Mari Discussion/Speculation: Version 2.22

[simon]

All we know for sure now is that the chick destroyed unit 02, probably beyond recovery. For that alone she got my eternal abomination. Asuka is the only person that can trash evas. ;]

[Mr. Tines]

"I want Mari to destroy old Eva."

I think we can say we're well on our way to "Mission Accomplished" with that.

[bladerj]

I think mari is a super spy and in the end will kill Kaji to save her own perfectly round ass, and be killed by seele anyway.

[Number 44]

I know this is gonna get deleted as per the warning at the topic...

BUT

Theory #1: Mari is Anno's take on a cat girl. Animal/Human hybrid of some sort. This would explain Mari's connection with animals.

Theory #2: Rei and Kaworu are angel's souls stuck in human form. Evangelion are basicly angels with just a human human DNA spliced in or something of the sort. And Mari? Maybe she's human with just a little angel DNA spliced in.

Theory #3 Not really a theory but Rei Anami is listed as public relations for Tokyo TV. Probably a common enough name in Japan and after all it's not exactly the same name, but I do wonder. Anyone care to check NGE/EoE's credits for a Mari?

[Warren Peace]

(response to a quote from one of the other threads that I'll post here instead in support of the Mari Threads Instrumentality Project:)

Well, even Sadamoto said in an interview that Mari is not meant to be a character from Eva, she's meant to feel like an outsider/from another series.

I wonder if this sheds light on Mari's overall purpose. I'm flashing back to Anno's mission statement that went along with Rebuild's announcement. Part of it comes off as a condemnation of modern anime:

Many different desires are motivating us to create the new "Evangelion" film.

The desire to portray my sincere feelings on film.
The desire to share, with an audience, the embodiment of image, the diversity of expressions, and the detailed portrayal of emotions that animation offers.
The desire to connect today's exhausted Japanese animation [industry] to the future.
The desire to fight the continuing trend of stagnation in anime.
The desire to support the strength of heart that exists in the world.

Finally, the desire to have these wishes be realized.

For these purposes, we used the best methods available to us to make another Evangelion film.
Many times we wondered, "It's a title that's more than 10 years old. Why now?"
"Eva is too old", we felt.
However, over the past 12 years, there has been no anime newer than Eva.

Specifically, among the stagnant mood of the present day, it is the portrayal of will - not technology - that is most important.
To support the fans that support animation, we felt that a work that would appeal to middle and high school-aged men, who quickly grow away from Anime, was necessary.
When we decided that we wanted to something to support the anime [industry] of today, the determination to return to this title was strong.

As the creator of this project, [I assure you that] a very new-feeling Evangelion world has been constructed.
For this purpose, we are not returning to our roots at Gainax. I have set up a production company and studio, and it is in this new setting that we will start again.
Without looking back, without admiration for the circumstances, we aim to walk towards the future.
Thankfully, we have gathered staff from the old series, new staff, and many other fantastic staff to work on this series.
We realize that we are creating something that will be better than the last series.

”Eva" is a story that repeats.
It is a story where the main character witnesses many horrors with his own eyes, but still tries to stand up again.
It is a story of will; a story of moving forward, if only just a little.
It is a story of fear, where someone who must face indefinite solitude fears reaching out to others, but still wants to try.
We hope that you look forward to the 4 new retellings of this story.

In closing, it is also our job to provide a service to our customers.
Although it seems obvious, we aim to create a form of entertainment that anyone can look forward to; one that people who have never seen Evangelion can easily adjust to, one that can engage audiences as a movie for theatres, and one that produces a new understanding of the world.

This fall, we hope you can join us.

Creator/General Director, Anno Hideaki

Taking that along with Sadamoto's statement makes me think that Mari is Rebuild's commentary on contemporary anime. What do we know about her so far? Superficially, she's derivative of other Eva characters. She digs Rei's fashion sense, with the uniform being her default mode of dress. She thinks Asuka has a neat way of clipping her hair and shares the bi-cultural aspect of her. Mari's reasons for piloting also seem to be shallower than the other children. Whereas each of them have complicated reasons for doing it, she straps in 'cuz it's really cool and fun and shit. "The Beast" strips away all humanity from Eva, creating something that is flashy but soulless. Rahxephon, basically.

Who knows what the Hell they're doing with the character, but from all indications I think this is where they're heading.

(oh, and I feel this also has something to do with it, but I'm not sure what:)

It's an interview with Rei's and Mari's seyus: Megumi Hayashibara and Maya Sakamoto.
The interesting part is, of course, Sakamoto's.
She was discussing her character with Anno. And that's what Anno said:
"I want Mari to destroy old Eva."

[AuraTwilight]

Theory #2: Rei and Kaworu are angel's souls stuck in human form. Evangelion are basicly angels with just a human human DNA spliced in or something of the sort. And Mari? Maybe she's human with just a little angel DNA spliced in.

Minor nitpick. Evangelions are clones of Adam with human souls. No human DNA involved. Though your idea with Mari is still plausible (though I'd personally imagine she'd of been given some sort of visual clue like having a similar color scheme to Rei and Kaworu or something).

[Mr. Tines]

Mari is Rebuild's commentary on contemporary anime.

But she's not a moe-blob sitting around doing cute things with other moe-blobs.

[NAveryW]

Taking that along with Sadamoto's statement makes me think that Mari is Rebuild's commentary on contemporary anime.

Sadamoto said in his interview (which was inaccessible last time I tried to access the webpage and now seems to be gone altogether) that Mari is the "traditional" mecha pilot. In other words, the pilot you'd see in really old giant robot anime. Not exactly very contemporary.

[Fazmotron]

Theory #1: Mari is Anno's take on a cat girl. Animal/Human hybrid of some sort. This would explain Mari's connection with animals.

What? What connection does she have with animals? (apart from ZA BEASTO)

Theory #2: Rei and Kaworu are angel's souls stuck in human form. Evangelion are basicly angels with just a human human DNA spliced in or something of the sort. And Mari? Maybe she's human with just a little angel DNA spliced in.

We don't know anything about the souls of Rei and Kaworu in Rebuild, we don't even know if they're connected to Adam and Lilith.

Theory #3 Not really a theory but Rei Anami is listed as public relations for Tokyo TV. Probably a common enough name in Japan and after all it's not exactly the same name, but I do wonder. Anyone care to check NGE/EoE's credits for a Mari?

What?

[Warren Peace]

Sadamoto said in his interview (which was inaccessible last time I tried to access the webpage and now seems to be gone altogether) that Mari is the "traditional" mecha pilot. In other words, the pilot you'd see in really old giant robot anime. Not exactly very contemporary.

I don't get that sense at all, she seems extremely modern. Never saw a character like her prancing around Gigantor and the like. Even if Gunbuster is "really old giant robot anime", I don't see how she fits. Everything about her screams post-millenial.

[Azathoth]

I don't get that sense at all, she seems extremely modern. Never saw a character like her prancing around Gigantor and the like. Even if Gunbuster is "really old giant robot anime", I don't see how she fits. Everything about her screams post-millenial.

Gigantor is too old and Gunbuster isn't old enough.

Think Mazinger Z or Getter Robo. Or hell, think Gurren Lagann, since that's one long love letter to super-robot anime.

I still don't get what possessed Anno and Sadamoto to come up with an Eva character whose sole stated purpose is to not be anything like an Eva character, but maybe there's still something to it.

At least Mari, having no prior existence, doesn't bug me like the bastardized versions of NGE characters Rebuild uses.

[DarthGendo]

It's not her sole purpose. That's for sure.
Anno is aiming for something bigger with Mari.
RoE3/4 preview prooves that.
I believe Mari is a key to all events that take place in Rebuild.

[the_seventh_child]

It's not her sole purpose. That's for sure.
Anno is aiming for something bigger with Mari.
RoE3/4 preview prooves that.
I believe Mari is a key to all events that take place in Rebuild.

Then, the show should be called "Mari's adventures in Eva Land."
I mean ok guys, it is obvious Mari is gonna play an active role, but let us hold our horses that she is somehow the Aizen of Eva.

[DarthGendo]

If it's a simple remake with some additions/changes/never before seen cut scenes, it must be called
Remake of Evangelion.
Or does Rebuild of Evangelion means that a key to all events in the movies is Rebuilding or Perestroika in USSR?

Don't be picky about words and titles.

[the_seventh_child]

If it's a simple remake with some additions/changes/never before seen cut scenes, it must be called
Remake of Evangelion.
Or does Rebuild of Evangelion means that a key to all events in the movies is Rebuilding or Perestroika in USSR?

Don't be picky about words and titles.

Doesn;t mean, that Mari is gonna be the master-supervision builder of Rebuild you know.

[DarthGendo]

I never said that.
I meant I believe she's a key to understanding the whole plot.
It's possible, don't you think so?

[the_seventh_child]

I never said that.
I meant I believe she's a key to understanding the whole plot.
It's possible, don't you think so?

You said, Mari is the key to all the events of Rebuild.
And this sound a bit blown out of proportions, for a secondary character. True, she is probably gonna be present at plot revelations, but doubt she will be the key or something like that.
Anyway, pointless debate is pointless. Let us wait and see.

[Mishrak]

Mari has done way too many unusual things to be pushed aside as a secondary character. Between what went down with Tunniel, and her unlocking the limiters on Unit 02, and the lack of information we have about her, leads me to believe they will reveal some pretty heavy stuff about her in Q that will hopefully explain her relation to Kaji, why she entered Japan covertly and just exactly who she is.

I agree with DarthGendo that it's likely she holds a lot of answers to the Rebuild plot. Why would Anno introduce a whole new character to the series if this wasn't the case?

[the_seventh_child]

Mari has done way too many unusual things to be pushed aside as a secondary character. Between what went down with Tunniel, and her unlocking the limiters on Unit 02, and the lack of information we have about her, leads me to believe they will reveal some pretty heavy stuff about her in Q that will hopefully explain her relation to Kaji, why she entered Japan covertly and just exactly who she is.

I agree with DarthGendo that it's likely she holds a lot of answers to the Rebuild plot. Why would Anno introduce a whole new character to the series if this wasn't the case?

Oh. Mari turned to a main character now? Oh, ok then.

And ok srs now, to end this 'debate'. Mari IS a secondary character so far. She does seem to know her way around Evas and a few 'secretive' stuff.
Does this mean, she gets labeled as main-chara and a key to all the future-plot revelations of Rebuild? Um, no. The equation does not seem to be giving a result.
Yes, Mari will be important. But not the key or some shit like this.

If we complaining about nitpicking in words and stuff, then we might as well pay attention to big words we might be using for charas and their actions.

[DarthGendo]

And this sound a bit blown out of proportions, for a secondary character.
***
Oh. Mari turned to a main character now? Oh, ok then.

Implying Mari is a secondary character.

Mari IS a secondary character so far.

Key word - so far.
Until episode 8 of NGE Asuka wasn't even a character. Or until the release of RoE2. Then what?
If we talk about secondaries, everyone is except Shinji Ikari.

Do you care to explain, what is the whole "destroy old Eva" thing for?
Just introduce new character, new organisation "IPEA", new Evangelions from 05 to 08, let Asuka pilot Unit 03, create so-called "Adams", create new Angels, make Kaoru sound like he knows Ikari for a while now, make the ocean red - and you're done. You have succesfully destroyed old Eva.

Why saying this to seyu, like this is the purpose of her character only?

And the debate won't end until people, including you and me, are willing to debate.