Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth(1997)

Shin Seiki Evangelion Movie: Shi to Shinsei

Compilation recap movie for the series Shin Seiki Evangelion. Due to the struggling production of the movie 'End of Evangelion' delaying the film a month before it was set to release, this film was announced to 'hold fans over'.

During the early 21st century a meteorite crashed into Antarctica. After scientists went to study the crash a gigantic explosion followed, classified as the 'Second Impact'. Shinji Ikari is a fourteen year-old boy who has come to Toyko3, a city that also serves as a fortress, to meet up with his father who left him many years ago. The city also happens to be under siege by monstrous creatures called 'Angels' at the time of his arrival. Somehow Shinji finds himself in Evangelion Unit 01, and manages to synchronize with the giant robot. Shinji is told to become its permanent pilot, and is thrown into combat as the city's last defense for fighting off the angels. However, as Shinji fights, he begins to realize the truth behind the Angels, the Second Impact, man's struggle against God and what he truly is afraid of.

(Source: Anime News Network)

Note: Exists in several versions: (with most appearing on the Japanese 2015 Blu-ray Boxset)
• Evangelion: DEATH & REBIRTH, released theatrically on March 15, 1997 - 2-part feature, the first 2/3rds titled 'Death' consisting of a recap of the TV series with new/re-drawn animation added in, and the later 1/3rd titled 'Rebirth' consisting of the first 28 minute rough cut of End of Evangelion.
• Death(True), aired on TV channel WOWOW on January 2, 1998 - re-edited version of 'Death' by director Masayuki, with most of the new animation cut (as it was moved to the "Directors Cut" of Episodes 21-24), but with some new shots added. Later released on the 'ARCHIVES OF EVANGELION' DVD Boxset.
• Death(True)², released on March 7, 1998 - a further edited down version of Death(True), but with some new animation added. Regarded as this film's 'definitive' release, this is the version opted to be licensed by Netflix.
• Revival of Evangelion, released theatrically on March 8, 1998 - Theatrical double feature consisting of Death(True)² + 4 minute intermission + End of Evangelion.

For simplicity's sake, we are only counting the first theatrical release in this entry.