Who will die in Final.

[Guy Nacks]

I haven't watched Q in a little over a year, so I probably forgot.

[ElMariachi]

Now if Kaworu's soul is indeed inside EVA-13, the big question is how it will potentially affect Gendo's plans, because I really doubt that Gendo would had overlooked something like that. ("The First Angel dying while being inside his old body? There's no way in hell he'll relocate inside it!")

[Nuclear Lunchbox]

Well, it leaves Kaworu alive and (possibly) able to influence others. That alone could be enough to throw a wrench at Gendo, particularly if he doesn't know this and still thinks that everything is going according to his plans.

[Bagheera]

Huuuuuuh. So Rei's soul is in Unit 01, Kaworu's soul is in Eva 13, Lilith was the first Angel (Kaworu was, but since he was cast down to the 13th that puts Lilith on top) and Kaworu was cast down to the 13th . . . maybe there's something to that.

[pwhodges]

Shinji gets to choose which one plays the endgame! Poor Shinji, what a decision to have to make!

[KingXanaduu]

^

Okay, it's getting almost akin to a "running gag" where Shinji has to always make decisions that will have vast consequences so far. Can't the guy take two steps in one direction without shit blowing up in his face for two seconds?

[Stillborn]

Unless it's a fanfic, then no.

[KingXanaduu]

^
Do you have to constantly prey my comments with your pessimism? Cause you ain't gonna break me.

[Bagheera]

Unless it's a fanfic, then no.

Or the TV show, or the manga, or any of the AUs, or Final. You know, just the bulk of the franchise.

[Stillborn]

All of those, burden his choices all the same.

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

The scale on which Shinji fails occasionally requires many, many more steps that just two. And usually it was something beyond anyone’s control or understanding that kicked him off his feet to begin with. Eva Q was the only time in the series where everyone was all “Shinji, don’t fucking do it!” and it blew up in his face. Every other time in NTE it was all encouraged or part of the job before it blew up in his face, and the last time he was effectively subordinate in mid-battle (such as the case with 5th Angel in Jo) it actually succeeded. Gendo doing what he did in Ha was just him being an asshole. With that whole history of people telling Shinji how to do things, what’s to tell Shinji that these people telling him “No,” actually had anything worth listening to this time around?

This isn’t to say that Shinji shouldn’t be blamed for anything wrong that he did, but at the same time I can totally see how he’s rationalizing and justifying his own actions throughout the series. It all kinda makes sense from his perspective.

[Bagheera]

All of those, burden his choices all the same.

No, they really don't.

[Dataprime]

So it's out of the question of Shinji dying in the end?

[Bagheera]

So it's out of the question of Shinji dying in the end?

Given Anno's track record and the fact he's not depressed out of his mind the way he was when making EoE? Yeah, pretty much.

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

Even when Anno did lean towards depression in his narratives, he always left his main characters alive, forcing them to face the decisions they’ve made. Death is just too easy of an escape in some stories.

[Stillborn]

And THIS is the reason why Shinji will live. Not the plot armor. It's that life is the worse fate for him so of course he will live.

[SEELE]

And THIS is the reason why Shinji will live. Not the plot armor. It's that life is the worse fate for him so of course he will live.

I hate you!

[Bagheera]

And THIS is the reason why Shinji will live. Not the plot armor. It's that life is the worse fate for him so of course he will live.

That has proven not to be the case in every single iteration of the franchise, so no.

[Nuclear Lunchbox]

So it's out of the question of Shinji dying in the end?

Eva doesn't feel like the kind of show that would kill off the main protag, and particularly so because the character is Shinji. The whole point is to have him live and learn how to be happy.

[Stillborn]

^^

About this, we just have differen't outlook. You see his life as happy or sufficent. I see it as disgraceful and empty, with forced smile. It's just how we interpret "living what's forced on you".