Customer Reviews

Neon Genesis Evangelion, Collection 0:8 (Episodes 24-26)

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The last disc of this series brings everything to a climax...and then breaks it down into total chaos. All of the characters go into a retrospective about themselves, which takes two episodes. It can be rather confusing...but at the same time, it is meant to be.

As for the movies...one of the reviews posted here is a bit misled. There will be no third movie; the poster that he refers to has been acknowledged by both Studio Gainax and the fan community as a fake. There are two movies, one of which replaces the last two episodes of the series, while the other goes on to provide a new ending to the series all together. For more information on the movies, do a search for End of Evangelion or Evangelion: Death & Rebirth on your favorite search engine.

Both of these movies are currently liscensed by Manga Entertainment, and are (tentatively) scheduled to be released in October, 2001.

In what I consider to be pieces of art, the final episodes of Evangelion live up to the quality of the series and, in my mind, far surpass it. However, many people have brought up the quite valid fact that they fail to answer questions raised during the course of the story and are an unforgivable departure from the artistic style of the rest of the series. Although it is hard to address these issues with most of the general viewing group not having seen the Evangelion movies, I feel that the best overall understanding of this series comes from watching both endings. While some would argue that they cannot or should not be viewed as co-existing entities, this is the only way I feel that you can get the complete picture of the series. The last two episodes contained on the 8th disc are more of the mental ending to the series, with the physical ending being left for the movie(which by the way will be released on Oct. 29th give or take a day). I gave this DVD 5 stars because I feel it is an important one for all fans to see, BEFORE seeing the movies. While some will not find them the most enjoyable of episodes they provide a very interesting look at the world of the Evangelion from the perspecitve of a character within its boarders. Shinji is without a doubt the most human-like character ever to exist within an animated world because of these last to episodes, and I feel that this fact made the series overall, but more importantly the two movies, much more enjoyable. As for the quality of the animation, while many would disagree with my views, I thought it was intersting that it shared the same disassembled and broken look as did the Shinji and the other characters. The one aspect of this DVD that I will speak against is the quality of ADV's work. The lack of extras and the "jumpyness" of the film do detract from the quality of the DVD, but I still gave the DVD 5 stars because these errors do not detract from the quality of the story contained on the DVD.

With this DVD, the main stream of the Evangelion series is brought to an end. The viewer has been exposed to almost every possible variation of anime's favorite themes. We have had giant monsters, young children battling insurmountable odds, and secret agencies pursuing their own ends. On top of the extraterrestrial threat of the Angels, mysterious committees and secretive leaders plan maneuvers that have one foot in the Kabala, and another in the Dead Sea scrolls. Every one of us has thrown up our hands at one time or another to demand some explanation of events, but none of us have given up being entranced by a story that invites multiple interpretations.

'The Final Messenger'

With Asuka completely disabled. NERV activates Kaworu Nagisa, the Fifth Child. Kaworu seems to bond with Shinji immediately, and his kindness and affection begin to pull the Ikari boy out of his angry shell. But peace is not to be. Kaworu is actually the Seventeenth Angel, Tabris, and Shinji must not only bear his betrayal, but must attempt to kill Tabris even as the Angel admits his love. The Instrumentality begins.

With the end of episode 24, the exterior action of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' comes to an end. The next two episodes take us to a new dimension. For the first time we see past the symbols and mysterious. Many times Hideaki Anno has hinted that the real action of this series takes place on an interior stage, and that is where we find ourselves.

'The Ending World'

Episode 25 gives us a last look into the interior of all the key players. We see their feelings and needs in the light of common human experience. Kaworu's message was the need to break past the shells of our egos and experience the inner oneness of human experience.

'The Beast that Shouted "I" at the Heart of the World'

Episode 26 is Shinji's. This time the focus is on his need for affection and respect, and his belief that he is worthless without them. He has allowed himself to think as a victim, and has given up his internal sense of identity.

And so, as Hideaki Anno has carefully made clear from the beginning, the story isn't an apocalypse, but a tale of transfiguration. The Angels are less like villains than attempts to break down the walls of false defenses that keep us from developing beyond our childlike fears and immaturity. It is no surprise that many fans, expecting some form of tumultuous ending, were quite taken aback by the soft edge and positive message that Anno actually intended. In response to this dissatisfaction Anno went on to create the theater release with its much more spectacular conclusion. Yet the message remained the same in the end. The kingdom of Heaven is within you.

Evangelion Returns in this climax. Episodes 24-26 chronicle the end of this controversial Anime series. Though the actual EVANGELION MOVIES, are NOT included on this DVD, due to "End Of Evangelion" and "Evangelion: Death & Rebirth" being licensed to Manga, and not ADV Films. This is a must buy for any fan of the series, and any fan of Anime in general. Keep an eye out in October for the movies on DVD from Manga. - Enygma077

These last few episodes are constantly debated among Evangelion fans, between those who think they sucked and those who think they were one of the best things they have ever seen. It really depends on what you enjoyed about the series, either the action or the deep emotional problems. Episode 24 will easily appeal to either side of the argument (they were just really cool), episode 25 and 26 is where the division arises. That's because it is nothing at all like the rest of the series. Everything becomes stream of conciousness in the last two epsiodes and serious philosophical questions are confronted head on. There is also a complete lack of action, by this time the series had pretty much run out of money so the animation is "cheap." However, the way in which the last episodes were done were amzingly artistic, Anno did a great job directing with limited recources. I personally loved the whole part about gaining freedom by adding restrictions. And there's also this lovely little alternate reality scene with Shinji, Asuka, and Rei as normal school children (it makes sense in light of what is going on in the episode and the final conclusion)

I personally loved theses last 3 episodes. There is deep insight to humanity, and it leaves off with a very positive message. Yes, you heard me, a POSITIVE message, that I thought was quite uplifting. I seriously don't see how people got depressed from the end of the series.

The biggest problem people seem to have is that very little plot is explained. That's a valid complaint, but the "movie" End of Evangelion, gives a whole lot more backround to what happened, a good amount is explained, just not directly (you have to think really critically). End of Evangelion is not an alternate ending to the series, but rather a more explained ending. EoE explains what happend during the human instrumentality program, and how it really came about (in the last eps of the series, scenes from EoE flash across right before everything becomes stream of conciousness). It is important to remember that although EoE is rather depressing, it still has the same message as the series did.

If you've gotten this far in the series there is no turning back. You will most likely watch this disc (particularly the last two episodes) a couple of times before everything sinks in.

Episode 24 begins as Asuka had run away, depressed due to her faultering utility, and Ritsuko had gone AWOL because she had doubts of how her mother would view her actions. The mysterious fifth child (Kaoru Nagisa) is introduced to take Asuka's place piloting unit 02. And at the end of the episode the final angel makes it's presence known and takes most of Nerv by surprise.

The final two episodes seem to leave the plot behind and dive directly into the psychie of the characters. You learn a lot about the characters' pasts, and ends start getting tied off as more and more is revealed. Included are some of my favorite scenes including a comedic typical day in one possible alternate life of shinji. And some bizzare views of how people interprete the world.

Regardless of some opinions I've heard to the contrary, these episodes really make the series. And I'm glad they have all finally found their way to DVD. Now we just have to wait for the movie (End Of Evangelion) to be released :)

This is the end of Evagelion, not to be confused with "The End of Evangelion." This is the end to the TV series. The final angel has been illiminated, and now the dreaded 3rd impact is ravaging the existence of humanity. While you do not get to see the physical torment of the planet as humanity begins to be destoryed you do see a very psychological view in the mind of Shinji Ikari, the story's unlikely "hero." Ikari is the one running the impact, whether he likes it or not. In the little time he has left he must find himself, his true identity, face reality, his fears, and make his final decision. Should all of humanity be combined into one entity, or should humans continue living as individuals, separated by their AT-fields? Shinji holds in his hands the fate of the human race, what will he decide.

I admit it is an odd conclusion, but it was Director Anno's vision; he stands by it and I stand with him. I enjoyed the series all the way through to its bizzare ending. Its more than worth seeing, but for those of you who would also like to see the chaos, destruction, war, and complimentation in a more physical, real-world form, I suggest you locate an import copy of the Japanese film End of Evangelion (I did), or wait 'til Autumn to see the American release (I'll do that too!) The movie is a more action-oriented experience while the TV ending takes place all within the mind. They both are acceptable endings, and both are in actuality the same. Everything that happens in the TV ending takes place in the movie. However you'll get to see bombs, bullets, lances, Evas, screams, appologies, confessions, decisions, angels, crosses, LCL. I loved both endings and while the movie ending is even more wild and insane than that of the TV series, they were marvelous and can only be described by a word I had to invent: "Mind-&@$%."

Here's the ending to the ground-breaking Neon genesis Evangelion tv series, and what an ending it is. Many people were unsatisfied with it's in-mind approach, and needless to say it does not provide an ending in the traditional sense.
(...).
In episode 24, Shinji befriend's Asuka's replacement as an eva pilot, Kaoru Nagisa. This episode gains little ground in terms of plot, except for kaoru recognizing the crucified angel as Lillith, not adam. Beautiful in many ways, this episode delivers the final psychological blow to Shinji, clearing the way for eps 25 and 26.
In episode 25, Asuka, Shinji, and Misato's psychological state of being are explored in depth. Rei is also explored, but her side isn't as complex or developed. This episode is very relentless, and at times, disturbing. Unsettling issues are the most present in Asuka's case. This episode shows the mental side of the human istrumentality project { watch the movie, End of Evangelion, that will hopefully arrive July 2002, for the physical side of the process }
Episode 26 is the best episode in the series, and shows the process of Shinji realizing his self-worth. It also has the best quick-comedy segments ever made { a good breather from the tramatic tone of eps 21 through 25 }
In closing, I feel while this dvd covers the least in terms of storyline, it's the strongest in terms of character development. Evangelion is really a terrific series, better than 95 percent of other anime. But to fully enjoy this series, you have to come with an open mind, and you have to except the fact that this series is about it's characters, first and foremost.

Just a recap of what the other reviewers have said: Episode 24 is a great, action-packed episode along the lines of the rest of the series. 25 and 26 are the conclusion which takes place in the collected minds of Shinji and the others, and quite frankly, I felt a little cheated at first. In fact, I went right out and rented the "End of Evangelion" movie to see what really happened.

By the way, don't be fooled..."End of Eva" is all you need to see. "Death and Rebirth" is merely made up of flashbacks from the series and the beginning half of "End of Eva".

But that point became moot after I saw the spiteful, mean-spirited movie. Great animation, it has. Awesome action scenes, sure. A definite conclusion, check. 30 minutes of ridiculous, pyschadelic, and so-called spiritual images that don't make any sense? It has that too. A way out-of-character Shinji? Yep. Tons of meaningless deaths? Uh-huh. An ending that would make anyone who feels any love for these characters cringe? Oh yeah.

The final two episodes of the series may not conclude a lot of things, but at least it's open to interpretation. I could honestly see an argument being made about whether the ending is a win or a loss. The end of the movie is so bleak and heart-breaking that it almost makes you sorry you followed the series all the way through. I wish I could say a lot more about it without spoilers, but I can't.

My opinion, stick with the TV series ending. Rent the movie (out commercially in October, or just get a fansub, they're everywhere) if you're a fan of apocalyptic what-if's along the lines of DC Comics' "Kingdom Come".

Yes, this is it! The final three episodes of the greatest anime series I have ever seen. These three are the episodes that completely blew me away, and were the three that I remembered even after a year - (I was so deprived! ^_^)

I have to agree with another reviewer who says that the rug is pulled right out from the viewer's feet - I couldn't have thought of a better way to put it. I remember being shocked by the last two episodes - as ep. 24 is so action packed and filled with wonderful character development ... you're expecting an ending that will keep in tune with this episode ... but I'm afraid you don't get it. And that is what makes this series the best I have ever seen.

The last two episodes are so abstract and original that by the end of the forty minutes you are sitting there with your mouth open in awe. They are pure genius. I'm afraid I can't put it any other way. They're insightful, original, and beautiful. I thought Eva was a damn good series up until I saw these two eps, and then, suddenly, it was the best thing ever created. If you're looking for that action packed ending filled with romance, incredible animation, and wonderful character development ... well, you'll just have to wait for the movies - but these two episodes do NOT subtract anything from the rest of the series. In my opinion, these are the best episodes out of the 26, and I'll have words with anyone who thinks that they 'stink'. In fact, I have friends who actually didn't like Eva - (oh the shame!) - until they saw these two episodes ... and then they decided to rewatch the series and they loved it. Now they can't shut up about it. I definitely recommend this series, and especially this last DVD to anyone who watches anime. It's well worth the money - (and the obvious lack of any extras or specials, which is a defect of ALL Eva DVDs).