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Why does rebuild face so much criticism from fans?

Why Is the Rebuild Series Under Fire? | Fans Clash Over Changes

By

Hiroki Tanaka

Jul 22, 2025, 08:43 AM

Edited By

Priya Gupta

Updated

Jul 22, 2025, 09:48 AM

2 minutes (approx.)

A group of fans debating the Rebuild series in an animated setting, expressing mixed feelings about art style and story
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A growing debate within the anime community surrounds the Rebuild of Evangelion series, as fans grapple with its modern art style and storytelling shifts. Critics and supporters alike are making their voices heard across various forums, wrestling with the series' direction.

Art Style: Opinions Divided

The new art style has sparked polarized reactions among fans. Some celebrate its quality, arguing that it delivers exceptional CG, while others feel it lacks the uniqueness of the original series. As one fan candidly noted, "When the psychological part is the point, a lot of the times the rebuilds lose that."

Commenters observed that despite the visual improvements, the substance often feels lost.

Controversial Story Arcs

Fans are particularly split on the storytelling. Many feel that the changes post-2.0 deviate too much from what made the original so impactful. "The plot is kind of a mess, with baffling decisions and convoluted elements," one commenter remarked. Another chimed in, highlighting the perceived plot holes, saying, โ€œthere's gratuitous fanservice, mangling of the original show's lore.โ€

While some viewers appreciate the new direction, others criticize it for lacking coherence. One user summarily dismissed the Rebuild movies, saying they are "non-canon slop to sell new merch."

Character Development Under Scrutiny

The depth of character development has also come under scrutiny. Specifically, Mari's role has generated considerable discussion. Critics argue that she feels underexplored. A fan pointedly stated, "A character like Mari is not explored and ends up flat." This sentiment resonates with those who feel that core character arcs have suffered in the transition from series to film.

Community Perspectives

Comments reflect a mixture of sentiments, ranging from passionate support to vehement criticism:

  • Action vs. Substance: Viewers cite the action as flashy but lacking depth, equating it to "if Michael Bay did Evangelion."

  • Narrative Quality: Many feel the story twists are inconsistent; "3.0 is the start of the nonsensical story changes," lamented one fan.

  • Mixed Reviews on Endings: Some argue the happy ending felt forced, leading to accusations of undermining previous character developments.

"Itโ€™s all flash, no substance for me," one fan asserted, voicing a common concern among those who favor the original tone.

Key Takeaways

  • โ—‡ The divergence in the plot after 2.0 remains controversial.

  • โšก Many feel the character arcs have been greatly diminished.

  • โ— Over-the-top action scenes receive mixed reviews for distracting from character development.

As discussions unfold, the future of the Rebuild series remains uncertain. Will it continue to alienate segments of its fanbase, or can it reconcile the old with the new? Only time will tell, but the animated landscape is undeniably changing.