WiC Watches: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Episodes 3 and 4: “A Transfer” and “Hedgehog’s Dilemma”

Episodes 3 and 4 double down on the life of Shinji Ikari, Evangelion’s incredibly conflicted hero. I mean, he is so conflicted that after he gets in the giant awesome robot to face down a newly arrived Angel, he turns and runs rather than fight. It’d be funny if it didn’t mean the potential destruction of humanity.

Eh, maybe it’s funny anyway. These two episodes are a little lighter than the first couple, insofar as anything can be light when it revolves around a character as dour as Shinji; but hey, at least he makes a couple of friends by the end of it: Toji and Kensuke, a pair of classmates who start off distrustful of the quiet new kid but come to respect Shinji after they witness him killing the Angel in battle…from inside the cockpit. Shutterbug Kensuke was out there capturing video of the battle. That was a stupid idea, but the kind of stupid idea a 14-or-so-year-old might make. I like the idea of these two bringing some reprieve to a very heavy show.

I also like the idea of Shinji having someone to talk to, because he really needs it. “I’m a coward!” he says of himself towards the end of the episode. “I’m dishonest! I’m a sneak! And a wimp!” Geez, someone does not love himself. I blame the parents. I know you think you’re too busy saving humanity from destruction to pay attention to your son, Gendo, but the kid’s a mess. He needs some hugs.

We saw with the first two episodes that Evangelion could deliver solid robot-on-monster fight scenes. Now we see how it does with interpersonal drama. Being Shinji Ikari is a miserable experience, but watching Shinji Ikari is more interesting. I get the idea that he’s not used to having anyone value him, so he doesn’t value himself.

But he does have people who will be there for him if he asks. In addition to Toji and Kensuke, there’s Misato Katsuragi, the chief operations officer at NERV and Shinji’s guardian. As Shinji points out, Misato isn’t family, but she’s still letting Shinji live with her at her messy apartment rather than live alone, and you get the sense that she sympathizes with the kid, even if her boundless cheer probably isn’t the way to break through to him. Anyway, she’s a fun character, particularly in how her professionalism at work is contrasted with her slovenly lifestyle.

Finally, I’ve gotta mention the show’s design again, not of the Evas but of the Angels. The first looked vaguely humanoid, but this one was a giant floating purple slip with a clam for a head and electric tendrils hanging down its side. There’s a lot of imagination behind these guys. I hope they keep getting stranger.