Synopsis
Continues the story of Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
In the initial conflicts against the monstrous Angels, young Eva pilots Shinji and Rei bore the weight of humanity's hopes alone. Now, as the Angels' lethal assault intensifies and the apocalyptic Third Impact draws near, Shinji and Rei share their burden with two new Eva pilots: the fiery Asuka and the enigmatic Mari. Piloting their colossal Eva machines into battle, these four young souls fight desperately to save mankind from the heavens, but can they save themselves in the process? Note: This title exists in multiple versions, indicated by the version number: 2.0 was the original theatrical release on June 27, 2009, while 2.22 is the Blu-ray/DVD release from May 26, 2010, featuring new scenes and readjustments.
In this installment
Fourteen years after the Third Impact devastated Earth and shattered human civilization, Shinji Ikari remains a stranger to those he once knew. After being rescued from the depths of space by Asuka Langley Shikinami and Mari Illustrious Makinami, Shinji discovers he is now a prisoner of WILLE, a military faction commanded by his former guardian, Misato Katsuragi. His former allies now view him with distrust and detachment, refusing to offer aid as he struggles with the consequences of his own actions. Confused and deeply wounded, Shinji is eventually freed from WILLE by Rei Ayanami and returns to NERV headquarters. There, he encounters Kaworu Nagisa, an enigmatic figure who offers him comfort and reveals the truth behind NERV's ongoing struggle against the Angels. Despite this new bond, Shinji and Kaworu soon face a looming conflict where their adversaries are no longer Angels but his former comrades. In this brutal battle to decide the fate of the world, Shinji comes to the realization that the past cannot be rewritten.
Background
Evangelion Movie 3: Q earned Japan's second-highest weekend box office of 2012 with 1,1 billion yen. The film subsequently grossed the equivalent of over 6 billion yen at box office. The film won the Award of Excellence in the animation category at the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival.
