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 shoulders the secrets of Misato’s past to become a hero against their biggest threat yet.

About 12 episodes into NGE, we start to get answers about why the world is the way it is and what happened during the fabled Second Impact. More locally, however, we begin piecing Misato together as more than just a tool for fanservice. Knowing about her traumatic incident with the First Angel helps explain her steadfast ambition to defeat the Angels. It’s a personal vendetta, one that she keeps even from Shinji. Later, when Misato proposes the idea to “catch” the massive 10th Angel, her willingness to toss away everyone’s lives to accomplish the mission suddenly makes sense. I never liked how Kensuke and Tohji chastised Shinji and Asuka for not noticing Misato’s promotion, though. Like, they are pilots literally risking their all to save the world, and the only thing they can say is how “self-centered” they are? Not sure how well that sits with me.

This episode also advances Shinji as a protagonist. Not only are his harmonics tests improving, but he is also acknowledged by Commander Ikari for his accomplishments on the battlefield. It’s critical to note his confession about piloting—that he pilots the Unit-01 to hear his father’s praise. Shinji also does a lot to put Misato’s mind at ease for the operation, such as responding enthusiastically to her baiting of the children with the promise of a steak dinner. (Asuka’s commentary on the Second Impact generation here is one of my faves in the series.) If you ask me, he’s much more in tune with the real Misato than his friends are. Shinji is the only person who Misato can come clean to. It’s pitiful that she puts so much stress onto a child, but the effect does yield a Shinji with renewed bravado. In Episode 12, Shinji is the hero, along with Asuka, Rei, and their Major Katsuragi.

Asuka’s surprise to change the meal destination to accommodate both Misato’s bank account and Rei’s food preferences (NO MEAT) shows a kind of growth in her character, too. She’s hard headed, but not entirely closed off from the social world as Shinji is. This might change later. Scratch that, it will. But for now, let’s enjoy the celebratory ramen while it’s hot.

As more Angels fall upon the world and our pilots rise to meet the challenges, the Action Arc nears its climax with every victory. Episode 13: “Lilliputian Hitcher” turns our view back on Ritsuko and the science team at NERV. What they discover about the nature of the Angels might reveal a new insight to the enemy. 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!

A total blackout threatens the safety of Tokyo-3. Thankfully, a little elbow grease saves the day.

Episode 11: “The Day Tokyo-3 Stood Still” is the episode where, as one anituber put it, “Everyone kicks ass.” And it’s my favorite episode for this very reason. The number of directorial Anno-isms that litter this episode are insane, from people completing each other’s dialogue in parallel scenes to all of the visual iconography of Eva being smashed into one glorious 20-minute stretch. It’s so, so rare to see the NERV staff off the clock. Likewise, I find that it is only when people are stripped of the comfort and convenience of routine that their true character is revealed. Here, every character’s quirks are drawn out to their fullest as they each react to the blackout, and the combined pettiness of everyone’s flaws and attitudes is both humorous and genius. Plus, this episode genuinely questions the way we rely too much on scientific civilization, another trademark theme of Anno’s. Many will argue that this is one of the series’ weakest episodes. I, however, would contend that this is Evangelion at its peak.

The manual loading of the entry plugs is one of the most valuable takeaways from this episode. Ritsuko, Gendo, Fuyutsuki, and everyone else at NERV place all of their faith in the pilots’ eventual arrival. And, while our kids take more time than they probably should getting there (largely due to Asuka’s denial of Rei’s intuition of navigating HQ), they eventually show up to save the day. Teamwork is essential to this episode, and the mechanical operations of preparing for combat are reminiscent of the climactic showdown in Episode 6—including a similar blackout situation! The stakes, while not the highest they’ve ever been, are certainly elevated by the lack of the resources we’ve been so accustomed to using. Even Misato is MIA from the operations room. Our usual processes will not work here. Instead, the pilots and NERV staff have to put their differences aside and come together to create a plan of attack. This is where Asuka starts to pull her weight as their true captain.

And of course, a desperate situation wouldn’t be complete without some relief saved for the end. Ritsuko and Maya opening the elevator to Misato and Kaji riling on the floor in pain is simply perfect. Likewise, Asuka’s denial of Shinji’s philosophical questioning of the Angels—chalking mankind’s lack of understanding as part of the natural order of things—only further perpetuates their mysterious origin. Where they came from and why they are attacking are of little consequence to someone like Asuka—as long as she can pilot, her purpose is concrete. Maybe Shinji will figure out why he pilots someday soon, but for now, it’s times like this where staring up into the stars is the only proper way to end a long day’s work.

This is probably the only episode that I know by heart, word-for-word, and my feelings about it haven’t changed one bit since I first watched it. It’s such a comfortable episode, which isn’t something I can say for most of Eva. Looking ahead, a significantly more dire Angel attack threatens the safety of humanity in Episode 12: “She said, ‘Don’t make others suffer for your personal hatred,’ so don’t miss it! 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!

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