A Comprehensive Analysis of Rebuild of Evangelion: How It Diverges from the Original NGE Series
A Comprehensive Analysis of Rebuild of Evangelion: How It Diverges from the Original NGE Series
The Rebuild of Evangelion is a reimagining of the beloved Neon Genesis Evangelion series, released as a series of films between 2007 and 2021. While the original series Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-1996) established a complex and psychologically nuanced narrative, the Rebuild films offer a more streamlined and accessible version of the story. This article delves into the differences between the two, focusing on narrative structure, character development, visual and thematic style, and the approach to the ending.
Narrative Structure
The original series, Neon Genesis Evangelion, is celebrated for its intricate and often abstract narrative, diving deep into existential questions and exploring themes of depression and trauma. The series’ unstructured storytelling, with its non-linear timeline and disjointed episodes, makes it both challenging and rewarding for viewers. In contrast, the Rebuild films of Evangelion streamline the narrative, providing a more cohesive and digestible storyline that narrows the focus on key events and character arcs. This approach makes the series more accessible to new viewers while still retaining the depth and complexity of its source material.
Character Development
The character development in the original Neon Genesis Evangelion series is gradual, spanning multiple seasons, and intricate. Key characters, such as Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami, and Asuka Langley Soryu, undergo significant transformations through a series of events and psychological insights. The Rebuild films, on the other hand, provide more defined and linear character arcs. The relationships between the main characters are more explicitly portrayed, and the motivations of each character are made clearer, even if fewer episodes are given to background storylines. This approach ensures that viewers can grasp the emotional and psychological development of each character more quickly and thoroughly.
Visual and Thematic Style
The animation quality in the Rebuild films is a hallmark of the series, utilizing advanced modern techniques to enhance the visual storytelling. The films offer a more polished and visually appealing experience, which is a stark contrast to the original series, which relied on a more simplistic animation style. While the Rebuild series still explores deep emotional and philosophical themes, such as existentialism and the burden of responsibility, it presents these themes in a more straightforward and sometimes more explicit manner. This shift from the more abstract and enigmatic storytelling of the original series makes the themes more accessible to a broader audience, without sacrificing the depth and weight of the content.
Ending and Resolution
The original Neon Genesis Evangelion series leaves many questions unanswered, particularly in its final episodes, and concludes on a notably ambiguous note. This ambiguity, while intriguing for some, is often seen as a source of controversy. In contrast, the Rebuild films of Evangelion provide a more conclusive and satisfying ending. The final film, 3.01.0 Thrice Upon a Time, resolves many of the series' long-standing themes and conflicts, offering closure to the characters and their journeys. This ending provides a more definitive answer to the questions raised throughout the series, making it a poignant and hopeful resolution for both new and returning fans.
Overall, the Rebuild of Evangelion serves as both a retelling and a reinterpretation of the original series. It addresses some of the more contentious elements of the original, such as its more abstract narrative and ambiguous ending, while still appealing to both new audiences and long-time fans. The series offers a more streamlined, visually enhanced, and emotionally rich experience, making it a worthy companion to the original Neon Genesis Evangelion.