GKIDS has acquired North American theatrical, home video and EST rights to the capstone finale film Evangelion:3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time.
The highly anticipated fourth and final installment of the new theatrical “Rebuild” editions of the Evangelion franchise was released in Japanese theaters in 2021, where it was a critical and box office success, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year with ¥10.28 billion (~$85 million) in local box office.
GKIDS plans to release the anticipated film in theaters in late 2022, marking the first time Evangelion:3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time will be available in theaters in North America since its domestic release. A release on home entertainment platforms will follow, with dates to be announced.
Created by Hideaki Anno, the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise is considered one of the most influential animated sagas of all time. Since the 1995 premiere of the original television series, the story of teenager Shinji Ikari has remained one of the most iconic titles in animation history, and a global pop culture phenomenon.
Following the conclusion of the beloved 1995 television show, the legendary project received new life as the Evangelion movie series. The theatrical film series began with Evangelion:1.11 You Are (Not) Alone (2007), followed by Evangelion:2.22 You Can (Not) Advance (2009), Evangelion:3.33 You Can (Not) Redo (2012), and culminating in the finale, Evangelion:3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time.
Last year, GKIDS released the original 26-episode television series, Neon Genesis Evangelion, as well as the films Evangelion:Death (True)2 and The End of Evangelion on Blu-ray and digital download to own for the first time in North America. GKIDS also handles North American distribution for Anno’s prior series, NADIA: The Secret of Blue Water.
“GKIDS is honored to represent the epic conclusion of a story over 25 years in the making,” said GKIDS President David Jesteadt. “Like with so many others, Evangelion was critical in expanding my idea of what animation could be, and I look forward to joining other fans in theaters to celebrate the end of the saga with Evangelion:3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time.”
The finale film is helmed by Anno as chief director and screenwriter, leading Eva Rebuild veterans Kazuya Tsurumaki (Diebuster, FLCL), Katsuichi Nakayama Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory, planetarian) and Mahiro Maeda (Kill Bill Vol. 1, The Animatrix, Genius Party Beyond); khara is the production studio.
Synopsis: From legendary director Hideaki Anno, Evangelion:3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time is the fourth and final installment of the Rebuild of Evangelion films, bringing an epic conclusion to the story of Shinji and his fellow Eva pilots, with the stunning visuals and thought-provoking storytelling that has made Evangelion a global pop culture phenomenon.
Misato and her anti-NERV group Wille arrive at Paris, a city now red from core-ization. Crew from the flagship Wunder land on a containment tower. They only have 720 seconds to restore the city. When a horde of NERV Evas appear, Mari’s improved Eva Unit 8 must intercept. Meanwhile, Shinji, Asuka and Rei (Provisional Name) wander about Japan.
The film was previously picked up for streaming by Amazon’s Prime Video.
