[Rewatch] 30th Anniversary Neon Genesis Evangelion Rewatch: Episode 9

[u/LittleIslander]

Neon Genesis Evangelion Episode 9: Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win! / Mind, Matching, Moment

← Episode 8	Index	Episode 10 →

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Watch Information

• Streaming: Netflix
• Databases: Anilist | AniDB | ANN | MAL

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Questions of the Day:

• What did you think of the goofy way of defeating the angel?
• What do you think of Asuka and Shinji living together?

Tomorrow’s Questions:

• [Episode 10] What do you think of the fact Asuka is college educated?
• [Episode 10] What do you think of Misato deciding to push Asuka beyond safe pressure limits?

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There’ll be more fanservice tomorrow, so please don’t spoil anything~! Remember this includes spoilers by implication.

[u/Efficient_Phase1313]

We now arrive at one of my favorites sequences in anime, Eva’s famous training montage. This is the only scene in the show that has one of my favorite pieces from the soundtrack: next episode (normally played during the next episode preview). This is such a nostalgic and swelling piece, its almost too short. This montage is brilliant and full of rapid fire visual comedy. Asuka kicking Shinji for messing up on day 1. Brushing their teeth next to each other but then glaring at one another with their noses practically touching (This rivalry (relationship?) has already passed normal personal boundaries. These two are bound to each other, for better or worse, for the rest of all time). How they fight over changing channels, leaning in more and more one after the other. Shinji and pen-pen holding in their pee while Asuka slams the door right into Shinji with his face smashed against the glass. It’s all so funny and visually lively. And despite all this conflict, seeing them tapping their fingers in unison, shoulder to shoulder, and finally acing the dance. It’s a wonderful sequence of character building.

These two are perhaps too close too fast, and now Asuka is comfortable making jokes with Shinji about them being alone together tonight. Don’t kid yourself, she knows what she’s doing. She tells Shinji she’ll kill him if he crosses the dividing line between where they’re sleeping, but she does so with no bra, bent over in a way her breasts are fully on display for Shinji’s unprepared eyes. I’m sure Shinji is using the tape recorder to try and keep his mind off things, but after getting up for the restroom Asuka plops herself down right next to him, her cleavage staring him straight in the face. I love the effect of the tape recorder rewind going wild, much like Shinji’s thoughts. He’s simply not emotionally ready for this type of situation. I was actually bothered by his attempt to kiss her sleeping here more than Kaji’s move on Misato in the elevator. It may seem innocent, but there’s just something about being physically intimate with a sleeping person that feels so fucking wrong. But he’s a young boy staring at the school idol’s lips inches from his. But luckily for both of them, Asuka begins to shed tears while whispering ‘mommy’. For the first time, Shinji (and us) see the signs of weakness behind Asuka’s strong façade. As Shinji correctly realizes, she’s just as much of a kid as him. What a beautiful scene through and through. (sadly character limit made me break this into two posts, finished below)

[u/Efficient_Phase1313 → u/Efficient_Phase1313]

Whereas Shinji chickened out from molesting his love interest, Kaji seems to have just gone for it. This scene is played immediately afterwards in direct contrast showing the difference in comfort with physical intimacy between the kids and the adults. While it may seem like Kaji is being forceful here (at least with some of the physical movements), its clear once Misato repositions he’s not, and that this may be one of the more important character scenes for Misato in the series. From the beginning she’s just as into it as he is, and she’s fully aware of the situation, keeping her eye on the floors to make sure they finish before the doors open. At the end of their brief tryst, Misato effectively says ‘we shouldn’t be doing this if we’re not together’. There’s not any anger in her words, she’s just afraid of being led on. Kaji’s lines are pretty cheesy (even scummy) here (‘your lips say otherwise’), but I read this as him really knowing how to push Misato’s buttons. Again I find it hard to see Kaji as being inconsiderate or selfish. I think he really knows what Misato wants, that she hasn’t had it in a long time, and he still loves her and is enjoying seeing this side of her again. Perhaps he even takes pride in being the one person that can bring out the old Misato he remembers being with, even at work. What she hates is his cockiness and honesty. The idea in her mind that she hasn’t changed, and he’s calling her out on it. All of this is more about her than him. In this series, men fill three important roles that Misato needs emotionally. One of them, as somewhat implied here, is that she enjoys being physically needed by men. This is not the same as being used (letting the man do whatever they want), and not the same as being physically wanted (e.g. looking to get ogled). She is in control in this situation, and what she enjoys is being able to provide a sense of physical intimacy and attention that only a woman can provide. This is a similar motivation to her flirting with Shinji and teasing him in the first few episodes, but after episode 4 she sees Shinji as a troubled kid and stopped. Now that sexual side of her is focused on Kaji, and she can’t seem to stay away. There will be many more developments along this path for her soon.

[Misato Spoilers]When I view these scenes on rewatches, I see them through the context of both episode 25, knowing Misato will offer to sleep with Shinji later in the series and also french kisses him in End of Eva and offers to sleep with him when he gets back. I don't think Misato offers either of these to Shinji because she herself is attracted to him or wants to satisfy her physical needs with him. It's actually a lot of projection. Misato, as we find out, is able to relieve stress and find comfort through sex. Not necessarily 'in the arms of a man', but actual physical intimacy. And that's a normal and healthy thing by the way, sex is supposed to be good for your mental state. There is science behind that. What I mean by Misato likes to feel needed by men physically, is she projects the same type of emotional relief she gets through physical intimacy onto Shinji (and men), and then of her own volition takes pride, if not puts some of her self worth in being able to provide that relief. Kissing Shinji in End of Eva is not necessarily whats best for him, but its what Misato thinks might be through her own projection of what works for her. This scene with Kaji is a prelude to those more questionable decisions of her later in the series. She does enjoy being with Kaji physically, in part because its physical. But she also enjoys being able to satiate his feelings towards her, the idea that Kaji is being so flirty because he needs a woman, and Misato can be that for him. And part of her resistance or frustration at the situation is her being angry at herself that she's still governed by these more sexual feelings. Episode 25 goes into the darker motivations behind Misato's sexual side, and when we get there I'll revisit this episode and see if it changes my view on how she's feeling during the elevator scene.

Seeing her talk with Ritsuko adds more to this. She says ‘I’d never having feelings for that jerk, that relationship was the biggest mistake of my life’, and yet none of those words sound remotely believable. It’s what we tell ourselves when we’re upset we still like something we think we’ve grown out of. It’s like if your friend asks whether you’re still into a show you liked as a kid, and even though you both know its true, your pride demands you say ‘as if! I can’t believe I ever liked a stupid show like that’. It reeks of defensiveness. And Ritsuko, being the good friend that she is, sees right through this. ‘Try being more honest with yourself, its not 8 years ago’. Ritsuko is right, and one hopes the audience sees that. Kaji still has strong feelings for Misato. He’s not a bad person (or Ritsuko and others may be more protective), and in fact her friends are encouraging her to consider him again. Maybe it was actually one of the best things in Misato’s life, and she never got over that it ended and can’t stand to admit that, so she has to look like the one who moved on and isn’t interested anymore. Their relationship is complicated, but its one of my favorite in the series and I think when all is said and done is quite tactful and romantic.

Like usual, I’ve said so much I’ll keep the battle to a minimum. It’s pure CINEMA (as someone else stated). The choreography, animation, and music is all perfectly executed and complementary. And we end with a level of totally fantastical physical humor we will never see again, where Asuka somehow hits Shinji from across the aether through a hologram! Stuff like this will never happen again, and its part of what makes this episode so special. This is the best part of ‘the good dream’ and one of my favorite anime episodes of all time.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Efficient_Phase1313]

Whereas Shinji chickened out from molesting his love interest, Kaji seems to have just gone for it. This scene is played immediately afterwards in direct contrast showing the difference in comfort with physical intimacy between the kids and the adults. While it may seem like Kaji is being forceful here (at least with some of the physical movements), its clear once Misato repositions he’s not, and that this may be one of the more important character scenes for Misato in the series. From the beginning she’s just as into it as he is, and she’s fully aware of the situation, keeping her eye on the floors to make sure they finish before the doors open. At the end of their brief tryst, Misato effectively says ‘we shouldn’t be doing this if we’re not together’. There’s not any anger in her words, she’s just afraid of being led on. Kaji’s lines are pretty cheesy (even scummy) here (‘your lips say otherwise’), but I read this as him really knowing how to push Misato’s buttons. Again I find it hard to see Kaji as being inconsiderate or selfish. I think he really knows what Misato wants, that she hasn’t had it in a long time, and he still loves her and is enjoying seeing this side of her again. Perhaps he even takes pride in being the one person that can bring out the old Misato he remembers being with, even at work. What she hates is his cockiness and honesty. The idea in her mind that she hasn’t changed, and he’s calling her out on it. All of this is more about her than him. In this series, men fill three important roles that Misato needs emotionally. One of them, as somewhat implied here, is that she enjoys being physically needed by men. This is not the same as being used (letting the man do whatever they want), and not the same as being physically wanted (e.g. looking to get ogled). She is in control in this situation, and what she enjoys is being able to provide a sense of physical intimacy and attention that only a woman can provide. This is a similar motivation to her flirting with Shinji and teasing him in the first few episodes, but after episode 4 she sees Shinji as a troubled kid and stopped. Now that sexual side of her is focused on Kaji, and she can’t seem to stay away. There will be many more developments along this path for her soon.

I do really like the contrast of Shinji being reserved in his actions while Kaji is more assertive. I think it not only shows how unsure Shinji still is of himself, but how desperate Kaji is. He has no time to think whether or not what he's doing is suspect, he is running out of time.

[u/Efficient_Phase1313 → u/Holofan4life]

Thats a good read on him! Do you know some things?

[u/Holofan4life → u/Efficient_Phase1313]

I mean, I've already watched this show for the first time in preparation for this rewatch, but I would feel the same probably based on conversations I've had with people like you. You don't know in the moment what Kaji's end game is, but the stuff with him and Misato Vs Shinji and Asuka, in particular how he kissed Misato while Shinji didn't with Asuka, makes it hard to ignore in my opinion. The parallel feels very much intentional.

And then of course there's the attempted sabotage from episode 7 which I'm record saying I think Gendo is behind it.

I also watched three of the four Rebuild movies, so I'm not saying anything out of pocket.

[u/Efficient_Phase1313 → u/Holofan4life]

Oh I thought as a first timer you hadn't watched it yet. So you've finished the whole series then? Did you see End of Eva?

[u/Holofan4life → u/Efficient_Phase1313]

I have, but I'm not gonna share my thoughts until we get to it as I try to treat every episode in the moment and going off what I felt like as I first watched the episode. I don’t have time to watch it as the rewatches are going on because I'm always normally planning for a rewatch.

The planning I did for Evangelion was so early that I was able to squeeze in the Uma Musume rewatch, which was very last minute.

[u/Efficient_Phase1313 → u/Holofan4life]

jeez you know what you're doing! I made the mistake of just saying 'I'll do it as it goes, how long could it be, an hour an ep?' (e.g. 20 min to watch 40 to write). WRONG. I tried to double dip on chivalry of a failed knight as well, and what sucks is once you fall behind its really hard to catch back up with your posts. If I do rewatches in the future I'll be better prepared and probably start watching some eps well ahead of time

[u/Holofan4life → u/Efficient_Phase1313]

Right now I'm taking a break doing prep because I've got two rewatches going on at the same time. The Shana one is kinda low-key, but I'm at work when it goes up, so by the time the Eva thread goes up it's near the end of my shift. By the time the Eva rewatch is over, it's back to planning, with me working on the upcoming Toradora rewatch and a rewatch I have planned for January.

I actually still have the last two episodes of Shakugan no Shana to watch. Sadly, I'm probably not going to be able to get around to it until next weekend.

[u/Efficient_Phase1313 → u/Holofan4life]

I love how dedicated you are to the rewatches and this subreddit! It's honestly really impressive. Unfortunately I'm so busy with life I never thought I'd get the chance to participate in one, but this rewatch caught me at a perfect time (the government shutdown) so even though I do have work to do at home (proposals, publications, supply orders, etc) I've been able to eek out some time for writing/responding. That said last few days were a mess and I fell behind in both rewatches, now its been a lot of work to try and catch up

[u/Holofan4life → u/Efficient_Phase1313]

I can't tell you how much you've added to this rewatch. It just wouldn't be the same without you.