Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time

It feels weird looking back on 2021 and realizing this year was the same year that Neon Genesis Evangelion finally came to a definitive conclusion. Hideaki Anno’s deconstruction of the mecha anime genre started to feel like its ambition outgrew its capacity to deliver a satisfying ending. But somehow, Anno and Studio Khara pulled off a satisfying ending with the series final rebuild film Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time

The most cathartic aspect of watching Thrice Upon A Time was the film’s ability to serve as a character study of its main cast, who have been frozen in time just like its viewers who’ve anticipated the film for years. The quiet reflexive moments in Thrice Upon A Time shine just as brightly as its bombastic CGI Eva fights, which get crazy–like using the Eiffel Tower as a weapon kind of crazy. Shots of sweeping countryside vistas overrun by the chemical aftermath of Fourth Impact, the cataclysmic event that brings forward Seele’s instrumentality project, are both haunting and soul-stirring, especially when accompanied by the movie’s soundtrack. Anno and Studio Khara’s hard work led to a perfect ending to one of anime’s most important works.