Why are Rei and Asuka often portrayed together?

[C.T.1290]

About every merchandise and advertisements always have Rei and Asuka together, and sometimes a bit intimately. But cannonicaly in the series, these two never gotten​ along. And Asuka has seemingly despised Rei, often calling her a doll. And Rei also doesn't have much experience in being close to someone.

So what was the point of having these two together? It almost seems to be a bit of false advertising, such as Asuka appearing all cheerful when in the series she's rude. And Rei doesn't show a lot of emotion as it would seem at a first glance.

And also, Shinji doesn't get much of a spot in advertising. What's up with that?

[xanderkh]

Simple rule of male fanservice dude:

1+1=2: More is better. XD

And Shinji does get his share of advertising, such as modeling for the newest fashion which he does pull off, but apparently the "male gaze" sells more. Care to guess why? XD

[Reichu]

Money, dear boy. Plus the whole fire and ice thing.

apparently the "male gaze" sells more. Care to guess why? XD

Well, of course it's going to sell more if you cater to it more...

[Chuckman]

Advertising something with a bunch of hot girls in it by putting them all together is as old as things with hot girls in them.

[Kendrix]

Advertising something with a bunch of hot girls in it by putting them all together is as old as things with hot girls in them.

Yeah, I doubt there's anything more to it than "lets put the hotties together" or perhaps those specific ones because they're both pilots & can be given fun matching outfits. Hence while a lot of Rebuild mechandised added Mari, though there's the occasional pic that has the original 3+ Misato as well. And if you're gonna draw them all fanservicey you might as well pose them cutely.

I mean they do both have their good days.

[silvermoonlight]

About every merchandise and advertisements always have Rei and Asuka together, and sometimes a bit intimately. But cannonicaly in the series, these two never gotten​ along. And Asuka has seemingly despised Rei, often calling her a doll. And Rei also doesn't have much experience in being close to someone.

I would agree with the others in terms of fan service I would like to add that they are good friends in three of the spin off manga's and in one of these manga's even hints that they might be a couple, so even though they don't get on in the series and manga the advertising isn't completely false.

[Reichu]

Assuming you meant "ISN'T completely false" -- Rei and Asuka were being put together for titillating/money-grubbing purposes long before any of those spin-offs existed. The "false advertising", as you put it, was probably what planted the seed for any eventual pseudo-legitimization.

[silvermoonlight]

Assuming you meant "ISN'T completely false" -- Rei and Asuka were being put together for titillating/money-grubbing purposes long before any of those spin-offs existed. The "false advertising", as you put it, was probably what planted the seed for any eventual pseudo-legitimization.

Yeah I meant isn't