Studio Khara has shared an 18-page early draft of the film The End of Evangelion. It shows an abandoned version of the ending that is emotionally intense, even different from the final film. According to director Hideaki Anno, “I had an idea for the ending, but I didn’t really flesh it out, so it ended up being extreme and chaotic.”
In this scene, Shinji Ikari is seen digging a grave for the dead, and Asuka Langley Soryu's grave is in ruins. Deep and surreal words such as: "You can live forever if you are with Eva" are also included. At the end, Asuka holds Shinji while saying: "I won't let you kill me."
The studio's release of this draft shows their appreciation for the legacy of the film and the series. In this way, fans are given a glimpse into the creative process, including the ideas behind the themes of identity, hopelessness, and rebirth.
