Why I Don't Like Mari
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- CommanderFish
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
I don't see NTE as just a different version of NGE, no. But one can not argue that this specific scene that I'm talking about (the Zeruel fight) has an extremely similar context surrounding it in NTE as it did in NGE, and I didn't choose for those similarities to be present. Based on that, I would be fine if the important character moment for Asuka present in NGE was replaced with something of equal or greater value in NTE, perhaps something of more value to NTE's narrative, specifically (like developing Mari's character for instance). So I guess, since the situation around the specific scene in mention is so, so similar in both NGE and NTE, and since NGE was the precedent, then yes--I would have to say that NTE's Zeruel scene is another version of the original's scene.
Once again, I'm still choosing to view the movies as a whole as independent works, but the truth is that so many events in 1.0 and 2.0 are clearly just re-done versions of those same events in NGE. I don't see how comparison can be avoided in some cases, you know? I may not be wording this the best I can right now, but I hope you can at least see my point-of-view.
I'll always be the first to admit though, I may be missing something.
Once again, I'm still choosing to view the movies as a whole as independent works, but the truth is that so many events in 1.0 and 2.0 are clearly just re-done versions of those same events in NGE. I don't see how comparison can be avoided in some cases, you know? I may not be wording this the best I can right now, but I hope you can at least see my point-of-view.
I'll always be the first to admit though, I may be missing something.
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
Ray, the simple fact that Mari is an eva pilot doesn't necessarily entitle her to the keys to all of the backstory privileges. Just like how there are plenty of soldiers in a movie about soldiers that don't get any character development, there can also be many (or in this case, at least one) eva pilots who don't get as much character development. Steven Spielberg even proves that you can name an entire movie after a certain soldier (Saving Private Ryan) while still giving that soldier very little character development in the movie, and still be nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture, while still winning Best Director.
There are also many other movies that prove that simply because a character carries a certain job title doesn't mean that they need more character development. The only FedEx employee in a movie about a FedEx delivery disaster to get any character development was Chuck Noland (played by Tom Hanks), and the only character to get "second place" in the development game was a blood-painted volleyball named "Wilson." None of the other FedEx employees are given backstories despite this being a movie about a FedEx disaster. And it's still not considered bad screenwriting.
For some of your more specific points:
Kaji's not an Eva Pilot. And even if he was, he still wouldn't have "had enough character development" (how ever much of an amount "enough" looks like) in order to pilot one to satisfy the companies you presented.
Kaji couldn't have done that either.
Why should Ritsuko & Co. be cut? Without them it would seem as though Nerv is very severely understaffed. True, they're roles are more like Scotty or Chekov in many of the original Star Trek episodes. But on the other hand, they're roles are more like Scotty or Chekov in many of the original Star Trek episodes. You need those kinds of characters there in order to establish some form of rank and infrastructure during missions like the ones that are carried out by Nerv. Cutting to a room where Misato quietly pushes buttons while kids pilot Evas doesn't establish any of these important things.
Watch it again. Mari is in cahoots with Kaji to establish Wille. Kaji is the one Mari talks to on the phone after parachuting into Japan, which is why Kaji immediately intercepts Shinji after Mari's landing to make sure his mind isn't stuck on trying to remember the details of the landing. (A calm discussion over a watermelon patch is a good way of doing this.) Then Mari steals Unit 02 (which we later see as being in Wille's possession) while Kaji recruits Wille members. (Kaji Takao mentions his conversation with Kaji about certain aspects of working in Wille.)
Without Mari, there's a good chance Kaji couldn't have established half of the things you see in Eva Q.
There are also many other movies that prove that simply because a character carries a certain job title doesn't mean that they need more character development. The only FedEx employee in a movie about a FedEx delivery disaster to get any character development was Chuck Noland (played by Tom Hanks), and the only character to get "second place" in the development game was a blood-painted volleyball named "Wilson." None of the other FedEx employees are given backstories despite this being a movie about a FedEx disaster. And it's still not considered bad screenwriting.
For some of your more specific points:
Kaji's not an Eva Pilot. And even if he was, he still wouldn't have "had enough character development" (how ever much of an amount "enough" looks like) in order to pilot one to satisfy the companies you presented.
Need I remind you Anno put a very inappropriate fanservice scene with her bouncing oppai right after KAWORU DIED!?
Kaji couldn't have done that either.
CommanderFish wrote:Also, I actually do argue for the axing of the Bridge Bunnies, (especially the new additions in 3.0. The OG three fit in more with what I'm about to say about Ritsuko). Ritsuko... I would be alright with cutting out too; but to be honest, I'd argue that she's actually given us more than Mari has.
Why should Ritsuko & Co. be cut? Without them it would seem as though Nerv is very severely understaffed. True, they're roles are more like Scotty or Chekov in many of the original Star Trek episodes. But on the other hand, they're roles are more like Scotty or Chekov in many of the original Star Trek episodes. You need those kinds of characters there in order to establish some form of rank and infrastructure during missions like the ones that are carried out by Nerv. Cutting to a room where Misato quietly pushes buttons while kids pilot Evas doesn't establish any of these important things.
I'm sorry Sachi, but I just don't see how this is supported at all within the movies, especially that last part about her being there to teach Shinji some lessons. That being said, I have only watched 2.0 once, so (and I've said this multiple times at this point) I may be missing something, but yeah... I just don't see it.
And all that other stuff you described about her; it sort of just describes--well--a boring character, in my honest opinion. And in comparison to a lot of the other characters in NTE, I think that that description fits in line with my thoughts about her pretty well.
Watch it again. Mari is in cahoots with Kaji to establish Wille. Kaji is the one Mari talks to on the phone after parachuting into Japan, which is why Kaji immediately intercepts Shinji after Mari's landing to make sure his mind isn't stuck on trying to remember the details of the landing. (A calm discussion over a watermelon patch is a good way of doing this.) Then Mari steals Unit 02 (which we later see as being in Wille's possession) while Kaji recruits Wille members. (Kaji Takao mentions his conversation with Kaji about certain aspects of working in Wille.)
Without Mari, there's a good chance Kaji couldn't have established half of the things you see in Eva Q.
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
FYI, Mari doesn't steal the Eva. The personnel in the IPEA compound are letting her use it. Ergo the EU gave the OK, and Nerv HQ wasn't made privy to the decision for some reason.
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
^Let's also not forget her line in 3.33 when she ejects Shinji from Unit-13, tells him to save the princess and while he's at it: learn a little something about the world. While Shinji's worldview leaves him shortsided and self absorbed, Mari has been the polar opposite from the start; she's a strong, independent spirit, and she seflessly devotes herself to a cause greater than herself, unlike everybody else who pilots Eva for selfish reasons. By 3.33, she seems to have rubbed off a bit on Asuka. If Anno is trying to create a fullfilled version of Shinji, it makes sense that there's a character who can be that example for him.
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
^Ritsuko mentions earlier that Euro was throwing shade at Japan over the destruction of Unit 05. Considering Mari was supposed to go in covertly, was planning for extraction and had the backdoor codes for Unit 02, I think the plan might have been for her to slip in and quietly liberate Unit 02 for the IPEA or Euro so that Gendo wasn't squatting on all the Evas. This does make me really curious about how much the other Nerv branches know about Seele and Nerv's true goals.
Mari does show development as a character for what it's worth. In 2.0, she shows signs of the same lone wolf attitude Asuka has. She's mouthy and kind of flippant with Kaji, doesn't like having to involve adults in her affairs and shuts off all communication with HQ while fighting Zeruel and refuses support from Operations. She's also very reckless as a pilot with a strategic thinking that boils down to "punch, stab, kill." Come 3.0 she's joined up with Wille, found a nice equilibrium with Asuka as her superior officer (and sings a song about not being alone to her), and she's become much more tactical in her thinking. She attacks foes from a distance, holes herself up in Central Dogma where Nerv's Evas can't reach her and advises Asuka to back down and save resources when they can't beat the 12th Angel's core.
I think Mari works well enough as she is for what she does. She pilots Evas because she thinks it's great fun. It seems like that's part of the working relationship she has with Kaji: his group uses Mari to do their Eva-related dirty work, she uses their Anti-Nerv/Seele adult business as an outlet to pilot Evas. She doesn't need some involved or tragic backstory when her character is focused around her occupation.
Mari does do something Asuka and Rei could not: her presence reveals the existence of an other conspirator in the game and creates a trail back to them. Two fully equipped Eva pilots that Misato knew nothing about show up within the span of a couple hours. Misato's already on the trail of Seele and a brand new super Eva is going to link back to them. Misato tried getting info out of Kaji before but he told her not to poke the Seele hornet nest but Mari and Kaworu being revealed at the same time would force the issue.
Mari does show development as a character for what it's worth. In 2.0, she shows signs of the same lone wolf attitude Asuka has. She's mouthy and kind of flippant with Kaji, doesn't like having to involve adults in her affairs and shuts off all communication with HQ while fighting Zeruel and refuses support from Operations. She's also very reckless as a pilot with a strategic thinking that boils down to "punch, stab, kill." Come 3.0 she's joined up with Wille, found a nice equilibrium with Asuka as her superior officer (and sings a song about not being alone to her), and she's become much more tactical in her thinking. She attacks foes from a distance, holes herself up in Central Dogma where Nerv's Evas can't reach her and advises Asuka to back down and save resources when they can't beat the 12th Angel's core.
I think Mari works well enough as she is for what she does. She pilots Evas because she thinks it's great fun. It seems like that's part of the working relationship she has with Kaji: his group uses Mari to do their Eva-related dirty work, she uses their Anti-Nerv/Seele adult business as an outlet to pilot Evas. She doesn't need some involved or tragic backstory when her character is focused around her occupation.
Mari does do something Asuka and Rei could not: her presence reveals the existence of an other conspirator in the game and creates a trail back to them. Two fully equipped Eva pilots that Misato knew nothing about show up within the span of a couple hours. Misato's already on the trail of Seele and a brand new super Eva is going to link back to them. Misato tried getting info out of Kaji before but he told her not to poke the Seele hornet nest but Mari and Kaworu being revealed at the same time would force the issue.
Someday I hope that we'll be reunited if that is what's destined to be. Perhaps we'll discover that elusive bible. And then we will finally be free!
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
BB: It's the IPEA's own compound that Eva-02 is frozen in, because of their own 3 Evas Only rule. Why would Mari be freeing the Eva for them? Seems more like they're letting her use it, because Eva-03 went under and the EU cleared 02's use off-screen.
("Euro" sounds retarded IMO; based on the branch flag, "EU" is what's meant here.)
("Euro" sounds retarded IMO; based on the branch flag, "EU" is what's meant here.)
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- BlueBasilisk
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
I agree that "Euro" sounds dumb.
That is a good point. Unit 02 is inside Nerv HQ but completely outside their jurisdiction. If the EU/IPEA wanted to use it or take it out of Japan, there's not much Nerv could do about it, is there?
In that case, maybe she was just there so they had an ace in the hole behind enemy lines? It seems like all the parties in the know suspected some bad shit was going to go down when Zeruel showed up.
That is a good point. Unit 02 is inside Nerv HQ but completely outside their jurisdiction. If the EU/IPEA wanted to use it or take it out of Japan, there's not much Nerv could do about it, is there?
In that case, maybe she was just there so they had an ace in the hole behind enemy lines? It seems like all the parties in the know suspected some bad shit was going to go down when Zeruel showed up.
Someday I hope that we'll be reunited if that is what's destined to be. Perhaps we'll discover that elusive bible. And then we will finally be free!
- CommanderFish
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
FreakyFilmFan4ever wrote:Watch it again. Mari is in cahoots with Kaji to establish Wille. Kaji is the one Mari talks to on the phone after parachuting into Japan, which is why Kaji immediately intercepts Shinji after Mari's landing to make sure his mind isn't stuck on trying to remember the details of the landing. (A calm discussion over a watermelon patch is a good way of doing this.) Then Mari steals Unit 02 (which we later see as being in Wille's possession) while Kaji recruits Wille members. (Kaji Takao mentions his conversation with Kaji about certain aspects of working in Wille.)
Without Mari, there's a good chance Kaji couldn't have established half of the things you see in Eva Q.
BlueBasilisk wrote:She pilots Evas because she thinks it's great fun. It seems like that's part of the working relationship she has with Kaji: his group uses Mari to do their Eva-related dirty work, she uses their Anti-Nerv/Seele adult business as an outlet to pilot Evas. She doesn't need some involved or tragic backstory when her character is focused around her occupation.
Hm, I guess I really was missing something. It's actually pretty interesting that you can look back on 2.0 and see how Kaji is working behind the scenes to create Willie all the way back then. And I have to admit, this does give more of a reason for Mari to be there from a plot perspective; Willie needs to insure they at least have one pilot on their side, so they secure her early on. And like BB says, it's a relationship that makes sense based on her character.
I still think her character itself is pretty uninteresting and probably could have been a lot better, but at least she is in the films for a reason, (and as such she contributes--however minimally--to establishing the plot/setting). Final conclusion is she's "meh".
.FreakyFilmFan4ever wrote:Why should Ritsuko & Co. be cut? Without them it would seem as though Nerv is very severely understaffed. True, they're roles are more like Scotty or Chekov in many of the original Star Trek episodes. But on the other hand, they're roles are more like Scotty or Chekov in many of the original Star Trek episodes. You need those kinds of characters there in order to establish some form of rank and infrastructure during missions like the ones that are carried out by Nerv. Cutting to a room where Misato quietly pushes buttons while kids pilot Evas doesn't establish any of these important things.
I actually agree with you here. They do assist the tone and setting in those ways, as well as providing us with necessary exposition, like I said. But I should clarify here: I didn't really mean that I would prefer for these characters to be removed, only that I would be okay with it if it were necessary for whatever reason; they're still less important than the main and supporting characters of course. At least, that's what I mean now...
Sachi wrote:^Let's also not forget her line in 3.33 when she ejects Shinji from Unit-13, tells him to save the princess and while he's at it: learn a little something about the world. While Shinji's worldview leaves him shortsided and self absorbed, Mari has been the polar opposite from the start; she's a strong, independent spirit, and she seflessly devotes herself to a cause greater than herself, unlike everybody else who pilots Eva for selfish reasons. By 3.33, she seems to have rubbed off a bit on Asuka. If Anno is trying to create a fullfilled version of Shinji, it makes sense that there's a character who can be that example for him.
BlueBasilisk wrote:Mari does show development as a character for what it's worth. In 2.0, she shows signs of the same lone wolf attitude Asuka has. She's mouthy and kind of flippant with Kaji, doesn't like having to involve adults in her affairs and shuts off all communication with HQ while fighting Zeruel and refuses support from Operations. She's also very reckless as a pilot with a strategic thinking that boils down to "punch, stab, kill." Come 3.0 she's joined up with Wille, found a nice equilibrium with Asuka as her superior officer (and sings a song about not being alone to her), and she's become much more tactical in her thinking.
Someday I'll re-watch 2.0 and 3.0 and look for this. I'm skeptical of this, but I'm not going to say anything for certain right now. Either way, it doesn't really matter. If this is all her character is and all her character development is, it's still pretty bare-bones and uninteresting--to me, at least.
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
CommanderFish: From your use of "Vessel of the Adams" I assume you watched the English dubs, so try it the other way next time. Maaya Sakamoto is a lot of fun as Mari.
The films are very information dense (in the usual Eva-ish sorts of ways, plus Anno puts HD video and surround sound to good use), so multiple viewings are pretty much required.
These complaints about "character development" make me wonder if similar complaints hold for suppporting and tertiary casts in other multi-part films. Hate to put it to you, but movies aren't going to be the same thing as serials. If your standards of characterization are so strict, stick to TV.
The films are very information dense (in the usual Eva-ish sorts of ways, plus Anno puts HD video and surround sound to good use), so multiple viewings are pretty much required.
These complaints about "character development" make me wonder if similar complaints hold for suppporting and tertiary casts in other multi-part films. Hate to put it to you, but movies aren't going to be the same thing as serials. If your standards of characterization are so strict, stick to TV.
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- CommanderFish
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
I actually did not watch the English dub. I haven't watched any Evangelion work dubbed, as a matter of fact (I don't quite know why, I just haven't gotten around to it, I guess). "Vessel of Adams" was the translation in the sub for me. Mari's voice actor was pretty good, not that I'm the specialist or anything.
And yeah, I knew while I was watching them that I wasn't gonna catch everything of importance in one viewing. Eva has more to it than that. Surprisingly though, I've only watched through NGE + EoE two times in total.
I guess you make a good point about movies vs. T.V. The thing is though, I never said I disliked the rebuilds as films; I still enjoy them altogether. And I do realize that films are more often going to include side characters that receive little development, whereas a series has more time to flesh everyone out. But I think I still reserve the right to call uninteresting side characters mediocre, then still enjoy the film because I can recognize that this is a common bi-product in the medium and move on from it.
And yeah, I knew while I was watching them that I wasn't gonna catch everything of importance in one viewing. Eva has more to it than that. Surprisingly though, I've only watched through NGE + EoE two times in total.
I guess you make a good point about movies vs. T.V. The thing is though, I never said I disliked the rebuilds as films; I still enjoy them altogether. And I do realize that films are more often going to include side characters that receive little development, whereas a series has more time to flesh everyone out. But I think I still reserve the right to call uninteresting side characters mediocre, then still enjoy the film because I can recognize that this is a common bi-product in the medium and move on from it.
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
I'm a little confused by this, Ray. Who exactly is the first "unattainable female ideal"?
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
Rei. And he would not be wrong. She represents a fantasy of an objectified woman, subservient and loyal to her man, and with just the right amount of oedipal attraction to go along with it.
I don't really see it with Mari though. The difference with her is, as I said, she's isn't revolved around Shinji the way the other Eva girls are, and she treats him fairly while the others manipulate him. What exactly is the "unattainable female ideal" part with Mari?
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
Okay... but that's not exactly why Shinji is attracted to her. Shinji doesn't like Rei for her subservient, doll-like qualities. He doesn't want to control her or bend her to his will. He is attracted to her for different reasons, one of which is definitely the oedipal complex (which would be a side-affect of Rei literally being a clone of his mother). But I still wouldn't say that--by wanting Rei--Shinji is chasing an "unattainable female ideal". In NTE, especially, it seems he actually wants to help her in breaking out of her shell (becoming less emotionless and subservient as a result).
May I be missing something? I could be looking at this the wrong way... perhaps instead of how Shinji approaches Rei, I should look at how Rei approaches Shinji (in NTE, specifically)?
Sachi wrote:I don't really see it with Mari though. The difference with her is, as I said, she's isn't revolved around Shinji the way the other Eva girls are, and she treats him fairly while the others manipulate him. What exactly is the "unattainable female ideal" part with Mari?
I can't speak to what Ray was referencing when he said that; but I can say that personally, I would detest seeing MarixShinji just because Mari is just so... boring. But I don't know if you were serious with that or not to begin with, anyways.
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
For whatever reason, some people just can't see past Mari's flirtyness to the more serious part of her (though I agree she's not a suitable partner for Shinji - certainly as he is now, and probably ever).
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
^I didn't really pay much attention to Mari during my first watch of 2.0 and 3.0, to be fair. She was a side character after all, and one I didn't have much attachment to to boot. Though I can't even think of what the "serious" part of her character possibly could be. I'll pay more close attention to her when I re-watch.
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
For the record, I was kidding when I said #MarixShinji. However, I am not kidding when I believe that Mari serves as a decent role model for a healthy, and self-determined individual, finding the perfect balance between self and others, and that she may play an important role for Shinji's character arc.
Her serious side is her business side. The part of her that is an agent for the unknown third party working with Kaji, trying to expose Nerv and Seele's plans.
CommanderFish wrote:^I didn't really pay much attention to Mari during my first watch of 2.0 and 3.0, to be fair. She was a side character after all, and one I didn't have much attachment to to boot. Though I can't even think of what the "serious" part of her character possibly could be. I'll pay more close attention to her when I re-watch.
Her serious side is her business side. The part of her that is an agent for the unknown third party working with Kaji, trying to expose Nerv and Seele's plans.
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
Sachi wrote:Her serious side is her business side. The part of her that is an agent for the unknown third party working with Kaji, trying to expose Nerv and Seele's plans.
oh jeez. I already forgot about that. Shows you how much I care about her character, I guess...
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Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
Even at her worst, Mari is inoffensive. The only people who claim that Mari is actively taking away from the narrative are people who force (or otherwise assume) Asuka Soryu's heavy backstory from NGE onto Asuka Shikinami in NTE, and claim that Mari is somehow interrupting the revelation of that backstory. Shikinami is not Soryu, and therefore will never have Soryu's backstory. There is nothing there to be upstaged by Mari specifically. Sure, one can use that lack of backstory to try and argue a lack of character development in general on the films, but that's not the fault of the inclusion of Mari's character.
Mari's worst crime in the narrative is being way too eye-catching to not be as interesting as an NGE character. She grabs everyone's attention immediately, but doesn't have the NGE back stories people keep trying to assume onto the rest of the cast. As a result, whatever annoyance people find in the less complex Asuka in NTE is only multiplied with Mari's complete lack of history.
Audiences who've never seen NGE, on the other hand, enjoy both Asuka and Mari without complaint. They don't assume anything irrelevant to the story, so it just goes over better for them.
Mari's worst crime in the narrative is being way too eye-catching to not be as interesting as an NGE character. She grabs everyone's attention immediately, but doesn't have the NGE back stories people keep trying to assume onto the rest of the cast. As a result, whatever annoyance people find in the less complex Asuka in NTE is only multiplied with Mari's complete lack of history.
Audiences who've never seen NGE, on the other hand, enjoy both Asuka and Mari without complaint. They don't assume anything irrelevant to the story, so it just goes over better for them.
Re: Why I Don't Like Mari
The movies don't care much about it either, so it's not really your fault. Most people whose first Eva viewing is Rebuild don't notice this anyway. They just love her because she's crazy and fun.
Amarantos - an NGE AU, beginning with Asuka, Shinji, and a garden. Take a look. Couldn't hurt.
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