Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone
After the Second Impact, Tokyo-3 is being attacked by giant monsters called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind. The child Shinji’s objective is to fight the Angels by piloting one of the mysterious Evangelion mecha units. A remake of the first six episodes of GAINAX’s famous 1996 anime series. The film was retitled “Evangelion: 1.01” for its DVD release and “Evangelion: 1.11” for a release with additional scenes.
Despite its modest budget of $7.0M, Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone became a solid performer, earning $20.1M worldwide—a 187% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007) exhibits strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Masayuki's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ocean turned red, half of humanity dead. Shinji Ikari travels alone to Tokyo-3, a militarized city fifteen years after Second Impact. The world is already broken.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Third Angel attacks Tokyo-3. Shinji is brought to NERV and confronted with the EVA Unit-01. His father summons him only to use him as a pilot. Rei is wheeled out, bloodied, as the alternative.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Shinji chooses to pilot EVA Unit-01 after seeing wounded Rei. "I'll do it." His first battle is chaotic and traumatic - he's immediately defeated and nearly killed, saved only by EVA going berserk., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, During the Ramiel battle, Rei is nearly killed shielding Shinji. Her EVA is melted by the Angel's particle beam. Shinji tears open the superheated entry plug with EVA's hands to save her - the whiff of death, the cost of connection., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Final scenes show fragile stability: Shinji continuing as pilot, relationships with Misato and Rei deepening, NERV's mysteries deepening. Preparation for battles to come. Gendo's true agenda remains hidden., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone against these established plot points, we can identify how Masayuki utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone within the animation genre.
Masayuki's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Masayuki films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.7, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Masayuki filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Masayuki analyses, see Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ocean turned red, half of humanity dead. Shinji Ikari travels alone to Tokyo-3, a militarized city fifteen years after Second Impact. The world is already broken.
Theme
Misato to Shinji: "You're going to pilot it, aren't you?" The question of choice, duty, and what we owe others when the world demands we become something we're not.
Worldbuilding
NERV headquarters, the EVA units, the Angel threat, Gendo's abandonment of Shinji, Rei's injuries. Establishment of the post-apocalyptic world where children must pilot bio-mechanical weapons against existential threats.
Disruption
Third Angel attacks Tokyo-3. Shinji is brought to NERV and confronted with the EVA Unit-01. His father summons him only to use him as a pilot. Rei is wheeled out, bloodied, as the alternative.
Resistance
Shinji resists piloting, saying he can't do it. Gendo prepares to send wounded Rei instead. The debate: run away or accept a burden you never asked for. Misato as reluctant guide.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Shinji chooses to pilot EVA Unit-01 after seeing wounded Rei. "I'll do it." His first battle is chaotic and traumatic - he's immediately defeated and nearly killed, saved only by EVA going berserk.
Mirror World
Shinji moves in with Misato. Introduction to civilian life in Tokyo-3, his new school, and classmates Toji and Kensuke. A fragile attempt at normalcy alongside the duty to fight.
Premise
Training sequences, learning to pilot EVA, battles against the Fourth and Fifth Angels. Shinji's growing competence as a pilot contrasted with his emotional isolation. Exploration of NERV, the Marduk Institute, and the conspiracy beneath.
Opposition
Sixth Angel (Ramiel) appears - the most powerful yet. Standard weapons fail. NERV must execute a desperate plan using all of Japan's electrical power. Pressure mounts. Shinji and Rei must work in perfect synchronization or die.
Collapse
During the Ramiel battle, Rei is nearly killed shielding Shinji. Her EVA is melted by the Angel's particle beam. Shinji tears open the superheated entry plug with EVA's hands to save her - the whiff of death, the cost of connection.
Crisis
Aftermath of near-death. Rei recovers in hospital. Shinji processes the reality that people he cares about can die. The weight of his choice to pilot settles in. Quiet moments of reflection.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Final scenes show fragile stability: Shinji continuing as pilot, relationships with Misato and Rei deepening, NERV's mysteries deepening. Preparation for battles to come. Gendo's true agenda remains hidden.
Transformation
Shinji listens to music on his SDAT player, but no longer alone - he's integrated into NERV, has connections, has chosen to stay. The same boy, but no longer running away. The cycle will continue.