Is it possible Gendo got what he wanted?

[Azathoth]

I'm going to go with the idea that the picture represents Shinji's bonds with the people around him.

Doesn't explain why Kaworu is missing, especially given that Kaworu is probably still the person he loves most at that point.

[zuka]

Yeah. Nobody else makes Shinji blush as much as Kaworu.

[AshPhoenix]

Yeah, I see what you're saying there. I still disagree, though, because just because Shinji loved Kaworu doesn't necessarily mean that he would be included in the picture. First of all, Shinji only knew Kaworu for a brief period of time; second, he KILLED him (I mean, if you killed one of your best friends, would you seriously be able to face them like nothing happened? And for Shinji, he was utterly devastated; most likely he would only want Kaworu to forgive him for killing him); lastly, I bet Shinji would be a little uneasy around Kaworu knowing he was an Angel/Seed/whatever.

[NemZ]

I think all the picture represents is Shinji's with to return to some idealized, rose-tinted version of the action arc, when everything was mostly okay and he was actually starting to be more upbeat. He wanted to return to reality as it (never) was, but instead Rei drops him off in reality as it actually is to deal with the consequences of his earlier wish.

[AshPhoenix]

Or it's a mash-up of all these things. Who says that a symbol only has to represent one thing?

[MaskedOmega]

Wasn't the EVA 01 that ate Gendo just an illusion that was made by the clone Reis?

[Sailor Star Dust]

That "group photo" ( this ) is taken around the time of Episode 15 according to the EoE script, which could partly explain why most but not all of the characters are there.

Granted, it could also be seen as an image of what Shinji's hoping for the post-Third Impact future to be like (and/or maybe a nod to TV Episode 26), but it doesn't change the fact it's "mainly" a group photo.

[Warren Peace]

( this )

What is that next to Hyuga's head, and why is he so happy to bite it?

[thewayneiac]

What is that next to Hyuga's head, and why is he so happy to bite it?

I think that's actually supposed to be a model rifle strapped to Kensuke's back.

[Warren Peace]

If so, it's a really weird thing to put there, and poorly drawn -- it seems to be right next to his shoulder more than strapped on. It goes up and up forever, taller than all the adults. I don't get it.

[rhfxz1s]

That "group photo" ( this ) is taken around the time of Episode 15 according to the EoE script, which could partly explain why most but not all of the characters are there.

Granted, it could also be seen as an image of what Shinji's hoping for the post-Third Impact future to be like (and/or maybe a nod to TV Episode 26), but it doesn't change the fact it's "mainly" a group photo.

I think it's supposed to represent Shinji's brief period of real happiness that occurred during the show. Of course it wasn't a perfect happiness, and he even realizes this in EoE, saying that he knows he'll be hurt again. That's the entire point of the show and movie though; he learned how to find happiness in a less than ideal world.

I don't think an interpretation of the photo would eb very different if it was a literal one or a theoretical one. The only thing I'd do differently is my interpretation of Rei. If it was a theoretical photo from Shinji's mind, Rei's hiding in the background could represent the way she was working in the background of Instrumentality, helping Shinji become comfortable with himself. But as a literal picture, it could just be that Rei doesn't give a shit if she's in the picture or not because well, she doesn't really care about most things.

[Sailor Star Dust]

rhfxz1s: I agree with your thoughts on how to take the photo literally versus theoretically...it makes sense to me. I also think that theoretically speaking, Rei's in the background as if fading away to show that she'll have faded away from Shinji's life but she will still always watch over him (consider that she seems to live on spirituality as Bookend Rei).

[Grimmjow]

I don't think so. If that scene with Eva unit 01 om noming on Gendo's head is any indication, Gendo didn't even get to be apart of TI because of Shinji's hatred for his father. Any of the most ideal realities for Shinji at this point are realities where his father doesn't exist.

[sindy]

An Eva, an arc for the human soul embedded within, an eternal existence for that who is within.

A rather poetic description indeed, but shall we look at it from a different point of view...

Gendo mentions, right before the GendoNomming(tm) occurs, that he has always hurt Shinji, when he was around, it was better for him not to have done anything. That this will be his punishment.

If what you are saying is right and both Gendo and Yui are now together for eternity, can it just be, that that punishment Gendo reffers to is leaving his son with the experience he has lived with up until now. Without knowing a father's love? Aka to be hated and remembered with distaste?

While Gendo has always been depicted as a level headed man all of the series, he still turns out to be a broken and flawed man, who just could not let go of the only person he loved, who would risk everyone around him just to be reunited with her once more. Can it really be guilt?


Who knows. One thing I adore about NGE is that it is up to you to make out what the plot gives you.

[GoGoGengar]

(Obviously the next sentence will have spoilers)

I think so... Although he's mind was dazed and his method was arguable, in the very end he realized he was wrong and forgave Shinji for all he's done to him. I think he was "offered a second chance" for this. In the very end he realized what was really important and that's what mattered, at least for Yui

Isn't it awesome that we can talk like this about NGE? Instead of the other animes which is JUST punch here and a giant beam there. This is off-topic but I just had to say it

[zpoop]

What is that next to Hyuga's head, and why is he so happy to bite it?

If it's anything I'd say it's Aoba's Guitar and Hyuga's giving off a more "Get that thing out of my face look than an "I want to bite it" look.

And spoilers ahoy for what everyone's talking about at this point but is it possible that Yui isn't stuck in Unit 01, floating around in space... forever?

One of the final scenes we get is of Rei/Lilith staring face to face with Unit 01 as it turns from the bright neon green and purple Unit 01 we all know to a dried up discolored husk. I always thought it could've been a weird way at hinting that Yui "returned" to Earth with everyone else but I guess that doesn't really make much sense considering the final dialogue between Shinji and Yui.

But this is Evangelion we're talking about for cripes sake so who knows.

[Reichu]

zpoop: When Eva-01 is shown drifting in space, she's purple again (and growing hair, for some weird reason). Well, except for the patches of armor that ARE still gray.

[Stryker]

I can't help but notice a skull face coming from the head... it gives me the creeps.

Edit: In fact, it is comparable to the "Mandalorian" symbol.

SPOILER: Show

I'm waiting for the moment Reichu photoshops it onto something cute and innocent.

[zpoop]

Been a while I guess but yeah, that's creepy as all hell.