End of Evangelion: What the Hell happened? (Spoilers)

[Seitekifu II]

So two weeks ago I got into watching Evangelion. I miraculously got the gist of what was happening for the original final two episodes of the series. Then I heard that End of Evangelion was a movie made to provide a more concrete ending. I watched it, but now I am confused as to what happened.

So Unit 01 is crucified and the population of the planet is converted to LCL. Lilith, the mother of humanity (I think?) gathers up all the souls and converts them into a single sea of LCL. Then Shinji speaks with Rei and Asuka and whatnot and eventually Lilith starts falling apart and the LCL covers the planet, leaving Shinji on a shore with Asuka where he begins to choke her.

My take on it: Shinji, after his conversations within Lilith, decides that he'd rather all of humanity maintain their individuality. However, the damage had already been done and everyone was converted into primordial soup (LCL). So evolution has to start over again, and the only logical explanation to Shinji and Asuka's presence is that they were inside Units 01 and 02 at the time.

Is my explanation sound? Any different takes on the ending? Or perhaps there is an official explanation released by Gainax somewhere?

[Ryoga316]

Basically, you got it right. Now the new Eva-Triogies movies are said to give a different take on the overall story, so it's now anybody's guess how the ending in the new trilogy will turn out.

On another note, the newly released monthly novel series Neon Genesis Evangelion: ANIMA, is set 3 years after the TV series and featured Shinji, Asuka, and Rei now all grown-up but still remain as Eva pilots continuing the fight against the Angels.

[Onicept]

Ryoga316

Basically, you got it right. Now the new Eva-Triogies movies are said to give a different take on the overall story, so it's now anybody's guess how the ending in the new trilogy will turn out.

On another note, the newly released monthly novel series Neon Genesis Evangelion: ANIMA, is set 3 years after the TV series and featured Shinji, Asuka, and Rei now all grown-up but still remain as Eva pilots continuing the fight against the Angels.

Join the Official Lucky Star guild...

Triogies? The new movies are in 4 parts, not three. Called "The Rebuild of Evangelion" and is a complete remake of the entire series in movie format.

...Looking forward to Clannad episode 22; Up to Negima chapter 207! (Can't Wait!)

[ZoRa27]

basically, namatay po ang lahat ng tao, except shinji ikari and the other girl

[Invader Tee]

Seitekifu II

My take on it: Shinji, after his conversations within Lilith, decides that he'd rather all of humanity maintain their individuality. However, the damage had already been done and everyone was converted into primordial soup (LCL). So evolution has to start over again, and the only logical explanation to Shinji and Asuka's presence is that they were inside Units 01 and 02 at the time.

Is my explanation sound? Any different takes on the ending? Or perhaps there is an official explanation released by Gainax somewhere?

Well I'll go on and say that I (as well as many of my friends) were totally confused by End of Evangelion and your explanation is the best one I've heard yet. And if anyone ever finds an official explanation, please let me know as well!

[Archer-VI]

As far as I remember (Gainax explained the end a long time ago), Shinji was basically the deciding factor of what will happen to humanity and in "End of Evangelion," he decided that he wanted to just be by himself with the one he wanted to be with (asuka, in this case). So the reality that he made is the one HE wanted. However, Gainax explained that to truly understand the ending, you would have to rewatch episodes 25 and 26 of the anime.

In episodes 25 and 26 (which most ppl thought were "WTF?!" episodes), Shinji is going through the process of rethinking his decision that he made in "End of Evangelion." He goes through a different perspective of a "happy" world he could've chosen to be happy for himself. basically, he might be able to re-create another world that was much happier than the one in the movie (as explained in the final episode). I'm surprised not many people noticed that they had to rewatch those episodes to understand what exactly happened.

This was from an old anime magazine I read a long time ago and I tried finding a site that covered this but the article was really old I guess and I couldn't find a site explaining it. However, This was pretty much the jist of what gainax explained on the ending.

[Onicept]

Archer-VI

As far as I remember (Gainax explained the end a long time ago), Shinji was basically the deciding factor of what will happen to humanity and in "End of Evangelion," he decided that he wanted to just be by himself with the one he wanted to be with (asuka, in this case). So the reality that he made is the one HE wanted. However, Gainax explained that to truly understand the ending, you would have to rewatch episodes 25 and 26 of the anime.

In episodes 25 and 26 (which most ppl thought were "WTF?!" episodes), Shinji is going through the process of rethinking his decision that he made in "End of Evangelion." He goes through a different perspective of a "happy" world he could've chosen to be happy for himself. basically, he might be able to re-create another world that was much happier than the one in the movie (as explained in the final episode). I'm surprised not many people noticed that they had to rewatch those episodes to understand what exactly happened.

This was from an old anime magazine I read a long time ago and I tried finding a site that covered this but the article was really old I guess and I couldn't find a site explaining it. However, This was pretty much the jist of what gainax explained on the ending.

Join the Official Lucky Star guild...

I thought it went:

Neon Genesis Evangelion Episodes 25 and 26 = What is happening in Shinji's mind.
End of Evangelion Episodes 25 and 26 = What is happening in the world around him at the same time.

...Looking forward to Clannad episode 22; Up to Negima chapter 207! (Can't Wait!)

[Seth Regente]

Onicept

Archer-VI

As far as I remember (Gainax explained the end a long time ago), Shinji was basically the deciding factor of what will happen to humanity and in "End of Evangelion," he decided that he wanted to just be by himself with the one he wanted to be with (asuka, in this case). So the reality that he made is the one HE wanted. However, Gainax explained that to truly understand the ending, you would have to rewatch episodes 25 and 26 of the anime.

In episodes 25 and 26 (which most ppl thought were "WTF?!" episodes), Shinji is going through the process of rethinking his decision that he made in "End of Evangelion." He goes through a different perspective of a "happy" world he could've chosen to be happy for himself. basically, he might be able to re-create another world that was much happier than the one in the movie (as explained in the final episode). I'm surprised not many people noticed that they had to rewatch those episodes to understand what exactly happened.

This was from an old anime magazine I read a long time ago and I tried finding a site that covered this but the article was really old I guess and I couldn't find a site explaining it. However, This was pretty much the jist of what gainax explained on the ending.

Join the Official Lucky Star guild...

I thought it went:

Neon Genesis Evangelion Episodes 25 and 26 = What is happening in Shinji's mind.
End of Evangelion Episodes 25 and 26 = What is happening in the world around him at the same time.

...Looking forward to Clannad episode 22; Up to Negima chapter 207! (Can't Wait!)

That's my favorite interpretation as well, but there's never been any official word on what the canonical version of events is.
Some people believe that they're alternate endings, and others believe they're the same ending, and the actual creators are now preparing to toss both endings out the window and use the new ending in the fourth revival film.

=/

[Onicept]

Seth Regente

Onicept

Archer-VI

As far as I remember (Gainax explained the end a long time ago), Shinji was basically the deciding factor of what will happen to humanity and in "End of Evangelion," he decided that he wanted to just be by himself with the one he wanted to be with (asuka, in this case). So the reality that he made is the one HE wanted. However, Gainax explained that to truly understand the ending, you would have to rewatch episodes 25 and 26 of the anime.

In episodes 25 and 26 (which most ppl thought were "WTF?!" episodes), Shinji is going through the process of rethinking his decision that he made in "End of Evangelion." He goes through a different perspective of a "happy" world he could've chosen to be happy for himself. basically, he might be able to re-create another world that was much happier than the one in the movie (as explained in the final episode). I'm surprised not many people noticed that they had to rewatch those episodes to understand what exactly happened.

This was from an old anime magazine I read a long time ago and I tried finding a site that covered this but the article was really old I guess and I couldn't find a site explaining it. However, This was pretty much the jist of what gainax explained on the ending.

Join the Official Lucky Star guild...

I thought it went:

Neon Genesis Evangelion Episodes 25 and 26 = What is happening in Shinji's mind.
End of Evangelion Episodes 25 and 26 = What is happening in the world around him at the same time.

...Looking forward to Clannad episode 22; Up to Negima chapter 207! (Can't Wait!)

That's my favorite interpretation as well, but there's never been any official word on what the canonical version of events is.
Some people believe that they're alternate endings, and others believe they're the same ending, and the actual creators are now preparing to toss both endings out the window and use the new ending in the fourth revival film.

=/

Join the Official Lucky Star guild...

If you buy the Platinum edition DVD's, and you watch the discussion of episode 25 and 26 on the final DVD, even the ones who are the most involved in the Anime in the western world point towards the "At the Same Time theory".

The only way you can truly do it, is to watch them side-by-side at the same time, though the NGE ending is shorter than the TEOE ending.

The one key point I lock them together with is the Misato events. One where he sees Misato's true self, and the other where he kisses Misato and she says "I'll show you more later", or something around that. They both involve sex, Misato and Shinji experiencing something about her personally.

They both happen roughly around the same time, with similar things happening in both events.

The other thing would have to be Shinji freaking out near the end of both episode 26's. Which would mean they are taking place at the same time, or they are both experiencing similar things.

...Looking forward to Clannad episode 22; Up to Negima chapter 207! (Can't Wait!)

[Archer-VI]

That's the thing about the ending of Evangelion. many people can interpret it many different ways. You can see it any way and it seems that there is no set canon explaination for the ending. One of the many controversial things about Evangelion yet I still love it. sweatdrop

[EmiriHeart]

If anyone's confused with The End of Evangelion's ending, it's probably that Shinji and Asuka are the new Adam and Eve or something like that. Anime like Evangelion can really confuse people a lot. This's not a complaint okay? ninja

[Djarfskald]

This is what I got:

In the last scene, Shinji and Asuka have separated themselves from the collective human existence, apparently alone in the post-Third Impact world. There are indications that Shinji emerges considerably before Asuka does: Shinji put up memorials to those he loved, and Misato's cross on her memorial has rusted. Their interaction on the beach display a wide range of positive and negative human emotions. The world is irreversibly changed and what happens afterwards is only hinted at.

Now, despite the somber ending there are clear statements that the results of Instrumentality are not permanent. Rei and Yui comfort Shinji and tell him that people can restore themselves to physical existence if they want to, depending on the strength within their hearts.

[sakura murasame]

Onicept

Archer-VI

As far as I remember (Gainax explained the end a long time ago), Shinji was basically the deciding factor of what will happen to humanity and in "End of Evangelion," he decided that he wanted to just be by himself with the one he wanted to be with (asuka, in this case). So the reality that he made is the one HE wanted. However, Gainax explained that to truly understand the ending, you would have to rewatch episodes 25 and 26 of the anime.

In episodes 25 and 26 (which most ppl thought were "WTF?!" episodes), Shinji is going through the process of rethinking his decision that he made in "End of Evangelion." He goes through a different perspective of a "happy" world he could've chosen to be happy for himself. basically, he might be able to re-create another world that was much happier than the one in the movie (as explained in the final episode). I'm surprised not many people noticed that they had to rewatch those episodes to understand what exactly happened.

This was from an old anime magazine I read a long time ago and I tried finding a site that covered this but the article was really old I guess and I couldn't find a site explaining it. However, This was pretty much the jist of what gainax explained on the ending.

Join the Official Lucky Star guild...

I thought it went:

Neon Genesis Evangelion Episodes 25 and 26 = What is happening in Shinji's mind.
End of Evangelion Episodes 25 and 26 = What is happening in the world around him at the same time.

...Looking forward to Clannad episode 22; Up to Negima chapter 207! (Can't Wait!)

Well said, both of you! ^_^
Thats how I come to understood it.

[Hello_Gelo]

hmm wow after hearing you guys talk I feel I totally mis interpurted the endings to Eva I havent watched the series in about 5 years so maybe I'm mis remembering things but I though in the series Shinji excepts the Instrumantilty project and in End of Eva he rejects it but evidently I am remembering the series wrong

[Khilgaran]

So In the end Shinji and Asuka return as the new Adam and Eve, that's the thing about the end right?

Eva's is just so messed up but cool man, you're an anime fan if you don't like it.