Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The End of Evangelion is a surreal, philosophical conclusion to Neon Genesis Evangelion, replacing the abstract TV ending with a visceral, apocalyptic finale. The movie depicts Third Impact, a cataclysmic event where humanity merges into a single consciousness (Instrumentality) orchestrated by SEELE and Gendo Ikari. Shinji, after a breakdown, rejects Instrumentality, choosing individuality despite its pain. The ambiguous final scene shows Shinji and Asha on a desolate beach, leaving their relationship and humanity's fate open to interpretation. The film explores themes of loneliness, connection, and the struggle to find meaning in existence.
The Ending Explained
The climax of The End of Evangelion is a harrowing culmination of the series' psychological and metaphysical themes. As Instrumentality - SEELE and Gendo's plan to dissolve human individuality-unfolds, Lilith's body transforms, triggering a global anti-AT field that liquefies humanity, merging all souls into a single entity. Shinji, trapped in despair, initially embraces this collective existence to escape his pain. However, after confronting visions of those he loves (particularly Asuka and Rei), he realizes that true connection requires separation. His rejection of Instrumentality reverses the process, allowing individuals to return-though only those who choose to face the pain of existence.
The final scene is deliberately ambiguous: a post-apocalyptic beach where Shinji strangles Asuka before breaking down, only for her to caress his face with a cryptic "Disgusting." This moment encapsulates their toxic yet intimate bond, suggesting that human relationships-flawed and painful-are still worth enduring. The barren landscape implies that humanity may rebuild, but the cost is immeasurable.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
What does Asuka's “Disgusting” mean?
- She pities Shinji's weakness but accepts him.
- It reflects her own self-loathing projected onto him.
- A commentary on the cyclical nature of their dysfunction.
Is anyone else alive post-Instrumentality?
- Likely yes, as Shinji chose to restore individuality for those who want it.
- The empty world suggests most chose to remain in the collective.
Did Gendo achieve his goal?
- No-his plan to reunite with Yui was hijacked by Rei/Shinji.
- His failure underscores the futility of controlling others' fates.
Why does Unit-01 ascend to space?
- Yui's ultimate plan: preserving humanity's memory in the Eva as a cosmic monument.
Personal Opinion
The End of Evangelion is a masterpiece of existential horror and raw emotion. Its unflinching portrayal of depression and self-destruction is brutal but cathartic, offering no easy answers. The ending's ambiguity is its strength - Shinji's choice to live despite suffering is a powerful statement on resilience. However, the film's relentless bleakness and graphic imagery (e.g., Asuka's brutal fight, the mass suicide imagery) make it a difficult but rewarding experience. It's a fitting, if devastating, conclusion to Evangelion, elevating it from mecha anime to a profound meditation on the human condition.
Themes & Symbolism
The film's ending reinforces core Evangelion themes:
- The Hedgehog's Dilemma: Closeness causes pain, but isolation is unbearable.
- Existential Agency: Shinji's rejection of Instrumentality affirms free will.
- Religious Imagery: Lilith's crucifixion, the Spear of Longinus-symbols of sacrifice and rebirth.
The ocean of LCL (primordial soup) mirrors Freudian theories of returning to the womb, while the final beach evokes The Birth of Venus—a twisted rebirth for humanity.
Legacy & Interpretations
Debates rage over whether the ending is hopeful or nihilistic. Some see Shinji's breakdown as a failure; others argue his ability to choose (even poorly) marks growth. The film's influence is undeniable, inspiring countless analyses and homages in anime and beyond. Its defiance of conventional storytelling-prioritizing psychological realism over plot resolution-cements its status as a landmark work.
In the end, The End of Evangelion doesn't provide closure but a mirror: humanity's capacity for destruction and redemption lies within each individual's choice to endure.