Theory and Analysis:Sequel Theory Counter-Evidence

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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 Rebuild of Evangelion 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 literal sequel.

Blood in the Water, Blood on the Moon

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?

The first reason:

The very first image seen in Eva 1.0.
NGE's final iteration of its recurring waves-on-shore motif, from EoE's last scene.
Tanks waiting for arrival of 4th Angel, Eva 1.0.
Tanks waiting for arrival of 3rd Angel, Episode 01.

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.

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
Coffins resting atop the blood streak.
The streak terminates at the excavation site of a mysterious giant.

...which, again, recalls the way NGE ended, rather than how it began:


End of Evangelion: Blood Flies to the Moon
Blood spouting from Lilith's neck starting to stick to the lunar surface.
The final state of the blood stain.


MORE TO COME


References

  1. Anonymous spoiler posted to /a/ and cross-posted to EvaGeeks Forums, 2007/09/01.
  2. Explanation of Evangelion 1.01.