What does “tumbling down” mean in The End of Evangelion? There’s an interesting explanation for this, and it’s one that many dedicated Evangelion fans likely know about given when it happens in the movie.
As it’s an incredibly dense and complex film, The End of Evangelion is hard to sum up. It’s fair to say though that the film’s “tumbling down” song is the best way to encapsulate the film’s story, especially regarding Shinji Ikari.
Spoiler Warning: This article includes spoilers for The End of Evangelion, so proceed with caution.
Where Is Tumbling Down from in The End of Evangelion?
Tumbling Down is a song in The End of Evangelion, though that’s not its exact title. The song is officially titled Komm, süsser Tod, a German phrase that means “come, sweet death” in English.
The song’s lyrics are written by Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno in Japanese, and it was translated into English by Mike Wyzgowski. Performing the song for the movie is the singer Arianne.
It plays during the film’s Third Impact scene following the initiation of the Human Instrumentality Project. Essentially, this song is played at the film’s climax, which is also the most important moment of the story.
This track is no doubt an interesting choice, especially given how upbeat it sounds. It is a sharp contrast to the unnerving visuals shown during the Third Impact sequence.
In a way, this is a signature of the series. After all, the Neon Genesis Evangelion TV anime’s opening song is also an upbeat track that is pretty much the opposite of the series’ dark themes.
What also makes it a memorable song is the fact that its lyrics sum up Shinji’s feelings and story.
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What Does the Tumbling Down Song Mean in The End of Evangelion?
As its title implies, this is a grim song about someone with crushing feelings of sadness, guilt, and self-loathing. Based on its lyrics, it’s clear that the song captures the depressive emotions of Shinji Ikari.
Meanwhile, the “tumbling down” lines of the chorus have a double meaning. Aside from reflecting Shinji’s emotional state, it is also a reference to the events of the Third Impact.
In the film, the Third Impact dissolves every human being into fluid LCL, to turn all of humanity into a single consciousness.
While this seems to be what Shinji always wanted at first, he decides in the end to reject Instrumentality and live on as himself.
Given how well it reflects the film’s themes and story, this song is a favorite of many fans. Is this also your favorite track, or do you have a different Evangelion song in mind? Let us know in the comments.
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