Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007)

Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone is the first film in the Rebuild of Evangelion series — a visually striking, modern reimagining of the original 1990s anime. The story drops you into a near-future Tokyo-3 where mysterious, destructive beings called Angels threaten humanity. NERV, a shadowy military-scientific organization, recruits emotionally fragile teenager Shinji Ikari to pilot a gigantic bio-mechanical weapon, Evangelion Unit-01. What begins as a high-stakes mecha battle movie quickly becomes a personal, character-driven drama about duty, isolation and the search for identity. Watching the film, you’ll experience a powerful blend of kinetic action and quiet, introspective moments. The combat sequences are fast, brutal and beautifully animated — a mix of sleek CG and hand-drawn animation that makes the Evangelion units feel alive and dangerous. Between fights the film slows to intimate scenes of awkward teenage interactions, strained adult relationships and hints of deeper, unsettling mysteries surrounding NERV’s true motives. Tonally the movie alternates between adrenaline and melancholy: sudden shocks and large-scale destruction are counterbalanced by hushed, emotionally raw moments that ask more questions than they answer. The atmosphere is tense and sometimes claustrophobic, with a soundtrack and sound design that amplify both the spectacle and the unease. While newcomers can follow the basic plot, the film deliberately leaves many plot threads and psychological elements unresolved, setting up further revelations in the sequels. Overall, expect a stylish, intense experience that marries blockbuster mecha action with slow-burning psychological drama. You’ll come away impressed by the visuals and unsettled by the emotional and ethical ambiguities — and likely curious to continue the series to learn what lies behind NERV and the true nature of the conflict.

Actors: Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Kotono Mitsuishi

Directors: Masayuki, Kazuya Tsurumaki, Hideaki Anno

Runtime: 98 min

Genres: Action, Animation, Drama

7.2 /10 66 /100 7.5 /10 7.1 /10