Neon Genesis Evangelion Forum

Man, it’s getting harder to write about the show at this point. I’m simply running out of superlatives to describe how much I’m enjoying it, especially at this point, because every episodes consistently delivering on the action, the character and the intrigue. And boy… Rei’s dead, now, too?! That was an explosive ending if I ever saw one. Nuking all of Tokyo-3 (like that’s not a historically loaded image, either). We’re in the home stretch now, I reckon. 20 odd episodes of build-up and now it’s all pay-off.  Prediction wise…   I'll call it that the Lance of Longinus is going to brought back into the fray at some point. It’s such a cool looking weapon for one, and it can’t just be floating there in orbit for the rest of the show, can it?

Asuka gets her own trippy introspective journey, here, as well as her period (coincidence?). Although, I still like to believe that she also had one in that earlier episode. Some have said that they don’t like her after this episode, but having played on many sports team throughout my life, I have to say I sympathize with the inferiority issues she’s going through. There’s nothing more demoralizing than trying your best and then consistently losing, regardless of your efforts - - especially when you’ve got a teammate who seems to be succeeding so effortlessly wherever you fail. Again, I concur with hitsusatsu11   about this entire series giving three dimensional depth to all its characters.

Actually, there’s something that’s been bugging me… is Asuka supposed to be half-Japanese? Because I’ve never encountered a fraulein named Asuka.   “Aska” definitely sound Germanic, minus the “u” (which is somehow silent) and Langley definitely is, but Asuka Soryu doesn’t look the least bit German.  I’m sure   ReVolutionOfEvangelion has an explanation.

Geez… Kaji’s dead (and I’m already missing the dude). Rei’s dead. This is starting to sound like 10 Little Indians. I suppose Nerv will have to listen to that Eva Pilot Recruitment drive being held in the forums.

-- Tom Pinchuk is the writer of UNIMAGINABLE for Arcana Studios and HYBRID BASTARDS! for Archaia. Pre-order the HYBRID BASTARDS! hardcover now on Amazon.com.

@Tom_Pinchuk: From what i gathered from the show she is half Japanese half German, from other sources (guide books) I believe she is also an American citizen. 
 
Soryu is a Japanese aircraft carrier from WW2, her rebuild name Shikinami is a WW2 destroyer 
Anno has used Japanese naval boat names for many of his characters-Ayanami, Akagi, Katsuragi all WW2 imperial navy ships. 

Asuka's mom is half Japanese, she was raised in Germany. And regarding her depression, she has always been someone whose motto is 'losing is not an option', so at the very first failure she gets frustrated. Losing equals weakness for her.

This is one of the most climactic intriguing in depth episodes. After the previous episodes tragedy with kaji we now are treated now to an in depth look at Asuka's past, and how it effects here emotions. What a tragic past little Asuka had, having an insane mother who treated a doll like her daughter, then witnessing her mother kill herself. But trust me he concept of Asuka's mother is not completely over yet, so don't put it out of your mind.  
 
The way Asuka interacts with Shinji reveal a lot about her true mentality, like when he answers the phone and she insults him but he brushes it off and she says "Damn him, I hate he way he ignores me" We can see things finally start getting to Asuka, her not wanting to bathe in the same water or even breathing the same air as Shinji and Misato, we can just tell she's headed for a mental collapse. I find it hilarious when she's ranting about hating shinji and misato and life that she has to add "And I hate that first child bitch Rei" Like Rei every did anything to her. It shows that Asuka has a deep ceded inferiority complex, and take others success as a personal threat/insult. Then of course, her synch ratio falls, compounding the problem.  
 
Misato's comeback to Ritsuko is hillarious "At least i don't fill the void in my life with cats" LMAO, way to break the mounting tension, at least for a brief moment. Note to more Freudian tones when Asuka complains about being a woman and having her period. Then the infamous elevator scene, where Asuka snaps on Rei and slapped her. Its interesting to see Rei say she is not a doll, but then say she would kill herself if ordered to. All in all I think Rei should have slapped some sense into Asuka at this point-maybe it would have straightened Asuka out. Note how Asuka calls the Eva her doll, similar to what her mother did when Asuka was young.  
 
Another great line is when Asuka launches against orders and Ritsuko says "If she screws this up that bitch won't be piloting anymore" The characters are really saying everything thats on their mind and holding nothing back now, as crunch time approaches. Then Asuka engages the angel and the mind rape begins, love the classical music playing during this. Asuka freaks out at even the prospect of someone seeing her as she truly is, so this is an especially traumatic experience. But still as Asuka says shed "Rather die than admit defeat". And she faces her terrible trauma head on. Note that Shinji and 01 were not sent out here to help Asuka, it is important. Asuka walking backwards on the tracks, then turning around and being trampled in her "vision" is very symbolic. Now Rei saving Asuka from the angel Arael is the worst possible thing for her pride and mental state, well have to wait and see how this effects her. 
 
Overall great episode, and if you liked this one the next one will not disappoint. 

You're going to watch End of Eva after you finish the episodes right?