Rear Main Seal

Hey guys!

So im going to be doing the rear main seal on my 2.4L VRX Lancer Wagon. Disclosure, I have been doing other projects on my car and haven't actually looked at my car yet to determine my plan of action, but im fairly familiar with the engine bay layout. Air box is in the way, fusebox is in the way, battery etc. However, is it easier to take the transmission out from the top, or the bottom? AND if neither case is the solution to get to the rear main, worst case scenario, do I need to take the whole engine with the transmission out to do the rear main seal?

Whats the go to plan here?

Thanks in advance!