Evangelion You Can Not Redo

Okay, imagine this: me, at 3 AM, fueled by instant ramen and existential dread, staring blankly at my laptop screen. Why? Because I'd just finished watching Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. Yep, that Evangelion. The one that supposedly puts a nice, shiny bow on the whole… chaotic mess that is the Evangelion universe. But was it really a bow? Or just more string to tangle us up?

And that's where Evangelion: You Can (Not) Redo, or 3.0 as we casually call it, comes in. Because let’s be honest, 3.0… it’s the black sheep of the Rebuild family. It’s the weird cousin who shows up to the party wearing a tin foil hat and muttering about the Instrumentality Project. You know the one. (Don't pretend you don't have one in your family!)

3.0 basically kicks you in the teeth right from the start. We go from the slightly more hopeful ending of 2.0 (Shinji actually did something right!) to… this. A decimated world, Shinji catatonic, Asuka and Mari hardened veterans, and Misato sporting some serious battle scars (both physical and emotional, I’d wager). Talk about a mood shift!

The biggest point of contention? Shinji. Oh, Shinji. He’s basically Public Enemy Number One. Everyone hates him. Like, really hates him. Even his friends seem to view him as a walking disaster zone. And you know what? It's hard to argue with them. He basically triggered the Near Third Impact, which, surprise surprise, wasn’t exactly on anyone’s to-do list.

But here's the thing: is Shinji really to blame? Or is he a victim of circumstance? He's a kid, thrust into a world he doesn't understand, piloting giant robots against god-like beings. Cut him some slack, people! (Okay, maybe not all the slack… but some!).

What 3.0 does so well, in its own twisted way, is explore the consequences of actions. We see the real cost of Shinji’s recklessness in 2.0. The world is broken. People are traumatized. And Shinji has to face the music. It's a painful, uncomfortable watch, and that's exactly why it's so compelling.

And let's not forget the visuals! The animation is stunning, even if the designs are… questionable at times (those Wille suits, anyone?). The action sequences are epic, and the world-building is, well, typically Evangelion – bizarre, unsettling, and utterly captivating.

Is 3.0 “Good”?

That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Objectively? Maybe not. It’s definitely the most divisive of the Rebuilds. But subjectively? I think it’s brilliant. It’s a daring, uncomfortable, and ultimately necessary chapter in Shinji’s journey. It forces him (and us) to confront the ugly truths of his actions and the world around him. It’s a punch to the gut, sure, but sometimes you need that to wake you up.

So, should you watch Evangelion: You Can (Not) Redo? Absolutely. Just be prepared to have your expectations subverted, your emotions tested, and your sanity… well, let's just say keep some instant ramen handy. You'll need it.

And hey, if you figure out what’s really going on, let me know, okay? I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all.