Everybody talks about this still frame and the elevator scene, but nobody talks about the train station scene where misato and shinji look at each other for 2 minutes straight
That was a stylistic choice made to add impact to the scene to make it more emotionally evoking. It's made so you can feel the tension and awkwardness between Shinji and Misato. Same thing applies with the other two scenes. It's not hard to understand lol
Well, it was the point. In modern terms it was Chad Kaoru telling Virgin Shinji (who was in need of therapy because he felt used and mentally abused or neglected by most of those in his life including his father) that he shouldn't hate himself for seeing himself as flawed, that he was also worthy of being alive and existing. Kaoru was originally written (before the mangaka got control and admitted he had no clue what to do with him, so make him do what fangirls wanted him to do to Shinji) as a sort of "perfect life" Shinji if Shinji could get the world he wanted in his head. And since he isn't human he skips over lower forms (Christian philosophically speaking) of love and has a baseline treatment of all under agape (unconditional love, i.e. everyone is worthy of being loved and appreciated) in his actions. That is why he tells Shinji (in the script) he was worthy of "koui" (goodwill, kindness, affection, i.e. he isn't as worthless as his insecurities led him to believe). It's why he is calm when speaking to others and why he lets Shinji merc him, in his eyes Shinji and everyone else is equally worthy of being alive as him.
@@EpicNinjaShiro what are you talking about? Sadamoto, the mangaka for the manga adaptation, never had any say in the script of the anime, he worked as character designer. The script is mainly by Hideki Anno and other Gainax staff
@@AndreLuis-gw5ox There's an actual interview of the mangaka saying that at the time he wasn't entire sure about Kaoru's character because of how little screen time he ended up having, and I was talking about how some with poor hearing used something they thought was in the anime to justify the direction later adaptations put of Kaoru. Or are you saying there was no intent in the original anime script that Kaoru was telling Shinji it is alright if Shinji lives on?
@@EpicNinjaShiro no, I'm saying that the mangaka of the manga adaptation never had any say in the anime's script or how the character would develop. Even if the took liberties in the manga, he still followed the original script and only added to it, with very few major changes. I dont get why you are so fixated on a person whose contribution to Kaworu's writting as a character is minimal. You do know that, regarding Evangelion, the anime is the original and the manga is the adaptation, right?
@@AndreLuis-gw5ox That's what I meant by "before the mangaka got control". I am aware the manga was adapted from the anime. Does not change the fact the mangaka admitted he wasn't entirely certain of Kaoru's relationship with Shinji because he was working off what little there was of his appearance in the original source, or that he admitted in an interview that was merely his interpretation of Kaoru since the production timeframe of the manga and the anime did not let him get proper answers to questions he had.
And I kind of love how they don't show us that. It's like we all know he's having a screaming breakdown in there but because it's Kaworu (and killing in general), it feels more intimate/personal to him somehow and witnessing it would feel sort of voyeuristic in a way.
Akira Toriyama: Saves time and ink by not coloring Super Saiyan's hair. Hideaki Anno: Saves budget and builds suspense by using still frames. Absolute chads
Walks into room “Make this animation sequence as low of quality as you can possibly imagine, and then call it art” Refuses to elaborate any further Leaves the room
@@capilah6285 Haha I get that!!! Lmao I forgot I left this comment 😂 I was telling my non-weeb friend about Evangelion and how.... uh... interesting it is and she was very shocked! This show definitely can be jarring to new anime fans 😂
@@Seramoonn It wasn't stupid, it's a stylistic choice to draw out the scene to add impact and weight to it, as it truly encapsulates Shinji's emotions and indecisiveness.
@@sydneyswan2983 Do we have the same understanding of that word? Kaworu sacrifices himself for humanity. Shinji knows he has to kill him. The music tells the audience that he will kill him. You might feel some combination of sadness, guilt, epicness, sublimity, excitement, melancholy. But awkwardness? Seriously?
Cause there are many athirst out there who only believe in science and when faced with certain philosophical questions they can only reject all meaning.
This is literally my favorite moment in the entire show. Whenever I tell people that they get really confused and then I have to try and explain why I love it so much. It’s just so full of emotion, with the beautiful, soaring music in the background as the main protagonist makes his greatest decision up to that point in the show. That one shot conveys so many feelings without even a single word being spoken, and you can really feel the pain and suffering Shinji goes through before making the decision. I know it’s fun to make fun of how long that one shot goes on for, but it’s art, plain and simple.
Mhd Arief D Um, I mean yeah it is. Any form of self expression is art, with that being movies, tv shows, books, paintings, video games, etc. I don’t know why you feel the need to make fun of something that I like.
I am also deeply in love with the serious clip shown here totally not edited at 1:41 nope not at all... Lmao jokes aside, yeah the scene is pretty damn epic.
@@eduardolarrymarinsilva76 Perhaps in the world of a quip a minute cinema like Marvel movies that are popular now, I can see why so many people think this is a "bad" scene. Anno was inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey, a Kubrick film, and both are very talented visual directors with a fondness for slow, long, still shots, that convey emotion through minimalism. Directors like Anno, Kubrick, Kurosawa, David Lynch, they are all able to tell a visual story through minimalist, beautiful techniques. Artists like Kanye West have experimented with minimalism to critical acclaim. Less is more.
@@dylanabela4058 Marvel movies aren't relevant here. It's not about having constant action, a still shot can work but it has to have some purpose. If the purpose was to show Shinji's hesitation, then having the still shot show Shinji himself would have been way more effective: that's undisputable. And about those other authors I say, alright, cite me some scenes by those authors that have a completely still shot of similar length. Completely still, meaning neither the camera nor anything in the scene moves (periods that doesn't show a picture at all don't count), if the scene you cite contains a person, then you have made my point for me. If not, then I concede that maybe I am too close minded.
@@eduardolarrymarinsilva76 That's a false equivalence. You're never going to have a completely still shot in a live action movie, it's a different medium from animation. You're applying a reductionist argument to a whole movement of art. Minimalism transcends single still shots, architecture, fashion, music, animation, live action movies, paintings. You can't reduce minimalism to a single shot. What about the half a minute of a single piano note on Runaway(My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fntasy). Is that not as legitimate as a single camera shot held for a minute? There are many scenes in Kurosawa films, usually duels, that feature a static camera position recording static actors. The final duel in Harakiri features many of these shots. "If the purpose was to show Shinji's hesitation" If your scene is showing a single emotion you have failed. The shot of the Eva holding Kaworu in it's hand represents the absolute power that Shinji holds in that moment, he himself decides the fate of his lover through the power of the Eva. Other long shots in Eva, like Kaworu's death, also represent the downward spiral of the characters. Rei and Asuka head deeper into NERV as the scene winds on. Similar to Misato and Ritsuko in the elevator. Or Kaworu and Shinji falling down to Central Dogma. Using a physical descent to represent an emotional descent is a common trope evoked in works like Joseph Conrads' Heart of Darkness. The still shot also represents the subjectivity of Shinji's hesitancy. Holding Kaworu in the Eva's hand, as mentioned before, shows he wields absolute power, and absolute control. He struggles to exercise that absolute control. The audience begins to feel claustrophobic, impatient, and worried. As does Shinji. Shinji has been disembodied. Time has slowed down to a halt. He could have been holding Kaworu for a second or for an hour. The long shot of the Eva with Kaworu represents his hesitancy, his fear, his power, he has the ultimate decision. And when Kaworu's body falls into the LCL, the lowermost point of Central Dogma, which Shinji and Kaworu have been descending into for minutes, Shinji's descent reaches it's metaphorical apex. This is all lost if you have a generic shot of a hesitant Shinji for a few seconds.
I believe Kaworu looked at her as if saying "I'm glad you understood me. You are Lilith reborn as a Lilin", recalling their earlier meeting in this episode.
@@ss16206 Rei at this point - in her 3rd incarnation - is finally realizing what she is; both in terms of being the mother of all of humanity given human form, and a clone of Shinji's mother. Considering (despite him choosing to nobly sacrifice himself) Kaworu's very existence is antithetical to hers (only angels or humans are supposed to colonize a planet, not both) and he's - intentionally or otherwise - causing a great deal of pain to her (sort of, considering she's a clone of Yui) son, it makes sense she'd look at him like that. In that moment, I wouldn't be surprised if every fiber of her being was telling her to fuck his shit up badly, and her face says that imo. She looks pissed. Even if Kaworu is doing the "right thing" (as far as humanity is concerned) in this moment, she still has plenty of reason to want to slap the shit out of him.
I feel its more like him struggling to decide what to do. The World's fate is literally on the Hands of 14 year old Kid! Amazing anime and amazing scene. Can't get better than this.
Probably because this scene feels a lot shorter. The elevator scene has almost total silence save for the hum of the elevator and Asuka's sniffle in the redone version of the scene. It's just entirely dead space. You don't quite know what either is thinking or feeling, you only know q silent tension hangs in the air. With this scene, it acts as the climax to an eventful battle, we're confused and sad and left with turbulent emotions just like Shinji, and we're left with the remainder of the song, seeing the hesitance to kill Kaworu, trying to sort out our emotions in just the same way as Shinji. Compared to the elevator scene, this scene has our mind and our heart racing, so despite being a still frame, it feels much shorter, and it feels like things are still happening
Bruh, I didn't know this scene was so hated by some people. I actually loved this scene cuz it had me hold me breath for as long as it lasted. Intentional or note, I believe it was one of the best EVA unconventional sequences, unique-- just like those Shinji or other mental drive scenes.
This is honest to God, in my opinion, one of the most well done and finely crafted scenes in anime (and television) as whole ever created. The symbolism of what Kauru means to the story and to Shinji, the writing and power of the dialogue, the cinematography of it, the soft operatic section of Ode to Joy, the parallels between the lyrics in the song in this scene and Kauru’s character (I forgot exactly what they are, but Ode to Joy in general is about the second coming of Christ and man uniting in harmony, so already that’s very cleverly relevant), I could literally write an essay on the genius behind this scene. This scene is what solidified Eva as a masterpiece to me.
"But I can also die here. Life and death are of equal value to me. Dying of your own will. That is the one and only absolute freedom there is." In some kind of most epic sacrifice/ life or death situation, this would be the most awesome phrase there is to quote :D
Even though the show was short on budget by the end of it, but they still managed to make a stellar fucking scene. Limitation is the mother of creativity
the problem was not the budget. That is myth. The problem is that Anno was constantly rewritting the episodes, leaving his team frustrated and without time...
I know ppl like making fun of the still frame but I just imagine Shinji having yet another mental breakdown inside the EVA as he tries to accept the fact that he has to kill his boi.
Ino soo many people make fun of this scene but ngl the first time I watched it I was on the edge of my seat and was actually thinking that maybe shinji might spare him it was so chilling
Idk about anyone else, but for me the way his head plops into the water is super impactful. This was essentially a god but ultimately extremely fragile. It also drives home the fucking mess (both physically and psychologically) of what Shinji has just had to do.
The line Kaworu says here echoes a certain Gnostic sects ideology. And I believe that sect contains portions of originals. Jesus says in the Gospel of James: "The good (gods who received God's message [sic.]) will not enter into the world (as gods). Disdain death then and care about life. Remember my cross and my death and you will live." James: "Master, do not mention to us your cross and your death for they are from you." "I tell you the truth, none shall be saved unless they believe in my cross, for the kingdom of God belongs to those who have believed in my cross. Therefore, become seekers for death, like the dead who seek for life. For what they seek becomes revealed to them. And what is there to cause them concern? As for you, when you search out death, it will make known to you your election. I tell you the truth, no one afraid of death will be saved (in this world, e.g. learn of their election), for the kingdom of death (purgatory) belongs to those who are put (unwillingly) to death. Become better than I (unclear whether he's referring to himself or them not being more than just "I", e.g. having the Holy Spirit) Become like the son of the Holy Spirit."
I... don’t think so. Before I start, I’m sure you already know but Anno had no intention to convey a religious meaning in Evangelion despite the numerous Christian references, but this doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a reference so we’ll just set this point aside. I don’t see Kaworu’s final message having anything to do with fearing death or not, all I saw was him say life and death was equal, and that dying of his own will would be the best way to go, and possibly the only true freedom, since death instigates the end of both life and death, leading to an unknown and *seemingly* free conclusion to existence. And what better end is there than the end of your own preference?
1 minute and 1 second. That's all the time the focal point scene of Kaworu and Unit 01 ever existed. And yet decades later, it would become the most fascinating meme of all time.
(3 hours later) Uhh Shinji you ok in there? (3 days later) Ok I’m starting to get alittle worried buddy. (3 months later) ARE YOU EVEN ALIVE IN THERE?!!
Ngl when I watched evangelion I was suicidal and depressed so I felt like I understood everything, even their awkward pauses in the anime. They didn't feel awkward to me, just normal. But now I'm over it they look pretty weird to me, the whole anime feels like a fever dream 💀
The suspense builds until it can only be cut by a split second of mariachi!!!!! The eye that scrutinizes a single framed for a minute to see any small change is eventually rewarded
People are like, "Kaworu loves Shinji" but forget tha Kaworu IS Adam and that means Adam accepts death in the face of all Lilith's creations. Shinji WON against the angels but Gendo and Seele still ruin that happy ending just to blame it continually on Shinji in every loop of this story.
Shinji: pls Anno I can't go on like this anymore I need someone to validate me Anno: lmao k *10 min pass* Anno: y'know what I changed my mind get in the damn robot and squish you bf
lol I love how a lot of the fanbase loves to ship these two in a romantic relationship, even anno confirmed it wasn’t that kind of relationship. Shit even Shinjis Japanese voice actor said she didn’t like the fact that their relationship was thought of that way.
@@loganf8815people still saying this in the year of our lord 2024 😂 anno has said the whole gamut of things about their relationship, he wants people to decide for themselves
Neon Genesis Evangelion nearly drove me to suicide. Seeing Shinji suffering is like seeing myself suffer, because at one point in time I was almost exactly like him, especially back in 10th grade when I was bullied to the brink of suicide. I simply cannot tolerate watching Eva. I felt forced to relive my trauma upon viewing it. I’m deathly afraid of it. Twice I had a nightmare where I saw myself as Shinji choking Asuka and starting the Third Impact. I’ve been struggling with this newfound depression ever since. I was obsessed with the series for over a year to try and outwit the isolation of the Coronavirus pandemic. It only increased the burden, and kept the memory of my friend’s recent suicide alive. Watching the End of Evangelion was like peering into a broken mirror, and I was viewing the hell I would’ve put myself through had things turned out differently, had I decided to give up living. It still haunts me to this day. Sometimes I hated myself because I failed to appreciate what so many have claimed to idolize, and I would beat myself further for failing to prause what they call praiseworthy, I forced myself to watch a show that reminded me of nothing but pain just so I wouldn’t be alone anymore, I was willing to sacrifice my individuality for some company amidst the isolation of the pandemic. I sought emotional refuge in the Evangelion fandom on social media, hoping they’d understand me and provide me with answers that would grant me peace of mind. Instead, they downplayed my trauma, going so far as to spread a rumor of my past to shame me of my mental illness, spiraling me deeper into depression, which I’ve been struggling with for over a year now. I just wanted Shinji to be happy, so this past self of mine can be laid to rest once more. I’m afraid to decouple myself from him after losing my friend to suicide, which Eva made me feel responsible for, especially when I saw Shinji kill Kaworu, of which I fail to understand how anyone can call it praiseworthy. Until then, I feel nothing else mattered. There’s a reason why I keep coming back to Evangelion; something that reminds me of nothing but pain. I want to prove to myself I’m not crazy for feeling this way, that Evangelion really did force me to relive my trauma, that my depression is not just a figment of my imagination or another anime plot point. I want to feel that my fear and resentment towards Eva is justified. But the fact I’m the only one I know in existence who’s been traumatized by an anime makes me feel like I really am crazy. But finally, with Evangelion 3.0+1.0 released, I can rest easy knowing that Shinji has finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel. Evangelion is finished, and I want it to remain that way. But if things hadn’t turned out that way, I wouldn’t be here today.
Shinji enters Terminal Dogma like: "He's not an angel. It's not true, it's bullshit. He's not an angel, he is naaaaaaaaaht _(throws Eva Unit 02)_ ...oh, hi Rei!"
I think he wanted to die here, because he wanted Shinji to be the one to bring Impact, but out of his own free will. So, he chose to lower his AT field so he could unite with Rei and wait for Shinji to come for him. He's not human. He doesn't understand the Impact will not help him. All he understands, is that they can be the same in the Impact. But like in every relationship, Shinji must want that too.
debo admitir que antes no me gustaba una pausa tan larga, pero ahora me doy cuenta de todo el peso que debio sentir Shinji al hacer eso, tuvo que matar a la primera persona que dijo que lo amaba, y para alguien que no sabia que era el amor, pues tuvo que elegir entre el mundo o una vida, algo dificil de hacer.
![Shinji kills Kaworu [full scene]](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
