What Happened After The End Of Evangelion
So, we've all seen The End of Evangelion, right? That big, messy, emotional, and frankly confusing finale. It left us all scratching our heads, wondering what in the world just happened. But have you ever stopped to think about what came after that glorious, existential mess?
I have a theory. A wild, maybe even a little silly, theory. But it's one that brings me a lot of joy. It's my own personal, slightly unpopular opinion on the true aftermath of Evangelion.
Picture this: Shinji, our favorite angst-ridden pilot, finally chooses himself. He rejects the collective consciousness. He says "no" to becoming one with everyone. It’s a big moment! He decides he wants to exist as an individual again.
And then… what? Does he suddenly get a well-adjusted therapist? Does he immediately learn to do his laundry? Does he finally understand how to talk to girls without sweating profusely?
My theory starts small. Very, very small. Imagine Shinji, blinking in the light. He's still in that weird, ethereal place, or maybe he's just back on Earth. The world is… different. Maybe slightly less apocalyptic, but still a bit scarred.
He probably wanders around for a bit. He’s a bit lost, as usual. He might stumble upon a stray cat. This cat, I believe, is crucial.
Shinji, being Shinji, would probably try to pet the cat. And the cat, surprisingly, wouldn't immediately run away or hiss. It might even purr. This is a huge win for Shinji!
He decides to name the cat. Something simple. Maybe "Momo." Or "Chibi." Or even, in a moment of pure defiance, "Unit-01." The cat, naturally, ignores the name and continues to be a cat.
So, now Shinji has a companion. A small, furry, non-judgmental companion. He has a reason to get up in the morning. To feed Momo. To make sure Momo has fresh water. These are monumental tasks for him.
He might even find a slightly less dilapidated apartment. One with a balcony. He'd probably put a little plant there. A succulent. They're hard to kill. Even Shinji can't mess up a succulent too badly. Probably.
Meanwhile, what about the rest of them? Asuka, of course, would be furious. Furious that she didn't get the perfect ending she absolutely deserved. She’d be stomping around, probably complaining about the lack of decent pilots and the general state of humanity.
She’d find Shinji eventually. And she’d yell at him. A lot. About everything. About the Angels, about NERV, about his inability to hold a conversation.
But then, maybe, just maybe, she’d notice Momo. And even Asuka, with her prickly exterior, has a soft spot for cute animals. She’d grudgingly admit Momo is “tolerable.” That’s high praise coming from her.
Rei? Ah, Rei. My personal theory for Rei is the most heartwarming. She’s the embodiment of a blank slate, right? After Instrumentality, after all that… she’d finally get to just be. No missions, no command, no existential dread.
I picture Rei opening a small, quiet café. A place that serves really good tea. And maybe some incredibly plain, but perfectly made, pastries. She’d have a serene expression, always. Customers would find her utterly captivating.
She’d probably have a lot of regulars. People who just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and Rei’s quiet, comforting presence. She wouldn't need to say much. Her smile would be enough. And maybe, just maybe, she’d have a little bird that visits her window. A small, cheerful bird.
And Misato? Oh, Misato. She deserves a break. A long, well-deserved break. After all that fighting and drinking and worrying, she’d finally get to relax. She’d probably buy a small, cozy house by the sea.
She’d have a dog. A big, goofy dog that loves to chase seagulls. She’d spend her days reading books, enjoying the sunshine, and occasionally looking out at the ocean with a knowing smile. No more ridiculous missions, no more saving the world. Just peace.
Maybe she’d visit Shinji and Asuka sometimes. She’d bring snacks. She’d try to mediate their inevitable bickering. She'd probably still drink a bit too much, but in a much more relaxed, enjoyable way.
What about Kaji? Well, Kaji is Kaji. He's probably off somewhere, planting his watermelons, making questionable jokes, and generally being charmingly enigmatic. He’s the guy who always lands on his feet, isn't he?
He might even pop up unexpectedly, offering some cryptic advice or a perfectly timed piece of fruit. Just when you think you've seen the last of him, there he is, whistling a tune.
The world wouldn't be perfectly fixed, of course. There would still be scars. But the intensity, the overwhelming despair, that would have faded. People would be trying to rebuild. Slowly. Awkwardly.
Shinji would still have his struggles. He’d still have moments of doubt. But he’d have Momo. He’d have a routine. He’d have a little balcony plant that’s mostly alive.
And that, to me, is the most beautiful ending. Not a grand, perfect resolution, but a quiet, everyday kind of survival. A chance to just… live. With a cat. And maybe a slightly less terrifying future.
It’s a world where Evangelion isn't just about the end, but about the gentle, imperfect, and surprisingly hopeful beginnings that follow. A world where even the most broken can find a purring companion and a reason to water a plant.
It’s my happy ending. And if it’s not yours, well, I’ve got Momo, and she’s pretty forgiving.