Welcome back to EVERYDAY EVA, the blog series where I aim to cover one episode of Evangelion every single day for Mecha March 2022!

Asuka is determined to prove her worth, but her partner is less than enthusiastic.

Asuka’s popularity explodes at school, and shortly thereafter she demands to meet the First Child (or Children, depending on your translation). Kaji, Ritsuko, and Misato also share their first moment on screen together. The lounge/bar will soon become a habitual meeting place for the adult staff. Immediately, we see how Asuka and Kaji’s respective presences shake up the scene at NERV. Power duos that we’ve endured several battles with have now become trios. The chemistry is entirely different, but the changes aren’t unwelcome by any means.

This colorful episode pairs well with the one that came before it. Seeing EVA-01 and EVA-02 planted legs up into the ground/sea is just the tip of the humor iceberg for Episode 9. The time skip to the outcome of their first encounter with the 7th Angel is reminiscent of Shinji’s encounter with the 4th Angel way back. Back to domestic life for a bit, Asuka’s crash-landing Misato’s apartment is one of my favorite Asuka scenes. It’s hilarious how their classmates have also made themselves comfortable at Misato’s place.

Asuka’ shocking realization of Rei being a better partner for Shinji is a hard pill to swallow. (Particularly as an Asuka stan, you know?) She defines her worth by being an EVA pilot, which Fuyutsuki expressly points out that their first goal should be the termination of the Angels. This will be more important for later. As for humor, the impenetrable Walls of Jericho line is pretty top-tier, especially once you realize she couples the line with her chest practically exposed, which delivers a mixed message altogether. Asuka is complex, and her determination to prove herself will cyclically come back to haunt her.

Thankfully though, their paired training pays off for now—and with a 62-second battle, no less. I always thought it was cool how they played the whole thing out in real time. Episode 10: “Magma Diver” plunges Asuka into even deeper pressure. We’ll see if she can handle the heat. Thanks for reading, and ‘til then!

– Takuto

Welcome back to EVERYDAY EVA, the blog series where I aim to cover one episode of Evangelion every single day for Mecha March 2022!

The Unit-02 pilot dazzles her way onto the scene, and Shinji’s world is dyed a brilliant red.

Oh boy, oh boy, it’s the loud German girl who I’ve been DYING to talk about. Anno doesn’t waste any time in introducing the genius red-headed pilot. Asuka is my favorite character from Eva. Her confidence and forthright commanding of our attention is inspiring to me, and I’m excited to be rewatching this series again if only to see her shine. Hands on her hips, yellow sundress rippling in the wind—Asuka sure strikes alright. And then Kaji shows up, and everything goes south. At least for Misato it does.

The naval flair and open seas set a new scene for Eva. Light-hearted dialogue and romantic digs also take root in the tone of the franchise, a unique blend of comedy and suspense which Evangelion 2.22 takes and perfects. Asuka’s bombastic pride at her EVA, her skills, her looks, her relationship with Kaji—everything related to her, really—becomes focal in this episode. Poor Shinji is forced into an extra Unit-02 plugsuit, dying the episode extra red. (Even the ED for this episode has a red filter over it!) While Tiffany Grant’s Asuka is ten times more brilliant, both the Bang Zoom and Netflix dubs keep her German dialogue in-tact. Tiffany Grant hams up Asuka in a way that is just as iconic as Allison Keith-Shipp’s loveably busty Misato. Yes, I’m biased to the old dub, and while I probably always will be, I do think the Netflix dub is more than serviceable. It’s great, even!

But back to the action, Asuka’s Unit-02 leaping between battleships is truly a visual highlight of the episode. (I recently bought an artist’s metal pin with the soaring EVA-02 depicted on it and “NERV” stylized in the NASA font. Remind me to show it on here one of these days.) When Unit-02 does sink into the ocean, Misato once again gets a crazy idea: Angel fishing! In this scene, Asuka also pulls up the trigger handles in the cockpit to an extended position, showcasing her heightened understanding of the EVA’s operations compared to Shinji’s barely-there tactics. She’s the ace, no doubt.

Episode 8’s beginning marks the end of the Prologue Arc and the beginning of the Action Arc (according to the production notes). We close out with more mysterious Gendo talk as well as a revelation of Kaji’s involvement with his secret plans. A new mystery is merely presented. Adam makes its way to Gendo’s hands, Asuka joins Shinji’s class, and from this point on we can expect battles against the Angels in every episode. Be sure to come back tomorrow for dinner AND a show with Episode 9: “Both of You. Dance Like You Want to Win!” Thanks for reading, and ‘til then!

– Takuto

Welcome back to EVERYDAY EVA, the blog series where I aim to cover one episode of Evangelion every single day for Mecha March 2022!

NERV’s brilliant women jump to the forefront as man insists on a doomed hope.

Ah, normalcy returns to Eva, if only for a brief period. Episode 7: “A Human Work” provides lots for fans: Misato’s signature drinking cheer, the Shinji coffee cup meme, sassy conference Ritsuko, and of course, Jet Alone. Misato really is the hero of this episode, which works out well given that Shinji and Rei were the focal point of the past couple episodes. Gendou makes some mysterious moves, but I suppose that’s become normal Gendou behavior to the viewer by now. Answers about the Second Impact (thanks to Ritsuko) conclude all the necessary information of the Prologue, which the production notes mark as Episodes 1-7. The levity of Episode 7 also allows for a low-stakes situation to boil into a high-stakes scenario, which leads us to the J.A. Project.

What stands out most prudently to this episode is confrontation between NERV and the government. “NERV’s claim to the throne won’t last forever,” the man leading the Jet Alone conference (named Tokita, but we don’t care about him) announces. I always despised the way he used his arguments against NERV’s incompetence as a way to dig at women in general. He’s awful, and I’m glad he’s made an absolute fool when Jet Alone inevitably fails. And oh how infamously it falls.

Misato officially wins her status as best girl when she slips into a plugsuit and boards Jet Alone’s nuclear interior to deactivate it manually. It’s such a Misato thing to do—such an Anno dilemma to create—and while I’m glad she pulled it off, I can’t help but want to side with Ritsuko a little. (In other words, it would totally show their asses if NERV just decided to let Jet Alone blow up in their faces.) For the best, however, Misato’s heroics pull through, and we are rewarded with a third morning of the queen crackin’ a cold one with the boys. Anno’s use of repetitive animation sequences sure works well in establishing a comfortable routine.

But don’t stay comfortable for too long—Asuka arrives in the next episode, and a new saga of battles opens for Shinji and co. And trust me when I say that the Unit-02 pilot is about to make WAVES. Thanks for reading, and ‘til next time!

– Takuto

Welcome back to EVERYDAY EVA, the blog series where I aim to cover one episode of Evangelion every single day for Mecha March 2022!

The strength of all of Japan is placed in a single shot—and Shinji will pull the trigger.

Shinji is hospitalized in the first minute of this episode—a great start for sure. The 5th Angel reveals its astronomically strong A.T. Field, and Misato is pushed to creating a miracle to take down the floating fortress. Her grand (and outrageous) plan entails channeling all of Japan’s power into a high-powered positron rifle. In going to borrow the prototype rifle from the JSSDF, EVA-00 comically lifts the lab roof clean open and lifts it out. The Rebuild opts for a more serious tone throughout, which makes sense given that Operation Yashima comprises the climax of Evangelion 1.11. Whether in series or film, a lot is riding on Shinji and Rei’s performance in their biggest mission yet.

The motif of heavy machinery becomes most recognizable when we see the lines of cable trucks, energy generators, and electrical batteries weave their way up through Mount Futago where EVA-01 is stationed behind the rifle. God is machine in the world of Eva. Miracles do not appear as magical glowing lights from the heavens, but instead manifest in the tireless effort and hard work of man. This episode, more than any other, is proof of what people are capable of when we are firing on all cylinders. A one-of-a-kind solution to a wholly unique problem. The night’s synergy is simply electric.

Back when I first watched Eva in 2015, it was this particular episode that convinced me that I was in love with the series. Explosive action. Dramatic staging. Powerful lighting (like in the mission briefing scene). Iconic lines (“You won’t die. Because I will protect you.” – Rei) The stakes are high, and Shinji must rise to the momentous occasion. It’s only once all the power in Japan has dwindled out that Shinji and Rei share a heart-to-heart conversation under the twinkling stars about what it means to pilot the EVA. Against the light of the moon, she bids Shinji farewell—a goodbye that he can’t live with. Their friendship after this episode is solidified, and we can’t help but smile along with the two of them.

Evangelion moves into a different direction following this pivotal arc. At the same time, many of the same themes are expanded upon. Man meets more machine in the very next episode, for instance, and just as Shinji thinks he’s got his feelings with women all figured out, Asuka makes her debut. Tune into future EVERYDAY EVA posts to follow this developing story! Thanks for reading, and ‘til then!

– Takuto

Welcome back to EVERYDAY EVA, the blog series where I aim to cover one episode of Evangelion every single day for Mecha March 2022!

As Shinji starts to grow more into his class, his eyes start to turn toward Rei.

The opening of Episode 5: “Rei I” is crucial because it almost perfectly mirrors the end of Episode 6: “Rei II.” That is, an Ikari is shown trying to manually twist open the scalding hatch on Rei’s Entry Plug. Again, Eva shows its mastery over two-episode story arcs. But before I get too ahead of myself, it’s cool that we get to see Angel remains up close and personal. I don’t think the Rebuild had any content like this. Actually, I’m positive that every Angel except for the 4th (AKA the Rebuild’s 5th) exploded into showers of blood in the Rebuild. Another stylistic change, for better or for worse.

Rei really is the focal point of the third story arc. Her actions are closely monitored by Shinji at school, during training, and even in her own apartment. (I’m sure I don’t need to elaborate on this iconic scene—a different kind of Angel encounter for sure.) We also get more of Kensuke and Tohji being obnoxious school boys, plus Ritsuko comes over to Misato’s for dinner. Unsurprisingly, Misato’s slobbish behavior is underwhelming to her intellectual superior. But, seeing Ritsuko without her signature lab coat and red lipstick shows how comfortable she is around Misato. You can tell they’ve shared many of Misato’s meals together in the past. (You’ll have to remember that I’m as much a Ritsuko fan as I am of the others, hehe.)

Do we want to talk about Rei’s apartment? I mean, it’s gross. Bloody bandages, water stains, and muddy footprints line every surface of the room, likely due to her not seeing the need to remove her shoes upon entry. The production notes suggest how Rei’s place is located in a complex in old Tokyo-2, meaning that it will likely be scheduled for demolition soon. Maybe that’s what the rhythmic metal churning sound is.

While Kiichi Hadame’s depictions of everyday life in this episode’s storyboards are surely welcome, perhaps Episode 5 is known more notoriously for the arrival of the 5th Angel, Ramiel. We’ll get our real showdown in Tokyo-3 in Episode 6: “Rei II,” though, so be sure to come back for tomorrow’s EVERYDAY EVA where I will gloat about the “operatic Angel.” Thanks for reading, and ‘til then!

– Takuto

Welcome back to EVERYDAY EVA, the blog series where I aim to cover one episode of Evangelion every single day for Mecha March 2022!

Shinji runs away, but to where does he go?

In the most aesthetically depicted, emotionally void, and passionately disconnected way possible, Shinji runs away into the Tokyo-3 landscape. The production notes for Episode 4: “Hedgehog’s Dilemma” point out that despite the EVAs not being active at all, it’s still a very Evangelion episode. It’s dramatic but sober. Moody but tactful. If you hadn’t picked up on this already, you’d quickly find out with this episode that much of Evangelion is centered around mood and tone.

The red-washed morning after Shinji sleeps on a public bench feels distraught, and I can’t help but wonder if it is THIS particular episode that inspired the entire village sequence of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. In other words, it’s a lonely walk through the natural world—one which both the child Kensuke of NGE and the adult Kensuke of Thrice Upon a Time share with a lost Shinji Ikari. The only difference is that Kensuke of NGE camps outdoors “for fun,” while the Kensuke of Thrice Upon a Time does it for a living, to protect others. A child’s reasoning vs. an adult’s. Shinji, meanwhile, remains a childish wanderer through the natural world across both cycles.

Then, just as Episode 2 did, we get a flashback explaining why Shinji left: Misato got mad at him for disobeying orders. When Shinji is brought back to NERV, Misato again rejects his childish behavior rather than punishing him as a “grown-up.” She just flares up and leaves. This explanation, which comes from the production notes, also explains how Misato cannot reach out to Shinji the way that she wants to. It would seem that the Hedgehog’s Dilemma is something both Shinji and Misato share. Thankfully, Misato realizes this about Shinji, and thus decides to go make amends. After sharing 50 seconds of neither talking to one another, the two make up at the train station. I think I teared up a little the first time I watched this scene, especially when Misato turns up and realizes that Shinji never left. “Welcome back, Shinji.”

The action returns to Eva in another 2-episode arc, starting with Episode 5: “Rei I.” Thanks for reading, and ‘til tomorrow!

– Takuto

Welcome back to EVERYDAY EVA, the blog series where I aim to cover one episode of Evangelion every single day for Mecha March 2022!

When Shinji is bullied for saving mankind, he doesn’t feel up to piloting again.

A new two-part story arc begins. Episode 3 opens with a strikingly deadpan Shinji as he engages in target exercises with Ritsuko. The Rebuild changes this sequence to occur in an auxiliary practice model cockpit instead of the Unit-01 in a cage, which I always found interesting. Three times, Shinji is shown submitting to the orders of others, a habit which Ritsuko diligently notices. She describes the Hedgehog’s Dilemma to Misato, which also makes me wonder if she has experienced his position before. Moreover, I love Ritsuko as much as the other main characters in Eva—cat figures, lipstick stains, and all.

Episode 3 introduces Shinj’s classmates, Tohji and Kensuke. I didn’t realize until now how truly smart Kensuke is. He knows all the right buttons to push with Tohji, such as leading Tohji to want to engage with Shinji so he can learn more about the Eva. Kensuke even has a unique silver laptop (compared to his classmates’ standard red), which leads me to believe he’s the type to bring his personal computer to school for his hobbies. It’s easy to want to play his relationship with Tohji off as simply the nerd and the jock. Kensuke also demonstrates his sociable side when he readily prepares Shinji’s phone number for Tohji, predicting full well in advance that his friend would want to apologize. Unfortunate for both parties, Shinji doesn’t appear to answer. Shinji is the hedgehog, after all. His spiky quills both protect him and isolate him.

An interesting observation during combat against the Fourth Angel is that, when Shinji draws the progressive knife and prepares for battle, he dons the same dead and tired expression that he wore in his target exercises. Perhaps, after enough practice, Shinji has already ingrained the sole drive to survive in his mind, and this is what that face looks like.

While fighting off the Fourth Angel prevents the apocalypse, it doesn’t do much to improve his standings with Misato, for in Episode 4: “Hedgehog’s Dilemma,” Shinji runs away. We’ll have to see where he goes tomorrow. Thanks for reading, and ‘til then!

– Takuto

Welcome back to EVERYDAY EVA, the blog series where I aim to cover one episode of Evangelion every single day for Mecha March 2022!

This is a weird episode—and it’s only the second one.

This episode is so great because of what it doesn’t immediately provide us with: an explanation of how Shinji “won” his first fight against the Angels. Instead, we get iconic hospital lighting and the “unfamiliar ceiling” motif. SEELE is shown in their goofy rainbow colored lighting and goofier dialogue (this is one instance where I prefer the Rebuild’s take). Then, Misato compliments the achievement that is air conditioning—a woman out for all our hearts, really. Really though, Misato’s optimism here will become pivotal to her character as it develops clear up through the final Rebuild film.

In fact, we see Misato’s influence radiate throughout all parts of this episode. She proposes to take Shinji in as a roommate, which shows her motherly side. Then she takes him to see the skyscrapers of Tokyo-3 rise back to the surface against the dazzling amber sunset. She’s the only one who provides Shinji with info about their world, and we can’t help but respect and sympathize with her. Pen Pen is introduced as the show’s true best character, further cementing Misato’s legitimacy at her trying to provide a welcoming home. Speaking of, I made a post a long time ago about how Misato’s apartment serves as a safe haven against the cruel outside world, and most of my opinions still stand today. Fun fact: The production notes say that no other people live in the apartment complex.

Capping off the end of this episode is a return to the events of the previous, and at last we get to see the fallout of Shinji’s plight and the manifestation of “The Beast.” Misato tries to quell his heart with kind words and a warm bath, but the damage is already done—and the bath only causes bad memories of his father to surface. The flashback narrative structure is not only unique but bold for a sequel episode. Also notice how, as Shinji lies in bed staring at yet another unfamiliar ceiling, we only hear the minutely subtle instrumental music of his SDAT player. It’s the sirens and pounding of the Angel’s lasers that segue us into the flashback sequence. Surely, Anno will continue to employ riskier avant-garde directing tricks in the future.

Shinji gets back in the robot for Episode 3: “A Transfer,” so be sure to return tomorrow for more Mecha March 2022 and EVERYDAY EVA. Thanks for reading!

– Takuto

Welcome to EVERYDAY EVA, the blog series where I aim to cover one episode of Evangelion every single day for Mecha March 2022!

A new series of posts to celebrate my love of Evangelion begins!

When I rewatch NGE Episode 1, “Angel Attack,” I can’t help but think about how solid of a groundwork it lays for the entire series. Scratch that—the entire franchise. The abundant electric poles, lush mountains, and gray machinery of NERV contribute to the Tokyo-3 in my mind. It’s not the largest city, but it’s plenty big enough to stage the location of where most of the series’ action will take place. And there’s a lot of action to come.

First though, the Angel attacks. Misato being more concerned about her wrecked car and ruined dress is peak character introduction for a woman who just barely survived a military bomb explosion. I love how she’s lost trying to navigate through NERV Headquarters despite using a map. According to the guidebook that comes with GKIDS’ Ultimate Edition Blu-ray (which I will simply reference from here on as the production notes), Misato has only marked the locations the two restrooms she uses most frequently! Also, Gendo’s assurance against the JSDF that “This is what NERV is for, gentlemen,” is such an iconic line.

The tension in Shinji’s debate about getting in the Eva, though often trivialized and memed to all hell, is actually quite gripping. Immediately, we see how Shinji is a character who acts based on feelings and the way others perceive him, not logic. He won’t do anything unless he knows he’s good at, and since he’s never before piloted the Eva, he fears failure along with abandonment (from his childhood). From this moment, Misato seeds the notion he mustn’t run away in her words (leaving him to spend the rest of the series grappling with why), and to everyone else, Shinji becomes but a means to an end, that end being their survival.

But those are some cursory thoughts on Episode 1: “Angel Attack.” I’ll be back tomorrow for more #MechaMarch content and another episode of Evangelion. ‘Til then, thanks for reading!

– Takuto