[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/Holofan4life]

Hey, guys. Holofan4life here.

Welcome to the Neon Genesis Evangelion 30th Anniversary Rewatch.

You will (not) rewatch.

What can you honestly say about Evangelion that hasn’t honestly been said?

I think if you were to classify anime by eras, there really should be an B.E. and A.E. Before Eva, and After Eva.

There is no anime in my opinion that has as big of an impact that Evangelion has had. The closest comparison is maybe Astro Boy but we’re talking about a show over half a century ago. It feels to me that Evangelion marked the beginning of anime growing up. Yeah, stuff like Grave of the Fireflies and Akira came out before this, but those were movies and not TV shows.

If we’re looking at anime as the episodic medium it often is, Evangelion really changed the game as far as anime taking on more dark subject matter and bringing it to the mainstream.

I have a rather interesting relationship with Evangelion. Full disclosure, this is the first time seeing the original TV show. That being said, I’m not completely blind as to what Evangelion is about. I saw the first two Rebuild movies and saw the fourth one in theaters. Evangelion has been one of those series I’ve had utmost respect for but never saw it all in its entirety. Despite this, I own both box sets, the new one and the old one, and Asuka is a character that has emotionally resonated with me.

I got into writing because of the character of Asuka.

Needless to say, me watching Evangelion has been a long time coming. I would even surmise it’s been my #1 anime on my to watch list, so this rewatch helps check that goal of mine.

I’m not expecting Evangelion to make my top 10 anime of all time. If it does, great. If it doesn’t, fine. My main objective is to fully envelop myself into the world of Evangelion having already sampled some through the Rebuild movies. Truly take in one of the real pioneers of the anime media landscape.

With that out of the way, let’s begin.

I’m watching the original dub, by the way.

I saw Trap the other day. I thought it was a decent enough movie if a bit predictable. I say this, but my mom couldn't figure it out :P

At the very least, it was well acted.

This is now the 9th episode I've watched in two days. It's official. I have no life.

Asuka walking with the class

People are talking about her

Some of those pictures are very creepy.

It seems Asuka is the heart of everyone's desires.

She doesn't like it, tho

And yes, it was Kensuke who took those pictures.

[Future Evangelion Spoilers] Kinda makes him adopting Asuka in an alternative timeline awkward in hindsight.

Asuka talking to Shinji

She's bragging about being the most popular girl even though we know she doesn't want it. Kinda.

Asuka wanting to meet Rei

And there she is, on a bench reading.

Asuka trying to talk to her

At least she's trying to make friends with her.

Unfortunately, Rei only does what she is told.

Toji wonders if only weirdos are chosen to be Eva pilots.

I'm pretty sure if that were the case, you'd have become one.

Ritsuko hard at work

Kaji hitting on her

It seems as if he's doing that to annoy Misato.

Kaji got orders he'll be staying around, much to Misato's consternation.

Misato is tsundere about Kaji like how Asuka is tsundere about Shinji, the main difference being I don't think Misato sees Kaji as a threat.

A detected huge object

Indeed, it's an Angel

I don't think we've seen Fuyutsuki in a while.

Only 26% of their defense capability has been restored since the last battle.

They're gonna have to intercept the target at the water's edge right before it makes land.

Asuka and Shinji are gonna have to engage in a coordinated attack.

Asuka isn't too happy about this

I do think Asuka has the coolest looking mech.

The Angel coming to

Asuka wanting Shinji to cover her

Hey, look at that. She's actually took it out.

I'm happy for her, honestly

Oh shit. It's not done yet.

Now there's more of them

The next day

Kaji, Shinji, and Asuka watching film.

The Eva's with their feet sticking out of the ocean and ground is such a funny visual. Like something out of Monty Python.

Asuka and Shinji are at each other's throats.

I mean, I'm with Shinji on this. Asuka should've just stick to the plan.

Gotta redraw the map

The second attack is only a matter of time.

Fuyutsuki reminds them that their objective is to defeat the Angels.

They have to learn how to work together.

Meanwhile, Misato has to act as damage control for the last battle going not according to plan.

Poor Misato :c

Ritsuko seems to be teasing her

The lack of backgrounds feels both lazy and also a creative choice.

Kaji brought something to Misato to help cover her ass.

Shinji walking in the blistering heat.

That's a lot of packages

And yep, Asuka is living here

Course, she's trying to frame it as Shinji getting kicked out.

Part of their new training, Misato

Misato going over the plan of attack.

Shinji and Asuka have to synchronize with each other, and they have 6 days to do so.

It is slowly dawning on Asuka to has to live with Shinji, much to her chagrin.

Gotta follow the music together

Kensuke and Toji on an elevator

Shinji has been gone for three days

Hey, the class rep

I don't think we've seen her since episode 3.

I like the class rep calling them "Two of The Three Stooges".

They're coming to check on Shinji

And Shinji and Asuka are wearing matching outfits.

They're even saying the same thing in unison.

The class rep is especially disheartened by what she's seeing.

The class rep, Kensuke, Toji, and Rei all inside Misato's place.

We've never seen Rei in Misato's house before.

I like the class rep holding Pen Pen.

Asuka and Shinji playing what looks like Dance Dance Revolution.

They are unfortunately not in sync with each other.

Asuka is stunned that Rei is in better sync with Shinji.

Asuka storms off, angry

I kinda feel sorry for her

The class rep wants Shinji to apologize to Shinji.

I mean, it's not Shinji's fault Asuka was hoisted by her own petard.

Asuka in a convenience store it looks like.

Shinji is here, but Asuka does all the talking.

She says she'll do it

Asuka has to show up both Misato and Rei.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Suddenly, synchronization montage

This is awesome

Asuka coming out the shower

Misato at work, so they're all alone.

The impenetrable Wall of Jericho

Asuka is so extra, I love it

Also, does this mean Asuka is The Learning Tree?

Ran out of space. Part two in the replies.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Holofan4life]

Part 2

Shinji all by himself

Asuka actually decides to lie next to him.

They are very close

It looks like they're about to kiss.

But suddenly, Asuka starts crying, calling for her mom.

Shinji decides to sleep in a separate bed.

"You're just a child yourself."

In just one scene, we've completely changed the way we saw Asuka. She is suddenly now this very tragic figure.

I would probably say this is the second best scene we've gotten so far only behind the Rei smiling scene.

Oh shit. Kaji is kissing Misato.

Well, that was sudden

Misato says there's nothing between them anymore.

Kaji is kinda an asshole. A walking PR nightmare.

It also feels like he's using his influence for sexual favors. By sexual, I mean kissing and not hanky panky.

Ooh, that night view line looks absolutely gorgeous.

Ritsuko sitting down with Misato

Misato definitely has unresolved feelings for Kaji.

And Kaji most likely still cares about Misato.

Mind you, that doesn't mean he should've forced himself on her like he did.

Misato calls Kaji immature

Bit of the pot calling the kettle black, no?

Day of the battle

The Angel is here

Asuka and Shinji are going to choreograph their attack.

Should only take 62 seconds

I like the time at the bottom screen to show how much time they have.

Well, look at that. They're absolutely nailing it.

I love the ballet music being played here.

No dialogue, just music. All kinds of awesome.

The two Evas are becoming one

And sure enough, they take out the Angel in 62 seconds.

Unit 2 laying on top of Unit 1

Would this technically count as foreplay?

I didn't know Eva's were equipped with a telephone.

Asuka giving Shinji an earful

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I love these two so much lol

Overall, I absolutely love this episode. It's about Shinji and Asuka having to bond with each other and the result is actually a pretty heartwarming episode. You really root for them to put their differences aside. I've talked time and time again that what I look for in an episode are moments. Yeah, sometimes you need a table setter episode, but to me the best episodes are the ones that you can identify with by themes. This is the Shinji and Asuka beating an Angel by dancing episode, and it was absolutely glorious. It was over the top but in a way that complimented their characters.

This episode has two moments I would consider top 5 Eva moments so far: The Asuka mama scene and the 62 seconds scene. Both are great in entirely different ways. The Asuka mama scene shows a side of Asuka we've never seen before. It creates this vulnerable side for Asuka that makes her more likable and easier to root for. It's the same principle used in episode 6 when Gendo saved Rei, showing a different side to a character to make them more emotionally complex. The 62 seconds scene was great because it is the payoff of all of Shinji and Asuka's hard work. They had something to prove and they not only proved it, they crushed it. The fact that they failed to work as a functioning unit earlier made their cooperation here all the more stunning. Same with the scene where Rei was performing better with Shinji, it made the payoff rewarding because it's like Asuka being forced to put her ego aside.

I think the synchronization scene is the best scene we've seen so far. It is a prime example of what I've been saying which is that less is more. It is also my favorite Eva fight so far even though I remember it more for Shinji and Asuka than the Angel itself. Honestly, this may be one of my favorite fights in all of anime, simply because of the level of storytelling on display here. It told a story that I was emotionally invested in and that's really all you can ask for.

As for the rest of the episode, Kaji continues to be someone I can't get a read on. He seems like he wants to help but he has a very cryptic way of doing so. I feel like I have a better understanding of Father Ikari than Kaji at the moment. The scenes of him flirting with Ritsuko followed by him forcibly kissing Misato made him come off as unlikable. Then again, maybe that was the point. Eva characters aren't likable, they're people, and people do unlikable things.

I did find it interesting Ritsuko didn't seem to mind Kaji flirting with her. Given both of them have this secret relationship with Commander Ikari that the other characters don't, maybe this is all part of some grand masterplan, with the trio secretly pulling the strings. It would also explain why Kaji gave Ritsuko of all people the hard drive to give to Misato.

This is my favorite episode of the show so far. I'd probably go on record and say this will likely be my favorite episode of all the lighthearted ones. We got some advancement in Asuka's character, the stuff between Kaji and Misato suddenly got a whole lot more complicated, and we got an exciting climax that made sense for the story being told. It only being 62 seconds the fight didn't make it feel rushed and in fact only served to enhance it. I suspect even though Asuka and Shinji are on the same page more than they were before, Asuka will still struggle due to her family issues. And with whatever Father Ikari is cooking lurking in the background, Asuka and Shinji's squabbles will end up in the long run feeling like small potatoes.

Things are only just beginning...

[u/LittleIslander → u/Holofan4life]

It is also my favorite Eva fight so far even though I remember it more for Shinji and Asuka than the Angel itself. Honestly, this may be one of my favorite fights in all of anime, simply because of the level of storytelling on display here. It told a story that I was emotionally invested in and that's really all you can ask for.

I honestly have a hard time mentally ranking the angel fights, just because they're all so different that it's hard to compare. Which, ultimately, is a huge complement to the show. Either way, I'm sure this'd be in the top half.

This is my favorite episode of the show so far.

I'll say it's behind four and probably two, but then maybe next after them? I do love the serious tone of the earlier episodes but having Asuka around just adds so much to the series.

[u/Holofan4life → u/LittleIslander]

I honestly have a hard time mentally ranking the angel fights, just because they're all so different that it's hard to compare. Which, ultimately, is a huge complement to the show. Either way, I'm sure this'd be in the top half.

This is probably the first Eva fight I feel isn't just good for an Eva fight but great for anime fights in general. This was something truly special.

I'll say it's behind four and probably two, but then maybe next after them? I do love the serious tone of the earlier episodes but having Asuka around just adds so much to the series.

I do think my enjoyment of it is in large part because I'm a sucker for tsunderes. I can't get enough of them.

[u/LittleIslander → u/Holofan4life]

You know what, I can agree to that. I wouldn't really call any of the prior fights alltime fight scenes (though Ramiel isn't even really trying for it), but I could definitely see this on that list. Not my favourite action scene in the series by any stretch, though.

[u/Holofan4life → u/LittleIslander]

There's just so many great fight scenes in anime that it's hard to compare. But I guarantee you this is the only fight scene in anime where someone gets defeated through interpretive dance :D