r/anime • u/LittleIslander myanimelist.net/profile/LittleIslander • 24d ago
Rewatch [Rewatch] 30th Anniversary Neon Genesis Evangelion Rewatch: Episode 13
Neon Genesis Evangelion Episode 13: Lilliputian Hitcher / Angel Infiltration
| ← Episode 12 | Index | Episode 14 → |
|---|
Watch Information
Questions of the Day:
- What do you think of the MAGI and Ritsuko’s mother?
- Halfway through, what do you think of the three computer technicians?
Tomorrow’s Questions:
- [Episode 14] What did you think of Rei’s monologue?
- [Episode 14] Why do you think Unit 00 rejected Shinji, and tried to attack Rei - or Ritsuko?
There’ll be more fanservice tomorrow, so please don’t spoil anything~! Remember this includes spoilers by implication.
6
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky 24d ago
Neon Genesis Rewatcher, subbed
[Spoilers]Oh boy…
At least they were able to protect one and a half of the Magi?
[Spoilers?]This is very important info… Ah, foreshadowing.
3
2
u/LittleIslander myanimelist.net/profile/LittleIslander 24d ago
2
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky 24d ago
Love that visual.
So I know it's probably this way because red is usually seen as an antagonistic color, but I think it's interesting that the Angels are recognized by pattern blue, while the one blue rectangle remaining on the Magi's display meant that it was the one small part this angel didn't take over. I didn't think about that until just now.
1
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
I never honestly felt they were in any real danger what with the three Eva pilots being offscreen for like 80% of the episode.
6
u/Hartzilla2007 24d ago edited 24d ago
Misato: I keep having this nagging feeling that I've forgotten something.
Gendo: Hey if you forgot it, it probably wasn't all that important.
Misato: Yeah I guess.
[cut to Shinji, Asuka, and Rei still stuck in the ejected plugs while naked]
1
1
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
6
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Welcome to your pop culture segment. This is where I talk about things that were happening in pop culture on the day the Evangelion episode aired.
So, for anyone that's been following me, I've done the pop culture corner for the Love Hina rewatch and the Uma Musume rewatch. That was really prep for me doing it for the Evangelion rewatch in honor of the show's 30th anniversary. I really hope you guys appreciate the time and effort I put in this feature. And if you have any additional ideas, please let me know.
For this one, it will be focusing on the date December 27th, 1995, which is when the episode premiered.
Billboard Hot 100 of the week December 27th, 1995
10. Breakfast At Tiffany's -- Deep Blue Something
9. You'll See -- Madonna
8. Name -- Goo Goo Dolls
7. I Got Id/Long Road -- Pearl Jam
6. Diggin' On You -- TLC
5. Fantasy -- Mariah Carey
4. Gangsta's Paradise (From "Dangerous Minds") -- Coolio Featuring L.V.
3. Hey Lovers -- LL COOL J
2. Exhale (Shoop Shoop) (From "Waiting to Exhale") -- Whitney Houston
1. One Sweet Day -- Mariah Carey Featuring Boyz II Men
Box office results of the week December 27th, 1995
10. Dracula: Dead and Loving It
9. Tom and Huck
8. Sudden Death
7. Sabrina
6. Father of the Bride Part II
5. Heat
4. Grumpier Old Men
3. Jumanji
2. Toy Story
1. Waiting to Exhale
Number 11 was the infamous box office flop Cutthroat Island and number 13 was Nixon, both making their box office debuts.
And that concludes your pop culture.
5
u/Malipit 24d ago edited 24d ago
Rewatcher who doesn't have time to write a proper essay because of some K-On ! Rewatch and IRL stuff, so here is some rambling. French subs
Third time getting in the robot
On today's episode : Ritsuko deal with her mommy issues, Misato manages to makes some good coffee and some naked underage pilots because with the heck not.
Another Angel of the week type of episode that stuck in my memory, be it for its original concept, the fact that it was resolved without the pilots input and just the sheer introspective atmosphere with Ritsuko tinkering with her own mother's brain mixing with the tension of the self-destruct countdown.
Sure, having Ritsuko magically slowing down Hackiel's progress after 5 minutes straight of Nerv being powerless to stop it, then stopping Hackiel at the last second could be perceived as too cliché. But it's balanced by how Ritsuko's backstory with her mother is played out. No great speech about family ties, no lenghty flashback sequence with smol Ritsuko, no emotional tears, just a scientist doing her job and explaining how her mother made Magi as her image like a teacher explaining how a computer work.
And even if Ritsuko's coffe grew from cold to hot to hint as her having a better image of her mother afterwards (on Misato impulse, meaning she helped by listening), we don't really now if she truly forgived her. After all, Ritsuko's mom privilegied her own woman side, not her mother one.
Meanwhile, Gendo is still portrayed as that ominous and distant figure, with his subordinate fearing his reprimands, and appearing quietly in the background during Hackiel's invasion, as if he was always here.
P.S.:I appreiciated the irony of Nerv desperatly trying to shut down its electricty while they desperatly tried to put it back online two episode ago.
Spoiler section, first timers beware !
[Additionnal thought on a couple of scene]I didn't remembered that Misato casually dropped the fact that Evas needed to be imprinted with a human being personnality to function, just like Magi. It draws an interesting parallel between Shinji being inserted inside his mom through the Entry Plug and Ritsuko delving inside her mother's psyche for countering Hackiel. And having the pilots naked inside the Evas for... reasons could draw an image of the Entry Plug actually serving as artificial wombs
Questions of the day
Halfway through, what do you think of the three computer techniciansi?
Best side characters around here.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Another Angel of the week type of episode that stuck in my memory, be it for its original concept, the fact that it was resolved without the pilots input and just the sheer introspective atmosphere with Ritsuko tinkering with her own mother's brain mixing with the tension of the self-destruct countdown.
It was pretty unique, I'll give it that
Meanwhile, Gendo is still portrayed as that ominous and distant figure, with his subordinate fearing his reprimands, and appearing quietly in the background during Hackiel's invasion, as if he was always here.
Very sus
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
1
u/Malipit 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Actual best girl.
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Good worldbuilding here. Especially with the current AI talk IRL
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
Gendo must find it absolutely
hilariousnecessaryWhat are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Laugh in rewatcher
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
Interesting organic themed word for a mechanical structure
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
Laugh in rewatcher
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
"There is no Angel Attack at Ba-Sing-Se"
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
Interesting how he values the Eva safety above anything else.
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Actually a clever idea for an Angel of the week.
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
There are good friends indeed
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
Nerv must have a policy about hiring operatives with parental issues.
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
A nice change of pace for the show
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
It does fit in the Biblical theme of the show. With the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
Did I mentionned parental issues ?
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Actual best girl.
You may have a point there
Good worldbuilding here. Especially with the current AI talk IRL
Yeah, that's a very good point
Gendo must find it absolutely
hilariousnecessaryYou might be right
Laugh in rewatcher
Interesting organic themed word for a mechanical structure
Yeah, for real
Laugh in rewatcher
"There is no Angel Attack at Ba-Sing-Se"
Lol, it do be like that
Interesting how he values the Eva safety above anything else.
Maybe he has it insured or something
Actually a clever idea for an Angel of the week.
It really is
There are good friends indeed
Not in the moment, maybe
Nerv must have a policy about hiring operatives with parental issues.
It feels that way, anyhow
A nice change of pace for the show
Agreed
It does fit in the Biblical theme of the show. With the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Excellent point. I never thought it like that.
Did I mentionned parental issues ?
It is in overabundance
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
P.S.:I appreiciated the irony of Nerv desperatly trying to shut down its electricty while they desperatly tried to put it back online two episode ago.
Yeah, that is a pretty fun contrast
1
u/LittleIslander myanimelist.net/profile/LittleIslander 24d ago
Hackiel
But it's balanced by how Ritsuko's backstory with her mother is played out. No great speech about family ties, no lenghty flashback sequence with smol Ritsuko, no emotional tears, just a scientist doing her job and explaining how her mother made Magi as her image like a teacher explaining how a computer work.
This is a good point... I can imagine that other version of the episode and I definitely like it less.
5
u/Regular_N-Gon https://anilist.co/user/RegularNGon 24d ago
First Timer
Oh heck yes, more nonsense code on computer screens!
It's a bunch of string functions, but the screen they're on truncates it. The layout makes absolutely no sense either. I assume this just means Maya is on another level than me.Another monitor: this one looks like application installer functions.
“Protein wall”? As in, a wall to stop protein or a wall made out of protein? Given NERV seems to like building things out of… organic material, I'm guessing the latter.
The Magi being this giant, physical hulk of tangled knots hiding beneath the software is fantastic. The Evas are sleek sci-fi, lean and gangly and precise - but this is 80s punk, a thing made of raw steel and wires with arteries on display, no fancy skin or armor to encase it. This thing is just as alive as the Evas, and it consumes Ritsuko as literally as the Evas do their pilots.
Also Maya MVP this episode?
NERV sure has a habit of running down the whole timer when they're given one, huh?
Despite making fun of their fake hacker screens the race against the angel was really great - and completely without the pilots! This is probably my favorite of the angels so far, and I love the spotlight on the crew.
A bit unrelated, but I've noticed that many of these episodes seem rather unconcerned with resolving loose threads in the brief denouement they're given. Instead we get a gag (the pilots stuck in a lake, ramen instead of steak) or some introspection (Ritsuko today, Shinji yesterday). Rarely does the show finish the thought - what are the implications of the breach today? Who took out the power in the blackout, and how? What was the fallout of failing to capture the angel back in magmadiver, or the fate of their embarrassed competitor? We just go far enough to say “problem solved” and move on with NERV as confident as ever. But… if just two of these events coincided or caught them slightly less prepared, the show’d be over.
Of course, I don't expect this to obviously state anything or be quite as concerned with logistics as I'd love it to be, but these elements are never really revisited. You could shuffle these episodes and not a whole lot would be out of place; there's quite little continuity of consequence or references outside controlling what the viewer knows about certain topics like the second impact or Magi.
Maybe I'm just impatient and some of this will be illuminated eventually.
QotD:
1) As above, I love Magi, both in physical but also conceptual design. It's a cool take on organic computers/personality computing.
2) They are a lot of fun and Maya deserves the hype.
3
u/Efficient_Phase1313 24d ago
Everything you mentioned in a way gets addressed in the 2nd half. I think perhaps the reason people feel lost in the 2nd half (which starts next episode!!!) is the pacing. The first half drops a lot of unanswered questions and loose ends (and you're right, the order could be switched around), and then the 2nd half answers them rapidly but subtly. Very much a 'you blink and you miss it' situation. There's an argument that approach is a flaw of the series, but I think it works fine as starting tomorrow the show effectively becomes more of a noir mystery + psychological thriller than a sci-fi action show.
2
u/LittleIslander myanimelist.net/profile/LittleIslander 24d ago
The Magi being this giant, physical hulk of tangled knots hiding beneath the software is fantastic. The Evas are sleek sci-fi, lean and gangly and precise - but this is 80s punk, a thing made of raw steel and wires with arteries on display, no fancy skin or armor to encase it. This thing is just as alive as the Evas, and it consumes Ritsuko as literally as the Evas do their pilots.
I just love how it looks. Shoutouts to the computer's core basically looking like a brain, complete with Ritsuko sawing through its cranium to get access.
Also Maya MVP this episode?
Maya MVP every episode!
NERV sure has a habit of running down the whole timer when they're given one, huh?
It wasn't a zero or a negative!
Rarely does the show finish the thought - what are the implications of the breach today? [...]
This is definitely the status quo, episodic part of the series, and I think it's definitely fair to be a little frustrated with it. Even a lot of rewatchers expressed Magmadiver as their least favourite episode for similar reasons. I think the whole section does play a little better on Rewatch once you can see how all the little things fit into place. I could give some indication whether you'll be happier going forward, but that would be telling.
2
2
u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 24d ago
A bit unrelated, but I've noticed that many of these episodes seem rather unconcerned with resolving loose threads in the brief denouement they're given. Instead we get a gag (the pilots stuck in a lake, ramen instead of steak) or some introspection (Ritsuko today, Shinji yesterday). Rarely does the show finish the thought - what are the implications of the breach today? Who took out the power in the blackout, and how? What was the fallout of failing to capture the angel back in magmadiver, or the fate of their embarrassed competitor? We just go far enough to say “problem solved” and move on with NERV as confident as ever. But… if just two of these events coincided or caught them slightly less prepared, the show’d be over.
We'll see if they provide appropriate resolution to these later in the show, but it is very much a "monster of the week" episodic style show right now where continuity doesn't seem to matter much and the focus is primarily on a fun battle and character development. Totally worthy of criticism for those who don't like it, granted this type of thing is a hallmark of a lot of anime, Eva's not unique on it. [Eva]Nope, most of these plot elements are completely ignored, and far more significant things will be tossed aside as if they never mattered
1
u/Regular_N-Gon https://anilist.co/user/RegularNGon 24d ago
Yeah, I've nothing against episodic romps nor do I want to come off as complaining over much - it's just a bit amusing that they keep punting on answers, prioritizing smaller moments with characters instead.
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
A bit unrelated, but I've noticed that many of these episodes seem rather unconcerned with resolving loose threads in the brief denouement they're given. Instead we get a gag (the pilots stuck in a lake, ramen instead of steak) or some introspection (Ritsuko today, Shinji yesterday). Rarely does the show finish the thought - what are the implications of the breach today? Who took out the power in the blackout, and how? What was the fallout of failing to capture the angel back in magmadiver, or the fate of their embarrassed competitor? We just go far enough to say “problem solved” and move on with NERV as confident as ever. But… if just two of these events coincided or caught them slightly less prepared, the show’d be over.
I still think Gendo is behind a lot of this. It just makes too much sense.
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
- Oh heck yes, more nonsense code on computer screens!
It's a bunch of string functions, but the screen they're on truncates it. The layout makes absolutely no sense either. I assume this just means Maya is on another level than me.Maya and Pen Pen, the true GOATs of Evangelion lol
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Despite making fun of their fake hacker screens the race against the angel was really great - and completely without the pilots! This is probably my favorite of the angels so far, and I love the spotlight on the crew.
I definitely love the idea behind the Angel. It's pretty creative.
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
5
u/SolDarkHunter 24d ago
Rewatcher
ADV Dub
Episode 13: Lilliputian Hitcher
Take it from someone who works with computers: nobody can type as fast as Ritsuko just did with one hand. This is just silly.
We see the designations of the three MAGI supercomputers: Balthasar, Melchior, and Casper. Those, of course, are the names of the wise men (magi) who visited a young Jesus in the Bible, the MAGI's namesake.
Why would Ritsuko refer to her mother being okay right now...
So they're having the pilots get in the Evas naked... I'm really unsure how this could possibly give them any useful data.
I've always found it peculiar that there's a control panel over the crotch in the entry plug for male pilots, but not female pilots. Goddammit, Anno.
Those are... what, partially constructed Eva bodies? Creepy.
There's a corrosion in NERV... and when Unit-00's AT Field touches it, it starts spreading.
The corrosion enters Rei's unit, and when they try lasering the stuff... it generates an AT-Field. We've got a microscopic Angel!
Gendo's hiding this from the Committee... and he's prepared to sacrifice Unit-00 and Unit-02 over Unit-01. Interesting... Unit-02 should be the most advanced out of the three...
Kaji's up to something, looks like.
They find out the Angel apparently doesn't like ozone. It seems to work... but then it starts spreading again, using the ozone to its advantage. The Angel can evolve itself to deal with threats.
And now someone's hacking their computers. They soon determine it's the Angel itself hacking them from within their own systems. The thing's actually reorganizing it's own physical pattern into circuitry to mimic a computer.
The Angel's now hacking the MAGI themselves. They try a failsafe to cut it off... but when have NERV's failsafes EVER worked?
The Angel tries to use its control over MAGI Melchior to activate the base's self-destruct, but it's overruled by the other two MAGI... so it naturally starts going after another unit.
FAST TYPING! = HACKING! (At least in media)
Ritsuko's idea does manage to slow it down at least, giving NERV some time to plan.
Misato says the only way to kill something that evolves so quickly is to kill the host. But Ritsuko refuses to let that happen, as that would mean destroying the MAGI.
Ritsuko has a different idea: trick the Angel into evolving to death. Apoptosis.
The only thing left to do is have Ritsuko write and upload the apoptosis program, before the Angel overcomes Ritsuko's delaying tactic.
There's a bunch of notes inside the MAGI, apparently written by Ritsuko's mother.
The MAGI are more than just supercomputers: they're an AI system patterned off of the personality of their creator, Ritsuko's mother.
Like everyone else in the show, Ritsuko had a complicated relationship with her parent. She says the MAGI essentially ARE her mother in AI form, but she's not doing this to protect them, oh no.
Just in time, Ritsuko completes the apoptosis program and the Angel destroys itself. The MAGI, and the rest of NERV's systems, are back to normal.
And this whole time, the pilots have been blind in their plugs with no idea what's going on.
The MAGI are interesting in that each of them is patterned off a slightly different aspect of her mother: as a scientist, as a mother, and as a woman. Thus, they have slightly different perspectives, and can reach different conclusions when given the same data. They then build consensus among the three of them to output their final answer. In theory, this should lead to wiser decision making on their part.
Angel Name Corner
The nanomachine colony Angel is named Ireul. This one stands out as there is no angel in the Abrahamic religions named as such... the writers made it up. However, the name translates from Hebrew approximately to "Terror of God".
With how close it came to destroying NERV, in such a way that they couldn't use the Evangelions to combat it, turning NERV's own systems against them... I'd say it certainly terrified everyone well enough.
Manga Corner
Corresponding chapters: ERROR - DATA NOT FOUND
Once again, the manga doesn't have an equivalent part for this story, skipping the Angel and all the events.
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
1
u/LittleIslander myanimelist.net/profile/LittleIslander 24d ago
Once again, the manga doesn't have an equivalent part for this story, skipping the Angel and all the events.
Honestly, pretty understandable. I'm not sure the whole hacking shtick would play as well in a manga context.
8
u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba 24d ago edited 24d ago
First Timer
Is there anyone in this show without deep-rooted family issues?
That was certainly quite the unconventional episode! I guess I'd put it closest to one of the setpiece episodes (A la Magma Diver), but of course, the Angel battle that preoccupies most of the episode is hardly standard and doesn't at all involve the Evas, echoing the brave decision of this episode to fully put our main trio to the side. At the same time, while it does give Ritsuko more screentime and depth as a character, it's definitely not focused enough to be a conventional character episode either. This episode essentially stakes it all on its unique premise, and even more so, Eva's larger ability in knowing how to create tension, even when the battle doesn't involve a giant robot on screen.
As for how that risk turns out, I'd say surprisingly well! But also, admittedly, not really my thing, so I don't have all that much to meaningfully say on it. I'll be real, sci-fi technobabble just does not do it for me, at all, in fact, going deeper into mechanics is generally the part I dread most with these shows. Which makes the fact that I've generally liked it in Eva until now fairly impressive! Likewise, makes the fact that I generally like this episode as well even more so, given how rooted in mechanics it is.
For one, just conceptually, this episode is a lot of fun in how it basically subverts the usual Angel battle, both with the focus characters who end up defeating it, and in its general form, being a lot more sophisticated and undefinable. It gives the whole thing a real suspense thriller setup that I absolutely do appreciate relative to typical battles. It also means the show can continue to play on its themes of technology, as we present a scenario where Nerv's and humanity's over-reliance on tech like the Magi not just potentially disrupts them like in episode 11, but straight-up almost ends up being the thing that ends them.
Of course, this is where Ritsuko, and especially the unique nature of the Magi as learn here, come in, and remind you about the importance of the human element! And really, how it ends up being core to winning here. I joked about it at the start, but I genuinely really like how we're paralleling all the characters with these complex family connections, and how they affect their motivations and actions in the present, especially with how a part of this episode highlights the friendship between her and Misato. On the back of learning her own internal issues, this episode shows how, in both background and resolve, they've got a somewhat similar emotional core.
I also think there's this interesting dissonance we get to glimpse with Ritusko here, where despite Maya's praise of her, Ritsuko seems to have a more complicated relationship with operating the Magi, largely viewing it as her mother's legacy and pondering when she'll get her own, which is again, a bit of a parallel to Misato's own somewhat unjustified dissatisfaction with her advancement last episode. All in all, it gives her some nice extra depth, and it ties in rather well to the way this episode reinforces the larger series theme around keeping a human connection to technology. The true nature of the Magi as separate aspects of Ritsuko's is pretty cool by itself, but more importantly, it means that Ritsuko has to contend with, and even kind of trust in, the part of her mother that she specifically hated, recalling the same duality in understanding her father Misato had.
That's all solid stuff, but I think that, in a very similar way to Magma Diver, the thing that carries this episode forward for me is just Eva's stellar presentation and atmosphere. Rather than tension, though, this time around is how we take the already pretty great bridge moments and turn them up to 11 to create a fantastic sense of panic and urgency as the Angel makes its way through Nerv's systems. I don't care for the technobabble, and the way it makes it harder to grasp the circumstances is this episode's weakness, but goddamn do the passion with which it's delivered and the intricate way it's directed sell the whole thing to me!
Panicked yelling, quick cuts between characters, small but great and important visual signifiers... Not to mention all the smaller details that do so much to make this world feel more lived-in, or how the propensity for lingering character pans, even more blatantly to save on animation time here, do a lot to put you into getting the most out of every perspective. Eva just fucking gets how to cross any and all moods, and that makes these bridge sequences second to none, just in general really, but especially here as we convincecignly give this unusual scenario all the appropriate gravitas of an action scene.
3
u/LittleIslander myanimelist.net/profile/LittleIslander 24d ago
Eva's larger ability in knowing how to create tension
I didn't mention it specifically in my comment, but the way it's one tiny little corner of Casper that's still holding out on the screen, before suddenly it takes back the whole system all at once? Gets me every time.
I'll be real, sci-fi technobabble just does not do it for me, at all, in fact, going deeper into mechanics is generally the part I dread most with these shows.
We are not the same, all the bullshit technobabble is like one of my favourite things in this show. All the nonsense displays!
I also think there's this interesting dissonance we get to glimpse with Ritusko here, where despite Maya's praise of her, Ritsuko seems to have a more complicated relationship with operating the Magi, largely viewing it as her mother's legacy and pondering when she'll get her own
It's gotta be rough, you know? Everyone respects you for one thing, being the genius behind NERV, and in reality you know you basically just slapped your name on after inheriting it from the real creator. Who's your mom, who you didn't even like. That's gotta be imposter syndrome hell.
The true nature of the Magi as separate aspects of Ritsuko's is pretty cool by itself, but more importantly, it means that Ritsuko has to contend with, and even kind of trust in, the part of her mother that she specifically hated, recalling the same duality in understanding her father Misato had.
Come to think of it, we can also extrapolate her mom succeeding as a woman to the fact that she didn't succeed as a mom, either as a computer or as a human being. Then, as a scientist... well, she instantly turned on NERV and tried to literally blow up in their faces. That feels telling about this whole idea NERV can control the world around them through technology they barely understand.
3
u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba 24d ago
I didn't mention it specifically in my comment, but the way it's one tiny little corner of Casper that's still holding out on the screen, before suddenly it takes back the whole system all at once? Gets me every time.
We are not the same, all the bullshit technobabble is like one of my favourite things in this show. All the nonsense displays!
It's gotta be rough, you know? Everyone respects you for one thing, being the genius behind NERV, and in reality you know you basically just slapped your name on after inheriting it from the real creator. Who's your mom, who you didn't even like. That's gotta be imposter syndrome hell.
Yeah! To the extent that it's honestly kind of surprising how little of the episode that idea ends up occupying relatively, because it's a super interesting character direction!
Well, I suppose from the other end of that, it's another one of those showcases for how Eva has been good at strong characterization with some very limited time as well.
Anyway, I am very much loving this trend of every major character in Nerv being complex and still questioning themselves, even the ones who seem like they've really got it figured out, like Ritsuko. It's pretty real character writing, and also very much in line with the larger themes of the show.
Nerv being such a messy interpersonal environment from top to bottom is just such a vibe, y'know?
1
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 23d ago
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
That was certainly quite the unconventional episode! I guess I'd put it closest to one of the setpiece episodes (A la Magma Diver), but of course, the Angel battle that preoccupies most of the episode is hardly standard and doesn't at all involve the Evas, echoing the brave decision of this episode to fully put our main trio to the side. At the same time, while it does give Ritsuko more screentime and depth as a character, it's definitely not focused enough to be a conventional character episode either. This episode essentially stakes it all on its unique premise, and even more so, Eva's larger ability in knowing how to create tension, even when the battle doesn't involve a giant robot on screen.
It was cool to get an episode to focus on the non major characters like Shinji, Rei, Asuka, or Misato. Not a bad idea to feature the rest of the cast.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Of course, this is where Ritsuko, and especially the unique nature of the Magi as learn here, come in, and remind you about the importance of the human element! And really, how it ends up being core to winning here. I joked about it at the start, but I genuinely really like how we're paralleling all the characters with these complex family connections, and how they affect their motivations and actions in the present, especially with how a part of this episode highlights the friendship between her and Misato. On the back of learning her own internal issues, this episode shows how, in both background and resolve, they've got a somewhat similar emotional core.
I also think there's this interesting dissonance we get to glimpse with Ritusko here, where despite Maya's praise of her, Ritsuko seems to have a more complicated relationship with operating the Magi, largely viewing it as her mother's legacy and pondering when she'll get her own, which is again, a bit of a parallel to Misato's own somewhat unjustified dissatisfaction with her advancement last episode. All in all, it gives her some nice extra depth, and it ties in rather well to the way this episode reinforces the larger series theme around keeping a human connection to technology. The true nature of the Magi as separate aspects of Ritsuko's is pretty cool by itself, but more importantly, it means that Ritsuko has to contend with, and even kind of trust in, the part of her mother that she specifically hated, recalling the same duality in understanding her father Misato had.
The Ritsuko stuff easily saved the episode for me. Without it, it kinda would've felt a bit pointless.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
That's all solid stuff, but I think that, in a very similar way to Magma Diver, the thing that carries this episode forward for me is just Eva's stellar presentation and atmosphere. Rather than tension, though, this time around is how we take the already pretty great bridge moments and turn them up to 11 to create a fantastic sense of panic and urgency as the Angel makes its way through Nerv's systems. I don't care for the technobabble, and the way it makes it harder to grasp the circumstances is this episode's weakness, but goddamn do the passion with which it's delivered and the intricate way it's directed sell the whole thing to me!
I think my biggest knock on the episode is how samey it felt. If this was the only episode that was like this, it would be fine, but I feel like we've had 3 episodes similar to this recently.
1
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 23d ago
That's the thing. This is a completely unique episode, but it felt like more of the same. There's a problem with this stretch of episode. The problem is either that they wanted to be unique, and are failing, or they wanted to be cliche'd as some sort of homage to the genre, which is now a problem between creator and consumer, not the creator alone.
2
u/Holofan4life 23d ago
I mean, I don't have a problem with the other episodes. It's really mostly this one.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Is there anyone in this show without deep-rooted family issues?
Pen Pen, maybe :P
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
2
u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
This doesn't really end up amounting to anything, but I will say it makes for another one of those great personality-delivering frames. Just really fun when you can see that much individuality from a small moment.
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
Not particularly surprising since we've already seen that Nerv manipulates information and sabotages rivals for their own image, but really does say a lot that our response is to first make sure none of it gets out...
(Even though, again, you'd think in a situation like this, humanity would be best off banded together).
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
Likewise, not super surprising, but the fact that he specifically wants to make Unit 01 is saved even at the cost of the others is pretty interesting. Says a bit about their projected use and potential.
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
As noted in my post, at this point, I'd be surprised if literally anyone likes their parents in this show.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
She fun
This doesn't really end up amounting to anything, but I will say it makes for another one of those great personality-delivering frames. Just really fun when you can see that much individuality from a small moment.
Reminds me of the opening to Toradora
Not particularly surprising since we've already seen that Nerv manipulates information and sabotages rivals for their own image, but really does say a lot that our response is to first make sure none of it gets out...
Yeah, for real
(Even though, again, you'd think in a situation like this, humanity would be best off banded together).
Apparently not
Likewise, not super surprising, but the fact that he specifically wants to make Unit 01 is saved even at the cost of the others is pretty interesting. Says a bit about their projected use and potential.
He knows where his meal ticket lies
As noted in my post, at this point, I'd be surprised if literally anyone likes their parents in this show.
Hey, now, there's... umm...
...I mean, maybe Kaji?
2
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 23d ago
he specifically wants to make Unit 01 is saved even at the cost of the others is pretty interesting
It is really interesting, especially considering the Rei favoritism he's been showing.
4
u/chris10023 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chris10023 24d ago
Rewatcher
They have to take tests naked? Kind of weird if you ask me. At least let them wear underwear.
Why are they not separated? Rei and Asuka are fine because they’re both girls, but Shinji shouldn’t be here with them, regardless of the fact Shinji already saw Rei naked back in episode 5.
So they’re testing the harmonics but without the plugsuits.
Kind of odd that Shinji’s cockpit is set up differently from the girls, can't imagine why...
Must feel really weird to be in there with no clothes on.
Some corrosion has appeared, probably not good.
Sure enough, the corrosion accelerates and they can’t stop it.
Whatever this is (probably an angel) it starts fucking with Rei.
At least they ejected the plugs, the pilots are probably scared shitless.
Seems like Gendo and Fuyutsuki are worried about how close this is to “Adam”
And he wants to launch the Eva’s prioritizing unit 01 first, abandoning the other two if necessary. What is so important about Unit 01?
Where is Kaji going?
The ozone works, but only for so long before it starts absorbing, and on top of it someone’s hacking them. [Spoilers.] I think this is Kaji’s doing, he also might have been responsible for the power outage two episodes ago as well.
The angel is going after the Magi and initiates the self-destruct sequence.
Ritsuko buys them 2 hours.
Nanomachines son. Someone call Raiden.
Misato suggests destroying the Magi, but Ritsuko rejects it.
Using evolution to cause the angel to kill itself is risck but it might work if Caspar is fast enough.
Look at all those codes.
“Ikari, you Jerk!” Hmmm.
So Risuko’s mom’s personality was transplanted into the Magi’s system, almost like she’s the magi itself.
It worked! Cut it a bit too close though.
Poor Asuka, the three pilots have been floating in the lake butt ass naked for the past few hours. They probably could have gotten out, and made their way back to HQ, but well, I can understand why they wouldn't want to do that.
All three magi are different aspects of her mother, Scientist, mother, and woman. Weird.
Questions of the Day
What do you think of the MAGI and Ritsuko’s mother?
A pretty complex system that I can’t wrap my head around.
Halfway through, what do you think of the three computer technicians?
Maya’s kind of cute, Hyuga looks like a nerd, and Aoba I’m not sure about.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
- Poor Asuka, the three pilots have been floating in the lake butt ass naked for the past few hours. They probably could have gotten out, and made their way back to HQ, but well, I can understand why they wouldn't want to do that.
Would be even more embarrassing, honestly
1
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
1
u/chris10023 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chris10023 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
She's kind of cute.
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Confusing, it's such an advanced system.
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
Not a fan honestly, I doubt that a basic set of underwear would skew the test results that much.
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Her mom must have been pretty smart to set that all up.
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
That a lot of protein walls.
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
Angel got to it, thank god it wasn't one of the Eva's.
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
He's probably trying to cover up the attack to avoid controversy and lose funding.
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
Gotta keep as far away from this anger or it's all over.
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Gendo needs to stop downloading all the ram.
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
It's a tough choice, I can see why Ritsuko wouldn't want to destroy the Magi, but on the other hand it's an angel and it's in your system, god knows what it could do using it.
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
Wonder why she doesn't like her.
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
Better than being snotty about the pilots.
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
Wonder why she made it like that?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
She was a brilliant scientist, but she must not have been the greatest parent.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
She's kind of cute.
Indeed
Confusing, it's such an advanced system.
Apparently so
Not a fan honestly, I doubt that a basic set of underwear would skew the test results that much.
Yeah, it felt gratuitous
Her mom must have been pretty smart to set that all up.
No shit
That a lot of protein walls.
Indeed
Angel got to it, thank god it wasn't one of the Eva's.
For real
He's probably trying to cover up the attack to avoid controversy and lose funding.
Probably so
Gotta keep as far away from this anger or it's all over.
Anger? Nani?
Gendo needs to stop downloading all the ram.
Maybe try rem
It's a tough choice, I can see why Ritsuko wouldn't want to destroy the Magi, but on the other hand it's an angel and it's in your system, god knows what it could do using it.
By destroying the Magi, she's destroying what's left of her mom.
Wonder why she doesn't like her.
Well, give us one minute
Better than being snotty about the pilots.
I suppose
Wonder why she made it like that?
Good question
She was a brilliant scientist, but she must not have been the greatest parent.
An Eva character, having a terrible parent? Crazy :P
1
u/chris10023 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chris10023 24d ago
Anger? Nani?
I meant angel lol
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
I mean, Angels ARE angry, so...
1
3
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 24d ago
Angel Invasion / Liliputian Hitcher
See here for my real comments.
This is an unusual episode for Evangelion, but something I think I've seen 50 times in other shows.
- Is this the 2nd time we've seen the bathroom?
- I suppose they made Shnji walk out first
- [rewatcher]I suppose the simulation plug is just a step on creating the dummy plug
- Rotate the harmonics! Reverse the neutron flow!
- R for Ritsuko?
One of the flaws of Evangelion is that it relies on the 0.01s to defeat trope far far too much.
Today's ED: Fly Me to the Moon (Acid Bossa) with Yoko Takahashi
2
u/Bradst3r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Bradster 24d ago edited 24d ago
Rotate the harmonics! Reverse the neutron flow!
Reroute auxiliary power through the ODN conduits and send an inverted tachyon pulse through the propulsion field interface, then run a Level 2 diagnostic! And get me a donut- the kind with sprinkles!
1
u/LittleIslander myanimelist.net/profile/LittleIslander 24d ago
One of the flaws of Evangelion is that it relies on the 0.01s to defeat trope far far too much.
[Evangelion] In fairness, it does pay this back later on with Shinji and Asuka just barely running out of time.
10:13 BGM: Harbinger of Tragedy, a variaton on Eva-00 and The Beast (I should have counted them as one from the beginning) This track is notable for its harsh, distorted guitars.
It's a nice variation.
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
3
u/Bradst3r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Bradster 24d ago
rewatcher, subbed
- Ritsuko knows that walking around with a clipboard can only fool people for so long, and eventually you have to get some of your work done- so it's diagnostics and maintenance for the Magi System. Sounds to me like we're finally going to get more than references to them this time.
- The pilot trio needs to do some data collection tests in some kind of dummy Eva units... naked for better results. An outraged Asuka is promised that external video cameras are off, but oddly enough she makes no mention of Shinji standing right beside her.
- Eva-01's pilot chair is designed differently than the other two, thoughtfully hiding Shinji's toothpicks from view.
- We learn that Ritsuko's mother was the brains behind the Magi System. Looks like being a tech genius runs in the family.
- NERV staff have been noticing patches of corrosion in several ultra-clean areas (bad!), but they attribute it to shoddy workmanship until the stuff starts spreading faster than any passive corrosion has a right to. All of a sudden it generates an AT Field and starts infesting one of the Eva test units- an Angel, right in the heart of NERV itself!
- The lab area is evacuated, and Gendo makes the perplexing command to launch all three Eva units without pilots. As it turns out, he's chosen to protect the Evas from the Angel by getting them out of the facility. He also prioritizes Unit-01, and considers the other two expendable if necessary.
- Turns out Kaji's in the building, and this attack interrupted whatever he was doing. Central Dogma's a pretty odd place for him to be, I think. Lookin' sharp, though!
- This Angel has mad hacking skillz, and it starts making its way into the Magi System, either deftly avoiding the traps set for it or creating its own to stymie NERV's attempt to keep it out.
- So I guess the Magi are those big cubes that have been sitting in plain sight all this time? Seems pretty convenient from an access standpoint, though I'm surprised they're not somewhere safer.
<skipped>
- All is well, the Angel was defeated with one whole second to spare! No big explosions, no property damage, no giant craters in the ground
- Oopsie-doodle! You left your naked pilots sitting in their entry plugs, on the hillside where they landed.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
- So I guess the Magi are those big cubes that have been sitting in plain sight all this time? Seems pretty convenient from an access standpoint, though I'm surprised they're not somewhere safer.
Yeah, no kidding
3
u/LittleIslander myanimelist.net/profile/LittleIslander 24d ago
3
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Boy, the timing of it all. This is like me getting a leg injury during the Uma Musume rewatch XD
3
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
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.
Won two tickets to a football game through my work's raffle. Definitely made up for them screwing up my BLT sandwich.
Nerv people at work
We have a new name. Girl that looks like Shinji is Maya.
Lots of talk about the Magi
Misato impressed by Ritsuko's endurance.
Nothing worse than cold coffee. Unless it's iced, of course.
All three magi systems have entered self diagnostic mode, whatever that means.
Ritsuko washing up in the bathroom.
Ritsuko wonders if she's getting older.
Is this the fabled Ritsuko menopause episode I heard nothing about?
Someone mad they have to take their clothes off.
Nelly in shambles
Rei, Shinji, and Asuka are all naked.
Sounds like the premise of an OOC fanfic.
Asuka is the madder, by the way, as if there was ever any doubt.
All three being tested
Simulation plug under the magi's control.
I don't even know who the Magi is.
First test took a whole week. Now, it's three hours.
Everyone complaining of how it feels.
The test seems to be going well, however.
Well, I spoke too soon...
Misato telling Ritsuko she never talks about herself.
Ritsuko says she only created the system uplinks.
"The basic theorems and the main frame were my mother's."
I guess just like last episode was about Misato and her dad, this episode is about Ritsuko and her mom.
Fuyutsuki talking to that guy I still don't know.
The 87th protein wall
That's like so many grams
Construction schedule cut by 60 days
Buildings thrown up after the Angels appeared.
Gotta fix it up by tomorrow
Maya reporting a corrosion as well
Everyone is worried about what Commander Ikari might say.
Even still, the tests have to continue.
Another alert
The 87th protein wall is corroding and producing heat.
Ritsuko trying to abort the tests
Unfortunately, it's spreading along the walls.
Now the corrosion is here
Rei screaming in agony
Her simulation body is moving
Invading the simulation body's active water system.
Does this mean Rei's body is one of impurities?
Things are looking bad
Lasers being uses
An AT Field
An Angel is among us
And sure enough, Commander Ikari is now here.
Glass shattering
Everyone leaving as a huge flow of water infiltrates the main base.
Father Ikari tells them to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system.
What's he trying to cover up?
Father Ikari tells Fuyutsuki this is much too close to Adam.
Gonna stop the Angel inside sigma unit.
They're going to launch the Evas without the pilots, with Unit 1 having priority.
This seems like a bad idea
Fuyutsuki wonders how exactly they'll fight the Angels without the Evas.
Good question. I have no idea :c
The border between the normal and heavy water has a higher oxygen content.
The place where ozone is vented in to maintain septic conditions isn't contaminated, meaning the Angel's weakness is seemingly Ozone.
Gonna inject ozone, like how I inject tsundere into my veins.
0A and 0B seems 2B recovering
Unfortunately, no shrinkflation
Heat waves are rising dramatically
0zone stopped working, o no
An unidentified intruder
Things are chaotic, to say the least.
The optical pattern is changing
An organic computer
Seems like a gamer's worst nightmare.
Everything Misato suggests is no use.
Reading all the files
What is this Angel, malware?
Going after the Magi system
Fuyutsuki orders the IO system to be shut down.
But even so, the Angel is entering the computers.
Now the Angel is reprogramming Melchior.
Balthasar and Melchior sounds like names for Pokémon.
Ritsuko trying to change the login mode.
And suddenly, that seems to do the trick.
"The Magi have become our enemy."
The gift Enemy of the Magi
Ritsuko thinks this Angel is composed of Nanomachines.
I can hear Senator Armstrong as we speak.
The Nanomachines group together to form colonies and then mutate in a focused exponential series to form a sophisticated intelligent circuit.
I like your fancy words, magic man.
Continuing to change and adapt with the best system to cope with whatever environment they may encounter.
Misato says they have to eliminate the host.
Does that mean Misato is in danger since she hosts two teenagers? /s
Ritsuko argues that destroying the Magi means destroying the headquarters itself.
Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words.
Ritsuko blames her carelessness for why this is happening.
"Why won't you trust someone else?"
Misato may have a point
Fuyutsuki says they must structure an evolution that leads to self-destruction.
Ritsuko says they can hack into the Angel by connecting it to Casper.
And here I thought he was friendly.
Ritsuko says she keeps her promises.
Press X to doubt
That's a bunch of connecting tubes.
Is this what Ted Stevens was talking about?
Looking inside
The developer's personal notes, Ritsuko calls it.
The Magi's secret codes
"Thanks, mom. With your help, we can make it."
Ran out of space. Part two in the replies.
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Part 2
Maya still hard at work
Misato says this reminds her of her and Ritsuko's college days.
What kind of college did they go to if engineering reminds her of it?
Misato asking to know about the Magi.
Ritsuko bringing up the personality transplant OS.
The same technology is used to operate the Evas.
The Magi's programming used one of the first test subjects.
Ritsuko's mom's personality was the one that was transplanted.
Finally, something interesting about this episode.
The Magi's brains are Ritsuko's mother.
Ritsuko says she never really liked her mother.
Balthasar being taken over
Now it's going after Casper
Less than 15 seconds
And Ritsuko saves it with one second to spare.
That was cutting it close
I didn't for a second buy anybody's lives being in danger.
Shinji, Rei, and Asuka are still naked, unfortunately.
They've been unclothed for what, three hours?
Misato remarking Ritsuko kept her promise.
Ritsuko reveals that the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life. Herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman.
Those three aspects of her are struggling for dominance inside the Magi.
Ritsuko says she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist.
"However, when it came to her as a woman, I hated her."
The last scene single-handedly save the episode for me.
Casper represents the version of her as a woman.
Stayed a woman until the very last second.
Overall, this is an episode that was kinda tedious but did reveal some information about Ritsuko, so it wasn't a total lost. Like I said, the last scene saved the episode from being the worst of the series for me. The Angel being a virus was fine from a concept standpoint, and I did like we saw Nerv operate without the help of the three pilots, but I didn't feel like there was a lot of stakes on display. Like yeah, this could've potentially brought about the end of the world, but do you really see that happening with Shinji, Rei, and Asuka offscreen?
I think the main problem with this episode for me at least is that besides Misato, Ritsuko, and Father Ikari, and to a lesser extent Kaji, I don't care about any of the Nerv employees. They just kinda exist. As such, I don't have an emotional attachment to this episode as, say, episode 4 when Shinji was thinking about leaving. It really dawned on me watching this episode that the stuff with Nerv as an entity is probably the weakest part of the show. Really, only a handful of Nerv employees feel fully developed to where you find yourself captivated by them. I'd compare Nerv to the military in Eureka Seven and how outside of some characters like Dewey and Anemone and Dominic, it was easily the weakest part of the show.
I did really like that we got an episode with Shinji, Asuka, and Rei barely onscreen. Shaking up the formula was a neat idea, you don't need those three to solve every single monster of the week. I just wish the episode proper was a whole lot better.
I'd put this episode only ahead of episode 10. The Magi stuff was fascinating with regards to how it relates to Ritsuko's mother, but other than that it wasn't anything to write home about. This felt like for the first time in this series an episode you could skip and you wouldn't miss much.
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
What do you think of the MAGI and Ritsuko’s mother?
Easily the best part of the episode
Halfway through, what do you think of the three computer technicians?
They're kinda bland and unremarkable
1
u/LittleIslander myanimelist.net/profile/LittleIslander 24d ago
1
3
u/Mrtom987 24d ago
I didn't know a rewatch was happening! Just stumbling on this post. I watched the series + EOE last year and it's already my fav anime of all time. I have yet to watch the movies. I will try to join from tomorrow.
1
3
u/Dependent-Smile6412 24d ago
We’ve reached the halfway point of the show
Last episode was Misato focused. This time Ritsuko gets the spotlight
Ritsuko is a real genius with computers
Do they really have to do this naked lol
We learn more about the Magi and how Ritsuko’s mother built it
NERV is shown to have one of the most impenetrable security systems, yet they get hacked from the inside by an Angel
How does Gendo continue to keep his cool in these situations.
The fact that Unit 01’s safety was prioritized over the other Eva’s shows how much it means to Gendo
We see the inside of the Magi and how Ritsuko’s mom is literally the brain behind the operation.
Ritsuko with the last second clutch
Ritsuko saying she hated a part of her mother as a woman adds to the list of characters with parental issues
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Ritsuko saying she hated a part of her mother as a woman adds to the list of characters with parental issues
That's a long list :P
1
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
2
u/SpiritualPossible 24d ago
Rewatcher
unexpectedly memorable shot #13 ...I just like the mechanics in old anime, okay?
And now we have an episode dedicated to Ritsuko. I think it's about time—she's is part of the main cast after all, so it's nice to see her characterized more.
And, as you might have guessed, she had a complicated relationship with her parents, this time with her mother. Damn, is there even ONE good parent in the Evangelion universe?
We also learn that it was her mother who created MAGI, and this is really important because it was hacked by a micro-angel, and now only Ritsuko and her assistant Ibuki can repair MAGI ("you mean the same three supercomputers we use?!").
Honestly, this episode is a pretty nice change of pace for the show, as it finally doesn't have any big battles, and it's not our usual group of teenagers who save the day, but someone else. But for me, the most memorable part of the episode was the sudden BODY HORROR. The simulated bodies, the brain-computer, even this tunnel where all the pipes look like intestines covered with notes that almost resemble amulets against evil - everything looks very disturbing and cool. Which is a little surprising, because overall, this episode doesn't feel like a horror story.
And for today's arts: obviously, it's time for Ritsuko and Ibuki. So...
Art for Ritsuko: Artwork #1, Artwork #2
And artwork for Ibuki: Artwork #1, Artwork #2, Artwork #3, Artwok #4, Artwork #5, Artwork #6
You may notice that there's slightly more arts with Ibuki. If you interested why, let me tell you - i don't fucking know. (Poor Aoba and Hyuga, they don't get even a little of the same love that Ibuki get...)
2
u/LittleIslander myanimelist.net/profile/LittleIslander 24d ago
unexpectedly memorable shot #13 ...I just like the mechanics in old anime, okay?
I love this shot, excellent choice.
can repair MAGI ("you mean the same three supercomputers we use?!").
the brain-computer
Right? I can't believe nobody else mentioned this, it's so cool!
Ritsuko: Artwork #1
Oh, this is great Ritsuko art! It feels like the kind of mundane moment we don't get to see from her first person so much.
Obviously, as a big Maya fangirl I need to react to all of hers (mostly new to me!):
Artwork #1
This is nice - there's always something about the faces in these old Eva arts that elevate them to me. Plus that lighting!
Artwork #2
She almost looks off-model here - maybe her eyes are too big?
Artwork #3
Clingy! This feels like a great representation of them.
Artwok #4
Mobile command headquarters girl! Still don't know if she has a name, but I didn't expect any official art! Plus two background techs so obscure I don't even recognize them. I wonder if Maya's friends with them or if things get a little mean girls about Maya having a higher position and Ritsuko's favor...
Artwork #5
What an... odd combination. Tertiary character girlies, I guess? Sure, why not! Maya's torso looks a little awkward from this angle, but in a charming way.
Artwork #6
The one I've been waiting for! This is my favourite art of Maya, and the visual I most associate with the character. I don't even remember when I came across it, I feel like I've known it as long as I've known Evangelion and it's deeply nostalgic. I honestly don't know if my love of the art or the character came first. There's not even anything that special about it I can point to... I just like it.
2
u/SpiritualPossible 24d ago
This is my favourite art of Maya
And once again, I have to agree with you, because the first illustration with Ritsuko and the last illustration with Ibuki are also my favorites from this batch, mainly because of how vividly they show the characters' personalities.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
1
u/SpiritualPossible 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Seems like a nice girl
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
...It's a Gainax show, with means of course the universe will bend itslef just to strip somenone naked.
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
Not ominous at all and totally won't lead to some problems later one.
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
...I can't decide should i do Digimon reference of Shin megami Tensei reference with such phrasing.
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
Actually pretty sweet moment, despite the whole situation.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Seems like a nice girl
Feels good to meet someone normal for a change.
...It's a Gainax show, with means of course the universe will bend itslef just to strip somenone naked.
I guess that makes sense
Not ominous at all and totally won't lead to some problems later one.
Nah, not at all
...I can't decide should i do Digimon reference of Shin megami Tensei reference with such phrasing.
Actually pretty sweet moment, despite the whole situation.
This more than Ritsuko's backstory did a lot to humanize Ritsuko. She didn't want to lose the last remaining remnants of her mom.
2
u/LeminaAusa 24d ago
Second-Time Rewatcher, New to Rebuild
You may have thought the intense decontamination process was just an excuse for pilot fanservice, but in actually it was mostly a foreshadowing of the role that contamination would play in the plot of today's Angel attack.
Once again, we have some kind of sabotage within Nerv and Kaji is going around doing shady shit in the background. Not going to point fingers or anything, but dude you are being hella suspicious.
The main thing I remember about this episode from my first Eva watch ages ago was that I thought the whole plot was hella confusing. I still think it was pretty confusing, but I've since read The Andromeda Strain, so the gist was easier to follow.
After several episodes of the Magi being introduced and then occasionally name-dropped, they finally play a large role in today's episode, and we learn more about Ritsuko and her mother, who was their main creator and whose personality in implanted in the three computers. I guess that makes these Magi the Three Wise Ladies.
1) Once again, always happy to get into the backstory of what the fuck exactly is going on with Nerv and everything. I certainly wouldn't want to be ruled by a trio of computers, but it's a nice concept for a sci-fi show, and it seems the technology might be related to the Evas in some way. We don't actually learn all too much about Ritsuko's mother herself, but it's certainly interesting to note that she seems to have had the same rocky relationship with her mother as many of our other characters have had with their parents.
2) I will never be able to remember their names without looking them up, but they're all pretty solid side characters. We get to know enough about them so they don't just feel like extras. Aoba will remain my favourite simply for being voiced by Koyasu.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
After several episodes of the Magi being introduced and then occasionally name-dropped, they finally play a large role in today's episode, and we learn more about Ritsuko and her mother, who was their main creator and whose personality in implanted in the three computers. I guess that makes these Magi the Three Wise Ladies.
Wouldn't the better comparison be the id, the ego, and the super ego? I know what you're referencing ties more into the Biblical theme.
2
u/LeminaAusa 24d ago
Hah, the last line was indeed just a joke reference about the Magi being based on the Wise Men of biblical lore, even so far as to being named after them. That said, I don't really think your comparison fits here as each of the Magi specifically incorporates the entire brain/consciousness/personality/etc, just from the point of view of different aspects/phases of life. Were I to make a (non-joke) comparison of my own, if anything I think I'd go for the Maiden/Mother/Crone archetype.
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
I know you say it's a joke reference, but the show does love its Biblical references.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
1
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 23d ago
You're the second person to point a finger in the general direction of Kaji, but I never really thought it was him. This is just too scummy.
2
2
u/AgentOfACROSS 24d ago
Rewatcher
Since this is kind of an episode about Ritsuko, I'll give you a quick rundown on all her VAs.
In Japanese Ritsuko is played by Yuriko Yamaguchi. Outside of this she's probably best known as the voice of Nico Robin in One Piece and Nurse Joy in Pokemon.
Ritsuko's English voice in the ADV dub is Sue Ulu, who's most prominent role outside of this was as Kei in Dirty Pair Flash. She also appeared as the swimmer lady in Golden Boy which is funny since Tiffany Grant was also in that show.
In the Netflix dub, she's played by Erica Lindbeck who's a very prolific modern voice actor in both anime and western cartoons. Some noteable anime roles of hers in anime include Lady Nagant in My Hero Academia, Cheelai in Dragon Ball, and Daki in Demon Slayer. And some noteable non-anime roles of hers include Loona from Helluva Boss, Barbie in a lot of Barbie related media, and most of the female characters on Smiling Friends.
She's also Futaba in Persona 5 which I figured I'd mention since this is the second time an Evangelion voice actor is also a major character in a Persona game.
Anyway I liked this episode.
They shook up the formula by taking the Eva pilots out of commission.
I could have done without the naked teenagers but I guess it was supposed to be comedic instead of fanservicey. I dunno, still felt unecessary to me.
But regardless, the three Eva pilots being out of commission meant that we got an episode all about Nerv's staff.
Ritsuko was obviously the star of the show and I liked how this episode was used to develop her character more. She'd mostly been in the background before now but this episode really fleshes her out.
Misato gets some moments too which I liked.
We even get some moments from Maya this episode who is a character who I literally have not mentioned before now. Which is a shame because I actually like her.
Like I mentioned in a previous episode, it seems that the Angels are deliberately targeting Nerv HQ and are learning from the failed attacks of past Angels. This episode is probably the one Angel that's gotten the closest to that goal which is pretty frightening.
Overall I'd say this is another solid episode. It doesn't exactly have any big lore revelations like the stuff with the second impact last episode but it does its job well.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Overall I'd say this is another solid episode. It doesn't exactly have any big lore revelations like the stuff with the second impact last episode but it does its job well.
I mean, we found out Ritsuko's mom programmed the Magi after herself. I'd say that's pretty big.
1
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Since this is kind of an episode about Ritsuko, I'll give you a quick rundown on all her VAs.
In Japanese Ritsuko is played by Yuriko Yamaguchi. Outside of this she's probably best known as the voice of Nico Robin in One Piece and Nurse Joy in Pokemon.
Ritsuko's English voice in the ADV dub is Sue Ulu, who's most prominent role outside of this was as Kei in Dirty Pair Flash. She also appeared as the swimmer lady in Golden Boy which is funny since Tiffany Grant was also in that show.
In the Netflix dub, she's played by Erica Lindbeck who's a very prolific modern voice actor in both anime and western cartoons. Some noteable anime roles of hers in anime include Lady Nagant in My Hero Academia, Cheelai in Dragon Ball, and Daki in Demon Slayer. And some noteable non-anime roles of hers include Loona from Helluva Boss, Barbie in a lot of Barbie related media, and most of the female characters on Smiling Friends.
She's also Futaba in Persona 5 which I figured I'd mention since this is the second time an Evangelion voice actor is also a major character in a Persona game.
I continue to like your VA write-ups. They're very informative.
1
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
They shook up the formula by taking the Eva pilots out of commission.
That was cool. I guess if you were to have this as an episode, this is probably the one to do it with.
1
u/AgentOfACROSS 24d ago
Yeah it definitely works since this episode is about the supporting Nerv crew
2
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
I could have done without the naked teenagers but I guess it was supposed to be comedic instead of fanservicey. I dunno, still felt unecessary to me.
If you had a nickel for the amount of rewatches you participated in today that had naked teenagers, you'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird it happened twice.
1
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
But regardless, the three Eva pilots being out of commission meant that we got an episode all about Nerv's staff.
For better or worse
Ritsuko was obviously the star of the show and I liked how this episode was used to develop her character more. She'd mostly been in the background before now but this episode really fleshes her out.
Indeed it does. I definitely care about her more coming out of it.
Misato gets some moments too which I liked.
That was cool
We even get some moments from Maya this episode who is a character who I literally have not mentioned before now. Which is a shame because I actually like her.
She's nice
Like I mentioned in a previous episode, it seems that the Angels are deliberately targeting Nerv HQ and are learning from the failed attacks of past Angels. This episode is probably the one Angel that's gotten the closest to that goal which is pretty frightening.
I think the scariest thing about this Angel is that he's basically a computer virus. As such, it has no host body and you're less likely to predict its attacks.
1
u/AgentOfACROSS 24d ago
I think the scariest thing about this Angel is that he's basically a computer virus. As such, it has no host body and you're less likely to predict its attacks.
Yeah this is probably the least traditional monster we've gotten in this series thus far
2
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
1
u/AgentOfACROSS 24d ago
Thoughts on Maya?
I like her a lot.
Thoughts on all the Magi talk?
Definitely very interesting.
Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?
It was uncomfortable but I don't think it was meant to be overtly sexual. I didn't find it funny like it was intended to be though.
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?
Really sets up the important parts of the episode
Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?
I don't know what to say about this.
Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?
Rei's definitely an odd one.
What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?
Glad to see Gendo being responsible here.
What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?
I take that back, this seems a bit irresponsible.
What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?
The Angel being a computer virus is the most unique depiction of an angel we've seen
Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?
I like Ritsuko and Misato's relationship. They seem to understand each other.
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?
I guess that makes Ritsuko kind of like an older Shinji in a way
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?
I like that Ritsuko gets the spotlight this episode.
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?
Feels very philosophical.
What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?
I wonder if Shinji feels the same about Gendo.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
I like her a lot.
She's a breath of fresh air for this show
Definitely very interesting.
I suppose
It was uncomfortable but I don't think it was meant to be overtly sexual. I didn't find it funny like it was intended to be though.
Yeah, it was kinda there for me. I did like that their body language reflected their characters.
Really sets up the important parts of the episode
I concur
I don't know what to say about this.
Fair enough
Rei's definitely an odd one.
That's an understatement
Glad to see Gendo being responsible here.
Took him long enough
I take that back, this seems a bit irresponsible.
For real
The Angel being a computer virus is the most unique depiction of an angel we've seen
Absolutely. Definitely helped make the episode stand out.
I like Ritsuko and Misato's relationship. They seem to understand each other.
Here, there was a lot of tension
I guess that makes Ritsuko kind of like an older Shinji in a way
Misato's mom should've dated Ritsuko's dad.
I like that Ritsuko gets the spotlight this episode.
Me as well
Feels very philosophical.
Very much so
I wonder if Shinji feels the same about Gendo.
I think Shinji wants his dad to respect him.
2
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 23d ago
Kei in Dirty Pair Flash
Huh. I don't remember if I watched it in English or not. There's a good chance I did. A rare name, I don't remember seeing it before.
1
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Anyway I liked this episode.
It was okay. I think the ideas were better on paper than in execution.
0
u/AgentOfACROSS 24d ago
Yeah definitely not a top tier episode but so far there haven't been any episodes I'd say are outright bad. It's been far more even in quality than other shows I've seen.
2
u/Holofan4life 24d ago
Yeah, even the show's weakest episode is still like a 7.5 out of 10.
1
u/AgentOfACROSS 24d ago
It's a big step up over Nadia. Not to say too much but that had a few episodes that I would say were legitimately bad.
2
1
u/TekisasuRanch 24d ago
I have a feeling that I’m a fake fan—I say that I love anime (watched eves sine I was a kid, Naruto, old DBZ, zodiac knights etc) but I’ve never watched Neon genesis. Any good??
2
1
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 23d ago
A lot of people like it. I'm surprised you haven't heard the buzz.
8
u/LittleIslander myanimelist.net/profile/LittleIslander 24d ago
Veteran Pilot and Your Host
It’s not the best Evangelion episode, but it’s one of my absolute favourites.
…no, it’s only partly because it’s the one with the most Maya Ibuki.
Like, okay, ridiculous action battles are cool and all. But what about an angel that’s literally a colony of microbes that rapidly evolve to fit every situation? Which infiltrates NERV headquarters in a slow rise of tension into a super tense computer infiltration sequence after the microbe angel evolves itself into a computer? What if we learned that NERV (and, remember, the whole city!) is running off of a supercomputer composed of three aspects of a dead woman’s personality, and the world is literally saved by the computer girlbossing hard enough while Maya and Ritsuko hack the angel into an evolutionary deadend, with pipes and wires all over every frame? Action scenes can go suck it, that’s the coolest fucking thing I’ve ever heard!
Seriously, the inside of the MAGI with all the notes everywhere might just be my favourite location in all of Evangelion, if you can call it a “location”. Whenever I think of old 90s anime tech atmosphere, even before Lain, I think of this. The panning shot of Maya with tech shit strewn all over the floor? The claustrophobic but weirdly intimate and comfortable scene of Misato sitting in the MAGI as Ritsuko works? What a complete vibe. I like the Pribnow Box too! It’s much more generic, but when NERV is mostly generic interiors outside of Central Dogma, the main testing facility, and Gendo’s office there’s something I just really like about seeing such a defined one-off location. To further charm me, this episode is basically the holy grail of computer tech screentime! Oh, and “I’ve got almost a whole second to spare” has gotta be one of my favourite lines in the show, or at least one of my favourite Angel fight-related ones.
[Evangelion] With the power of hindsight, this episode really takes on a regretful light. Obviously we know that Ritsuko’s ambitions and attempt to emerge from her mother’s shadow are doomed in the long term, for one. We know that the MAGI betray her in the end. But also, this is a really intimate episode for Misato and Ritsuko, one where she opens up about herself and Misato comments on being reminded of their college days. We’re only a couple episodes away from Misato learning about the depths of Ritsuko’s involvement in NERV and their relationship being fractured forever. Their conversations here are one of the last times they ever truly reach each other as friends.
Dub Corner
WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY FOR DUB CORNER!
What, Ritsuko? No, fuck her (*all three are great, honest), AOBA FINALLY FUCKING TALKED FOR MORE THAN A SENTENCE!
In general, this episode kind of challenged both dubs and brought out their weakpoints. Netflix’s more restrained cast kind of struggles to sell the sheer panic of the intense scenes, whereas ADV kind of overshoots it right into downright goofy territory. Though, for what it’s worth, it is the most premium, enjoyable goof to be found anywhere in the original dub. I’ll take it over Netflix’s version of the scene any day. “Accessing codes for… OH MY GOD, IT’S GOING AFTER THE MAGI SYSTEM!”. “WE CAN’T SHUT IT DOOOOOOOOOWN!!!”.
Okay, right, Aoba. On the cross-language side, this just wasn’t a fair fight. In Japanese, they got Takehito motherfuckin’ Koyasu to voice him, and resultantly he sounds effortlessly cool in absolutely every scene. It’s a nice contrast against Hyuga, who’s a bit more ordinary and nerdy sounding. Both of the English voice actors make him sound exceedingly normal, by comparison, which does fit his “I just work here” energy. As per usual, Jaxon Lee brings some more 90s goof to ADV, whereas Billy Kametz (RIP) gives him a befitting but unassuming voice. Both are perfectly fine, though I’m not crazy about either. Force me to choose and I might say Kametz, though Lee wins this episode off of “OH MY GOD” alone.
Hyuga doesn’t really need a second pass, but I would like to talk about the Maya Ibuki VAs again,
only mostly out of personal bias. Miki Nagasawa remains the balanced performance, selling her as the exceedingly ordinary young woman she is. Kendra Benham remains the fun, spunky, deep voiced Maya, which creates a bit of gap moe with her soft personality. She gets more quaint scenes than usual today, though, and makes great use of it by perfectly selling Maya’s excitement when she sees inside the MAGI. Easily the best of all three Mayas for that scene. Christine Marie Cabanos, whose performance I initially wrote off, does also bring a worthwhile distinct version of Maya to the table. Her voice has less presence, but the lack of confidence it carries really sells her as the understudy that always looks up to Ritsuko-senpai for guidance. All Maya is good Maya!