Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time 2021

In the heart of Paris, a team of younger members from the WILLE organization, under the guidance of Maya Ibuki, is dedicated to the restoration of the city and its defenses. Their efforts are suddenly interrupted by an assault from NERV forces; however, they are valiantly protected by the Wunder fleet and Makinami Mari Illustrious in Unit-08. Mari successfully defeats the attackers, allowing WILLE to continue their work and restore Paris to its former glory.

Meanwhile, Shinji Ikari, alongside Asuka Langley Shikinami and Rei Ayanami, traverses the outskirts of Tokyo-3. They come upon a settlement teeming with survivors, where they reunite with familiar faces: Toji Suzuhara, Hikari Horaki, and Kensuke Aida, all grown up. Toji, now a doctor, is pictured alongside Hikari and their child, while Kensuke has become a technician. As Shinji begins to heal from his traumas, Rei finds joy in her new role as a farmer within the village community. Here, Shinji also meets Ryoji Kaji Jr., the son of Misato Katsuragi and the late Ryoji Kaji, both of whom played pivotal roles in averting the Third Impact. Sadly, Rei, diminished in strength from the lack of LCL fluid, embarks on a bittersweet farewell with Shinji before she gradually fades away.

The Wunder arrives to collect Asuka and Shinji, though the latter finds himself isolated upon arrival. In the meantime, Kozo Fuyutsuki aids Gendo Ikari in recommissioning Unit-13, prompting the Wunder to head towards Antarctica. Prior to their mission, Asuka and Shinji manage to reconcile, where Asuka confesses her long-held feelings and Shinji expresses remorse for his previous indecisiveness, especially concerning her dangerous encounter with the Ninth Angel fourteen years earlier.

As the plot thickens, the Wunder is ambushed by three NERV ships complemented by a multitude of EVA units. Asuka and Mari scramble into action, attempting to obliterate Unit-13 before it can regain its operational status. Asuka confronts the truth about Unit-02, which proves resistant to her command, leading her to remove her eyepatch—an act that exposes the Ninth Angel within her and transforms Unit-02 into an EVA-Angel hybrid, mirroring Shinji’s Unit-01. In a calculated move by Gendo, Unit-13 effortlessly overpowers and absorbs Unit-02. Just before succumbing, Asuka receives a visit from her original self, revealing her as a clone from the Shikinami series. Simultaneously, Wunder faces an assault from a newer EVA, Unit-09A.

Inside the NERV vessel where Wunder is restrained, Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi confront Gendo. Ritsuko’s attempt to shoot him proves futile, as Gendo has utilized the Key of Nebuchadnezzar to transcend humanity itself. He then reveals the hidden agenda behind the Shikinami and Ayanami clones: initiating the Human Instrumentality Project, a conspiracy orchestrated by SEELE to catalyze human evolution, before entering Unit-13. Shinji implores Misato to let him pilot Unit-01, yet is met with resistance from Sakura and Midori Kitakami, who blame him for triggering the Near Third Impact. Nevertheless, Misato stands fiercely by him, suffering injury in the process. She reminds their group of Shinji’s earlier heroism, advocating for his forgiveness.

In a remarkable turn of events, Mari pilots Unit-08 in harmony with Units 09A through 12. While maneuvering inside Unit-01, Shinji experiences a heartwarming reunion with the original Rei, who bestows him with control. The ensuing clash between Gendo and Shinji unfolds in a bizarre “Anti Universe”, where Gendo unveils the “Black Lilith,” intended as a mechanism to ignite the “Additional Impact”. This confrontation leads Shinji to delve into Gendo’s traumatic past, including the loss of Yui, which ultimately drove Gendo to pursue the “Additional Impact” as a means to reunite with her. Amidst the chaos, Misato expertly orchestrates an evacuation for the Wunder crew, sacrificing herself and the ship to forge the “Lance of Gaius,” granting Shinji the ability to reshape reality.

In a series of heartfelt exchanges, Shinji provides closure to Gendo, reciprocates Asuka’s feelings, and, alongside Kaworu Nagisa, discovers they are ensnared within a repetitious cycle. Kaworu also converses with a resurrected Kaji, who aids in his realization that his happiness should not hinge upon Shinji. Upon saying his goodbyes to Rei, Shinji opts for a complete reset of existence, envisioning a world where humanity can thrive free from the burden of EVAs—a definitive “Neon Genesis”. Gendo and Yui willingly sacrifice themselves to liberate Shinji from this heavy responsibility, restoring all beings affected by the Near Third Impact and rejuvenating the world.

Ultimately, Shinji waits on a serene beach until Mari arrives, heralding the final dissipation of her Evangelion. In a beautiful epilogue, former pilots and Kaworu congregate at a train station, where Shinji and Mari, now a couple, gleefully embark on an adventure filled with promise.