Rei Ayanami First Death

Lore & Background

This moment underscores the tragedy inherent in her existence. She is a child who never knew love until she began to understand it through Shinji Ikari, yet her purpose was always self-destruction for the sake of a grander design. Her death leads to the activation of the next pre-existing vessel (Rei II), setting the stage for the eventual Instrumentality Project that would not be triggered until Rei III's actions in End of Evangelion.

In Their Own Story

The cockpit is silent, filled only with the hum of the entry plug and the rhythmic pulse of her own heart. Outside, the world dissolves into golden light. She looks at the screen where Shinji's reflection appears, not as a pilot, but as a boy who needs saving. Her hand trembles against the controls, then steadies. There is no fear in her eyes, only a quiet acceptance of the end she was born to reach. She closes her eyes, letting the LCL embrace her one last time.

Reader's Guide

The event unfolds during the final confrontation involving the Human Instrumentality Project. Rei pilots Unit-00 into the heart of the conflict, often merging with Lilith or Adam depending on the timeline interpretation. She sacrifices herself to prevent a total erasure of individuality that would leave humanity without choice. This act is orchestrated by her own will in some versions, overriding Gendo's control. Her death triggers the final phase of Instrumentality, forcing Shinji to decide whether to return to the womb or face the pain of existence. The aftermath leaves a void filled only by the memory of her sacrifice.

Did You Know?

• Rei is actually a clone of Yui Ikari, with her soul derived from Lilith—making her genetically human despite early misconceptions in the series' lore.
• Multiple Rei clones already exist in the Dummy Plug system and the tank at NERV; Rei II is not created solely because of Rei I's death, but is simply activated as the next vessel.
• While this event deeply influences Shinji's psyche, the final stages of the Human Instrumentality Project are not catalyzed until much later with Rei III.

Origins and Structural Composition

Released in 1997, this animated feature emerged directly from the massive success of the original television series and intense fan demand for an alternative conclusion. The project was split into two distinct segments: a recap section titled 'Evangelion: Death' and a preview segment called 'Evangelion: Rebirth.' The first half functioned as a clip show, re-editing footage from the initial twenty-four episodes while integrating newly drawn animation to bridge sequences. A unique narrative thread involved the four main characters performing Pachelbel's Canon as a string quartet, which served as a linking motif throughout the compilation. This section concluded with credits set against a double string quartet arrangement of the same classical piece. The second half offered approximately twenty-four minutes of entirely new animation, acting as a preview for the upcoming film 'The End of Evangelion.' It depicted the initial stages of the Human Instrumentality Project and the military invasion of the Geofront before ending with the arrival of Mass Production Evas. Because it was created while the final movie was still in production, this section remained unfinished, featuring differences in editing, redrawn shots, and temporary soundtrack cues compared to its eventual successor.

Production Variations and Home Video Legacy

The film's release history is defined by multiple re-edits and distinct versions tailored for different media platforms. Following the initial theatrical run, a version titled 'Evangelion: Death(True)' was screened on Japanese satellite television, edited by Masayuki to remove some of the extra footage introduced in the feature. This specific cut remained exclusive until its home video debut within the 2015 'Archives of Evangelion' DVD box set. A further iteration, known as 'Death (True)²,' was created for the 1998 theatrical revival titled 'Revival of Evangelion.' This version reinstated certain shots crucial to the plot that had been previously removed and paired with the completed 'The End of Evangelion' following a brief intermission. In Western markets, this specific edit became the standard distribution format, chosen by major distributors like Netflix and GKIDS for their Blu-ray releases. These home video versions often separated the segments entirely, removing the theatrical intermission to present them as distinct viewing experiences rather than a continuous feature film event.

Commercial Performance and International Distribution

Co-produced by a consortium including Kadokawa Shoten, Gainax, TV Tokyo, Sega, and Toei, the project achieved significant financial success upon its Japanese debut. International distribution followed several years later, led by Manga Entertainment. In July 2002, they released the film on VHS and DVD under the title 'Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth,' offering both dubbed and subtitled versions for English-speaking audiences. The English production team applied creative changes to the dubbing similar to those made in 'The End of Evangelion.' Later, in 2005, Manga Entertainment issued a two-disc set combining this film with its sequel for the United States market. These releases ensured that the complex narrative and visual style reached a global audience, cementing the franchise's status beyond Japanese borders.

Critical Reception and Artistic Evaluation

Upon release, the film garnered mixed to positive reviews from various international critics who evaluated its unique structure as both a recap and a preview. Chris Beveridge of Mania awarded the project an overall 'A−' score, acknowledging its strengths despite its fragmented nature. Robert Nelson from T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews offered a more moderate assessment, rating it 3 out of 5 stars. Japan Cinema provided a C+ grade, suggesting a mixed reception regarding its execution or pacing. Meanwhile, Adam Arnold from Animefringe gave the film an overall score of 72%, indicating a generally favorable view among fans and critics alike. The critical discourse often centered on how effectively the film balanced recycled television footage with new animation sequences. Critics noted that while the 'Death' section served as a nostalgic summary for existing fans, the 'Rebirth' portion provided essential context for the upcoming alternate ending, even if its unfinished state left some narrative threads unresolved until the subsequent release of 'The End of Evangelion.'

Musical Elements and Thematic Integration

Music played a pivotal role in defining the atmosphere and structural cohesion of this two-part film. The first section, 'Evangelion: Death,' utilized Pachelbel's Canon as its central auditory theme. This classical piece was arranged for a string quartet to accompany scenes where the four main characters were depicted playing instruments, serving as a unique narrative device to link disparate clips from the original series. The segment concluded with credits set to a double string quartet arrangement of the same composition, reinforcing the musical motif throughout the recap. In contrast, the second section, 'Evangelion: Rebirth,' ended its preview sequence with the song 'Soul's Refrain' performed by Yoko Takahashi. This track provided an emotional closure to the unfinished animation, which depicted the chaotic onset of the Human Instrumentality Project. The soundtrack cues in this portion were later replaced or further edited when the footage was incorporated into the final version of 'The End of Evangelion,' highlighting how the musical landscape evolved alongside the visual production from a preview state to a finished theatrical release.