot from being fired and, with the help of a distraction from WILLE, is successful. With the threat of enemy attack no longer present, the activation of the Anti-L system completes and the blood-red landscape reverts to its state before the Third and Fourth Impacts. Numerous buildings begin to rise from the ground and it is revealed that these structures contain Evangelion parts and weapons, which would greatly help with the maintenance of Evangelion Unit 08 and Evangelion Unit 02. The scene ends with Mari saying that she will find Shinji once again.
Trailers
In the current available teasers and trailers for the Rebuild 3.0+1.0 movie, there are glimpses of a new Evangelion. Evangelion Unit 8+2 appears with a half red and half pink color scheme, and is seen battling a large number of dark green Evangelion Mark 06 Units with a sword resembling the Magorox. The pilot at the time is Mari, however with the color scheme there are rumors that Evangelion Unit 8+2 might be another dual entry plug Unit, such as the same as Evangelion Unit 13. However it is not confirmed at this stage.
With the Evangelion 26 episode anime series joining the Netflix’s lineup as of 2019, the Evangelion franchise has recently received more attention towards the release of the fourth and last movie of the Rebuild series.
Links
Hideaki Anno Apologies for Delay on Final Evangelion Film
1st 10 Minutes of New Shin Evangelion Film to Screen at Anime Expo, Japan Expo