{{good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Use Oxford spelling|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox television episode | series = Neon Genesis Evangelion | image = Rei III.png | image_size = | caption = Small Rei Ayanami-like figures appearing from Shinji Ikari's hand during the battle against Armisael. | season = | episode = 23/23' | production = | writer = Hideaki Anno, Hiroshi Yamaguchi | director = Shōichi Masuo | airdate = {{Start date|1996|03|06|df=y}} | guests = | length = 22 minutes (on-air version)<br>25 minutes (video format version) | prev = Don't Be | next = The Beginning and the End, or "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" | episode_list = List of Neon Genesis Evangelion episodes }} {{nihongo foot|"'''Rei III'''"|涙|Namida|{{lit|Tears|}}|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} is the twenty-third episode of the Japanese anime television series ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', created by Gainax. The episode was written by Hideaki Anno and Hiroshi Yamaguchi and directed by the animator Shōichi Masuo. In the episode, Rei Ayanami, the pilot of the giant mecha Evangelion Unit-00, is attacked by the sixteenth in a series of enemies of mankind called Angels, Armisael, and decides to commit suicide to defeat the enemy. Following her death, her fellow pilot Shinji Ikari and Misato Katsuragi, head of the strategy department of the military agency Nerv, discover thanks to Dr. Ritsuko Akagi that Rei is a series of replaceable clones.
The episode is characterized by dramatic tones but still by a speed and dryness in the exposition of the series's mysteries. Critics also interpreted some imagery from the episode, including a nude scene involving Ritsuko and Rei's battle against Armisal, as sexual imagery of rape. "Rei III" contains cultural references to Christian iconography, quantum physics, the concept of death drive postulated by Sigmund Freud, and ''Sailor Moon'', among others.
"Rei III" was first broadcast on 6 March 1996 and drew a 6.9% audience share on Japanese television. The episode received an ambivalent reception from critics. Some of them praised the revelations of Rei's true identity and the action scenes; other reviewers criticized said revelations, plus the animation quality and the voice acting.
==Plot== Asuka Langley Soryu, a pilot assigned to the giant mecha Evangelion Unit-02, sinks into clinical depression in the grip of an existential crisis. She leaves the home of Misato Katsuragi, her legal guardian, to go to the home of her friend Hikari Horaki, where she spends her days playing video games. Gendo Ikari, supreme commander of the special agency Nerv, is questioned by the secret sect Seele about the previous battle, in which he used a weapon called the Spear of Longinus against Seele's plans.
During Gendo's interview, the sixteenth in a series of enemies of mankind known as Angels, Armisael, is sighted. Rei Ayanami, pilot of the Evangelion Unit-00, confronts it in combat, but is violated by Armisael, who violates the Eva-00's body and sneaks into Rei's mind in the form of another self. Shinji Ikari, Gendo's son and pilot of the Evangelion-01, goes out to rescue Rei, but is also attacked by Armisael. To kill Armisael, Rei decides to let herself explode while inside the Eva-00 with the Angel. After the fight, Misato tries to console despondent Shinji, who refuses her comfort.
Nerv warns Shinji that Rei has survived. Rei, however, proves unable to remember the fight, treating Shinji coldly and saying she is the third one. Ritsuko Akagi, head of Nerv's science department, is sent by Gendo to a Seele interrogation in place of Rei. Ritsuko, feeling betrayed, calls Shinji and Misato to explain several dark truths about the Evangelions and Rei. They descend into the depths of the Nerv headquarters, discovering that Rei is a collection of clones with a soul that is activated from time to time and can be replaced. Out of anger and resentment at Gendo, Ritsuko destroys Rei's clones before breaking down in tears.
==Production== ===Genesis and staff=== In 1994, Gainax released an initial presentation for ''Neon Genesis Evangelion''<ref name=Lancement>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap. 1: Lancament du Project Eva}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap 2: La Proposition}}</ref> containing an initial synopsis of the twenty-third episode.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=1 |page=26|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> In the original draft, the episode, initially titled {{nihongo|"The Human Instrumentality Project"|人類補完計画|jinrui hokan keikaku}}, would have centred on a series of revelations of secrets about the Evangelions, the true intentions of Gendo Ikari and Ritsuko Akagi, and the Human Instrumentality,<ref name=EC23>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=20 |page=26|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> a project pursued by Gendo and other characters in the series to evolve humanity towards a new stage of evolution.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Gainax|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Newtype 100% Collection|date=1998|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|language=ja|isbn=4-04-852700-2|page=88}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatralical VHS Box Booklet|language=ja|publisher=King Amusement Creative|date=1997}}</ref> In the following episode, {{nihongo|"Now, the Promised Time"|今、契約時間|ima, keiyaku jikan}}, Rei was supposed to "break down".{{sfn|Marine|2021|p=70}} Her secrets would be revealed, and twelve powerful enemies called ''Apostolo'', later called Angels, would descend from the Moon.<ref name=ECProposal>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=19|pages=25–26|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> The proposal document also specified how the Human Instrumentality was to free man from the curses and original sin that plague him, recreating a mentally and physically perfect being. According to ''Evangelion Chronicle'', an official encyclopaedia on the series, it is unclear whether or not such a perfect being in itself corresponds to Rei; Rei is, however, created during the preparation process for Human Instrumentality in the initial scenario, although this is not explicitly stated in the final version that was later aired.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=9|page=22|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>
From the earliest planning stages of the series, several mysteries about the figure of Rei were planned,<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=16 |page=26|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> but their nature changed in the course of the series. In the final version, no clear explanation is given as to the nature of the Instrumentality, but the nature of Rei and the Dummy Plug is revealed nevertheless.<ref name=EC23/> It was originally planned to make Rei a completely alien entity, but ''Evangelion'' staff later decided to make her at least genetically human. From the early stages, ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' director Hideaki Anno also had the idea of presenting the death of a clone of Rei and replacing her with a new Rei.{{sfn|Takekuma|1997|pp=97-100}} The director himself compared the idea of a reset of Rei's character to a character from the ''Ultraman'' franchise, Hideki Gō, in the series ''The Return of Ultraman''. Hideki is portrayed as a character who at the end of each episode seems to change and become more connected to the members of his group, the Monster Attack Team, but with each new episode, his character returns to where he started.{{sfn|Takekuma|1997|pp=93–96}}<ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap. 2: Les poids des conséquences}}</ref> The staff of ''Evangelion'', including assistant director Kazuya Tsurumaki,<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：破 全記録全集|date=2010|publisher=Ground Works|isbn=978-4-905033-00-4|language=ja|script-chapter=ja:鶴巻 和哉 interview: 三人目のレイに託そうとした想い}}</ref> later expressed regrets about the choice to introduce a new Rei in the final episodes of the series, thinking that Rei III's character was not explored as well as the other clones.<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：破 全記録全集|date=2010|publisher=Ground Works|isbn=978-4-905033-00-4|language=ja|script-chapter=ja:庵野 秀明 interview: 改稿に改稿を重ね、難航したシナリオ}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：破 全記録全集|date=2010|publisher=Ground Works|isbn=978-4-905033-00-4|language=ja|script-chapter=ja:榎戸 洋司 interview}}</ref>
Hideaki Anno<ref>{{cite book |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Edition Booklet |volume=6|publisher=ADV}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオン 原画集 Groundwork of Evangelion|volume=3|language=ja|page=314|publisher=Ground Works|date=2020|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/df/Groundwork_of_EVANGELION_VOL.3_JP.pdf|access-date=November 4, 2024}}</ref> and Hiroshi Yamaguchi<ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap. 1: Production et catastrophes}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=27 |page=26|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> wrote the screenplay for the episode; Anno and Tsurumaki handled the storyboards.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=48 |page=21|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Shōichi Masuo took on the role of director,<ref>{{Cite book|author=Gainax|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Newtype 100% Collection|date=1998|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|language=ja|isbn=4-04-852700-2|page=178}}</ref>{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=81}} assisted by Masahiko Otsuka and Ken Anso.{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=74}} Shunji Suzuki worked as chief animator and alongside Tsurumaki as character design assistant.<ref name=UltimateStaff>{{cite book |date=2021|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia|chapter=Staff}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Data of Evangelion|publisher=Gainax|page=24|language=ja|year=2003|editor=Gainax}}</ref>
===Development=== As the setting for the battle against Armisael, Gainax chose a real place, the Ōwakudani Valley,<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=4|page=25|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=36}} already presented in the episode "Hedgehog's Dilemma".<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=29 |page=30|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> The authors' original plans called for the appearance of a ribbon-shaped enemy inspired by the Möbius strip,<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：破 全記録全集|date=2010|publisher=Ground Works|isbn=978-4-905033-00-4|language=ja|script-chapter=ja:庵野 秀明 interview: 複数のクリエイターの総力で、すべてを刷新した使徒デザイン}}</ref> which later became the Angel Sahaquiel. According to Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, character designer of the series, the idea behind the Angel's design was to demonstrate how ''Evangelion''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s enemies could also have non-anthropomorphic forms.<ref>{{cite book |title=Der Mond|page=116|date=2001|publisher=Viz Media |isbn=1-56931-546-9}}</ref> Due to the lack of resources, the proposal was later shelved; Sahaquiel's design was then modified and presented in the twelfth episode. The idea of the Möbius strip later partly flowed into the Angels Zeruel in "Introjection" and Armisael.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=21|pages=27–28|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> The episode was originally supposed to be entitled "The Sickness Unto Hope, and"; the original title would have been a reference to the Japanese title of the sixteenth episode, "The sickness unto death, and then...",{{sfn|Filmbook|p=8}} which in turn is a reference to the essay of the same name by the existentialist philosopher Søren Kierkegaard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama49.shtml|title=第49回 エヴァ雑記「第拾六話 死に至る病、そして」|website=Style.fm|language=ja|access-date=July 23, 2020|first=Yūichirō|last=Oguro}}</ref>
The idea for the Guf Chamber came to animator and writer Mitsuo Iso,{{sfn|Iso|2023|p=137}} who took inspiration from ''The Seventh Sign'' (1988).{{sfn|Iso|2023|p=135}} In the original project, under Nerv headquarters there were ancient ruins of a place named {{nihongo|Arqa|アルカ|Aruka}}. Arqa was described as Rei's mother and father;{{sfn|Iso|2023|p=138}} Rei, in Iso's proposals, would have been born from Arqa{{sfn|Iso|2023|p=159}} and she would have physically eaten it. Arqa would have been the Moon, or something that entered the Earth with the Giant Impact; from this event, life would have arisen, a contradiction that "defies heat and the Second Law of Thermodynamics".{{sfn|Iso|2023|p=139}} Furthermore, in the twenty-third episode, Gendo would have led Eva-03, the Japan Self-Defense Forces would have invaded Nerv; Gendo would then have been shot, falling into Lake Ashino, Misato would have attempted to rebuild Nerv, and Asuka would have escaped.{{sfn|Iso|2023|p=160}}
"Rei III" and the last episodes of the series in general have very dark tones compared to the previous episodes. According to Japanese cultural critic Hiroki Azuma, the narrative is also much faster; Rei's battle, for example, lasts only a few minutes.<ref name="Azuma">{{cite web|last=Azuma|first=Hiroki|title=Animé or Something Like it: Neon Genesis Evangelion|url=https://www.ntticc.or.jp/pub/ic_mag/ic018/intercity/higashi_E.html|publisher=NTT InterCommunication Center|access-date=August 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808182031/http://www.ntticc.or.jp/pub/ic_mag/ic018/intercity/higashi_E.html|archive-date=August 8, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Yūichirō Oguro, editor of the extra material from the various home video editions of the series, similarly pointed out that despite the various tragedies that happen to the characters, the narration of the episode is dry and without excessive drama,<ref name=Oguro>{{cite web|url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama56.shtml|script-title=ja: 第56回 エヴァ雑記「第弐拾参話 涙」|language=ja|access-date=April 28, 2020|website=style.fm|first=Yūichirō|last=Oguro}}</ref> with a cold attitude.<ref name=LD/><ref name=Ultimate/> Moreover, during Ritsuko's scene in the Terminal Dogma, Ritsuko gives the viewer several informations during the climax of the episode, but the information quickly follows one after the other, confusing the viewer. According to writer Emily Wati Muir, Rei's battle also has elements of several genres, fusing them, and saying that Rei's "robotic and military appearance and its connection to religion come from the mecha genre"; however, "the romance and her sacrifice come from the ''sekai-kei'' genre", a narrative genre in which a character's emotion and action have strong consequences on the whole fictional universe.<ref>{{cite journal|access-date=10 May 2024|last=Muir|first=Emily Wati|title=To Face the World Alone or Together: Jus ad Bellum and the Lives of Child Soldiers in Neon Genesis Evangelion|date=2023|journal=Law, Technology and Humans|volume=5|issue=1|page=44|url=https://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/journals/LawTechHum/2023/4.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510100958/https://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/journals/LawTechHum/2023/4.html#fn112|archive-date=10 May 2024|publisher=Queensland University of Technology}}</ref>
thumb|left|upright=0.8|A scene from the video format version depicting an object that comes out of Eva-00 with the shapes of the Angels from the previous episodes. "Rei III" and the other episodes of the second half of the series suffered considerable production problems. Due to continuous delays and a schedule that was getting closer and closer to its conclusion, "Rei III" and the following episodes were produced in a short time, resulting in a drop in animation quality.<ref name=Tenir>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap 1: Tenir bon jusqu'à la fin}}</ref><ref name="Tsurumaki">{{cite book|year=1997|chapter=Kazuya Tsurumaki Interview|title=The End of Evangelion Theatrical Pamphlet|publisher=Gainax|language=ja}}</ref> After the conclusion of the first broadcast, therefore, Gainax remade the episodes involved from scratch, including "Rei III". Several sequences were redrawn, and completely unedited sequences were added<ref name=LD>{{cite book|language=ja|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Laserdisc Encyclopedia|volume=12|date=1998}}</ref><ref name=Ultimate>{{cite book |date=2021|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia|chapter=Episode 23: Rei III}}</ref> to better connect with the ending and to clarify some unexplained plot points. The extended version of the episodes, called the video format version<ref>{{cite web|access-date=4 December 2024|publisher=Polygon|website=polygon.com|author=Allegra Frank|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/29/18115299/how-to-watch-neon-genesis-evangelion-anime-rebuild-netflix|title=The right way to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion|date=29 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711203548/https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/29/18115299/how-to-watch-neon-genesis-evangelion-anime-rebuild-netflix|archive-date=11 July 2024}}</ref>{{sfn|Kirkegaard|2021|p=62}} or home video version, differs from the on-air version in several respects;<ref>{{cite book|title=Newtype Complete Shinseiki Evangerion|script-title=ja:Newtype Complete 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン|trans-title=Newtype Complete Neon Genesis Evangelion|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|year=2005|language=ja|page=114}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Newtype|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|date=February 1998|pages=100–101|language=ja|title=繋がれた、糸}}</ref> Gainax first released the new footage in the movie ''Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth'' (1997)<ref>{{cite web|access-date=4 December 2024|publisher=IGN|website=ign.com|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/22/neon-genesis-evangelion-resurrection|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion - Resurrection|date=22 April 2004|author=Efrain Diaz Jr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206155914/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/22/neon-genesis-evangelion-resurrection|archive-date=6 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap 1: Death and Rebirth/The End of Evangelion}}</ref> and later in the 1998 ''Evangelion'' Laserdisc edition.<ref>{{cite book |date=2021|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia|chapter=Laserdisc and video 1996/1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |date=2021 |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia |chapter=History 1993-1999}}</ref>
In the video format version of "Rei III", Gainax added the scene in which Gendo and Fuyutsuki discuss the death of Rei II in front of a capsule-shaped tank.<ref name="DVDTalk">{{cite web|publisher=DVD Talk|website=dvdtalk.com|access-date=17 November 2024|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/14978|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Volume 6 (Platinum Collection)|date=23 March 2005|author=Randy Miller III|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109200753/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/14978|archive-date=9 November 2024}}</ref> The Armisael battle scene was expanded, adding a sequence in which a pile of flesh with the shapes of the Angels from previous episodes is formed from the body of Eva-00. In the video format version of the battle from Armisael, a giant white Rei is also formed, similar to the one later visible in the movie ''The End of Evangelion'' (1997) during Human Instrumentality,<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Episodio 23 - Lacrime/Rei III|first1=Cristiano|last1= Brignola|first2=Francesco |last2=Tedeschi|title=Evangelion for Dummy (Plugs)|date=2020|publisher=Dynit Manga|isbn=978-8833551111|language=it}}</ref> while on Shinji's hand, many small Rei are formed, which also represent a visual anticipation of the series finale. In the scene where Ritsuko shows Rei's clones in the Terminal Dogma, several images of photographs and sketches are also shown in the video format version, showing the Second Impact and the events that took place during the creation of the Evangelion units. The images were removed in later home video editions, including the ''Renewal of Evangelion'' edition (2003).<ref name="Oguro" /> The Japanese voice actors reinterpreted several scenes from scratch for the video format version. Kotono Mitsuishi, Misato Katsuragi's performer, gave a more mature setting of her character than in the television version. According to the official liner notes of the series, this change could be due to Mitsuishi's career; after ''Evangelion'', she went from comic roles like ''Sailor Moon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Usagi Tsukino to more serious and mature characters, such as in ''Sentimental Graffiti'' or ''Crayon Shin-chan''. Miki Nagasawa, voice actress of Maya Ibuki, also gave a more mature approach to her character. Megumi Hayashibara, voice actress of Rei, redubbed the scenes of Rei agonising during the battle, giving a more resolute tone for Rei compared to the emotional voice from the television version.<ref>{{cite book|title=Eva Tomo no Kai |volume=12|publisher=Gainax |language=ja |date=1998}}</ref>
==Cultural references== [[File:Evangelion Rei Sailor Moon.png|thumb|upright=0.9|The scene between Rei and Armisael references a scene from ''Sailor Moon SuperS'']]
In the first scene, coffee cans of UCC Coffee are framed,{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=161}}<ref>{{cite book|date=1999|page=142|title=The Anime Companion: More What's Japanese in Japanese Animation?|first=Gilles|last=Poitras|publisher=Stone Bridge Press|isbn=1-880656-32-9}}</ref> a real existing brand that was already present in ''Gunbuster'', an earlier work by Anno and the Gainax studio.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=6}} In the scene where Asuka plays video games in Hikari's house, Seca games are seen instead;{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=86}} the brand is a reference to Sega, one of ''Evangelion''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s main financiers. In "Rei III", various scientific concepts, such as cloning, and religious concepts are mentioned as well. From the Seele dialogues, it is revealed how the attacks of the Angels were prophesized in ancient documents called the Dead Sea Scrolls.{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=64}} Their names are revealed, all of which can be linked to angels from ancient Judeo-Christian angelological traditions, particularly the Book of Enoch.<ref name=LD/><ref name=Ultimate/> Seele also claims that eight Evangelion units have been completed and four more remain, making a total of twelve.<ref name=LD/><ref name=Ultimate/> This number is a reference to the twelve Apostles.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=33}} According to French writer Virginie Nebbia, Armisael's form is a reference to the traditional Christian iconography of angels; whereas the previous Angel, Arael, represented the luminescent wings of the Christian angels, Armisael represents the halo.{{sfn|Poggio|2008|pp=84-85}}{{sfn|Sellés de Lucas|Hernández-Pérez|2024|p=229}} A halo is also visible in the sequence in which Eva-00 transforms into a giant human figure before exploding.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Come ho imparato a (non) preoccuparmi dell'Impact|first1=Cristiano|last1= Brignola|first2=Francesco |last2=Tedeschi|title=Evangelion for Dummy (Plugs)|date=2020|publisher=Dynit Manga|isbn=978-8833551111|language=it}}</ref>
In the scene in which Ritsuko takes Misato and Shinji to the depths of the Nerv headquarters, a double helix-shaped lift is visible.{{sfn|Redmond|2004|p=167}}<ref name=DNA>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=28|page=18|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> The same double helix shape can be found in Armisael's early form, similar to the structure of DNA,<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=25 |page=11|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>{{sfn|Glossary|1998|pp=103-104}} and in the Spear of Longinus, a weapon mentioned by Seele used against Arael in the previous episode.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=9}} The very name of Central Dogma, a section of the headquarters, comes from the molecular biology<ref name=DNA/> concept of the same name.{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=90}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Edition Booklet |volume=3|chapter=Glossary|publisher=ADV}}</ref> When Ritsuko shows Misato and Shinji the room in which Rei was born, the words "top",{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=121}} "bottom",{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=150}} and "strangeness"{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=81}} are visible on the walls. The three terms come from quantum physics, referring in particular to quarks.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=10 |pages=24–25|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abcb.com/trivia/eva_2301.htm |title=Café Trivia - Shinseiki Evangelion |publisher=The Anime Café |access-date=July 23, 2022}}</ref> The room also has the seven eyes of Seele emblem on it,{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=77}} a symbol referring to the seven eyes of the Lamb of God from the Book of Revelation.<ref name=LD/><ref name=Ultimate/>
A few sequences later, Ritsuko also mentions the Guf Chamber,{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=42}} briefly mentioned in the first video format version scene<ref>{{cite book|language=ja|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Laserdisc Encyclopedia|volume=11|date=1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |date=2021 |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Blue Ray Ultimate Edition Encyclopedia |chapter=Episode 21: He was aware that he was still a child}}</ref> of the twenty-first episode,{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=144}} saying that Rei's soul was the last soul to leave the Guf, which was empty during Ayanami's creation.{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=146}} In Jewish mysticism, the Guf (Hebrew for "body") is a portion of the Heavens in which the souls are supposed to inhabit before their earthly incarnation.{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=81}}{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=143}} According to a legend, when this room is empty, the world will end.{{sfn|Sellés de Lucas|Hernández-Pérez|2024|p=231}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=5 |pages=24–25|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> According to writer Kazuhisa Fujie, from the information given by Ritsuko and other scenes of the series, two Guf's chambers exist in ''Evangelion''.{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=146}} One Guf's chamber was opened by Adam during Second Impact,{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=172}} while the other is opened by Lilith during Third Impact.{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=182}} The Guf is mentioned again in ''The End of Evangelion'' during Third Impact{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=135}} as "the door to the beginning and the end of life"{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=154}} when holes open on the body of the Angel Lilith<ref>{{cite book|chapter=La Camera del Guf|first1=Cristiano|last1= Brignola|first2=Francesco |last2=Tedeschi|title=Evangelion for Dummy (Plugs)|date=2020|publisher=Dynit Manga|isbn=978-8833551111|language=it}}</ref> and human souls return to where they came from;{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=155}} in the original storyboard for the movie, the term actually indicates Lilith's holes on the hand, known as stygmata.<ref>{{cite book |title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオン 劇場版 絵コンテ集|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=789|language=ja|year=1998|isbn=4-04-904290-8}}</ref>
The introspective scene in which Rei confronts Armisael is a reference to a similar introspective sequence presented in the 151st episode of ''Sailor Moon SuperS'', the fourth season of ''Sailor Moon'',{{sfn|Marine|2021|p=125}} a series Hideaki Anno worked on as an animator. In the same sequence, a piece of the soundtrack called "Thanatos" can be heard, in reference to the Greek deity of death of the same name;<ref name="Symphony">{{cite book|language=ja|publisher=King Records|title=Symphony of Evangelion booklet|date=1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|language=ja|publisher=King Records|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: S<sup>2</sup> Works booklet|date=1998}}</ref><ref name=Refrain>{{cite book|title=Refrain of Evangelion booklet|publisher=King Records|date=2003|language=ja}}</ref> according to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory, Thanatos is a violent and self-destructive drive present in all human beings.<ref name=legacy>{{cite web|author=Justin Wu|url=http://the-artifice.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-rei-ayanami-legacy/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Legacy of Rei Ayanami|date=11 July 2013|publisher=The Artifice|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=18 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318111941/http://the-artifice.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-rei-ayanami-legacy/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the scene where Ritsuko destroys Rei's clones, a MessagePad<ref>{{cite book | date =2005|page=61|title=The Anime Companion: More What's Japanese in Japanese Animation?|volume=2|first=Gilles|last=Poitras|publisher=Stone Bridge Press|isbn=1-880656-96-5}}</ref> on which "Destrudo Release" is written is also visible;<ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap 3: Libido et Destrudo}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=18 |page=24|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> the term ''destrudo'' refers to the destructive drive of the same name postulated by Edoardo Weiss, another exponent of Freudian psychoanalysis.<ref>{{cite journal|editor=Gainax|title=用語集|journal=The End of Evangelion Program Book|year=1997|language=ja}}</ref> Virginie Nebbia has compared the image of the aquarium containing Rei Ayanami's various soulless clones to a scene in the manga ''Bio City'' by Daijiro Morohoshi; in ''Byo City'', the protagonist has a vision of a collective consciousness that wants to encompass humanity, graphically represented as a multitude of women with identical faces arranged as if in a tank.<ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap. 2: Les Enfants d'Icare et Bio City}}</ref> In the course of the episode, a graveyard-like place is also framed with several carcasses of prototype Evangelion units that failed during their development; according to Nebbia and writer Alexandre Marine, this idea had already been presented by Anno in his previous TV series, ''Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water''.<ref name=TI>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap. 2: GEHIRN et le Troisème Impact}}</ref>{{sfn|Marine|2021|p=50}} In the video format version, the Evas graveyard has the shape of a Jewish Tree of Life, or Tree of ''Sefirot''. Kazuya Tsurumaki and Yoshiyuki Sadamoto in an interview linked Rei's true identity, who is revealed to be genetically human and Angel together, with Go Nagai's ''Devilman'' protagonist Akira Fudo, a character who is also a hybrid, half demon and half human.{{sfn|Sanenari|1997|pp=179-181}}
==Analysis and themes== [[File:Evangelion Lilith and Eva01.png|thumb|left|upright=0.8|In the video format version, various images appear in the final scene, including a frame showing the Angel Lilith merged with Unit-01. These images have been removed in the ''Renewal'' version.]]
According to ''Anime News Network''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s editors Paul Fargo and Allen Divers, "Rei III" follows in the wake of the previous episodes of the series and thus belongs to a particularly dramatic and tragic story arc; in this story arc, the past and motivations of Asuka, Rei, and Ritsuko are explored and revealed in highly dramatic tones.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/neon-genesis-evangelion-resurrection |title=DVD 7: Director's Cut: Resurrection|first=Paul|last=Fargo|publisher=Anime News Network|website=animenewsnetwork.com|access-date=14 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion-collection-0-7-dvd |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Collection 0:7 DVD |author=Allen Divers |publisher=Anime News Network |date=January 10, 2002 |access-date=November 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925012514/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion-collection-0-7-dvd |url-status=live|archive-date=September 25, 2015}}</ref> The Japanese title, "Tears", could refer to Rei's tears, but also to those of Ritsuko, Misato facing the Eva-00 explosion, Ritsuko's grandmother for the death of her cat, or those of Asuka, who cries in front of Hikari.<ref name=EC48>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=48|page=31|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref> Ritsuko is examined by Seele and remains shocked to discover that she is a substitute for Rei.<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=48|page=29|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref> After being freed, she takes her revenge on Gendo by showing Rei's secret to Shinji and destroying all her remaining clones; like her mother, Naoko, Ritsuko lets her feminine nature prevail over her professional nature as a scientist.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=38}} Shinji stands petrified in front of the weeping Ritsuko, feeling pity for the woman and hating his father even more.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=39}}
The nature of Evangelion units and mysteries about ''Evangelion''<nowiki/>'s plot are also explored. Destroying Rei's clones, Ritsuko explains the Second Impact,{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|pp=47-48}} calling the first Angel Adam "God";<ref name=LD/><ref name=Ultimate/> Ritsuko also reveals that the Evangelions are human beings{{sfn|Bartoli|2008|p=33}} and that the Evas, who originally have no souls, need "recovered" human souls to work, as foreshadowed during Shinji's recovering plan in the twentieth episode.<ref name=LD/><ref name=Ultimate/> In the video format version of the episode, many images are visible during Ritsuko's monologue, including a frame showing the Angel Lilith merged with Unit-01.<ref name="Oguro" />
Asuka, having fallen into depression and realized she is useless,{{sfn|Filmbook|p=11}} never meets the gaze of other people{{sfn|Filmbook|p=14}} and refuses to even look at her friend Hikari in the eye. Misato, on the other hand, shows a cold attitude at the sight of the Angel Armisael, maintaining distance and feeling anger towards Nerv<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=48|page=23|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref> as she is left in the dark about its secrets.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=18}} After Rei II's death, Misato enters Shinji's room and attempts to console him by holding out her hand; Shinji rejects Misato's touch, telling her to stop. According to Virginie Nebbia, Misato attempts to console Shinji sensually, offering him an adult relationship, which then connects to ''The End of Evangelion'', in which Misato kisses Shinji.<ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap 2: The End of Evangelion}}</ref> The official filmbooks on the series offer an explanation of the scene, saying: "Misato stretched out her hand to Shinji. At this time she may have intended to offer her body to comfort Shinji. However, this was merely substitutive behaviour to assuage her loneliness".{{sfn|Filmbook|p=25}} According to the ''Evangelion Chronicle'' encyclopedia, Misato is rejected by Shinji because she only tries to use him as a distraction, and Shinji "is sensitive to this kind of deception".<ref name=ECbattle2/>
===Rei's identity=== "Rei III" represents the conclusion of a trilogy dedicated to Ayanami's character,<ref name=LD/><ref name=Ultimate/> which began with the fifth and sixth episodes, entitled "Rei I" and "Rei II".{{sfn|Filmbook|p=23}} The episode focuses in particular on the true nature of Rei,<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=48|page=32|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref> who turns out to be a clone.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=7 |page=23|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> The first Rei, introduced in a flashback from the twenty-first episode, turns out to be the first clone; the Rei who dies against Armisael is the second,{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=39}}<ref name="Thouny">{{Cite journal|last=Thouny|first=Christophe|title=Waiting for the Messiah: The Becoming-Myth of "Evangelion" and "Densha otoko"|year=2009|journal=Mechademia|volume=4|page=129|doi=10.1353/mec.0.0066|s2cid=52219780|doi-access=free}}</ref> and the new Rei who appears after Armisael's battle in "Rei III" is the third clone. All the clones that Ritsuko reveals are kept in the Terminal Dogma are soulless puppets; only one Rei at a time has a soul, and the soul upon the death of an active clone is then transferred to another. The book ''Evangelion Glossary'', published by Yahata Shoten, noted how the different Rei clones differ due to different environments and experiences.{{sfn|Glossary|1998|pp=48-49}} According to ''Animedia'' magazine, despite the revelation about Rei's true identity, the series still leaves open questions,<ref>{{cite book|chapter=EVA新生!!|title=Animedia|publisher=Gakken|language=ja|date=March 1997}}</ref> but several clues suggest that Rei is a clone of Yui Ikari.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=36}} According to writers Kazuhisa Fujie and Martin Foster, it would explain her feelings of affection towards Shinji, a reflection of Yui's maternal love.{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=81}} For the series's filmbooks, this revelation also shows the reason for the name of Eva's pilots; in the original Japanese, the pilots are called "Children", keeping the plural in the case of a single subject, a foreshadowing of Ayanami's various clones.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=29}} Rei is also revealed to be aware of her clone status,{{sfn|Filmbook|p=28}} while Seele is not.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=31}}
According to Anime Feminist, Rei's nature as a clone could be the cause of her poor health; she takes several pills during the series and has a dismembered body in ''The End of Evangelion'', unable to keep her form.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=11 May 2021|url=https://www.animefeminist.com/discourse-not-doll-rei-ayanami-escapism-objectified-images-desire/|title="I Am Not a Doll": Rei Ayanami, escapism, and objectified images of desire|first=Nicole|last=Veneto|date=22 February 2017|publisher=Anime Feminist|website=Animefeminist.com|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425065402/https://www.animefeminist.com/discourse-not-doll-rei-ayanami-escapism-objectified-images-desire/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Schizo Evangelion'', a book containing several interviews with the staff of the series, describes Rei as a representation of the concept of motherhood and as a "slave", an "oppressed life born of violence", a child who was hopelessly abused before she was even born, and a sad person "who cannot kill herself even if she wanted to".{{sfn|Sanenari|1997|pp=184–190}} Kaichiro Morikawa, noting how Rei is presented in "Rei III" covered in bandages as in the first episodes of the series, pointed out that the bandages are a stylistic and design element, not an actual treatment;{{sfn|Morikawa|1997|p=14}} according to Morikawa, they do not represent Rei's psychic wounds but rather her role as a warrior.{{sfn|Morikawa|1997|p=23}}
According to Virginie Nebbia, the functioning of the individual minds of the clones remains a mystery, but there seems to be a backup of Rei's memory; the backup, however, is not about feelings, or perhaps only unconsciously, as evidenced by Rei's behavior in front of Gendo's glasses.<ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap 2: Numériser une âme}}</ref> Rei III sees Commander Ikari's old glasses, which Rei II has guarded in her home since the beginning of the series; Rei III tries to break them but starts to cry, revealing that it is an emotionally important object.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=8 |page=23|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Fabio Bartoli also noted how after Rei III's birth, the glasses reflect an increasingly intense light.{{sfn|Bartoli|2008|p=35}} Rei III, according to Anno, demonstrates in that scene that Gendo still has the memories of Rei's previous clones. Rei III tries to metaphorically break that bond by attempting to break the glasses held by the previous Rei, who was obsessed with Gendo.{{sfn|Sanenari|1997|pp=179-181}}
"Rei III" presents rebirth through the birth of the third Rei, a recurring ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' theme.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=27}} Writer Dennis Redmond, on the other hand, interpreted the cloning of Rei as a metaphor for modern capitalism;{{sfn|Redmond|2004|p=168}} according to Redmond, "Rei III" also "turns the android and cyborg narratives of the 1980s against themselves".{{sfn|Redmond|2004|p=169}} Academician Stevie Suan noted how Rei's soulless clones smile, something Rei in the series rarely does.<ref>{{cite book|date=2021|publisher=Stockholm University Press|title=Anime Studies: Media-Specific Approaches to Neon Genesis Evangelion|isbn=978-91-7635-164-2|url=https://www.stockholmuniversitypress.se/site/books/e/10.16993/bbp/|chapter=Objecthood at the End of the World: Anime's Acting and its Ecological Stakes in Neon Genesis Evangelion|first=Stevie|last=Suan |editor-first2=Ana |editor-last1=Santiago Iglesias |editor-last2=Soler Baena |doi=10.16993/bbp |s2cid=245093477 |page=160 |hdl=11093/4450 }}</ref> Japanese academic Kaichiro Morikawa compared the aquarium in which the clones are kept to ''The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living'' artwork by Damien Hirst, which consists of a preserved tiger shark in formalin in a glass-panel display case.{{sfn|Morikawa|1997|pp=28-29}} Academician Fabio Bartoli has linked the triad of Rei clones to the three stages of the soul postulated by the Jewish Kabbalah. Rei I represents ''Nephesh'', the vital and biological breath; Rei II represents ''Ruach'', the raising of man from a purely biological aspect and the distinction between good and evil; and Rei III represents ''Neshamah'', the fruit of the connection between God and man.{{sfn|Bartoli|2008|p=34}}<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Tre|first1=Cristiano|last1= Brignola|first2=Francesco |last2=Tedeschi|title=Evangelion for Dummy (Plugs)|date=2020|publisher=Dynit Manga|isbn=978-8833551111|language=it}}</ref>
===Armisael's battle and sexual imagery=== thumb|upright=0.9|''Anime Feminist'' interpreted Ritsuko's nudity during her interrogation by Seele as a rape scene.
During "Rei III", the second Rei makes contact with an Angel, Armisael. Armisael's behavior, like Leliel with Shinji in "Splitting of the Breast" and Arael in the previous episode, would suggest that the Angels are curious about humans and their feelings.<ref>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap 3: La fuite de la réalité}}</ref> Arael violated Asuka's psyche in "Don't Be", while Armisael violates Rei's body in this episode. Armisael seeks first-degree contact with an Eva pilot; in the following episode, the Angel Tabris attempts first-degree contact with Shinji, but Shinji initially rejects him, as Tabris himself points out when touching Shinji's hand.{{sfn|Glossary|1998|p=15}} For Nebbia, the form of Armisael and Arael also reflects a change in the design of the enemies; in previous episodes they were similar to the giant monsters of Japanese cinema, known as ''kaiju'', whereas now their appearance is symbolic.<ref name=Anges>{{harvp|Nebbia|2023|loc=Chap. 2: Les Anges}}</ref>
Armisael attacks Eva-00 on the basis of the knowledge gained from his predecessors, Arael and Leliel; this suggests that the Angels are interconnected and gradually acquire intelligence.<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=25|page=9|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref> The confrontation also emphasizes how the differences between Angels and humans are minimal.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=12}} The official filmbooks on the series emphasized how Rei's mind feels both pain and pleasure during the fight.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=13}} According to Anime Feminist, the battle also presents the image of rape towards Rei; the Seele's interrogation of Ritsuko, in which Ritsuko is seen naked in front of the Seele members, could also suggest that Ritsuko was raped during the interrogation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animefeminist.com/podcast-chatty-af-104-neon-genesis-evangelion-watchalong-episodes-21-26/|title=Chatty AF 104: Neon Genesis Evangelion Watchalong – Episodes 21-26 (WITH TRANSCRIPT)|date=8 December 2019|publisher=Anime Feminist|access-date=23 March 2025}}</ref> Writer Alexandre Marine similarly noted that Rei has a "sexual reaction" to Rei's contact attempt.{{sfn|Marine|2021|p=124}} According to ''Fangoria'' magazine, Rei demonstrates a stoic attitude towards the enemy, and there is an element of body horror in the battle.<ref name=Fangoria>{{cite web |url=https://www.fangoria.com/original/10-terrifying-moments-in-neon-genesis-evangelion/ |title=10 Terrifying Moments In Neon Genesis Evangelion|date=4 October 2023 |publisher=Fangoria |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025103138/https://www.fangoria.com/original/10-terrifying-moments-in-neon-genesis-evangelion/ |archive-date=25 October 2023}}</ref>
Rei, unlike Asuka, argues on equal terms with an Angel, responding firmly and demonstrating great mental strength.<ref name=Oguro/><ref name=ECbattle>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=48|page=25|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref> In the deep layer of her consciousness, Rei comes to terms with her inner self and faces the deep loneliness of her heart.<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=26|page=6|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref> Rei therefore unconsciously begins to cry.<ref name=ECbattle/> As in "Splitting of the Breast", in which Shinji confronts another younger Shinji, Rei confronts herself.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=16}} Rei argues with Armisael, who is half-immersed in an orange liquid similar to the one leaking from the Angel Lilith, believed to be Adam, kept in the deepest layers of Nerv.{{sfn|Redmond|2004|p=167}} Rei asks Armisael, "Who are you? An Angel? The person that we call an Angel?", thus recognizing Angels as people.<ref name=LD/><ref name=Ultimate/>
Armisael speaks to her gently, using words that come from Rei's unconscious mind.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=15}} Armisael approaches Rei, asking, "Won't you become one with me?", a question echoing a scene from the twentieth episode.<ref name=LD/><ref name=Ultimate/> Once Rei is awakened, Armisael attempts to join Shinji and Eva-01. Rei realizes that Armisael's actions against Shinji are a reflection of her unconscious desire for Shinji.<ref name=ECbattle2>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=48|page=27|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref>{{sfn|Filmbook|p=19}} Rei understands that she wants to become one with Shinji<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=2 |page=23|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> and realizes the changes that have taken place throughout the series in her psyche.{{sfn|Filmbook|p=17}} Through her interaction with Shinji in previous episodes, Rei has acquired human emotions, a clear will, and a sense of self. By shedding tears, she also realized that she is human.<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=26|page=7|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref> Academic Gabriel Tsang described Rei's subsequent decision to kill herself and "her willingness to sacrifice" as a representation of "personal freedom".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Tsang |first=Gabriel F. Y. |author-link=Gabriel Tsang |date=2016 |journal=Journal of International and Advanced Japanese Studies |page=41 |publisher=University of Tsukuba |title=Beyond 2015: Nihilism and Existentialist Rhetoric in Neon Genesis Evangelion |volume=8}}</ref> Megumi Hayashibara, Rei's Japanese voice actress, also stated that: "When she cried, it meant the waters of the pool were coming out at last. The struggle to draw your feelings forth, the reconciliation between your surface and your death - that, I believe, is where we truly become alive, truly become human begins".<ref name=Voice>{{cite book|author=Megumi Hayashibara|chapter=The voices in your head that you pass without hearing|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion 3-in-1 Edition|volume=1|year=2012|pages=516–517|publisher=Viz Media|isbn=978-1-4215-5079-4}}</ref>
==Reception== "Rei III" was first broadcast on 6 March 1996 and drew a 6.9% audience share on Japanese television.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Newtype |publisher=Kadokawa Shoten |date=June 1996 |page=74 |language=ja |title=Anime Land}}</ref> In July 2020, ''Comic Book Resources'' reported an 8.6/10 rating for the installment on IMDb, making it the fifth-highest-rated ''Evangelion'' episode.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fois |first=Daniello |date=July 21, 2020 |title=Top 10 Episodes Of Neon Genesis Evangelion, According To IMDb |url=https://www.cbr.com/top-episodes-neon-genesis-evangelion-according-imdb/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324040412/https://www.cbr.com/top-episodes-neon-genesis-evangelion-according-imdb/ |archive-date=March 24, 2021 |access-date=May 29, 2021 |website=Cbr.com |publisher=Comic Book Resources}}</ref> Merchandise based on the episode, including a line of official tee-shirts,{{sfn |Porori |2010 |p=125}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.evastore.jp/shop/g/gA7002302/|title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオン 全話Tシャツ 「第弐拾弐話 せめて、人間らしく」|publisher=Evangelion Store|website=evastore.jp|language=ja|access-date=19 November 2024}}</ref> have been released.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=10 |page=28 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=E-Mono |publisher=Gainax |page=113 |language=ja |date=1997 |isbn=4-04-852868-8}}</ref> Japanese television station TV Asahi published a ranking of the 100 most significant scenes in the history of animation; Rei's suicide scene managed to reach 53rd position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/best100/contents/100/0020/ranking/index.html|title=涙と感動のアニメ最強名場面ベスト１００|publisher=TV Asahi|language=ja|access-date=September 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041010131827/http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/best100/contents/100/0020/ranking/index.html|archive-date=October 10, 2004}}</ref> Rei's suicide reappeared in another ranking by the broadcaster, in a survey of the most touching scenes in Japanese animation, in which it achieved ninth place.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/best/updating_dex/ranking/028.html|title=最終回を越える感動シーン部門|publisher=TV Asahi|language=ja|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304221646/http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/best/updating_dex/ranking/028.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>
"Rei III" had an ambivalent reception from anime reviewers. ''Digitally Obsessed''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Joel Cunningham gave "Rei III" a positive review for its "startling revelations" about Rei and Gendo, describing its ending as a "note perfect, the best moment in the series thus far".<ref name=DO>{{cite web |access-date=30 May 2021 |url=http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/displaylegacy.php?ID=1279 |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Collection 0:7 (1995) |date=5 June 2001 |publisher=Digitally Obsessed! |website=Digitallyobsessed.com |first=Joel |last=Cunningham |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416020152/http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/displaylegacy.php?ID=1279}}</ref> Akio Nagatomi of ''The Anime Café'' criticized the use of recycled animation, like the launches of the Eva units or Rei's bandage as in the first episodes of the series, but still praised its "above average" direction and "a strangely captivating character" in the form of Rei.<ref name=Nagatomi>{{cite web |url=https://www.abcb.com/eva/eva_t023.htm |title=Shinseiki Evangelion Review - Episode 23: Tear / Rei III |publisher=The Anime Café |access-date=23 July 2022}}</ref> Nagatomi also praised Megumi Hayashibara for having "skillfully portrayed" Rei but criticized Yuriko Yamaguchi's role as Ritsuko; according to him, Yamaguchi "pulls off the detached, professional persona extremely well" but described Ritsuko's broken and fragile side as "a classic (and painful) example of over-acting".<ref name=Nagatomi/> ''Anime News Network'''s editor Kenneth Lee negatively received the revelations about Rei's true identity and her death as a "monumental failure in character development". According to Lee, the premise of a dummy shell character gaining a soul "could had an entire series devoted to it", but Rei's character potential is wasted.<ref name=Lee>{{cite web|first=Kenneth|last=Lee|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/editorial/1998-09-09|title=The Thin Veneer Known as "Evangelion"|publisher=Anime News Network|date=8 September 1998|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724103237/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/editorial/1998-09-09|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Science Fiction Weekly''{{'}}s Tasha Robinson, on the other hand, expressed appreciation for the character's conclusion, "whose bizarre nature finally comes clear in a typically understated Anno way that explains everything while still leaving a great deal to the imagination".<ref>{{cite web|access-date=April 14, 2021|url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/anime/sfw3626.html|date=September 21, 1998|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion 0:11–0:13|first=Tasha |last=Robinson|publisher=The Dominion|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304071210/http://www.scifi.com/sfw/anime/sfw3626.html|archive-date=March 4, 2009}}</ref> ''Film School Rejects'' writer Max Covill also gave a positive review, praising it for its "spectacular visuals" and the climax's "massive payoff".<ref>{{cite web|first=Max|last=Covill|publisher=Film School Rejects|url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-ranked/3/|title=Every Episode of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' Ranked|date=June 17, 2019|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108222131/https://filmschoolrejects.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-ranked/3/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The action elements, the episode's dark tone, and revelations have been particularly praised by the critics. ''Screen Rant'' ranked "Rei III" among the best ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' episodes, praising it for its darkness, as it "marks the beginning of the downward spiral into madness that is the series' finale".<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Best Neon Genesis Evangelion Episodes, Ranked|author= Zach Zamora|date=9 December 2024|url=https://screenrant.com/best-neon-genesis-evangelion-episodes-list/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314112825/https://screenrant.com/best-neon-genesis-evangelion-episodes-list/|archive-date=14 March 2025|access-date=6 July 2025|publisher=Screen Rant}}</ref> The same website also ranked Rei's battle against Armisael second among the best battles from the show.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=16 May 2021|publisher=Screen Rant|website=Screenrant.com|url=https://screenrant.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-battles-ranked/|title=Every Battle in Neon Genesis Evangelion Ranked|date=7 July 2019|first=Jack|last=Cameron|archive-date=17 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117215451/https://screenrant.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-battles-ranked/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Fangoria'' described the whole sequence as one of the most "viscerally unpleasant" of the franchise.<ref name=Fangoria/> Yahoo similarly ranked "Rei III" among the best ''Evangelion'' episodes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Every 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' Episode, Ranked from Best to Worst|publisher=Yahoo|date=7 February 2025|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/every-neon-genesis-evangelion-episode-180010253.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301092922/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/every-neon-genesis-evangelion-episode-180010253.html|archive-date=1 March 2025|access-date=6 June 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Notelist}}
=== Citations === {{Reflist}}
=== Bibliography === {{refbegin}} * {{cite book |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book |volume=9 |date=1996 |language=ja |publisher=Kadokawa Shoten |ref={{harvid|Filmbook}}}} * {{cite book |date=1997 |first=Kaichiro |last=Morikawa |title=The Evangelion Style |publisher=Daisan Shokan |language=ja |isbn=4-8074-9718-9}} * {{cite book |first=Kentaro |last=Takekuma |title=Anno Hideaki PARANO Evangelion |language=ja |year=1997 |publisher=Ōta Shuppan |isbn=4-87233-316-0}} * {{cite book |first=Oizumi |last=Sanenari |date=1997 |title=Anno Hideaki SCHIZO Evangelion |publisher=Ōta Shuppan |isbn=4-87233-315-2 |language=ja}} * {{cite book |title=エヴァンゲリオン用語事典 第2版 |date=1998 |publisher=八幡書店 |language=ja |isbn=978-4-89350-327-5 |ref={{harvid|Glossary|1998}}}} * {{cite book |first=Dennis |last=Redmond |title=The World is Watching: Video as Multinational Aesthetics, 1968–1995 |date=2004 |publisher=Southern Illinois University Press |isbn=0-8093-2535-7}} * {{cite book |last1=Fujie |first1=Kazuhisa |last2=Foster |first2=Martin |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Unofficial Guide |year=2004 |publisher=DH Publishing, Inc. |location=United States |isbn=0-9745961-4-0}} * {{Cite book |first=Alessandra |last=Poggio |language=it |year=2008 |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Encyclopedia |publisher=Dynit}} * {{cite journal |last=Bartoli |first=Fabio |url=http://www.antrocom.net/upload/sub/antrocom/040108/06-Antrocom.pdf |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion e la Kabbalah: dal Tempo di dolore al Tempo Benedetto |year=2008 |journal=Antrocom |volume=4 |issue=1 |page=34 |access-date=18 April 2020 |language=it |archive-date=22 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422065644/http://www.antrocom.net/upload/sub/antrocom/040108/06-Antrocom.pdf |url-status=live}} * {{cite book |first=Syunsou |last=Porori |title=The Essential Evangelion Chronicle: Side B |language=fr |publisher=Glénat Editions |year=2010 |isbn=978-2-7234-7121-3}} * {{cite book|language=fr|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Le renouveau de l'animation japonaise|last=Marine|first= Alexandre|date=2021|publisher=Pix'n love Editions|isbn=978-2-37188-093-1}} * {{cite book |date=2021 |publisher=Stockholm University Press |title=Anime Studies: Media-Specific Approaches to Neon Genesis Evangelion |isbn=978-91-7635-164-2 |url=https://www.stockholmuniversitypress.se/site/books/e/10.16993/bbp/ |chapter=Play it Again, Hideaki: Using the Cel Bank in Neon Genesis Evangelion |first=Ida |last=Kirkegaard |editor-first1=José Andrés |editor-first2=Ana |editor-last1=Santiago Iglesias |editor-last2=Soler Baena |doi=10.16993/bbp |hdl=11093/4450 |s2cid=245093477}} * {{cite book |last1=Nebbia |first1=Virginie |title=La Saga Evangelion: L'oeuvre d'une vie |language=fr |publisher=Third Editions |date=2023 |isbn=978-2-3778-4430-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TT7aEAAAQBAJ |access-date=2023-10-25 |archive-date=2023-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025081027/https://books.google.it/books?id=TT7aEAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=it#v=onepage&q&f=false#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live}} * {{cite book|last= Iso|first= Mitsuo |date= 2023 |title=磯光雄 ANIMATION WORKS preproduction|edition=1st |language=Japanese |trans-title= Iso Mitsuo ANIMATION WORKS preproduction|location= Tokyo, Japan|publisher= Style|isbn=978-4-80-213353-1}} * {{cite journal |last1=Sellés de Lucas |first1=Victor |last2=Hernández-Pérez |first2=Manuel |title=Exegesis and authorial agency through Judeo-Christian iconography in Japanese anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-97) as an open work |journal=Imafronte |issue=31 |publisher=Universidad de Murcia |date=2024}} {{refend}}
==External links== * {{IMDb episode|0785997}}
{{Neon Genesis Evangelion}}
Category:1996 Japanese television episodes Category:Neon Genesis Evangelion episodes Category:Science fiction television episodes