Evangelion 3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon a Time

Evangelion: 3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon a Time – A Bittersweet Farewell to a Legend

By [Your Name]

After nearly three decades of existential dread, psychological torment, and giant robots punching each other into oblivion, Evangelion: 3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon a Time finally brings the Rebuild of Evangelion saga to a close. Directed by the ever-enigmatic Hideaki Anno and produced by Studio Khara, this 2021 film is the fourth and final installment in the Rebuild series, serving as a reimagining (or perhaps a continuation?) of the original Neon Genesis Evangelion.

And let’s be real—this movie was never going to please everyone.

The Good, the Bad, and the Giant CGI Rei

Fans have been divided over this finale, to say the least. Some call it a masterpiece, others a “pretty-looking mess,” and a few are still recovering from the sheer whiplash of that ending.

The Visuals:
One thing everyone agrees on? The animation is stunning—when it’s not terrifying. The hand-drawn scenes are gorgeous, with every frame dripping in detail. But then there’s that moment—Giant CGI Rei. Some fans were horrified (“That scared the shit out of me”), while others shrugged it off as classic Anno trolling. Either way, it’s a scene you won’t forget.

The Ending (Spoilers Ahead!):
Ah, yes. The real controversy. Shinji ends up with… Mari? Wait, what?

For years, the Evangelion fandom has been torn between Rei, Asuka, and even Kaworu shippers. But Mari? The mysterious, flirty, and (as one fan pointed out) 50-year-old pilot? It came out of nowhere. Some fans were furious (“5/10 because Asuka didn’t end up with Shinji”), while others found it oddly fitting (“At least Shinji ends up with the 2nd best girl after Misato”).

And then there’s the Neon Genesis name-drop. That moment hit hard—like a callback to the original series, but with a twist. Some loved it (“It stands equal with End of Evangelion“), while others felt it undermined the original’s legacy (“It made The End of Evangelion completely redundant”).

The Emotional Rollercoaster

This movie isn’t just about fights and ships—it’s about closure.

• Shinji vs. Gendo: Finally, finally, we get the father-son showdown we’ve been waiting for. And it’s brutal. One fan described it as “long deserved,” and honestly? Same.
• Asuka’s Fate: Poor Asuka. After everything, her ending left some fans heartbroken (“Did Asuka really just die without much of a purpose?”). Others appreciated her arc, even if it wasn’t the happy ending they wanted.
• Rei and Kaworu: Their bittersweet reunion was a highlight for many (“Her ending ‘with’ Kaworu at the end… a nice touch”).

And then there’s the message. At its core, Thrice Upon a Time is about moving forward. Shinji learns to accept himself, the world resets, and we’re left with a hopeful (if ambiguous) ending. Some fans cried (“I couldn’t be happier with this movie”), while others just scratched their heads (“This movie was more confusing than my college thermodynamics class”).

Final Verdict: Love It or Hate It, It’s Evangelion

So, was it worth the wait?

For some, absolutely. “A beautiful way to end a masterpiece,” one fan gushed. For others? “A complete disaster.” But that’s Evangelion for you—it was never going to tie everything up neatly.

At the end of the day, 3.0+1.11 is a love letter to the franchise. It’s messy, emotional, and unapologetically itself. Whether you loved it or hated it, one thing’s for sure:

Goodbye, Evangelion. Thanks for the trauma.

Rating: 9/10 (because no CGI Rei jumpscare can ruin this ride).

What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments!