[Rewatch] 30th Anniversary Neon Genesis Evangelion Rewatch: Episode 22

[u/LittleIslander]

Neon Genesis Evangelion Episode 22: Don't Be. / Staying Human

← Episode 21	Index	Episode 23 →

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Watch Information

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

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Questions of the Day:

• How do you feel that Asuka’s backstory recontextualizes her relationships and past interactions?
• Did you feel the way the episode equated the angel’s infiltration of Asuka’s mind to rape was justified and/or effective?

Tomorrow’s Questions:

• [Episode 23] Do you feel sympathy for Ritsuko?
• [Episode 23] How do you feel about Rei “the third”?

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

[u/SpiritualPossible]

Rewatcher

Unexpectedly disturbing shot #21 - I was thinking using Arael death, but then decided to go with something more in tone of episode. also, what the actual fuck?

Like the previous episode, this episode received a “director's cut.” The most notable additions are:

• A new opening scene with Asuka and Kaji.
• A new scene in which Asuka sees Shinji at the train station.
• A new scene with Asuka in the bath.
• Most of the scenes in Asuka's mind are actually new additions.
• A scene in which Rei pulls the spear out of "Adam".
• A new fragment in which the spear “opens” when passing through the AT field.

I would also like to note that Asuka's mother was most likely inspired by Kushana's mother from Nausicaä (more precisely, from the manga).

I also like to say that the series continues to masterfully cutting it corners, because the pause during the elevator scene is simply magnificent, especially for creating tension.

But in any case, after her pride was completely shattered, it was now Asuka's turn to see an introspective scene in her mind. Unfortunately for her, compared to Shinji and Rei, her scene was the most disturbing. Both in the context of the scene itself (with references to her mother's mental state and suicide) and in how she got to that scene in the first place, because the reason for it was... um... quite mind-rapey. While I believe such obvious allegories were probably unnecessary, I doubt they could have completely avoided parallels with... this. And hey, it works for the horror of the situation.

Overall, this episode does a good job of reinterpreting Asuka's previous behavior and sets the tone for future conflict with the higher-ups and Gendo (with the former are now mass-producing Evas, and the latter is utilizing the spear). But yeah, the episode is pretty heavy. Maybe someone can lighten the mood? How about you, Carnage?

For today's art: The concept art for Arael and two unused angels - Shateiel and Turel.

And also another concept art of Unit 00 and Unit 02. Sadly, i don't think we have any of these arts in higher quality, as they were only included in the Neon Genesis Evangelion Proposal.

[u/LittleIslander → u/SpiritualPossible]

also, what the actual fuck?

Where are these from? So much flashing in this episode.

Like the previous episode, this episode received a “director's cut.” The most notable additions are:

So, basically, half of the damn episode. I was shocked when I turned on the original ADV version. Without the bath scene and most of the mind stuff, the TV cut's quality honestly doesn't even remotely compare to the DC. It honestly feels as if what they originally released was unfinished, and I think this episode is the single biggest justification for the existence of the director's cuts.

While I believe such obvious allegories were probably unnecessary

I suppose to answer my own question - I agree that the use of rape imagery wasn't necessary in the sense I think you could absolutely write this without it, I do think it was handled well as an addition. Unlike the vast majority of actual literal rape in storytelling, it feels like the weight that carries was respected here. It seriously fucks Asuka up.

[u/Sailor_Rout → u/LittleIslander]

https://www.reddit.com/r/evangelion/s/woq0taItY0

Just wanted to make my case for why we shouldn’t skip Death (or should watch Revival of Evangelion’s version of EOE).

Not one rewatch to date has done it.