I presume the question posed was based on the 
cost of an original production cel of Rei. 
Not any repro -whether hand painted or machine 
painted by Gainax or any other. 

I'm not disputing that the wonderful repro (- and 
it is darn nice cel) is the most economical way 
to get some acetate.

If one insists on a production cel - then - yes - 
you are destined to fork over the big bucks 
unless you can con some gulible sap out of their 
treaured cels for a song.