The Real End Of Evangelion

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Did Evangelion's Shinji finally grow up?

Evangelion's Rebuild has finally, apparently, come to an end. But what does Shinji's epic journey all mean? Let's find out with the help of Søren Kierkegaard in this Wisecrack Edition: Evangelion's Leap of Faith.

=== Watch More Episodes! ===

00:00 - Intro
03:32 - Isolation and Despair
09:37 - Don't Stop Believing
14:25 - Shinji and Gendo
16:16 - Conclusion

Written by Michael Luxemburg and Ross McIndoe
Hosted by Michael Burns
Directed by Michael Luxemburg
Motion Graphics by Jackson Maher
Edited by Andrew Nishimura
Video Title Card by Amanda Murphy
Additional Production Assistance by Matias Rubio & Olivia Redden
Produced by Evan Yee

Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound

#evangelion #anime #wisecrack

© 2021 Wisecrack / Omnia Media, Inc. / Enthusiast Gaming

[WisecrackEDU]

Which do you like better? The Evangelion show or the Rebuild?

[Gollvieg]

As a young teen, I was harsh on Shinji for being "weak" and running away from his "cool" destiny of piloting an awesome giant robot while being unaware of being a hypocrite who is trying to run from my own teenage problems. I took around 20 years to realize that the thing I considered Shinji to be weak for, was done by *every single adult* in the series. Every adult in the series is struggling with their own issues and rather than dealing with it themselves they push it onto Shinji, a freaking *14 year-old* who definitely reacting in the only reasonable way. I find it very fitting that the true answer to Shinji's plight is not "rationally" using a time-loop to find a perfect answer but the irrational leap if faith of emotionally "growing up" and talking out his issues with his father.

[kunmppari]

If only Rei's dinner party would have worked out. Having Shinji and Gendo work their feelings and differences in a welcoming environment aided by a bit of booze the Rebuild of Evangelion would've ended in the second film.

[ColeValentonis]

Throwing shade at Hikaru Utada is unforgivable.

[drterrynguyen]

The teenager in heart can finally rest knowing Shinji is gonna be okay

[troperhghar]

6:58 "cool plan, but I'll stick with therapy"
To be fair how many stories do we all know would never have happened if the characters went to therapy

[luisnayra]

When i saw azuka's clones, all i could think is how she despises dolls and becoming disposable, and the evangelion fandom made the concept of asuka a DOLL, sometimes erotic sometimes by shipping characters. They got rid of azuka's hatred and feelings. She sadly bacame a doll for the public. The image of being cloned like rei was horrific for me.

[vedantgoel]

I won't have anybody disrespect utada hikaru's theme songs, all three major theme songs - Beautiful World, Sakura Nagarashi and One last kiss are phenomenal

[memorabiliatemporarium]

Being a fan of Evangelion ever since first watching it, as a little kid, not much younger than Shinji, deepening my understanding of its complexities from a giant robot show to a deconstruction of its characters, their author and the viewer, I can gladly say that the series ended on a perfect note.
Gendo's liberty and Shinji's cure is something that I'll carry for the rest of my life and since I identify myself very much too Shinji, something that I'll try simulate.

[petermann]

"Whatever this is"

Hey. Hey. I will not stand for this Utada Hikaru disrespect!

[bigjoseph]

We need more evangelion videos; it’s insane how much is there beneath the surface

[thecoolerrats]

Just watched it two nights ago. I Liked it, I liked how meta it got, and I appreciate that Hideaki Anno did it kind of gently. No more Evangelion, but also not the world is annihilated or anything. Well it is, but it gets better.

[YuvrajSingh-hrrh]

When Kaworu says, "There is hope. There is always hope" it was strangely comforting for some reason. Now I know why ; )

[rockybalboa]

2:59 You did not just talk shit about Beautiful World. I love that song, which means everyone else has to, too. But seriously, do people not like this song? I always thought it was a wonderful and catchy pop song. Also, the song that plays during the final battle of the first film is amazing. Just makes that scene so much more powerful.

[adubseven]

"Whatever this..." lol Beautiful World and Sakura Nagashi slap, as does One Last Kiss.

[knusperente]

So Shinji escaped the metaphorical/psychological hell that is being a protagonist in Eva, only to end up in the literal hell that is being a modern-day salaryman in Japan.

I'm not sure if that is an improvement.

[TheDerek]

Similar to what Gigguk said in his video, the majority of people will probably enjoy the series, but the only way to truly appreciate and understand Evangelion, is to have gone through that mindset. It's not simply something you can empathize with. You would have needed to have been in that dark place in order to actually appreciate the themes and message.

[derekrosshall]

Shinji finally getting a happy ending after like 26 years of unresolved canon was truly one of the most cathartic cinematic experiences I’ve ever had

[lc]

Mari's interpretation as his girlfriend is a bit of a sketch. Mari is the same age his parents, and in the world without Eva, she shows no sign of ageing despite Shinji ageing normally. This part is pure meta, and as you have interpreted, Mari's lack of characterisation and more importantly, her lack of connection with Shinji, which is actually Anno, symbolises the world outside of Evangelion. She and Shinji are all on one side of track, going to a different direction to the rest of the cast on the other side. He no longer wants to have anything to do with the series, feeling drained and exhausted by his greatest success. She's not meant to represent Shinji's final fulfilment of a relationship, but Anno's fulfilment of escaping the hell that is Evangelion, to him. Mari was a problematic character that the creators admitted to have trouble finding a place, being created primarily to sell merchandise. Her role in the story, in the end was enclosed into that, because that's the only place where she fits. I think, Anno being Anno, if he truly sees her as a love interest role for Shinji, she would have gotten the proper treatment, characterised, backstory explored, and properly showing her ageing and affectionate with Shinji, like Kaworu. I don't think Anno likes the idea of having Shinji alone on a train going away from Evangelion, having Mari is perfect for that, since she don't fit in the story, yet encapsulate a very important concept for him, emotionally. Many people interprets her a representation of his wife. I think that only applies for the ending only. He didn't suggest anything of the sort.

[flyyoungman]

Amazing how Anno's biggest fuck you to the fans was giving them a happy ending lmao