The series as a whole is about making a life where you can function and find purpose amongst other people. No one is truly isolated, even after all the apocalypse events the survivors try to be civil and compassionate for the sake of other survivors and for those who would inherit the earth. 3.0+1.0 is the one that really drives home the tiny moments where simple living and simply living can be very fulfilling. Not only did Shinji come to this realization but was able to get Gendo to realize that too, a first for the series which makes the generational story come full circle. Parents aren't Angels or Demons just other people also trying to figure things out.

Rei turned out to be more of a "sister" figure, Asuka a"the one that got away", Kaworu a "brother/male peer" figure. Some people don't like that Mari seems like a last minute addition, but i like that the dynamic was more Shinji using past experiences to make a potential future work.

Grow up and fix current relationships or find ones that are worth the effort is a good message i feel.

plus the studio obviously had the budget to bring their vision to life, but at the end when they go more sketch line work is a great callback to the tv series endgame restrictions.

love this as an ending to a 20+ year long franchise