A lot of people might hate Asuka for her behavior, but to tell you the truth, I don't think I've ever been more seen and understood by a fictional character before or after seeing Evangelion for the first time. Her obsession with being the best, all the while feeling completely worthless and jealous of others made me feel really uncomfortable because that's exactly how I behaved in high school. What's most heartbreaking in all of this is how in End of Evangelion, it turns out Asuka was everything she wanted to be, which is the best Eva pilot. She fights an unwinnable 9v1 and using all her experience and tools, she almost wins. All she needed was to come to terms with her mother's death and realize how much she loved her.
First off: while I don't know you, I wish you all the love, validation and success in the world. Imposter syndrome is the worst, and it feels unfair for anyone to have to battle one's self when there are so many other obstacles to happiness in the world. That said, I have a hard time with _End of Evangelion_ precisely for that reason-it marks a tonal shift that feels like whiplash. Don't get me wrong: _EoA_ gives us the ending that *I want* for Asuka (that desire being directly tied to why I'm more likely to rewatch the artistically inferior "Rebuilds"), but nothing in the main series suggests that that's where her story is leading. Even Ep26, with her mirroring Shinji's realization of her own self-worth, feels more "earned" than the "you had -the ruby slippers- your mom with you all along" revelation in the eleventh hour.
And where are you now? You're most certainly grown up, you've analyzed it and the best part? You came out with it. I think that takes a ton of strength to admit your past like that. Meanwhile me encountering the EoE scene on a Saturday morning in 2006, I made myself a cup of instant noodles. Needless to say, I did not eat it at all.
@@jackymok4848 First of all, thank you and yeah, no wonder XD The movie does leave you feeling empty and disgusted one way or another. Before I watched it the second time with a friend during college, we tried eating at the local canteen. He made a joke about the lasagne tasting funny and the cheese not being cheese at all but...something else. Knowing what Shinji does during the intro scene of the movie, I couldn't finish eating.
@@GSBarlev I've always considered that to be not the conclusion of her arc, but rather a moment of ecstasy at feeling her mother's love for the first time. Maybe I'm just interpreting it this way because I don't like to think that Hideaki Anno would handwave her arc away like that, but considering how she behaves during the battle, and after instrumentality, I've always considered it more of a temporary feeling of elation, which quickly fades as she needs to focus on the fight and then has to undergo the humiliation of being joined to every other person without her consent.
22:26 the other word, "Tod" that appears alongside "Sex" is pretty significant, being the german word for "Death." It's probably a reference to Freud's two drives, Eros (the life-producing drive) and Thanatos (the death-producing drive) Love your ability to pick up on so many symbolic references and thread them all together
I was thinking something similar myself. With Nein tod/sex it could be read as Nein tod Nein sex, the complete loss of drive for advancement through life or death has her development completely arrested. God i love this show, Timber's videos on it, and the discussions both bring out in folks.
Even in english Tod could stand for Transfer on Death which is a legal term for naming a beneficiary. *edit* didn't realize sex was the same in german and english.
The Elevator scene is such a brilliant encapsulation of both Rei and Asuka. Asuka is so consumed by both her contempt and fear of Rei, being the living doll Auska is terrified she truly is, and desperate to project her own defiant strength, that she will stand petulantly silent for the longest minute in animation. Rei is so disconnected from humanity that I honestly don't think she understands how unnerving and unsettling it would be to stand perfectly silent in an enclosed space with someone you have a deep relationship to, even if that relationship is antagonistic.
I need to rewatch the anime, but I have to wonder. How many scenes do they actually have together without Shinji to act as a buffer? I can only think of three including the elevator scene. Their meeting where Asuka tries to make Rei agree to be her friend and Rei says she'd only do it if ordered. And when Shinjis in hospital and Asuka can only hover by the door, too afraid to enter but unwilling to leave. While Rei is by his bedside. Asuka is too scared and Intimidated by Rei to reach out effectively while Rei is too withdrawn to see any reason to even try
Not sure if anyone got to this before I did, but the "sigil" that replaces "Sex" is the word イタイ (in kana) meaning simply, "it hurts". Love your dedication, insight, ... your /work/. Keep going!
I found your channel a couple months ago after I finished the TV series and all the movies. Your analysis is the most in depth and somehow the most digestible that I have seen so far imo. Fantastic work on your Evangelion videos.
29:32 Theese changes were made because that's how it was in the original japanese; Each iteration voiced by another member of the cast and Asuka's subsequent rejection of each voiced by her voice actress. Also notice how this is the first episode where the next episode preview uses storyboards.
I was going to mention this detail. Most likely VSI received a more thoroughly annotated written script made by Dan Kanemitsu and thus the production followed the original directorial intention more closely. As for what the intention is, I have always found it very hard to fully grasp. The constant repetition of the dialogue feels to me unsettling and invasive, almost like a bad trip into the subconscious mind during a particularly traumatic psychoanalysis session. I have always interpreted it as Arael insisting on trying to discover with who it is talking with, finding only a confused and broken young woman who doesn't know, in deep ambivalence, what she even is. Upon trying to compare her with other women found in her psyche Asuka not only violently and hatefully rejects being like "these other women" in her life, rejecting her own womanhood she so strived to reach in the process, but realizes she even failed to measure up to these other women by having failed to attract the two only men she so desired. She's not a woman, but a broken doll. Further hurt by the missidentification she just decides to close her heart, from not being able to be recognized (her main motivation) to causing herself to become unrecognizable until she's just a shadow of herself (this is later punctuated when she sleeps over at Hikari's house). This dooms her unable to pilot her Evangelion as it even later fails to recognize who once had such an indomitable will to live.
German here: Next to the "Sex" frame to the left of it is "Tod", aka Death, so also the insertion of the Freudian Eros and Thanatos theme here. The three human faces frames' words are "Peinliches", meaning "something embarassing", "Stiefmutter", so "step-mother", and "Peinliches" again.
29:38 Actually, if you compare this to Shinji's experience with Leliel, it's pretty obvious the replication of Asuka's lines in the 5 different female characters' voices is meant to represent the Asuka who exists in the hearts of those 5 other characters...and how every single one of them is actually wrong. The Asuka who exists in Asuka's own heart is in fact radically different because she hides her true pathetic self from pretty much everyone.
22:03 the "Nondescript sigil" probably spells "TOT", which is "dead" in German, seeing as the word "TOD" or "death" appears in the other version, too. With those being put next to "NEIN" (which is "no", as in the opposite of "yes", and _not_ as in "a lack or absence of...") and "SE*" (which you know the English meaning of), it is pretty safe to assume the scene is about repressed trauma and grief being brought back to the light. Other words that appear include: "Menarche", "Groll" - like a deeply held resentment or hate, "Doppelselbstmo[r]d bege[h]e[n]" - "commit double su*c*de", "Erhängte" - "hanged", "unsauber" - "unclean", "wie ärgerlich" - "how unfortunate/what a bother", "Schmach" - "humiliation/disgrace", "Peinliches" or "embarrassing/shameful [things]", "Stiefmutter" - "stepmother", "der Verlust" - "the loss", "wahnsin[n]ig" - "insane/crazy/deluded"
Thank you for spelling out the German words! Super interesting. I think the "sigil" just says イタイ, which when written with the phonetic kana syllabary instead of kanji could either be "it hurts" (with sexual connotations) or "corpse," which are both read "itai." It does work as a stand in for the "Tod/Sex" image.
Over the course of my Eva rewatches, Asuka has torn ahead to become my favourite character far and away. This episode is a large part of that, something so visceral and real that plays off of previous character building to really hit you in heart and make you feel for her (She just like me fr)
Aww thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the intro--Dominus continues to outdo himself on the music front. Thank you for your continued support and feedback, it keeps things running.
One of the most tasteful descriptions of the scene that popularized the term "mind rape". I do have a couple comments. @32:00 There's another line here where Asuka expresses irritation about Shinji being there, and the shot composition has her seeing him with a seemingly smug expression. Perhaps that earlier jealousy over Shinji overtaking her prized sync ratio and diverting Kaji's attention from her? Second: @37:15 Gendo also openly admits here that he doesn't really care what happens to Asuka, a bit more blatantly than he meant. Asuka's fears of being replaced are more valid than she ever knew, considering what happens in two episodes.
Fabulous episode (both the show and your analysis). Asuka's tragedy has always been the most compelling part of the story for me, and I remember watching this one hardly able to take a breath such is the torrent of imagery and suddenly revealed character history. A feeling that will resurface in the movie when she faces the mass production series. Both the audience and the world in universe hanging by a thread of hope that she'll finally overcome. She's a superb character precisely because we can see her flaws but we pull for her to change, we see her trauma but want for her to heal, and we hope for her to win but that hope dies as the world caves in.
oh my goodness, I absolutely noticed a shift in quality on this one. like, the analysis is spot on and as great as I've come to expect from this channel, but everything else here feels like it got buffed. the original animations and set and stuff are looking so good. even without all of that, this is probably my favorite video so far in this series. I love the long videos! If the next one is even longer I'll be all the happier for it. Just dont lose your mind in the editing process lol
There truly is no series like this. I was behind on the last 4 videos because I haven’t been watching UA-cam as much with new life events cutting into almost all of my free time. Lord I’m absolutely addicted to this series. With every video I caught up on I remembered why I loved this series so much. I really have no clue how to express how much this series means to me, I really truly wish you the best :3
I find myself struggling to explain why i love asuka’s character so much. This video explains many of the aspects though. Thank you so much for helping us understand and appreciate the truly magnificent quality of the series. You are a gift and thank you for your time and knowledge ❤
Liked and here I am commenting about my excitement but I can't even listen to it yet as I need to finish a meeting first. Watching these drop is always great.
Appreciate the incredible support even before the viewing--thank you so much! That said, pay attention in your meeting! And let me know what you think afterwards, I always enjoy the feedback!
@@timberw0lfstudios I don't know how I feel about this sort of fourth wall break, you telling me to not watch it yet as I have other things to do lol...In any case now that I've been done with meetings for the day (hopefully, otherwise all my work today will be having meetings about work that I should be doing) I was able to watch this. I guess it's telling of where I'm at right now watching this analysis after so many years of watching the original in that I remembered how Azuka's in being forced to confront her character flaws and how the angel, willingly or not, made her feel violated by the painful and forced introspection. My teenage brain did register that, but what I'm surprised about now, decades removed and as a parent to girls now older than in Azuka's flashbacks, is how devastatingly absent the father is for her. I can absolutely see (not condone, but understand where it comes from) that in a situation of having his wife go through that, a husband would fall for another person, but having that make the child feel expendable and replaceable? That has me so mad lol, and if you from that interpret this as me trying desperately to be as a present of a parent to my kiddos as possible (without becoming a helicopter parent or one that does everything for them) well, you'd be right. It wouldn't be a proper Eva analysis if one doesn't end up analyzing oneself, no? Again, the commentary about regression expressed onscreen, and all those details are so wonderful to have pointed out, and also having the added scenes that I might have not had access to even now, is much appreciated. I adore the quality of these videos, if they end up being longer than the episode it's analyzing, well, a price I'm very willing to pay. Happy holidays!
Aww thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed and that these videos are holding their own against others. It's an honor to be compared. Thank you for your feedback and support!
Aww thank you so much! Knowing these videos have an excited and eager audience awaiting them makes them easier to produce. I'm glad you've been enjoying the retrospective, and I'm excited to release more soon!
Don't apologize for putting in hard work & great effort into your videos. Doesn't matter how long it takes, we'll all be right here whenever ya get back. Just make sure ya don't overwork yourself & have fun, Lord knows we have tons of it whenever ya upload. Thanks for everything! 🙂👍
This was so interesting if only because I had no idea there were basically three different versions of this episode! I've always been more of an Rei fan (so hype for the next video!) but I do feel like this video has made me see Asuka in a more sympathetic light. She'll never be my favourite but I do understand her and her actions a bit better now.
Amazing analysis I loved this. Asuka was my favorite of the Eva girls because I found her to be the most relatable. I remember when End of Eva was back in theaters earlier this year in the states, there were some younger fans discussing the end of the movie and wondering if Shinji and Asuka got together. I couldn’t help myself by saying, “Why would you want them together? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Thank you for saying that. Even in the rebuild movies I just don't think they go well because of their history even if they are not the entirely same people. To this day people question why shinji went to live on with Mari instead and it's like....did they watch Eva???
@timberw0lfstudios Seriously?! Wow, well it's so perfectly timed that it could be mistaken as a deliberate tribute. Loved this video btw. You're analysis' are always such a joy to watch ❤
I've been looking forward to you covering this episode, I'm very happy :,) this is an amazing video. I resonate with asuka on a very deep level and she's stuck with me ever since I first got into evangelion. Which, just like asuka merging with unity/truth and being forced to self reflection unto ego death from which you face your perspective/ego within unity consciousness much like instrumentality, I was forced to face myself. The show is amazing for and at guiding the audience to do this. I use mild psychedelics so overtime I was processing/watching eva and I was having profound realizations about myself given the messages the show was telling and showing, especially cause with psychedelics your ego becomes suppressed which means your narrow perceptions is expanded and drawn back from your current stone cold beliefs and view on existence, allowing yourself to take in many new possibilities and angular perspectives on things- akin to an ego death, the path to instrumentality/unity consciousness :,) Once broken down its easier to build a better perspective on existence and take charge of your life to make it something you're happy and proud to have created and experienced. Your thoughts form your emotions, your emotions form your actions, your actions form your habits, which overtime become the story of our lives. I kin both asuka soryu and kaworu, the duality of despair and hope. Apologies for the ramble- Take care of yourself.
I really enjoy watching your videos breaking down the episodes. Certain things I haven't realized in the episode and your intpretations of camera movement as well as the movement of the characters from the show. I'm so glad you make these videos to help me understand this show that much more!
Fascinating. I’ve only seen the whole Evangelion series once, last year (and I watched some other anime at the time like Serial Experiment Lain and Paranoia Agent) and never realized how much detail and thought truly went into it. Asuka is one of my favorite anime characters because of how much depth there is to her that I know I likely still don’t get even half of yet, and that, to me, is amazing. Amazing analysis and attention to detail, it’s clear you know your stuff!
You sir are absolutely amazing. Easily one of the best on UA-cam. And I’m not even being hyperbolic. Your videos are a master class in analysis. Absolutely love it.
back when I was a freshmen in HS in 2004 this show had me and my twin hooked on trying to under stand the hidden meaning, how life works why this show was different from say a "gundam like" mecha show. kept us up at night talking about what it was for us. your videos spark the memory i once shared with him. You can find what you're looking for if you try to let go of the pain. Asuka's pain i can relate now to being 35 and looking and my past how we maybe older, a bit wiser but we're still a kid afraid of the dark. Great video, love that you've upgrade you're set up, noticeable and a good sign of whats to come. Peace be with you.
Thank you so very much. It warms my heart to hear my commentary has stoked such good memories. Also glad to hear the upgrades and attention to detail aren't going unnoticed or unappreciated. God bless you.
Asuka has always been one of my favorite characters in media and this was an amazing breakdown Great work man, thanks for making me hurt all over again😂
Well, that was nice. The animation at the start was surprising, in a good way. Having watched these in a short period of time, it's an almost jarring jump in animation quality from the earlier videos to this one... Jarring in a good way though. The audio was better, noticeably so. And the quality of the writing stayed at the, by now, high standard I've come to expect from this channel. Thanks a lot for this video, I learned new things from a franchise that I first watched over twenty years ago. Which is a mood, goddamn. I'd love to see you do one of these for other stuff, like Cyberpunk Edgerunners or Ghost in the Shell. Or Psycho Pass. Keep it up, this is awesome, and stay safe
29:37 The equivalence between Asuka having an unguided personality (or self) by desiring the others' characteristics and becoming replaceable is interesting from a Girardian (mimetic) perspective. Merely imitating others who are desirable is not sufficient for guidance/individual self actualization, since this replication makes her vulnerable to being replaceable since she becomes like them and not her actual self. This view combines the two alternatives you present in a way that validates both without discounting one or the other. You made highly astute observations here. Great work! Edit: The followIng observation that Asuka (feels that she has) missed her opportunity (train ride) to become mature is also particularly sharp. She is struggling against a sea of her (mutually-exclusive) imitative selves to become her true, unreplaceable self. From the perspective of René Girard's works, she is confronting her monstrous, imitative self that is replaceable by the others, with her real self. This makes even more sense when you realize that Asuka is imitating (replicating, to use your word) Misato to try to romantically connect to Kaji, who is/was Misato's lover. Asuka desires Kaji because Misato desires him, and Misato is a role model for Asuka. Therefore, Asuka should desire Kaji. Asuka sublimates her self to her model/perception of Misato when she chases Kaji. The real individual that is Asuka actually desires Shinji, but she is fighting to be her own self over the people (Misato, etc.) she looks up to (desires to be). Girard's understanding also integrates the view of Asuka's self (and by extension, every person's self) being more important than instrumentality's mimetic blending of all people into one, undifferentiated, collective being. Each one of us is not replaceable since no other person inhabits our perspective.
I've watched so many Eva analysis videos but your content is another level of quality, conciseness, and engagement. I will always look forward to your content!
Fantastic job on this man. I've overanalyzed every scene and motif there is and you do it so concisely. Exactly what I needed in my life. Will now binge watch the rest of these :)
Thank you for another great video! I don’t think I’ve posted since your first one on NGE but I look forward to seeing them. I appreciate this one most so far for the insight into the child that I have the least connection with and therefore least understanding of beyond a pretty basic level. My relationship to NGE is something I’m not sure I understand. In most ways I do not enjoy watching it and have trouble connecting with the characters but maybe due to my interest in sociology, psychology and theology, hell maybe just my autism, I often think about it. In short, your videos are very helpful and thoughtful.
22:03 If I'm reading this correctly, it says "イタイ" (itai) which means "It hurts" or could be used as an equivalent of "ow" or other verbal pain responses. Usually, when written in this way, it's an automatic response, something said in immediate suffering. In combination with the "Nein" and the allegory that this angel's attack represents, it's horrifying to say the least.
As soon as I saw your notification I LEAPT to watch it. Thank you for putting in so much effort for these analyses, it means more than you know for me. I take things so literally and don’t consider deeper connections/metaphors super often, partly due to lack of knowledge about religion and other technical stuff like significance of shots and how they convey certain meanings when strung together. The depths you go to explain all of this… has my full admiration! It’s the main reason I fell in love with this series you’ve been making. It’s what I’ve always needed!! I feel like I can understand evangelion much better and more than before, which leaves me feeling satisfied. So thank you, again. Truly. I’m still watching how you place backgrounds in your animated scenes….. I’m not the best at deciphering but I do notice it! I know you also probably make sure your scenes have meaning in correlation with the video:)) like the trash scattered around in a room with a broken vhs tape watching your own video/clips from Eva while voicing over it.
I’ll be honest. When you 1st mentioned the last act would be 1 vid per ep I didn’t think it was warranted, but I trusted you’re judgement. I’m glad I did. I don’t press the like button often since I believe a video must hit you in a certain way for that. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE VIDEOS. Time and again you’ve proven to be an expert at deconstruction, but this vid was on another level. This video’s scale was massive not only because of what the show depicts, but because of your willingness to meaningfully engage with its aspects. Your series has been so deep and impactful for me which wouldn’t have been possible if you didn’t give these eps the time they deserve. I will come back to this video as it is art in its own right. This is getting long but know that you are valuable, talented, and wonderful. Do stop doing what you’re doing. God Bless. P.S. I’m the 69th like. Nice.
The talent and work for these videos can not get enough appreciation having such great writing, editing, sound plus a very appreciated touch of humour on top of such an incredible analysis of such a complex show is incredible. This must take you so much time. I really look forward to future videos even after this great series. Thank you for great entertainment.
Aww thank you so much! Glad you appreciated all the little details, especially the Unit-02 map graphic! It was super fun to make and I'm glad it helped visualize the scene.
Honestly man, this is currently my favorite series on UA-cam. It seriously helped me deal with my own stuff and made me appreciate Evangelion even more. I can't wait for you to finish the show, and maybe even go on to the movies... but honestly I think this whole series you're doing is really important, and I hope the not so stellar views don't break your spirit. Honestly this is some of the most meaningful analysis I've personally experienced in a long time. Keep it up and take your time! You are doing an amazing job!
Thank you again so much for your videos. I learn something new about this series with each one. Everything I could ask for on a cold winter's day. Excited to see how it all ends!
You did it again - great video! Sound is fine and satisfying, however I didn't have chance to compare with previous videos, do cannot tell if there's improvement. Regarding video length and release schedule, you're an author, so you're the boss to decide on it :-) Thanks for great time and entertainment.
I bet you may hear this, but I saw another connection to her and Shinji. The train scene is near identical to the one that “possibly” was Shinji back in episode 1. Possibly invoking the imagery that that she’s has regressed, and become similar to Shinji at the start. Due to all the things you have mentioned.
Wow,it was definitly worth the wait ! can't wait for the next episode ,it really show the love and effort you put in these video and it resonate with me a lot.For that I am really grateful thanks again !(Sorry for my bad english )
My friend, your English is totally fine. Thank you so much for all your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and that it lived up to expectations! Your support means the world!
I love Asuka and I loved this video. It’s a slightly different story and characters in the manga, but I really recommend reading it for more interesting insight into an alternate Asuka
What a great analysis, I’m so looking forward to the whole series coming together. This series has real insight into the series unlike most other Evangelion videos lol. Also tomorrow is Asuka’s birthday! God bless.
29:15 Something I like to point out here was that in the original japanese dub, they also had different voice actresses playing out Asuka during this scene. It most likely was the VSI dub trying to remain faithful to the JP dub imo. Whether if they’re the VAs for the female cast, I’m not sure. But honestly, I love your interpretation of this scene regardless and the video so far 🩷
one hell of a video. thank you, as always! I honestly barely noticed the new audio but then went back to an older video and wow that's a pretty noticable difference!! your videos have always felt really well made and it's amazing to see you strife for even better quality!! i've enjoyed a lot of videos with far less polish and thought put into them, so the care you bring to creating these has always been outstanding to me in my mind
Thank you so much! It's hard to believe after all this time we're nearing the end, but I'm so stoked to dive into the conclusion and gnaw on all the meat.
Found you through this vid, amazing work. Making my way through your series but wanted to tell you how much I’m enjoying your analysis Subbed and all that good stuff
Tremendously edited and broken down as always. Take however long you need between episodes, your breakdown of the edit is straight up simply the best breakdown of the SERIES for me. I recommend your videos as required viewing for any fan of the show, and I especially share it with people who just watched Eva for the first time and have found themselves in the "That was awesome and wow am I lost" following haze, haha. Keep it up, and have a happy holiday!!
Man, I remembered that the last few episodes got rough but I forgot how heavy the SA themes/references get especially in this one. Masterclass as usual and well worth the wait. PS. I really thought you were going to force us to watch the whole elevator sequence without any commentary first and I was ready for it 😂
Another amazing episode of edit of evangelion! Thought to comment on one thing, the reason the vsi dub changed the voice actors is because the japanese dub does the same thing, adv probably didn't notice the voice actors were changing (as did i honestly)
Amazing video, I think you did an amazing job breaking the episode down. When I first watched the series, I hated Asuka once we first saw her since I thought she was annoying brat (like how shinji and his friends did) but after finishing the series, EoE, and the rebuilds she became my favorite character by far. I can’t connect to her as much as other ones like shinji, I can see asuka’s personality and issues in other people/family members I know
As someone who heavily relates to Asuka, this analysis really hits home and hammers in the fact that Asuka is one of if not my favorite character in Evangelion and maybe even fiction in general. I felt really uncomfortable watching this episode, since I see so much of myself in Asuka. Especially when she says that “she’s been soiled…” just really made my heart hurt. I had to take a break from watching for a good bit. This episode is a masterpiece, and I’m glad that we got more information about why Asuka is the way she is.
Okay wow, brilliant, one of my faves by far. I will say I agree with your theory about the train station scene, but I wanted to add that not only is it not necessarily a sign of upcoming instrumentality, it’s almost a blatant denial of instrumentality, she’s at the station, she’s right there, her family is already on the train, they’re already on their way but she refuses. She didn’t want to be at the train station, she was forced there, she looks terrified, walking backwards, like a predator(Arael) pushed her there. I do believe that the crowd represents herself if she had no identity, faceless except for their hair, that hair reveal seemed horrifying to her as if she realised she, too, could disappear in a crowd, easily replaced, tearing her away from her identity as an adult, shown by her reaching for her lover, Kaji. It feels very much like Arael breaking down her AT field, trying to enforce instrumentality on her by force, to understand her, to pick apart at every piece, forcing her in that train so as to see every little part that makes her who she is, even if it destroys her ego as a result. There is nothing more terrifying to Asuka than not existing, she fought against instrumentality to the very end, this was the closest she got and it was by force and she refused. Good for her. I’m proud of this fictional redhead. I also want to mention a thought I had while writing this. I doubt this was intentional but, I do wonder if the crowd may be vaguely symbolic of uh… actually I don’t know if comments get flagged for words or not so let’s call it baby juice. A crowd of faceless people that vaguely resemble her, forcing her after she screams don’t come inside me? Idk man, pretty suss.
First time viewer; script superbly written, excellent presentation. Great mic btw. I liked how you know the limits of what you have the emotional bandwidth to talk about, mad respect. Look forward to watching the backlog of your content.
Aww thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed the video, especially the technical aspects. I do my best to stay in my lane--I am just a dude on the internet, after all. Hopefully you find the other videos just as entertaining!
HOLY SHIT ITS FINALLY HERE :DD Gotta add to my usual comments in all your vids huh? Lol. Fantastic as always! One thing id like to add tho, while that first part of the credits were blackened, the actuall "fly me to the moon" section was not. This ep is undoubtedly focused on asuka yet it still shows rei at the end Its almost like the episode itself was mocking asuka and her attentionseeking behaviour
A lot of people might hate Asuka for her behavior, but to tell you the truth, I don't think I've ever been more seen and understood by a fictional character before or after seeing Evangelion for the first time. Her obsession with being the best, all the while feeling completely worthless and jealous of others made me feel really uncomfortable because that's exactly how I behaved in high school.
What's most heartbreaking in all of this is how in End of Evangelion, it turns out Asuka was everything she wanted to be, which is the best Eva pilot. She fights an unwinnable 9v1 and using all her experience and tools, she almost wins. All she needed was to come to terms with her mother's death and realize how much she loved her.
First off: while I don't know you, I wish you all the love, validation and success in the world. Imposter syndrome is the worst, and it feels unfair for anyone to have to battle one's self when there are so many other obstacles to happiness in the world.
That said, I have a hard time with _End of Evangelion_ precisely for that reason-it marks a tonal shift that feels like whiplash. Don't get me wrong: _EoA_ gives us the ending that *I want* for Asuka (that desire being directly tied to why I'm more likely to rewatch the artistically inferior "Rebuilds"), but nothing in the main series suggests that that's where her story is leading. Even Ep26, with her mirroring Shinji's realization of her own self-worth, feels more "earned" than the "you had -the ruby slippers- your mom with you all along" revelation in the eleventh hour.
And where are you now? You're most certainly grown up, you've analyzed it and the best part? You came out with it. I think that takes a ton of strength to admit your past like that.
Meanwhile me encountering the EoE scene on a Saturday morning in 2006, I made myself a cup of instant noodles. Needless to say, I did not eat it at all.
@@jackymok4848 First of all, thank you and yeah, no wonder XD The movie does leave you feeling empty and disgusted one way or another. Before I watched it the second time with a friend during college, we tried eating at the local canteen. He made a joke about the lasagne tasting funny and the cheese not being cheese at all but...something else. Knowing what Shinji does during the intro scene of the movie, I couldn't finish eating.
Yeah as a kid I thought I was more like Rei, as I got older I realized that I am Asuka and was never like Rei.
@@GSBarlev I've always considered that to be not the conclusion of her arc, but rather a moment of ecstasy at feeling her mother's love for the first time. Maybe I'm just interpreting it this way because I don't like to think that Hideaki Anno would handwave her arc away like that, but considering how she behaves during the battle, and after instrumentality, I've always considered it more of a temporary feeling of elation, which quickly fades as she needs to focus on the fight and then has to undergo the humiliation of being joined to every other person without her consent.
22:26 the other word, "Tod" that appears alongside "Sex" is pretty significant, being the german word for "Death." It's probably a reference to Freud's two drives, Eros (the life-producing drive) and Thanatos (the death-producing drive)
Love your ability to pick up on so many symbolic references and thread them all together
I was thinking something similar myself. With Nein tod/sex it could be read as Nein tod Nein sex, the complete loss of drive for advancement through life or death has her development completely arrested.
God i love this show, Timber's videos on it, and the discussions both bring out in folks.
The "nondescript sigil" likely also spells "tot" or "dead".
Even in english Tod could stand for Transfer on Death which is a legal term for naming a beneficiary.
*edit* didn't realize sex was the same in german and english.
Oh man, such a heavy episode, my heart breaks for Asuka.
Heavy indeed, and no punches pulled.
posted on asuka’s official birthday!
coincidence? i think not!
The Elevator scene is such a brilliant encapsulation of both Rei and Asuka. Asuka is so consumed by both her contempt and fear of Rei, being the living doll Auska is terrified she truly is, and desperate to project her own defiant strength, that she will stand petulantly silent for the longest minute in animation. Rei is so disconnected from humanity that I honestly don't think she understands how unnerving and unsettling it would be to stand perfectly silent in an enclosed space with someone you have a deep relationship to, even if that relationship is antagonistic.
i think there's also some projection from asuka choosing the word "doll" specifically, since it is an object she loathes so much.
I need to rewatch the anime, but I have to wonder.
How many scenes do they actually have together without Shinji to act as a buffer?
I can only think of three including the elevator scene.
Their meeting where Asuka tries to make Rei agree to be her friend and Rei says she'd only do it if ordered.
And when Shinjis in hospital and Asuka can only hover by the door, too afraid to enter but unwilling to leave. While Rei is by his bedside.
Asuka is too scared and Intimidated by Rei to reach out effectively while Rei is too withdrawn to see any reason to even try
Not sure if anyone got to this before I did, but the "sigil" that replaces "Sex" is the word イタイ (in kana) meaning simply, "it hurts".
Love your dedication, insight, ... your /work/. Keep going!
I found your channel a couple months ago after I finished the TV series and all the movies. Your analysis is the most in depth and somehow the most digestible that I have seen so far imo. Fantastic work on your Evangelion videos.
Aww thank you so much! So glad to hear these videos are proving insightful and accessible to so many. Thank you for your feedback and encouragement!
29:32 Theese changes were made because that's how it was in the original japanese; Each iteration voiced by another member of the cast and Asuka's subsequent rejection of each voiced by her voice actress.
Also notice how this is the first episode where the next episode preview uses storyboards.
I was going to mention this detail. Most likely VSI received a more thoroughly annotated written script made by Dan Kanemitsu and thus the production followed the original directorial intention more closely.
As for what the intention is, I have always found it very hard to fully grasp. The constant repetition of the dialogue feels to me unsettling and invasive, almost like a bad trip into the subconscious mind during a particularly traumatic psychoanalysis session. I have always interpreted it as Arael insisting on trying to discover with who it is talking with, finding only a confused and broken young woman who doesn't know, in deep ambivalence, what she even is. Upon trying to compare her with other women found in her psyche Asuka not only violently and hatefully rejects being like "these other women" in her life, rejecting her own womanhood she so strived to reach in the process, but realizes she even failed to measure up to these other women by having failed to attract the two only men she so desired. She's not a woman, but a broken doll. Further hurt by the missidentification she just decides to close her heart, from not being able to be recognized (her main motivation) to causing herself to become unrecognizable until she's just a shadow of herself (this is later punctuated when she sleeps over at Hikari's house). This dooms her unable to pilot her Evangelion as it even later fails to recognize who once had such an indomitable will to live.
German here: Next to the "Sex" frame to the left of it is "Tod", aka Death, so also the insertion of the Freudian Eros and Thanatos theme here.
The three human faces frames' words are "Peinliches", meaning "something embarassing", "Stiefmutter", so "step-mother", and "Peinliches" again.
You're right on the money with the Freudian insertions. Didn't research the translations in the face section, though: thank you for that!
Babe wake up TimberW0lf uploaded another banger
What can I say? It's what I do
I missed it for 15 hours😭🙏
Better late than never!
@@timberw0lfstudios thank goodness it wasn't never
STFU GET ME MORE BEER WOMAN
YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I HAVE ANTICIPATED THE ASUKA BREAKDOWN ANALYSIS. I jumped at the notification
I had no idea this much content was coming.
Glad to know you're excited! Hopefully it lives up to expectations!
It’s almost midnight here in Australia but here we fucking go fam
Speaking german makes this hit much harder as you subconsciously process the text from the strobe cuts.
29:38 Actually, if you compare this to Shinji's experience with Leliel, it's pretty obvious the replication of Asuka's lines in the 5 different female characters' voices is meant to represent the Asuka who exists in the hearts of those 5 other characters...and how every single one of them is actually wrong. The Asuka who exists in Asuka's own heart is in fact radically different because she hides her true pathetic self from pretty much everyone.
good point actually
22:03 the "Nondescript sigil" probably spells "TOT", which is "dead" in German, seeing as the word "TOD" or "death" appears in the other version, too. With those being put next to "NEIN" (which is "no", as in the opposite of "yes", and _not_ as in "a lack or absence of...") and "SE*" (which you know the English meaning of), it is pretty safe to assume the scene is about repressed trauma and grief being brought back to the light.
Other words that appear include: "Menarche",
"Groll" - like a deeply held resentment or hate,
"Doppelselbstmo[r]d bege[h]e[n]" - "commit double su*c*de",
"Erhängte" - "hanged",
"unsauber" - "unclean",
"wie ärgerlich" - "how unfortunate/what a bother",
"Schmach" - "humiliation/disgrace",
"Peinliches" or "embarrassing/shameful [things]",
"Stiefmutter" - "stepmother",
"der Verlust" - "the loss",
"wahnsin[n]ig" - "insane/crazy/deluded"
Thank you for spelling out the German words! Super interesting. I think the "sigil" just says イタイ, which when written with the phonetic kana syllabary instead of kanji could either be "it hurts" (with sexual connotations) or "corpse," which are both read "itai." It does work as a stand in for the "Tod/Sex" image.
The episode where asuka was facing 9 angels traumatized me, i lost it when she was begging her mom to love her while her eva was getting punctured 😭
Certainly a lot going on in that scene, and its gravity is profound.
The line where the doll says but your lying I have always said is the best line for mental illness I have ever heard. Too close to home.
What makes it the best if you dont mind me asking?
Over the course of my Eva rewatches, Asuka has torn ahead to become my favourite character far and away. This episode is a large part of that, something so visceral and real that plays off of previous character building to really hit you in heart and make you feel for her
(She just like me fr)
Fantastic video as always! Loved the glitchy effects at the start, and the edit of Evangelion intro gives me goose bumps every time.
Aww thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the intro--Dominus continues to outdo himself on the music front. Thank you for your continued support and feedback, it keeps things running.
One of the most tasteful descriptions of the scene that popularized the term "mind rape". I do have a couple comments. @32:00 There's another line here where Asuka expresses irritation about Shinji being there, and the shot composition has her seeing him with a seemingly smug expression. Perhaps that earlier jealousy over Shinji overtaking her prized sync ratio and diverting Kaji's attention from her? Second: @37:15 Gendo also openly admits here that he doesn't really care what happens to Asuka, a bit more blatantly than he meant. Asuka's fears of being replaced are more valid than she ever knew, considering what happens in two episodes.
Fabulous episode (both the show and your analysis). Asuka's tragedy has always been the most compelling part of the story for me, and I remember watching this one hardly able to take a breath such is the torrent of imagery and suddenly revealed character history. A feeling that will resurface in the movie when she faces the mass production series. Both the audience and the world in universe hanging by a thread of hope that she'll finally overcome. She's a superb character precisely because we can see her flaws but we pull for her to change, we see her trauma but want for her to heal, and we hope for her to win but that hope dies as the world caves in.
oh my goodness, I absolutely noticed a shift in quality on this one. like, the analysis is spot on and as great as I've come to expect from this channel, but everything else here feels like it got buffed. the original animations and set and stuff are looking so good. even without all of that, this is probably my favorite video so far in this series. I love the long videos! If the next one is even longer I'll be all the happier for it. Just dont lose your mind in the editing process lol
There truly is no series like this.
I was behind on the last 4 videos because I haven’t been watching UA-cam as much with new life events cutting into almost all of my free time. Lord I’m absolutely addicted to this series. With every video I caught up on I remembered why I loved this series so much. I really have no clue how to express how much this series means to me, I really truly wish you the best :3
I find myself struggling to explain why i love asuka’s character so much. This video explains many of the aspects though.
Thank you so much for helping us understand and appreciate the truly magnificent quality of the series.
You are a gift and thank you for your time and knowledge ❤
Just in time for my lil bagel and coffee.
Yes, let us review Asuka! My favorite child.
Seriously, my heart sunk a couple times. I adore your work.
That really means the world. Thank you so much for your incredible support and encouragement!
Liked and here I am commenting about my excitement but I can't even listen to it yet as I need to finish a meeting first. Watching these drop is always great.
Appreciate the incredible support even before the viewing--thank you so much! That said, pay attention in your meeting! And let me know what you think afterwards, I always enjoy the feedback!
@@timberw0lfstudios I don't know how I feel about this sort of fourth wall break, you telling me to not watch it yet as I have other things to do lol...In any case now that I've been done with meetings for the day (hopefully, otherwise all my work today will be having meetings about work that I should be doing) I was able to watch this.
I guess it's telling of where I'm at right now watching this analysis after so many years of watching the original in that I remembered how Azuka's in being forced to confront her character flaws and how the angel, willingly or not, made her feel violated by the painful and forced introspection. My teenage brain did register that, but what I'm surprised about now, decades removed and as a parent to girls now older than in Azuka's flashbacks, is how devastatingly absent the father is for her. I can absolutely see (not condone, but understand where it comes from) that in a situation of having his wife go through that, a husband would fall for another person, but having that make the child feel expendable and replaceable? That has me so mad lol, and if you from that interpret this as me trying desperately to be as a present of a parent to my kiddos as possible (without becoming a helicopter parent or one that does everything for them) well, you'd be right. It wouldn't be a proper Eva analysis if one doesn't end up analyzing oneself, no?
Again, the commentary about regression expressed onscreen, and all those details are so wonderful to have pointed out, and also having the added scenes that I might have not had access to even now, is much appreciated.
I adore the quality of these videos, if they end up being longer than the episode it's analyzing, well, a price I'm very willing to pay.
Happy holidays!
Another phenomenal analysis. You continue to provide more depth and insight into what was already one of my favorite shows of all time.
LFG ANOTHER CERTIFIED BANGER (I have violently craved this analysis and can't wait to get my heart ripped out)
This is my favorite Eva episode so far, thanks for such an amazing video
Omg this channel is a GEM… I’ve watched innumerable Evangelion breakdowns and this is by far one of the best… great work brother 🔥💯
Aww thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed and that these videos are holding their own against others. It's an honor to be compared. Thank you for your feedback and support!
What other ones did you enjoy?
Let’s go TimberW0lf posted again. I can’t wait for the finale
Can't express how excited I get when you review these episodes. Evangelion has so much to it i never realized. Keep up the amazing work !
Aww thank you so much! Knowing these videos have an excited and eager audience awaiting them makes them easier to produce. I'm glad you've been enjoying the retrospective, and I'm excited to release more soon!
Don't apologize for putting in hard work & great effort into your videos. Doesn't matter how long it takes, we'll all be right here whenever ya get back. Just make sure ya don't overwork yourself & have fun, Lord knows we have tons of it whenever ya upload. Thanks for everything! 🙂👍
I've been waiting for this episode for so long. Asuka is by far one of my favorite characters in animation and this episode is a MASTERPIECE
This was so interesting if only because I had no idea there were basically three different versions of this episode! I've always been more of an Rei fan (so hype for the next video!) but I do feel like this video has made me see Asuka in a more sympathetic light. She'll never be my favourite but I do understand her and her actions a bit better now.
Amazing analysis I loved this. Asuka was my favorite of the Eva girls because I found her to be the most relatable. I remember when End of Eva was back in theaters earlier this year in the states, there were some younger fans discussing the end of the movie and wondering if Shinji and Asuka got together. I couldn’t help myself by saying, “Why would you want them together? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Thank you for saying that. Even in the rebuild movies I just don't think they go well because of their history even if they are not the entirely same people. To this day people question why shinji went to live on with Mari instead and it's like....did they watch Eva???
Im not afraid of long videos, great job once again! Loved this one too.
I like it when people explains The Episode's True Dark Meaning, and that is quite reasonable enough for me to watch.
Appropriate that you uploaded this a day before Asuka's/Yuko Miyamura's birthday
Didn't even notice that, but yes! Happy coincidence!
@timberw0lfstudios Seriously?!
Wow, well it's so perfectly timed that it could be mistaken as a deliberate tribute.
Loved this video btw. You're analysis' are always such a joy to watch ❤
Thank you so much!
I've been looking forward to you covering this episode, I'm very happy :,) this is an amazing video. I resonate with asuka on a very deep level and she's stuck with me ever since I first got into evangelion. Which, just like asuka merging with unity/truth and being forced to self reflection unto ego death from which you face your perspective/ego within unity consciousness much like instrumentality, I was forced to face myself. The show is amazing for and at guiding the audience to do this. I use mild psychedelics so overtime I was processing/watching eva and I was having profound realizations about myself given the messages the show was telling and showing, especially cause with psychedelics your ego becomes suppressed which means your narrow perceptions is expanded and drawn back from your current stone cold beliefs and view on existence, allowing yourself to take in many new possibilities and angular perspectives on things- akin to an ego death, the path to instrumentality/unity consciousness :,) Once broken down its easier to build a better perspective on existence and take charge of your life to make it something you're happy and proud to have created and experienced. Your thoughts form your emotions, your emotions form your actions, your actions form your habits, which overtime become the story of our lives. I kin both asuka soryu and kaworu, the duality of despair and hope. Apologies for the ramble- Take care of yourself.
I really enjoy watching your videos breaking down the episodes. Certain things I haven't realized in the episode and your intpretations of camera movement as well as the movement of the characters from the show. I'm so glad you make these videos to help me understand this show that much more!
Amazing Job. Eagerly excited for the next video. Thank you!
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed! I'm excited to move into the final episodes as we conclude the series.
Fascinating. I’ve only seen the whole Evangelion series once, last year (and I watched some other anime at the time like Serial Experiment Lain and Paranoia Agent) and never realized how much detail and thought truly went into it. Asuka is one of my favorite anime characters because of how much depth there is to her that I know I likely still don’t get even half of yet, and that, to me, is amazing. Amazing analysis and attention to detail, it’s clear you know your stuff!
(homer finger twiddling ) OoooOh new episode!🤤
That was so great! i love asuka & rei! mic is great! looking forward to next video!
You sir are absolutely amazing. Easily one of the best on UA-cam. And I’m not even being hyperbolic. Your videos are a master class in analysis. Absolutely love it.
Aww thank you so much! You flatter me, honestly. So glad you're enjoying the work; hopefully future videos continue exceeding expectations!
Thank you so much for making these. I really love Evangelion and it really deserves the treatment you give this series
back when I was a freshmen in HS in 2004 this show had me and my twin hooked on trying to under stand the hidden meaning, how life works why this show was different from say a "gundam like" mecha show.
kept us up at night talking about what it was for us.
your videos spark the memory i once shared with him.
You can find what you're looking for if you try to let go of the pain. Asuka's pain i can relate now to being 35 and looking and my past how we maybe older, a bit wiser but we're still a kid afraid of the dark.
Great video, love that you've upgrade you're set up, noticeable and a good sign of whats to come.
Peace be with you.
Thank you so very much. It warms my heart to hear my commentary has stoked such good memories.
Also glad to hear the upgrades and attention to detail aren't going unnoticed or unappreciated.
God bless you.
Another awesome video! Asuka's journey is so heart wrenching and you really wanna root for her. Can't wait to see Rei's big moment discussed too! ❤
Asuka has always been one of my favorite characters in media and this was an amazing breakdown Great work man, thanks for making me hurt all over again😂
Well, that was nice. The animation at the start was surprising, in a good way. Having watched these in a short period of time, it's an almost jarring jump in animation quality from the earlier videos to this one... Jarring in a good way though.
The audio was better, noticeably so. And the quality of the writing stayed at the, by now, high standard I've come to expect from this channel.
Thanks a lot for this video, I learned new things from a franchise that I first watched over twenty years ago. Which is a mood, goddamn.
I'd love to see you do one of these for other stuff, like Cyberpunk Edgerunners or Ghost in the Shell.
Or Psycho Pass.
Keep it up, this is awesome, and stay safe
Amazing video, you do sound better! Been loving this series, it reignited my love for Evangelion after I set it down for a few years.
Aww awesome, thank you so much! Glad to know the audio has improved, and glad I could help you love this show just a little more!
29:37 The equivalence between Asuka having an unguided personality (or self) by desiring the others' characteristics and becoming replaceable is interesting from a Girardian (mimetic) perspective. Merely imitating others who are desirable is not sufficient for guidance/individual self actualization, since this replication makes her vulnerable to being replaceable since she becomes like them and not her actual self.
This view combines the two alternatives you present in a way that validates both without discounting one or the other.
You made highly astute observations here. Great work!
Edit:
The followIng observation that Asuka (feels that she has) missed her opportunity (train ride) to become mature is also particularly sharp.
She is struggling against a sea of her (mutually-exclusive) imitative selves to become her true, unreplaceable self. From the perspective of René Girard's works, she is confronting her monstrous, imitative self that is replaceable by the others, with her real self.
This makes even more sense when you realize that Asuka is imitating (replicating, to use your word) Misato to try to romantically connect to Kaji, who is/was Misato's lover. Asuka desires Kaji because Misato desires him, and Misato is a role model for Asuka. Therefore, Asuka should desire Kaji. Asuka sublimates her self to her model/perception of Misato when she chases Kaji. The real individual that is Asuka actually desires Shinji, but she is fighting to be her own self over the people (Misato, etc.) she looks up to (desires to be).
Girard's understanding also integrates the view of Asuka's self (and by extension, every person's self) being more important than instrumentality's mimetic blending of all people into one, undifferentiated, collective being. Each one of us is not replaceable since no other person inhabits our perspective.
The Asuka video was worth every moment of wait time. You did our favorite tsundere justice and I loved every minute of it.
I've watched so many Eva analysis videos but your content is another level of quality, conciseness, and engagement. I will always look forward to your content!
Thank you so much! That's truly an honor; I'm so glad you're enjoying the series, and I hope I can continue exceeding expectations!
Fantastic job on this man. I've overanalyzed every scene and motif there is and you do it so concisely. Exactly what I needed in my life. Will now binge watch the rest of these :)
Aww thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed and that these videos are proving insightful and valuable!
Thank you for another great video! I don’t think I’ve posted since your first one on NGE but I look forward to seeing them. I appreciate this one most so far for the insight into the child that I have the least connection with and therefore least understanding of beyond a pretty basic level. My relationship to NGE is something I’m not sure I understand. In most ways I do not enjoy watching it and have trouble connecting with the characters but maybe due to my interest in sociology, psychology and theology, hell maybe just my autism, I often think about it. In short, your videos are very helpful and thoughtful.
22:03 If I'm reading this correctly, it says "イタイ" (itai) which means "It hurts" or could be used as an equivalent of "ow" or other verbal pain responses. Usually, when written in this way, it's an automatic response, something said in immediate suffering. In combination with the "Nein" and the allegory that this angel's attack represents, it's horrifying to say the least.
That definitely makes sense, and definitely evokes a good bit of terror. Thank you for sharing!
Yeees TimberW0lf back witch another banger
As soon as I saw your notification I LEAPT to watch it. Thank you for putting in so much effort for these analyses, it means more than you know for me. I take things so literally and don’t consider deeper connections/metaphors super often, partly due to lack of knowledge about religion and other technical stuff like significance of shots and how they convey certain meanings when strung together. The depths you go to explain all of this… has my full admiration! It’s the main reason I fell in love with this series you’ve been making. It’s what I’ve always needed!! I feel like I can understand evangelion much better and more than before, which leaves me feeling satisfied. So thank you, again. Truly.
I’m still watching how you place backgrounds in your animated scenes….. I’m not the best at deciphering but I do notice it! I know you also probably make sure your scenes have meaning in correlation with the video:)) like the trash scattered around in a room with a broken vhs tape watching your own video/clips from Eva while voicing over it.
I’ll be honest. When you 1st mentioned the last act would be 1 vid per ep I didn’t think it was warranted, but I trusted you’re judgement. I’m glad I did.
I don’t press the like button often since I believe a video must hit you in a certain way for that. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE VIDEOS. Time and again you’ve proven to be an expert at deconstruction, but this vid was on another level.
This video’s scale was massive not only because of what the show depicts, but because of your willingness to meaningfully engage with its aspects. Your series has been so deep and impactful for me which wouldn’t have been possible if you didn’t give these eps the time they deserve. I will come back to this video as it is art in its own right. This is getting long but know that you are valuable, talented, and wonderful. Do stop doing what you’re doing. God Bless.
P.S. I’m the 69th like. Nice.
you have no idea how much i value your work, such well put together thoughts! one of my favouite content creators by far
Aww thank you so much! You flatter me, honestly. Glad you're enjoying the series!
The talent and work for these videos can not get enough appreciation having such great writing, editing, sound plus a very appreciated touch of humour on top of such an incredible analysis of such a complex show is incredible. This must take you so much time. I really look forward to future videos even after this great series. Thank you for great entertainment.
what a damn harsh episode, and your analysis perfectly mirrors it, well done
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!
Asuka is my favorite female character in anime. Thanks for such a great breakdown of her and this episode. Keep up the good work.
Whoa that was amazing. I’m at a point in life where I really needed to hear this perspective hopefully it helps me to grow as well.
Amazing video! Absolutely love all of your deep dives on the series.. I just never realized how much like Asuka I am 👀
Aww thank you so much! So glad you're enjoying it so far. It is funny how much a fictional character can make us feel seen.
@so very true.. the line “when does independence evolve isolation” makes you really think and reflect. Awesome stuff dude!!
Thank you so much!
Absolutely love the graphics! Crazy on the Eva graphic showing camera angles, really loved that detail!
Aww thank you so much! Glad you appreciated all the little details, especially the Unit-02 map graphic! It was super fun to make and I'm glad it helped visualize the scene.
Honestly man, this is currently my favorite series on UA-cam. It seriously helped me deal with my own stuff and made me appreciate Evangelion even more. I can't wait for you to finish the show, and maybe even go on to the movies... but honestly I think this whole series you're doing is really important, and I hope the not so stellar views don't break your spirit. Honestly this is some of the most meaningful analysis I've personally experienced in a long time. Keep it up and take your time! You are doing an amazing job!
Literally my favorite thing on youtube right now. Every video that drops is amazing. I love your work!
Aww thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed and that they've continued meeting expectations!
Thank you again so much for your videos. I learn something new about this series with each one. Everything I could ask for on a cold winter's day. Excited to see how it all ends!
My favourite UA-camr for evangelion breakdowns!
Keep up the amazing work.
Aww thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed. Rest assured, I'll keep doing my best!
You did it again - great video!
Sound is fine and satisfying, however I didn't have chance to compare with previous videos, do cannot tell if there's improvement.
Regarding video length and release schedule, you're an author, so you're the boss to decide on it :-)
Thanks for great time and entertainment.
SCREAMED LIKE A LITTLE GIRL SEEING THIS POP UP IN RECOMMENDATIONS. WE ARE SOOO UPPP!!
Absolutely love this series,one of my favorite on UA-cam as of now
Aww thank you so much! It's an honor to be held in such high esteem. I'll do my best as we conclude the series!
I bet you may hear this, but I saw another connection to her and Shinji. The train scene is near identical to the one that “possibly” was Shinji back in episode 1. Possibly invoking the imagery that that she’s has regressed, and become similar to Shinji at the start. Due to all the things you have mentioned.
Holy shit this was amazing, I was hoping for a new upload and you want beyond expectations! Such an amazing analysis.
Aww thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed and that the video exceeded expectations!
Wow,it was definitly worth the wait ! can't wait for the next episode ,it really show the love and effort you put in these video and it resonate with me a lot.For that I am really grateful thanks again !(Sorry for my bad english )
My friend, your English is totally fine. Thank you so much for all your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and that it lived up to expectations! Your support means the world!
I love Asuka and I loved this video.
It’s a slightly different story and characters in the manga, but I really recommend reading it for more interesting insight into an alternate Asuka
Glad to see you back, great video as always.
Thank you so much! Glad to be back, and glad you enjoyed it!
Bravo. What an episode. Thanks for your amazing analysis.
Absolutely; thank you for your amazing support! It means the world!
What a great analysis, I’m so looking forward to the whole series coming together. This series has real insight into the series unlike most other Evangelion videos lol. Also tomorrow is Asuka’s birthday! God bless.
Aww thank you so much! I'm also excited to see how things wrap up. Happy coincidence that tomorrow is Asuka's birthday! God bless!
29:15
Something I like to point out here was that in the original japanese dub, they also had different voice actresses playing out Asuka during this scene. It most likely was the VSI dub trying to remain faithful to the JP dub imo. Whether if they’re the VAs for the female cast, I’m not sure. But honestly, I love your interpretation of this scene regardless and the video so far 🩷
one hell of a video. thank you, as always!
I honestly barely noticed the new audio but then went back to an older video and wow that's a pretty noticable difference!! your videos have always felt really well made and it's amazing to see you strife for even better quality!! i've enjoyed a lot of videos with far less polish and thought put into them, so the care you bring to creating these has always been outstanding to me in my mind
Your videos are so fucking good bro, i dont even mind waiting for them
Aww thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed, and that they're worth the wait. It means a lot!
It's sad we're in the final stretch, but I cannot wait for your analysis on the next 4 and EoE!!
Thank you so much! It's hard to believe after all this time we're nearing the end, but I'm so stoked to dive into the conclusion and gnaw on all the meat.
Found you through this vid, amazing work.
Making my way through your series but wanted to tell you how much I’m enjoying your analysis
Subbed and all that good stuff
Aww thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed this video, and I hope the others live up to expectations. Your support means the world!
take all the time you need man, quality is more important than haste
Aww thank you so much, I appreciate it! Glad you're enjoying the videos so far!
Tremendously edited and broken down as always. Take however long you need between episodes, your breakdown of the edit is straight up simply the best breakdown of the SERIES for me.
I recommend your videos as required viewing for any fan of the show, and I especially share it with people who just watched Eva for the first time and have found themselves in the "That was awesome and wow am I lost" following haze, haha.
Keep it up, and have a happy holiday!!
This video is insanely good. New sub, can’t wait to see more!
Aww thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed. Hopefully future videos continue living up to expectations!
This was excellent! A wonderful dissection
Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed!
Excellent in-depth look at asuka. Thanks!
Absolutely! Thank you for your incredible support!
Man, I remembered that the last few episodes got rough but I forgot how heavy the SA themes/references get especially in this one. Masterclass as usual and well worth the wait.
PS. I really thought you were going to force us to watch the whole elevator sequence without any commentary first and I was ready for it 😂
Another amazing episode of edit of evangelion! Thought to comment on one thing, the reason the vsi dub changed the voice actors is because the japanese dub does the same thing, adv probably didn't notice the voice actors were changing (as did i honestly)
Amazing video, I think you did an amazing job breaking the episode down. When I first watched the series, I hated Asuka once we first saw her since I thought she was annoying brat (like how shinji and his friends did) but after finishing the series, EoE, and the rebuilds she became my favorite character by far. I can’t connect to her as much as other ones like shinji, I can see asuka’s personality and issues in other people/family members I know
As someone who heavily relates to Asuka, this analysis really hits home and hammers in the fact that Asuka is one of if not my favorite character in Evangelion and maybe even fiction in general. I felt really uncomfortable watching this episode, since I see so much of myself in Asuka. Especially when she says that “she’s been soiled…” just really made my heart hurt. I had to take a break from watching for a good bit. This episode is a masterpiece, and I’m glad that we got more information about why Asuka is the way she is.
Okay wow, brilliant, one of my faves by far. I will say I agree with your theory about the train station scene, but I wanted to add that not only is it not necessarily a sign of upcoming instrumentality, it’s almost a blatant denial of instrumentality, she’s at the station, she’s right there, her family is already on the train, they’re already on their way but she refuses. She didn’t want to be at the train station, she was forced there, she looks terrified, walking backwards, like a predator(Arael) pushed her there.
I do believe that the crowd represents herself if she had no identity, faceless except for their hair, that hair reveal seemed horrifying to her as if she realised she, too, could disappear in a crowd, easily replaced, tearing her away from her identity as an adult, shown by her reaching for her lover, Kaji. It feels very much like Arael breaking down her AT field, trying to enforce instrumentality on her by force, to understand her, to pick apart at every piece, forcing her in that train so as to see every little part that makes her who she is, even if it destroys her ego as a result.
There is nothing more terrifying to Asuka than not existing, she fought against instrumentality to the very end, this was the closest she got and it was by force and she refused. Good for her. I’m proud of this fictional redhead.
I also want to mention a thought I had while writing this. I doubt this was intentional but, I do wonder if the crowd may be vaguely symbolic of uh… actually I don’t know if comments get flagged for words or not so let’s call it baby juice. A crowd of faceless people that vaguely resemble her, forcing her after she screams don’t come inside me? Idk man, pretty suss.
Amazing work as always!
Thank you so much, so glad you enjoyed!
First time viewer; script superbly written, excellent presentation. Great mic btw. I liked how you know the limits of what you have the emotional bandwidth to talk about, mad respect. Look forward to watching the backlog of your content.
Aww thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed the video, especially the technical aspects. I do my best to stay in my lane--I am just a dude on the internet, after all. Hopefully you find the other videos just as entertaining!
HOLY SHIT ITS FINALLY HERE :DD
Gotta add to my usual comments in all your vids huh? Lol. Fantastic as always! One thing id like to add tho, while that first part of the credits were blackened, the actuall "fly me to the moon" section was not. This ep is undoubtedly focused on asuka yet it still shows rei at the end
Its almost like the episode itself was mocking asuka and her attentionseeking behaviour