Ask John: What Can Fans Expect From Rebuild of Evangelion?

Question:
With the announcement of not one but four Evangelion movies in the works, what do you feel they will try to accomplish with them? It is obvious that profit is the main reason. But do you think they will make a clear-cut, happy ending to make it more accessible to the masses? Or do you feel they will keep all the symbolism and abstractness the original series and movies had?

Answer:
There’s been a lot of speculation about the recently announced “Rebuild of Evangelion” project recently. Much of that speculation has appeared in the form of contradictory or second-hand interpretations of rumors and information coming out of Japan. I’ll do my best to correlate the generally agreed upon information with what seems most likely. There are definitely four new Evangelion films in the works. I’ve read that the first film will be a prequel. I’ve also read that the new films will be an entirely new story. The most accurate theory seems to be that the first two or three films will be set during the same time as the events in the Evangelion TV series. Considering that the movies will recycle some footage from the TV series, the movies may be a re-telling of the TV series story from a different perspective. In fact, there’s no confirmation yet that Shinji, Asuka, and Rei will be the main characters in this new Evangelion animation.

Evangelion producer Toshimichi Ootsuki has stated that the new animation will be easily accessible for viewers unfamiliar with the ten year old original Evangelion animation. The new anime will introduce new story elements, and will refrain from using obtuse, confusing jargon. In other words, the new Evangelion will be drastically different from the original Eva anime that fans are familiar with. I hesitate to apply the phrase “dumbed down,” but the early description does imply a less intellectually challenging and more conventional story. I’d also like to believe that the Rebuild of Evangelion is motivated by a heartfelt desire to illustrate a previously unrevealed side of the Evangelion story, but Gainax’s history of extensively merchandising the Evangelion franchise, and the attempt to make new Evangelion animation more accessible to a wider audience does feel like an obvious ploy for profit. But I’m also sure that the decision to create more Evangelion animation comes in response to consumer demand, which has remained steady and strong for over a decade.

At worst, Rebuild of Evangelion may turn out to be a heavily condensed and simplified version of the TV series with a new, more straightforward and conventional climax. Possibly, at best, the Rebuild of Evangelion will introduce new characters and a new perspective on Evangelion that is both entertaining and enlightening in respect to the original series. Gainax has produced both masterful anime, and very mundane productions, so I think that there’s a possibility of Rebuild of Evangelion turning out either way.