Neon Genesis Evangelion

In the year 2000, a scientific expedition team in Antarctica investigated the "Giant of Light," known as the First Angel, Adam. During contact experiments, the Giant of Light self-destructed, triggering the "Second Impact" and leading to World War III. Ultimately, half of humanity's population was wiped out, the Earth's axis shifted, and the climate changed. Based on investigations into the Second Impact, the United Nations established the Artificial Evolution Research Institute (GEHIRN) in Hakone, Japan, to develop EVA units (mecha robots). GEHIRN later constructed its headquarters within the massive cavity discovered beneath the institute. On the other hand, SEELE, a secret organization under the United Nations, initiated the Human Instrumentality Project to evolve humanity by merging all human souls together, neutralizing each person's AT Field, and returning everyone to the Sea of LCL. In 2004, an accident occurred during the activation test of Evangelion Unit-01. Shinji Ikari's mother, Yui Ikari, disappeared, and Gendo Ikari began executing his own version of the Human Instrumentality Project. In 2010, GEHIRN was reorganized into NERV. Starting in 2015, according to SEELE's script for the Human Instrumentality Project, giant humanoid creatures called "Angels" began landing in Japan and attacking NERV Headquarters. NERV deployed EVAs to destroy the Angels. While fighting the Angels, Gendo secretly executed his own plans. As time passed, SEELE gradually discovered Gendo's intentions, causing tensions between NERV and SEELE to escalate. Episodes 21 through 24 of the Director's Cut are edited from the theatrical film *Death*, and are included in the Blu-ray release of the 20th Anniversary Edition.