🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Mahiro Maeda
- Genre: Animation, Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha, Biopunk
- Release year: 2012
- Runtime (length): 1h 36min
- IMDb rating: 6.9/10 (21k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A teenager wakes up after a long nap to find out his friends are mad at him for accidentally destroying the world while piloting a giant robot, so he makes new friends and plays piano to try and fix everything, but things get even worse.
🍿 Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Awakening to a Changed World
Shinji Ikari awakens 14 years after the near Third Impact to a drastically changed world. He hasn’t aged, but the world is in ruins and most of humanity is gone. He finds himself aboard the Wunder, a massive battleship commanded by his former ally Misato Katsuragi, who now treats him with cold hostility. He’s branded a pariah, blamed for the devastation, and fitted with a DSS choker that will kill him if he pilots an Eva again.

Willie and the Fight Against Nerv
Misato now leads Willie, an organization formed to fight against Nerv and Shinji’s father, Gendo Ikari. Willie utilizes modified Evangelions piloted by Asuka and Mari Illustrious Makinami, who also haven’t aged significantly due to the ‘curse of Eva.’ Shinji struggles to understand the reasons for the animosity directed towards him and the nature of the current conflict.

Reunion with Rei and Kaworu
Drawn by a familiar voice, Shinji is rescued from Willie by a Rei Ayanami clone and taken to the ruins of Nerv headquarters. There, he encounters Gendo and Kaworu Nagisa, who reveals the extent of the damage Shinji caused and promises to help him undo it. Shinji begins training with Kaworu, finding solace in their shared passion for music and developing a close bond.

The False Hope and the Fourth Impact
Kaworu convinces Shinji that they can use the twin Spears of Longinus and Cassius, located at the Terminal Dogma, to undo the Third Impact. However, upon reaching their destination, they discover that the spears are not what they seem, and their removal triggers the Fourth Impact. Kaworu reveals that he is the First Angel, now fallen to the Thirteenth, and sacrifices himself to stop the Impact, leaving Shinji devastated and the world on the brink of destruction.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Shinji Ikari (Megumi Ogata): A young EVA pilot who awakens after fourteen years to a changed world and faces the consequences of his actions.
- Rei Ayanami (Megumi Hayashibara): A mysterious EVA pilot whose identity and role become increasingly ambiguous after Shinji’s awakening.
- Asuka Langley Shikinami (Yûko Miyamura): A skilled EVA pilot burdened by the ‘curse of EVA’, remaining physically unchanged after fourteen years and hardened by the new world.
- Mari Illustrious Makinami (Maaya Sakamoto): An enigmatic EVA pilot whose motives and past remain largely unexplored as she fights alongside Asuka.
- Misato Katsuragi (Kotono Mitsuishi): The leader of WILLE, hardened by the events of the past fourteen years, now treats Shinji with coldness and distrust.
- Kaworu Nagisa (Akira Ishida): A mysterious and compassionate figure who becomes Shinji’s friend and confidant, offering him a glimmer of hope amidst the desolation.
- Gendo Ikari (Fumihiko Tachiki): Shinji’s estranged father, still pursuing his own agenda, which continues to threaten the world.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Misato Katsuragi: “Shinji, do nothing! You’re not allowed to do anything!” – Misato sternly warns Shinji against taking any action upon his awakening, highlighting the distrust and danger he represents after the Third Impact.
- Kaworu Nagisa: “This time, I’ll make you happy.” – Kaworu reassures Shinji, promising to bring him joy and a better understanding of the world, emphasizing their bond amidst the chaos.
- Kaworu Nagisa: “Lilin are always repeating history. That is why mankind can only find value in living within this fabricated present.” – Kaworu shares his understanding about human history and the nature of Lilin (humanity). Lilin refers to descendants of Lilith who repeat their errors, suggesting mankind does not learn from their past.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: $174,945
- Worldwide Gross: $60,648,662
💥 Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’ll be honest, the first time I watched this, I was so lost. Like Shinji, I felt completely out of the loop. But the visuals are just so mind-blowing, I had to watch it again. The relationship between Shinji and Kaworu is the best part! The piano scene? Beautiful! It’s not perfect, but the sheer artistry kept me hooked. And, I have to admit I was really confused to see how the relationships from the second movie shifted so drastically! Still love it though!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of the Evangelion series”
- “Viewers who appreciate complex and philosophical anime”
- “Those interested in post-apocalyptic science fiction”
- “Anime enthusiasts who value strong visuals and music”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Psychological themes”
- “Disturbing imagery”
- “Brief partial nudity”
Professional Reviews
- Anime News Network: “While visually stunning and sonically impressive, ‘Evangelion 3.0’ takes a bold narrative turn that may alienate some viewers. The film’s complex themes and disjointed storytelling require multiple viewings to fully appreciate, making it a challenging but rewarding experience.
- IGN: “‘Evangelion 3.0’ boasts incredible animation and a haunting score, but struggles with its pacing and character development. The film’s ambitious plot is often confusing, leaving viewers with more questions than answers. A visually impressive but narratively flawed installment.
- Screen Rant: “This installment of Evangelion is visually incredible and full of deep thoughts but it is not friendly for new watchers and can be difficult to comprehend. It is a rewarding experience but will need multiple views to unpack.
Audience Reactions
The stunning visuals and animation quality were universally praised, creating an immersive experience.: Viewers loved the bold new direction and the exploration of complex themes, even if they found it confusing.
Shiro Sagisu’s score elevated the emotional impact and added depth to the intense scenes.: The relationship between Shinji and Kaworu was highlighted as a standout aspect, with many praising its emotional resonance.
Overall Consensus: ‘Evangelion: 3.0’ is a visually stunning and ambitious installment that divides audiences with its complex narrative and bold changes. While some find it confusing and frustrating, others appreciate its depth and artistic merit.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The post-credits preview for the next film, featuring EVA Unit 8+2 fighting, was created by motion capturing stuntmen rather than traditional animation.”
- “Unlike the previous two movies, where the original Japanese title cards showed in the beginning or after the prologue, in 3.0/Q the title card shows up when the film runs 30 minutes of its duration.”
🖥️ How to Watch Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo?
As of October 2024, ‘Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo’ is available for streaming on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, where it may be available for purchase or rental. Check local listings for availability in your region, as distribution rights can vary. Digital purchases can also be made through platforms like Google Play Movies and the Microsoft Store.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo, you might like these similar films:
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997): A direct continuation and alternate ending to the original anime series, exploring similar themes of human instrumentality and existential despair.
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 3: Rebellion (2013): Shares thematic similarities in deconstructing the magical girl genre, exploring dark themes of despair and distorted realities.
- Ghost in the Shell (1995): Explores themes of identity, technology, and humanity’s place in a rapidly changing world, prevalent in many biopunk and mecha anime.
- Devilman Crybaby (2018): A modern anime that shares Evangelion’s dark tone, apocalyptic themes, and exploration of complex psychological issues within a supernatural framework.
🛒 Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo Related Products
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Rebuild of Evangelion 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo [Blu-ray]: Experience the visually stunning film in high definition with crisp audio. A must-have for any Evangelion collector, relive the journey of Shinji Ikari
- Evangelion Test Type-01: Highly detailed action figure of Eva-01 from ‘Evangelion 3.0’. Features multiple points of articulation and accessories for dynamic posing. A perfect addition for dedicated fans.
- Evangelion Piano Sheet Music Collection: A music book featuring piano arrangements of key tracks from the ‘Evangelion’ series, including those featured in ‘3.0’. Play your favorite scenes!.
- Evangelion: A Thousand Worlds: An epic mobile RPG featuring characters and mechs from the entire Evangelion saga! Team up with friends, strategize your attacks, and take on challenging Angel battles across multiple eras.
🎧 Soundtrack
Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Sakura Nagashi” – performed by Hikaru Utada
- “The Wrath of God in Us” – performed by Shiro Sagisu
- “Quatre Mains (a quatre mains)” – performed by Shiro Sagisu
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
They blame Shinji for initiating the near Third Impact at the end of the previous film, ‘Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance.’ They see him as a threat due to his potential to trigger further catastrophic events.
The DSS choker is a device fitted to Shinji that will automatically detonate if he attempts to pilot an Evangelion again, acting as a deterrent and a means of preventing another Impact.
It’s implied that Asuka and Mari haven’t aged significantly due to the ‘curse of Eva,’ a side effect of piloting Evangelions. The exact details of this phenomenon are not fully explained in the film.
🔥 Bonus Content
Thank You, Evangelion.
Just finished Evangelion and feeling all the feels? Gigguk, a super popular anime dude, breaks down his raw emotions after watching the finale. His thoughts are seriously relatable, and it’s cool to see his take on the ending, especially for us who needed some closure!
Why does Misato HATE Shinji – Evangelion 3.0 EXPLAINED
Ever wondered why Misato is so cold to Shinji in Evangelion 3.0? This video dives deep into her motivations and the complicated relationship between them. Honestly, it changed how I saw Misato’s actions, and it might do the same for you!
Shinji: Why Does He Need The Spears? – Evangelion 3.0 EXPLAINED
Struggling to understand why Shinji makes the choices he does at the end of Evangelion 3.0? This video unravels his emotions and reasoning, especially regarding the Spears. It helped me connect with Shinji’s struggle, and I think it’ll do the same for you!
✨ Rate
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