Rebuild not a sequel, but perhaps an alternate reality?

[BeoX2]

SPOLIER ALERT


I was watching 2.0 just the other day, along with 1.0, and I have always been a fan of the whole sequel theory, but I began to think of it. Certain scenes and characters in 2.0 seem to be very much alike, but slightly different. I know that sounds strange, but take the infamous elevator scene in the series. Asuka slapped Rei, and Rei just took it. But in 2.0, Rei seems to care about the world more in general, and catches her hand before she can hit her. It seems to me as if this is taking place in another universe or plane of reality, and Kawrou's statements about "this time" or "again" are referring to other universes, which he, as a sort of god, can have knowledge of.

I also got this idea from Re-TAKE, with the whole alternate reality concept. Basically, it would mean that at the end of EoE, Shinji #1's story would have ended, and this new Shinji's would have began. Many scientists nowadays believe that for every choice someone makes, from as small as taking a step, to as big as starting a war, creates another universe with all the other options of the choice, and lets those scenarios play out. Perhaps Rebuild is just another scenario in the same Metaverse (the universe of universes) of Evangelion.

I'm hoping that this theory would appeal to both sides of the argument. So, what are your thoughts?

[Sachi]

Certain scenes and characters in 2.0 seem to be very much alike, but slightly different. I know that sounds strange, but take the infamous elevator scene in the series. Asuka slapped Rei, and Rei just took it. But in 2.0, Rei seems to care about the world more in general, and catches her hand before she can hit her. It seems to me as if this is taking place in another universe or plane of reality, and Kawrou's statements about "this time" or "again" are referring to other universes, which he, as a sort of god, can have knowledge of.

All of this is explained by the fact that NGE =/= NME. It's not even as much of a remake of the original series as it is just an alternate telling. Anno just took the first few episodes, which really laid the foundation of the entire story, and then added a few twists and turns here and there which have derailed the plot from anything comparable to NGE.

[BeoX2]

All of this is explained by the fact that NGE =/= NME. It's not even as much of a remake of the original series as it is just an alternate telling. Anno just took the first few episodes, which really laid the foundation of the entire story, and then added a few twists and turns here and there which have derailed the plot from anything comparable to NGE.

I know, but this alternate retelling could be do to an alternate universe in the entire scheme of things. It could turn out that at the end of this, all of Shinji's versions come together, in an almost Nirvana-like way, and he can truly be happy. Anno's retelling could be a prelude to that.

If I may, why do you dislike Rebuild so much?

EDIT: I think using the word "explained" is useless when dealing with any aspect of Evangelion, except for the quite obvious parts. It can't really be explained unless something Tier 1 canon is made completely obvious with no way around it. It's rather closed minded to say "nope, nope, nope, it's all been explained." As far as I can see, it's not official until Anno comes out and says "guys, this is just a remake. Not a sequel or anything. Remake only."

[esselfortium]

I'm pretty sure Sachi actually quite likes Rebuild.

If you want to talk to someone who really hates it, though, look for some posts by Lucretius, Eric Blair, ran1, or myself.

And if it's a sequel or a metaverse or anything remotely related to the original timeline, it'll far surpass the distaste and offense I currently feel in regard to it.

[BeoX2]

I'm pretty sure Sachi actually quite likes Rebuild.

If you want to talk to someone who really hates it, though, look for some posts by Lucretius, Eric Blair, ran1, or myself.

It was his tone of writing, really.

[Sachi]

I love Rebuild, especially since it's independent of NGE.

The fact remains that NME is pretty much a "what if NGE went in THIS direction...?" whether it's an alternate universe within the NGE canon, or simply an alternate story separate from NGE, it's up in the air, really.

Also, protip: we have a gender text-field for a reason.

[BeoX2]

I love Rebuild, especially since it's independent of NGE.

The fact remains that NME is pretty much a "what if NGE went in THIS direction...?" whether it's an alternate universe within the NGE canon, or simply an alternate story separate from NGE, it's up in the air, really.

Also, protip: we have a gender text-field for a reason.

Hahaha sorry about that. I get caught up in the avatar sometimes.

[ImpedingAngel]

Asuka slapped Rei, and Rei just took it. But in 2.0, Rei seems to care about the world more in general, and catches her hand before she can hit her.

*NEW Plot element based off the dinner for the Ikari's and other invitees, courtesy of Rei. Eg- Band-aids from knife fail? Asuka went off on Rei over Shinji-warming-sensations with daddy feelings, then cursed at herself for liking him too.. All in all, it is a retelling for the Anno-Lulz.

[Sailor Star Dust]

I like the idea it's a loop like Endless Eight.

Though most likely, NME is just a retelling, which is fine and good, imo.

[BeoX2]

I like the idea it's a loop like Endless Eight.

Though most likely, NME is just a retelling, which is fine and good, imo.

I know, I like the idea of a retelling, but it just seems too....well, too easy. I mean, like since when has Anno just been like "You know what? Fuck it. Lets just water it down to some simple messages and less psychobabble and see how quickly I get killed." I just don't think that's the way the man's mind works.

[Sachi]

Since he became happy and decided to "reconstruct" the genre he "destroyed."

[BeoX2]

Since he became happy and decided to "reconstruct" the genre he "destroyed."

Haha, I doubt that. I've heard him say that Eva is "his life." I doubt he'd do something so un-stubborn as that.

And Anno? Happy? Pish posh.

[Ornette]

Haha, I doubt that. I've heard him say that Eva is "his life."

Maybe back in the mid 90's it was.

And Anno? Happy? Pish posh.

Why wouldn't he be? He's since moved on. He went and did other projects. He got married. One of the things that he mentioned when he decided to do Rebuild was that he marathoned the TV series and was a bit surprised at how "cool" it was.

[carla]

...is there really that much difference between "alternate reality" and "retelling"? for all we know anno subscribes to some multiverse theory and he's got it in his head that there are several parallel universes in which the EVA story happens with significant variations-- but thing is, either way we're getting new stuff.

unless anno actually intends to link both universes together in a definitive way, i don't think it really matters. until the movie series is completed, it's as much speculation as the "sequel theory" is.

[subAtomic]

I guess you could consider it an alternate reality, in that the series and the movies depict two nearly identical universes growing more and more dissimilar as events unfold. But I highly doubt that Anno has any intention of taking such an analogy and incorporating it as a plot element. NME will be an entirely standalone work, as ambiguous about its meta-narrative as the series was. This will allow fans to argue for another 10 years about whether or not Rebuild is a sequel, an alternate universe, or strictly a remake.

If you get additional enjoyment from viewing NME as a slightly different universe from NGE, à la Fringe, then by all means enjoy!

[NemZ]

...is there really that much difference between "alternate reality" and "retelling"?

Actually, yeah... the difference being that if one reality is altering the other its not a sequel but still a continuation of sorts, whereas a retelling would be a stand-alone narrative.

That said... it's probably a retelling. People need to stop letting Anno's trolling get to them.

[Tycho]

But there *seems* to be a connection (i.e. Kaworu's lines), which is from where the whole sequel fanwank had it's genesis. Personally I take official (as far as I'm concerned that means the manga, NGE/EoE and rebuild) to be alternate realities, which for all intents and purposes are totally independent and not-related (except for the obvious connections in the real world).

The series and End of Eva dabble in alternative could-be realities, which also serves as fuel for sequel theories, and may hint to something in Anno's mind. However in their original context those realities have another purpose and never imply they are "real" somewhere/somehwen.

If Kaworu really can tap into another life, that would be some serious shiet. To have the reconstructed adam remember his life as Tabris is okay, but to have him remember something from a previous universe... It also opens too many questions and... hey maybe the four adams represent four aspects that lived in previous universes

[shinji_ryoji_89]

The only evidence we have that "Rebuild" could be an alternate reality is Kaworu's cryptic dialogue during his appearences in the film so far. Things like "This time I will make you happy" are enough to make me think: "Well, is he somehow aware of what happened in Neon Genesis Evangelion?". It's difficult for me to rule that out since the last two episodes and "The End of Evangelion" suggest that Kaworu is capable of looking into other realities. I'm probbably speaking a bunch of crap since I haven't seen the series and the film in a while and I'm still trying to sort the whole thing out. If "Rebuild" is an alternate reality, my only hope is that it is treated with intelligence and not as some lame gimmick.

[Joseph the PRPD]

Eva Movie Edition is in it's own universe and not a continuation(sequel) in the NGE-verse.
It doesn't effect the original series continuity in any way.

[CATO]

This is the most plausible theory explaining all the NGE references on Rebuild so far, especially when you take into account the fact that EoE and EoTV went into a lot of "metaphoric details" about alternative realities. However, Rebuild being a sequel, prequel or alternative universe is irrelevant in the end. Things like Kaworu's cryptic statements and other referential imagery will most likely go unexplained in this new series, and fans in the future will reach conclusions similar to this thread's based on very few and scattered hints. Anno seems to be more interested in the characters' experiences that shape the perception of themselves and others than the "whys" behind everything else; keeping that in mind, everything in the series beyond characters' interactions is irrelevant and becomes a plot device, deus ex machina, etc.
If Anno decides to explain all these references at some point in Rebuild, I can only hope he does that in a sensible and interesting way. The problem is not reaching a conclusion like this but how we reach it.

Many scientists nowadays believe that for every choice someone makes, from as small as taking a step, to as big as starting a war, creates another universe with all the other options of the choice, and lets those scenarios play out.

I disagree with this statement. This can be a very interesting academic exercise but I doubt many scientists believe it.
You also have to take into account that free will is nothing but the equivalent of believing in magic in philosophical terms. So far, this universe has proved that we're organic automata with delusions of choice.