Theory and Analysis:Sequel Theory Counter-Evidence: Difference between revisions
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"'''Sequel Theory'''" is the enduringly popular idea that the ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion]]'' films are not a separate continuity, but are instead a follow-up in a more than spiritual sense. In its most basic form, this idea posits that the films occur on Earth after the Third Impact of ''[[End of Evangelion]]''; exact specifics as to how this is supposed to work vary. In its multitudinous more convoluted forms, it would be more accurately described as "Cycle Theory", with NGE and [[ | "'''Sequel Theory'''" is the enduringly popular idea that the ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion]]'' films are not a separate continuity, but are instead a follow-up in a more than spiritual sense. In its most basic form, this idea posits that the films occur on Earth after the Third Impact of ''[[End of Evangelion]]''; exact specifics as to how this is supposed to work vary. In its multitudinous more convoluted forms, it would be more accurately described as "Cycle Theory", with NGE and [[Rebuild of Evangelion|NTE]] both being iterations of a cycling universe. This article will not deal with the latter, since said variation isn't really concrete enough to be debunked, and instead concentrate on most of the supposed evidence associated with the idea of ''Rebuild'' being a slightly more literal sequel. | ||
== | ==Second Impact... or Third?== | ||
As soon as fans sat down in Japanese theaters to see ''Evangelion 1.0'', the idea that they were being shown some kind of continuation took seed<ref>[http://forum.evageeks.org/post/87726/Rebuild-10-You-are-not-alone-Reviews-Spoilers/#87726 Anonymous spoiler] posted to /a/ and cross-posted to EvaGeeks Forums, 2007/09/01.</ref>. Since the film was a retelling of the TV series' first six episodes with only minor storytelling variations, why would anyone think it somehow took place ''after'' EoE? | As soon as fans sat down in Japanese theaters to see ''Evangelion 1.0'', the idea that they were being shown some kind of continuation took seed<ref>[http://forum.evageeks.org/post/87726/Rebuild-10-You-are-not-alone-Reviews-Spoilers/#87726 Anonymous spoiler] posted to /a/ and cross-posted to EvaGeeks Forums, 2007/09/01.</ref>. Since the film was a retelling of the TV series' first six episodes with only minor storytelling variations, why would anyone think it somehow took place ''after'' EoE? | ||
===Blood in the Water=== | |||
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We see here that the first shot is a direct callback to EoE's final scene, and the otherwise familiar sights of [[Episode 01]] have been transformed by an ocean that is no longer blue, but blood-red. | We see here that the first shot is a direct callback to EoE's final scene, and the otherwise familiar sights of [[Episode 01]] have been transformed by an ocean that is no longer blue, but blood-red. With brutally efficient use of visuals, the end of the previous ''Eva'' sage has been linked to this new one. But why...? | ||
The | ===The Mysterious Outline=== | ||
Amidst the opening montage of images -- the storyboards taken nearly verbatim from [[Episode 01]] -- showing the lingering damage from Second Impact, something new appears... | |||
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...the bold white outline of a giant humanoid in cruciform position, painted over a blood-stained hillside littered with damaged buildings. For many NGE veteran, this visual immediately recalls the dead Mass Production Evangelions, on account of the general profile and especially the long slender region where a head and neck would be: | |||
{{MontageBox | {{MontageBox | ||
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|title = Evangelion 1.0: Blood on the Moon | |title = ''End of Evangelion'': Crucified Eva Series | ||
|colour = | |||
|image1 = [[File:M26 C371 mp-sun.jpg|300px|thumb|Self-crucified M.P. Evangelion.]] | |||
|image2 = [[File:M26_C481_Kimochi_Warui.jpg|300px|thumb|Petrified and decapitated M.P. Evas.]] | |||
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The outline in ''1.0'' is more strongly reminiscent of the MP Evas before they petrify and, off-screen, spontaneously undergo decapitation -- but even once this happens the conical entry plug hatches still extend their outlines in approximately the same way. Could this outline in fact be marking where one of the nine dead MP Evas made landfall at the end of EoE? | |||
===Blood on the Moon=== | |||
The final scene of the film takes us to Mare Tranquilitatis<ref>[[Resources:Explanation_of_Evangelion_1.01_(Pt._2)|Explanation of Evangelion 1.01]].</ref> of the moon, where we can see a long, thin streak of blood-colored fluid soaked into the turf: | |||
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|title = ''Evangelion 1.0'': Blood on the Moon | |||
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|image1 = [[Image:Eva1-11 C1677.jpg|300px|thumb|Coffins resting atop the blood streak.]] | |image1 = [[Image:Eva1-11 C1677.jpg|300px|thumb|Coffins resting atop the blood streak.]] | ||
|image2 = [[File:Eva1-01_C1680_moon-giant.jpg|300px|thumb|The streak terminates | |image2 = [[File:Eva1-01_C1680_moon-giant.jpg|300px|thumb|The streak terminates with a curious excavation site...]] | ||
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|title = End of Evangelion: Blood Flies to the Moon | |title = ''End of Evangelion'': Blood Flies to the Moon | ||
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|image1 = [[File:M26 C386 bloodmoon.jpg|300px|thumb|Blood spouting from Lilith's neck starting to stick to the lunar surface.]] | |image1 = [[File:M26 C386 bloodmoon.jpg|300px|thumb|Blood spouting from Lilith's neck starting to stick to the lunar surface.]] | ||
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Can audiences even at the time, without benefit of the following two movies<ref>At the time of this article's penning, the fourth has yet to see release.</ref>, be forgiven for thinking that perhaps some kind of partial reset button had been pushed after ''End of Evangelion''? Let's take a look. | |||
When Misato and other Nerv personnel depart from the site of the Fourth Angel's self-destruction In the aftermath of the Fourth Angel's self-destruction, a short scene occurs wherein Misato and some other Nerv personnel To start with, Maya Ibuki makes this comment when she and some other Nerv personnel are ob | |||
In other words, the end of one *Eva* saga At this point, some fans immediately wonder if this *isn't* a separate continuity after all -- otherwise why link the end of EoE to the beginning of the ''Eva'' tale in such an overt way? Was some kind of partial | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 23:01, 9 July 2017
"Sequel Theory" is the enduringly popular idea that the Rebuild of Evangelion films are not a separate continuity, but are instead a follow-up in a more than spiritual sense. In its most basic form, this idea posits that the films occur on Earth after the Third Impact of End of Evangelion; exact specifics as to how this is supposed to work vary. In its multitudinous more convoluted forms, it would be more accurately described as "Cycle Theory", with NGE and NTE both being iterations of a cycling universe. This article will not deal with the latter, since said variation isn't really concrete enough to be debunked, and instead concentrate on most of the supposed evidence associated with the idea of Rebuild being a slightly more literal sequel.
Second Impact... or Third?
As soon as fans sat down in Japanese theaters to see Evangelion 1.0, the idea that they were being shown some kind of continuation took seed[1]. Since the film was a retelling of the TV series' first six episodes with only minor storytelling variations, why would anyone think it somehow took place after EoE?
Blood in the Water
 |
 |
 |
 |
We see here that the first shot is a direct callback to EoE's final scene, and the otherwise familiar sights of Episode 01 have been transformed by an ocean that is no longer blue, but blood-red. With brutally efficient use of visuals, the end of the previous Eva sage has been linked to this new one. But why...?
The Mysterious Outline
Amidst the opening montage of images -- the storyboards taken nearly verbatim from Episode 01 -- showing the lingering damage from Second Impact, something new appears...
 |
...the bold white outline of a giant humanoid in cruciform position, painted over a blood-stained hillside littered with damaged buildings. For many NGE veteran, this visual immediately recalls the dead Mass Production Evangelions, on account of the general profile and especially the long slender region where a head and neck would be:
| End of Evangelion: Crucified Eva Series | |
 |
 |
The outline in 1.0 is more strongly reminiscent of the MP Evas before they petrify and, off-screen, spontaneously undergo decapitation -- but even once this happens the conical entry plug hatches still extend their outlines in approximately the same way. Could this outline in fact be marking where one of the nine dead MP Evas made landfall at the end of EoE?
Blood on the Moon
The final scene of the film takes us to Mare Tranquilitatis[2] of the moon, where we can see a long, thin streak of blood-colored fluid soaked into the turf:
| Evangelion 1.0: Blood on the Moon | |
 |
 |
...which, again, recalls the way NGE ended, rather than how it began:
| End of Evangelion: Blood Flies to the Moon | |
 |
 |
Can audiences even at the time, without benefit of the following two movies[3], be forgiven for thinking that perhaps some kind of partial reset button had been pushed after End of Evangelion? Let's take a look.
When Misato and other Nerv personnel depart from the site of the Fourth Angel's self-destruction In the aftermath of the Fourth Angel's self-destruction, a short scene occurs wherein Misato and some other Nerv personnel To start with, Maya Ibuki makes this comment when she and some other Nerv personnel are ob
In other words, the end of one *Eva* saga At this point, some fans immediately wonder if this *isn't* a separate continuity after all -- otherwise why link the end of EoE to the beginning of the Eva tale in such an overt way? Was some kind of partial
References
- ↑ Anonymous spoiler posted to /a/ and cross-posted to EvaGeeks Forums, 2007/09/01.
- ↑ Explanation of Evangelion 1.01.
- ↑ At the time of this article's penning, the fourth has yet to see release.
