It sort of would explain why both Mari (towards Eva-05 and Eva-02 in 2.0) and Asuka (towards Eva-02 in 3.0) treat their Eva with compassion on some level--and maybe explains Rei 2's words ("Eva is a mirror that reflects your heart.")?
It could also explain why core swapping is so important for the different units (the assumption Asuka's Eva-02's core was placed in Eva-03, for instance), when that's the only way for the pilots to properly synch with any Eva including their own:
1.0 - Shinji refuses to pilot, they decide to use Rei wrote:Ritsuko: Switch Unit-01's core unit to the L-00 type and restart it!
The "L" part of 00 type is making me wonder again if Rei or her Evas (Eva-00, Mark.09) have a Lilith connection...Though hard to say so far.
2.0 - when Asuka's Eva-02 is placed in storage wrote:Announcer, English: Eva Unit-02's core unit separation complete.
Tech, English: Unit-02 is inbound for housing within Containment Silo 2.
2.22 Supplemental Dialogue, Mari hijacks Eva-02 with help wrote:??: Eva Unit Two's containment measures have been unlocked. We are currently opening up Silo Two.
??: Final safety systems have been disabled. Removal of all restraining gear is now complete.
??: Entry plug currently moving into position. Thirty seconds to insertion lock position.
??: Core unit automatic reconfiguration sequence has begun.
??: Rewriting access key. The new designated pilot will be registered as Mari Makinami-Illustrious, pass code zero five.
??: Two minutes forty seconds until activation program start.
Although the mother being the Eva soul was such a crucial aspect of NGE, NME ain't NGE. Eva-01 being the only soul'ed Eva (though it currently houses both Yui and Rei 2) helps streamline the film series, too.
The majority of the Eva units being just cyborgs this time around gives off more of a hard sci-fi feel, at any rate.