Neon Genesis Evangelion is widely regarded as one of the best anime productions of all time, encompassing both the original 26 episodes from the anime and the Death & Rebirth and The End of Evangelion, as well as the newer Rebuild of Evangelion movies. The latter is now set to put an end to the series in early 2021 with the impending release of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time.
Originally the Rebuild of Evangelion movies were supposed to provide a retelling of the original story from the anime adding new characters, scenes, and events to the world of Evangelion, while also providing a fresh new look to it. That project started with Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone in 2007, but every film since then has taken extra long, especially after Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time was delayed from its planned June 27, 2020 release date due to the ongoing pandemic.
With a newly schedule premiere in Japan for January 23, 2021, Crunchyroll now reports Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time will get IMAX screening once the film releases, with it being preceded by a special run of Evangelion: 3.333 You Can (Not) Redo from January 8 to 22, also in IMAX theaters.
Both IMAX screening are likely to draw big crowds in Japanese theaters, as not only have Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time and its predecessor endured very rocky production processes for the highly anticipated conclusions to the saga, but the country is reaping the benefits of a recovering movie theater industry thanks to Demon Slayer’s record-breaking performance.
Interest in Neon Genesis Evangelion experienced a bit of a resurgence over the past couple of years in large part due to the anime being added to Netflix on a worldwide scale. This came a after several years of legal complications prevented the English dubs from the show from being moved, even though Netflix’s efforts were still met with some criticism due to the anime featuring a new cast for the English dubs and it not featuring the iconic “Fly Me to the Moon” playing on each episode’s end credits.
Though the Rebuild of Evangelion has not received nearly as much praise as the original anime and some fans have their fair share of issues with the way the story has been carried out, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time will deliver an alternate ending that’s spent 13 years in the making and that's certainly something to be excited about.
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time will release in Japan on January 23, 2021.
Source: Crunchyroll