Although the scheduled release date for the movie Evangelion: 3.0 + 1.0 Thrice Upon a Time has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some details regarding the latest promotional image were recently revealed. To begin with, it was clarified that it is based at the Ube-Shinkawa Station.
It is inspired by a photograph taken by director Hideaki Anno.
The latest promotional image released for this film is indeed based on a photograph taken by director Hideaki Anno (now 60 years old). However, when it was transcribed into the drawing, it seems that some sections were omitted, arranged or redesigned, so it is not a direct “decal” from said photograph.
This promotional image is a tribute to all previous Evangelion projects.
While it's a pretty nice visual to watch, it doesn't just have that feature, as it pretty much includes references to all the old and recent projects in the Evangelion franchise.
The path reflects the branches of each project.
This promotional image shows the main line of the train tracks in the background with Shinji Ikari standing and walking forward towards the Ube-Shinkawa Station. However, if Shinji continues walking, he will find a split in the tracks, which represents the original version of Neon Genesis Evangelion issued in 1996. In addition, later the tracks are separated again, indicating the events presented in the films that succeeded this series.
If you continue the path, then you are in the Rebuild of Evangelion project
However, in addition to the aforementioned forks, Shinji can continue walking until, precisely, be located above the title of this new movie. In short, the train tracks represent the course of Shinji Ikari through all the projects, with the first division being the 1995 television series, the second the films that were released after the series aired, and the third It is the fourth and last film of the Rebuild of Evangelion project, that is, each route is each of the endings that the franchise has had.
Evangelion must then be considered as a "train track" and not as a timeline.
Many theories claim that in the Evangelion franchise there are time travels and "event repeats", and while the series might actually be considered to have lent itself to these interpretations, it is actually a bit different than what one might call " travels in the time". If you consider that the mechanism of the world is "a train track" then it is consistent to say that you can only take one track.
So if you go back to the main road, you are starting a new story.
Even if Shinji Ikari enters the tracks of the 1995 animated series or the tracks of the old movies, if he decides to return after that, he will actually be starting again. And if Shinji decides not to take any of the above routes, then he will be heading towards Rebuild of Evangelion.
Characters from the film project of the 90s will appear in this new installment.
Additionally, these pathways also have another meaning behind them. since they have been interpreted that, instead of going out of the main route, they would actually be entering the Rebuild of Evangelion route, which translates into the inclusion of characters from old projects in this tetralogy.
Kaworu Nagisa plays the role of the train driver.
It is unknown if Shinji Ikari, on "returning" from the alternate routes to the main, retains his memories, however, it is certain that Shinji cannot return at will. This depends rather on Kaworu Nagisa, who is the one who decides which route Shinji will go each time, and if he should go back and start again. This is verified in some of his lines where he seems to know the upcoming events, such as, "This time I will make you happy."
Perhaps it is not necessary to understand.
While the Evangelion franchise still contains some mysteries that Hideaki Anno has decided not to openly clarify, several fans claim that in reality the franchise could never be fully understood no matter how many times they watch it. However, even if you are not able to understand all the aspects behind Evangelion's philosophy, you are still entertaining to watch. In a sense, you don't need to understand it to enjoy it, but certainly discovering things you didn't notice at first can be satisfying.
