Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time is set to end its Japanese theatrical run on a high note, as the announcement of a free bonus booklet and some newly revised animation were enough to prompt a surge in ticket sales.
According to Anime News Network, a mildly revised version of the latest and supposedly final Neon Genesis Evangelion movie has managed to become the number one movie in Japan in terms of tickets sold. While Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway bested the movie in terms of overall box office gross, Evangelion sold more individual tickets. The original version of the animated feature was released in Japan in March, while the newly revised version, sporting the updated title of Evangelion 3.0+1.01, was released on June 12. Together, the two versions of the film have grossed over 9 billion yen (roughly $81 million USD) during their Japanese theatrical runs. The first million people to see the newly revised version of the film were given a limited edition, 36-page booklet featuring new illustrations and a manga created by the movie's staff. 3.0+1.01 does not make any changes to the story, but it does feature a number of revised and reanimated sequences.
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time is the fourth film in the Rebuild of Evangelion movie series and the conclusion to the entire Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise. The movie was finally released in Japan in 2021 after numerous delays related to the global pandemic, as well as director Hideaki Anno becoming too busy to work on the film due to him also directing Toho Picture's 2016 Godzilla reboot, Shin Godzilla. The movie was produced by studio Khara, an animation company founded by Anno after he left Gainax, the company that produced the original Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series in 1995.
Neon Genesis Evangelion is widely regarded as one of the most influential anime series of the 1990s. It tells the story of Shinji Ikari, the reluctant pilot of Evangelion Unit 01, an immensely powerful and monstrous-looking weapon that serves as humanity's last line of defense against the Angels, an enigmatic species of aliens who seemingly want to destroy all life on Earth. The series received rave reviews upon its release in 1995 for its complex storytelling, psychological themes and often avant-garde presentation. The franchise has since expanded with a manga adaptation, multiple movies, spinoffs and a series of a video games. Details about Evangelion 3.0+1.0's international release have not yet been announced. The original anime, as well as the first two films in the series, are all available for streaming on Netflix.
Source: Anime News Network
