Studio Khara Reveals Original Script for The End of Evangelion

As The End of Evangelion continues its theatrical revival run as part of the "Monthly Eva EVANGELION 30th MOVIE Fest. 2025-2026" celebration, Studio Khara has shared a fascinating piece of anime history with fans worldwide.

The studio's official Twitter account, Khara Inc. Unit-02, posted images from the first draft screenplay of the film's concluding episode "Sincerely Yours" (Magokoro wo, kimi ni), offering rare insight into the creative process behind one of anime's most discussed endings.

The released pages reveal a significant change to the film's legendary final scene. In the climactic moment where Shinji attempts to strangle Asuka on a desolate beach before breaking down in tears, her response has become one of the most analyzed lines in anime history. The script confirms what has long been known among dedicated fans: Asuka's original dialogue was "I wouldn't let you kill me" (あんたなんかに殺されるのはまっぴらよ), which was ultimately changed to the more ambiguous "How disgusting" (気持ち悪い) in the final film.

The End of Evangelion serves as an alternate conclusion to the television series Neon Genesis Evangelion, reimagining the psychological final two episodes with a more external, action-driven narrative. The film is structured as episodes 25' and 26', titled "Air" and "Sincerely Yours" respectively, and has remained a subject of intense discussion and interpretation since its 1997 release.

Studio Khara emphasized that the shared document is the first draft for internal review, not the final shooting script. The pages also include context for other scenes that appear briefly in the finished film, such as damaged grave markers visible in the background, providing viewers with new perspectives on sequences they may have watched dozens of times.

The timing of this release is particularly significant. The "Monthly Eva EVANGELION 30th MOVIE Fest. 2025-2026" is currently screening all six Evangelion theatrical films in limited runs, with The End of Evangelion (double-featured with Death & Rebirth) playing throughout October 2025. The 30th anniversary celebration has reignited fan interest in the franchise that defined a generation of anime.

Nearly three decades after its release, The End of Evangelion continues to generate discussion, analysis, and multiple interpretations. The revelation of this early script draft demonstrates the meticulous creative process behind director Hideaki Anno's vision and reminds fans why this film remains one of the most compelling and controversial works in anime cinema.

For those who have already seen the film countless times, this glimpse behind the curtain offers a compelling reason to revisit that haunting final scene with fresh eyes during the current theatrical run.