I came across an idea while thinking about the final scene in EoE. It sounds crazy, but I thought of this at the spur of the moment and figured it was worth a shot. It's based on the premise that the moon with the streak of blood represents something, considering its shown 3 times during the scene, with one of these shots from Shinji's own perspective. This would suggest an important meaning, but it's been very difficult finding a concrete meaning, other than archaic symbolism.
The following was my original theory:
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In the final scene, the moon with the streak of blood across it is shown multiple times, which suggests an important meaning, but what?
Thinking for a while, I remembered Shinji's exchange of lines with Rei and Kaworu earlier in the movie.
Shinji:
I don't mind. But, what are you two within my heart?
Rei:
Hope. The hope that people might be able to understand one another.
Kaworu:
And the words 'I love you'.
Considering both Rei & Kaworu represent the white moon, the moon could be seen as the representation of the words "I love you," and the hope that people can understand each other. But the puzzle wasn't complete.
Upon realizing what the moon really symbolized, I suddenly remembered the exchange of words Shinji and Kaji shared in Episode 18.
Shinji: Is that fit with your relationships with Misato, too?
Kaji: Kanojo(she, girlfriend in Japanese) in Kanji means a woman far way. For us, women existing on the shore across. It means there is a river wider and deeper than ocean between men and women.
Shinji: I cannot understand the grown-ups.
With this in mind, everything suddenly connected for me. Rei showed up then, representing hope in this case. After Shinji sat up, there was the moon again. I honestly believe that in this scene, the moon is representing the embodiment of the words "I love you." But since the moon is so far away, across the shore of space so to speak, Rei's representation of Hope makes far more sense now. It is the ultimate symbol of Shinji and Asuka's relationship in the entire series.
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As this thread progressed, it soon became evident that the moon had far more symbolism in the original series than it appeared, as well as the sun. Many suggestions were brought up as to what the moon (and the sun) represented in the scene, as well as throughout the series. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a general consensus on the issue, leaving you, the reader to make up your own mind on what this all means.
This thread has seemed to bring out within us our own individual viewpoints, a view that doesn't like to be contested by any means, especially with the vagueness of the final scene, a scene arguably the most heartfelt in the movie. If you think this stuff is ridiculous then I ask that you please leave the topic immediately, as this boat has nearly capsized more than once. If you're in for the ride, then I ask that you keep an open mind to prevent the topic from being locked.
Thank you.
