Rating: 
Summary: Better Than the Alternative
Review: Just a recap of what the other reviewers have said: Episode 24 is a great, action-packed episode along the lines of the rest of the series. 25 and 26 are the conclusion which takes place in the collected minds of Shinji and the others, and quite frankly, I felt a little cheated at first. In fact, I went right out and rented the "End of Evangelion" movie to see what really happened. By the way, don't be fooled..."End of Eva" is all you need to see. "Death and Rebirth" is merely made up of flashbacks from the series and the beginning half of "End of Eva". But that point became moot after I saw the spiteful, mean-spirited movie. Great animation, it has. Awesome action scenes, sure. A definite conclusion, check. 30 minutes of ridiculous, pyschadelic, and so-called spiritual images that don't make any sense? It has that too. A way out-of-character Shinji? Yep. Tons of meaningless deaths? Uh-huh. An ending that would make anyone who feels any love for these characters cringe? Oh yeah. The final two episodes of the series may not conclude a lot of things, but at least it's open to interpretation. I could honestly see an argument being made about whether the ending is a win or a loss. The end of the movie is so bleak and heart-breaking that it almost makes you sorry you followed the series all the way through. I wish I could say a lot more about it without spoilers, but I can't. My opinion, stick with the TV series ending. Rent the movie (out commercially in October, or just get a fansub, they're everywhere) if you're a fan of apocalyptic what-if's along the lines of DC Comics' "Kingdom Come".
Rating: 
Summary: A Masterpiece Finish
Review: This is the end of Evagelion, not to be confused with "The End of Evangelion." This is the end to the TV series. The final angel has been illiminated, and now the dreaded 3rd impact is ravaging the existence of humanity. While you do not get to see the physical torment of the planet as humanity begins to be destoryed you do see a very psychological view in the mind of Shinji Ikari, the story's unlikely "hero." Ikari is the one running the impact, whether he likes it or not. In the little time he has left he must find himself, his true identity, face reality, his fears, and make his final decision. Should all of humanity be combined into one entity, or should humans continue living as individuals, separated by their AT-fields? Shinji holds in his hands the fate of the human race, what will he decide. I admit it is an odd conclusion, but it was Director Anno's vision; he stands by it and I stand with him. I enjoyed the series all the way through to its bizzare ending. Its more than worth seeing, but for those of you who would also like to see the chaos, destruction, war, and complimentation in a more physical, real-world form, I suggest you locate an import copy of the Japanese film End of Evangelion (I did), or wait 'til Autumn to see the American release (I'll do that too!) The movie is a more action-oriented experience while the TV ending takes place all within the mind. They both are acceptable endings, and both are in actuality the same. Everything that happens in the TV ending takes place in the movie. However you'll get to see bombs, bullets, lances, Evas, screams, appologies, confessions, decisions, angels, crosses, LCL. I loved both endings and while the movie ending is even more wild and insane than that of the TV series, they were marvelous and can only be described by a word I had to invent: "Mind-&@$%."
Rating:
Summary: The best ending to an anime
Review: Yes, this is it! The final three episodes of the greatest anime series I have ever seen. These three are the episodes that completely blew me away, and were the three that I remembered even after a year - (I was so deprived! ^_^) I have to agree with another reviewer who says that the rug is pulled right out from the viewer's feet - I couldn't have thought of a better way to put it. I remember being shocked by the last two episodes - as ep. 24 is so action packed and filled with wonderful character development ... you're expecting an ending that will keep in tune with this episode ... but I'm afraid you don't get it. And that is what makes this series the best I have ever seen. The last two episodes are so abstract and original that by the end of the forty minutes you are sitting there with your mouth open in awe. They are pure genius. I'm afraid I can't put it any other way. They're insightful, original, and beautiful. I thought Eva was a damn good series up until I saw these two eps, and then, suddenly, it was the best thing ever created. If you're looking for that action packed ending filled with romance, incredible animation, and wonderful character development ... well, you'll just have to wait for the movies - but these two episodes do NOT subtract anything from the rest of the series. In my opinion, these are the best episodes out of the 26, and I'll have words with anyone who thinks that they 'stink'. In fact, I have friends who actually didn't like Eva - (oh the shame!) - until they saw these two episodes ... and then they decided to rewatch the series and they loved it. Now they can't shut up about it. I definitely recommend this series, and especially this last DVD to anyone who watches anime. It's well worth the money - (and the obvious lack of any extras or specials, which is a defect of ALL Eva DVDs).
Rating: 
Summary: Why? Why?!?!?
Review: It's a sad sight... this disc starts great, but quickly falls hard in its face. The first episode on this disc, episode 24, is one of the series finest moments, as the 17th angel arrives (I won't say anymore than that). The sequencing and the choice of the music is simply incredible. Unfortunately, episode 24 is followed by episodes 25 and 26, which I have no reservations saying are the worst episodes I have ever seen in any anime series. Period. Episode 24 sets you up waiting for all the answers to be revealed, so that the series will make some sembelence of sense, but 25 and 26 fail to deliver. When I first saw 25 and 26 (the original VHS version), I almost thought that I had put the wrong video into my VCR. The animation styles jump so frequently that it's almost nausiating. Not only that, the story itself sudenly goes in a completely different direction. After 24 episodes of cryptic prophecies, secret organizations, and conspiracies, I expected at least a little bit to be explained here. Some motivations, some some answers, anything. There is nothing here. There simply isn't any closure. The most popular explanation for the final two episodes is that the project simply ran out of money, and these were the best that could be produced with the remaining funds. Whatever the reason is for the final two episodes isn't really important, the bottom line is that they're horrible. It's sad that one has to pay for all three episodes on this disc when episode 24 is the only one worth watching. Fortunately, there was quite an outcry among the fans of the series, thus Gainax produced two movies to replace episodes 25 and 26. Manga Video has licensed the movies, and English DVDs of them should be available this fall. Even better, they've managed to assemble the original english voice cast, so the dub should blend perfectly with that of the series. Well, anyway, back to the main topic, episode 24 is spectacular, but episodes 25 and 26 are just horrible. If you've already got volumes 1-7, buy this disc, otherwise avoid like the plauge.
Rating: 
Summary: 25 . . . 26 . . . <click> . . . 25 . . . 26 . . . <click>
Review: Episode 24 starts off with a big bang, as the last Angel is introduced and Shinji's most traumatic decision must be made. It's in line with the brutal nature of the show's latter half, with a particularly striking use of Beethoven's Chorale Symphony and a grand, climactic, still frame, all filmed in a manner that recalls one of director Anno Hideaki's big influences, Stanley Kubrick. Perhaps Kaoru could have had more time for his character to develop, and hence made what happened later in the episode even more affecting, but overall, 24 is a superb finale to the regular part of the show. And then . . . oh boy. Much has already been said about this controversial ending, where Anno pulls the rug from under the expectant viewer. On their own, 25 and 26 aren't that bad--they're well-presented, intelligent, and at times brilliant and profoundly moving in its psychological exposition (the "alternate reality" sketch is one of the best moments in the show, period). Nevertheless, and I speak as someone who adores artsy-fartsy foreign films, non-linear plotlines, and experimentalism, it just doesn't serve as a good ENDING for a story. No matter how artistic you are, leaving a viewer hanging with too many questions AFTER you've tantalized them for 24 episodes, and then calling it a day (as was the initial plan) is unsatisfying, and possibly cheating as well. However, I think Anno knew this, despite his initial denials in the press. For a while he shaved his head in repentence for a time after it was made, and then made the Evangelion movies to wrap up the plot (though not without the first half being a bit too spiteful, I think, though the second half of the movie may be in fact the pinnacle of his anime directing). It's sad that the fans took it so personally, though--as revelatory and eye-opening as Eva is, it's still just a TV show. Furthermore, according to an interview from Toshio Okada, one of the founders of Gainax and Anno's friend, many of the circumstances that surrounded the making of these two episodes were out of his control. Schedules were getting tight, as was the budget. He did the best he could under the circumstances, and what he did isn't worthless. It has value, but just falls short of some of the commanding heights that the series reached from episode 16 to 24, which are nothing short of the most affecting television I've ever watched. Those episodes alone ensured Eva's status as an anime classic. I can see how those who haven't seen the movie might feel cheated after watching 25 and 26. So to any disenchanted viewers, I would suspend judgment until you've seen these episodes in conjuction with the movies--compare them and contrast them--the story does feel complete and the endings do (imperfectly) complement each other. You'll get the plot more or less wrapped up along with a detailed character resolution that is still more or less unmatched in any other anime. "Evangelion" scored Anno a place among the great anime auteurs-- Miyazaki, Oshii, Otomo, Tomino, etc. These episodes and the movie together do show that there was a vision behind the madness that is worth seeing. Finish this series!
Rating:
Summary: The Controversial yet Spectacular Ending
Review: The last disc of this series brings everything to a climax...and then breaks it down into total chaos. All of the characters go into a retrospective about themselves, which takes two episodes. It can be rather confusing...but at the same time, it is meant to be. As for the movies...one of the reviews posted here is a bit misled. There will be no third movie; the poster that he refers to has been acknowledged by both Studio Gainax and the fan community as a fake. There are two movies, one of which replaces the last two episodes of the series, while the other goes on to provide a new ending to the series all together. For more information on the movies, do a search for End of Evangelion or Evangelion: Death & Rebirth on your favorite search engine. Both of these movies are currently liscensed by Manga Entertainment, and are (tentatively) scheduled to be released in October, 2001.
Rating:
Summary: Explainations and Excuses...
Review: After reading many of those reviews that bash on this DVD, I would like to write something more positive. Yes, this is not the whole ending to the series Neon Genesis Evangelion. And yes, there are 2 movies that follow this that will be avaible from Manga in October. BUT!!! Many people fail to see what these episode truly are because they are pretty damn confusing. Hideaki Anno, creator of this series, was a struggling animator. He didn't like doing mangas and animation, but if he didn't do it, he was nothing! This is a paralle to the character Shinji, if he doesn't pilot EVA, he is nothing. The whole series is a invite into Anno's subconscious and have a peak inside. He's issues with his father who left him, his issues with women (big issues with women), relationships between others, and many other deep psychological ideas about the human spirit. I won't be the first to admit that watching up to this point in the series it can be dissapointing to see Anno go off on a tanget with the characters inner problems, but when I realized that the whole EVA fighting Angels and all the battles were just a cover for the real points that Anno was trying to get across, it made a little more sense. So, I still recommend this DVD, despite how confusing it is, and I also recommend the movies by Manga coming in October because if you want to see the Third Impact and what happens to all of the characters, it is a good movie, though it can be just as confusing. And yes, it is true about the new Evangelion movie that will be another alternative ending. "The Reprise of Evangelion" set to come out in 2002. Check out [e-mail] for the offical news and poster.
Rating: 
Summary: The Last Straw
Review: Coming into volume 8 Evangelion was still my favorite anime ever. After watching this final volume I despise the whole series. The story takes a nosedive into two episodes that make no sense, and do nothing more than ruin the series. The only thing worse than this dvd is the movie that is yet to be released here in america. Just thought I would share.
Rating:
Summary: Why wait until October?
Review: Wait until October for Manga to release Neon Genesis Evangelion? Nonsense! As of now, most online auction houses like Amazon and Ebay are featuring imediate purchase of Neon Genesis Evangelion the movie (parts 1 and 2) for around $30. This is the original, un-cut, un-dubbed version (which any true anime fan will tell you, is the only way to see it) that you won't find in October when the American version is released. It features original Japanese dialog, with English and Chinese subtitles and retains all of the original art, voices, and content that made Neon Genesis Evangelion series great! All while keeping honor to the original artists and actors that made the series a great work of art. So don't wait for your local anime butchers to leave you with a less than perfect copy of Evangelion the movie, get your complete copy today!
Rating:
Summary: Don't be fooled!
Review: This is not quite the end of evangelion. When Hideaki Anno first made the series he planned for these episodes to be the complete end of the series but most of the fans didn't like such a complex ending and wanted a change. So Anno created the Evangelion movies as an alternate ending but they were made horrible on purpose (all of the characters die after a failed third impact except for Shinji who lives with a fake Asuka that listens only to his wishes) because everyone crushed Anno's choice of an ending theme. But just recently there has been an announcement on a third evangelion movie that takes place after this DVD and not the movies. I know this because all of the characters are alive and the children are 5 years older. My advice to anyone who dislikes the Eva movies like me should only buy the TV series DVD's and wait for this movie to come out. The poster for this movie is at a site called N.G. EvaCorp in the News Updates section.
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