Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #76572 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-01-19
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Animated, Colour, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, PAL
• Original language: English, Japanese
• Subtitled in: English
• Dubbed in: French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 75 minutes

Synopsis
Shinji appears to find a kindred spirit in the form of the Fifth Child, Nagisa Kaoru. Contains the final three episodes of the series.

Customer Reviews

A good ending to a different story
Contrary to popular opinion, I actually really liked this ending. This of course being the original series ending where they ran out of money and were unable to complete it in the way they envisioned. To see the alternative ending, buy the 'End of Evangelion' movie, which replaces episodes 25 and 26.

Of course, you'd still have to buy this DVD if you don't want to miss episode 24, which is important to Shinji's actions in both of the endings due to his interaction with the 18th Angel, Kaeru (sp?). Unfortunate, but worthwhile nonetheless.

But don't dismiss the original ending in 25 and 26. They are a perfect ending if you take the series to be about Shinji, and his emotional state. The film is a great ending if you take the series to be about the Evangelion Project. Plus one great bonus this has over the film is that it has a very happy ending, whereas whether the film's ending is happy is very questionable (I say it isn't...it's your stereotypical anime ending, and when are those ever happy?).

Despite the emphasis people place on the use of pencil drawings and so on in these episodes, there actually isn't as much as you would think. In many ways it actually adds to the depth of the episode, as they are talking about the different ways in which Shinji sees the world. It is NOT, as you might think, like parts of a normal episode just in poor quality. Although, 25 and 26 aren't normal episodes anyway, since they take place inside the minds of the characters. The bits done in watercolour paint look cool too. ^_^

In all, whatever people say about these episodes, buy it. It'll be worth it for the hilarious 'alternative reality' sketch in the middle of episode 26, which makes fun of every anime stereotype ever. It is also a welcome breath of fresh air, especially since comedy has been depressingly sparse in the series since episodes 15 or 16.

Besides, presumably you've already got the first 7 volumes. What kind of self-respecting fan would you be not to buy this one? ^_^

Worth it just for Episode 24!
The most important fact one needs to know before seeing these episodes is that they are not the true ending to Evangelion. After Gainax's budget was slashed after the extremely violent episode 17, Hideaki-san was unable to complete the Evangelion saga as he wanted to, and their lack of resources showed in the constant still frames and long pauses. Nevertheless, he certainly made the effort for Episode 24. 'The Beginning and the End: Knockin' on Heaven's Door' is by far the best episode of the series, also involving the most pivotal moment of the entire series during the last thirty seconds.

However, after that episode GAINAX's budget was pretty much zero, and 25 and 26 were only added to fulfil the contract that they had with the distributors. Because of this, for several years viewers had to make do with an alternative 'watered down' ending from Anno’s original vision. It's still a very powerful piece of filmmaking but it is ultimately outdated with the release of ‘End of Evangelion’, which replaced 25 and 26 as the true ending to the best anime series ever.

In some ways, it might have been better had episode 24 been included on the previous Volume, and 25 and 26 being sold separately at a lower price. Depending on how much of a fan you are, it might not be worth spending the money just for one episode. However, bear in mind that episode 24 *is* the best one of the series, and though 25 and 26 are not the real ending they are together still an amazing achievement on such a low budget and it is partly because of this that I feel that this volume deserves five stars.

"Rise up young boy to the heavens as a legend"
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.