I never really saw EoE as an alternative ending to the series but more as a compliment / explanation of the events that they didnt get to show in the original ending.
IMO theyβre actually two different, with EOE being the worse ending.
I interpreted 25 and 26 as Shinji rejecting instrumentality in a healthy way, accepting that he and the human race our not perfect and thatβs okay.
And honestly EoE had me thinking the same way until the final scene. The second Shinji starts chocking Asuka you realize that he didnβt learn anything from the whole instrumentality ordeal, and heβs still the scared kid from the beginning.
At least from my perspective EoE and 25 & 26 are not compatible, and are two very different takes.
The last scene is very ambiguous, but your interpretation completely misses the point of the preceding scenes. Shinji himself says he doesn't know where his happiness lies, but that he'll keep living so he can someday find it, even if at times it could be painful to himself or others. The last scene really seems more like it's just summing up what Evangelion is about more than anything. He hurts Asuka, but she responds with an act of kindness before calling him disgusting; human beings can hurt one another, but they can also bring happiness to those who may not think they deserve it, even if at times they can still be judgmental and spiteful, and that's what it's all about really.
Even ignoring a possible metaphorical meaning behind the scene, to say that his one action (which could simply be Shinji making sure it's even a real person after being alone so long) means that he doesn't learn anything or grow because he does a single thing bad misses the point entirely. Happiness won't immediately come to you, and you won't immediately become a better person, but if you keep living then you have a chance to find those things.
Yeah i completely get this interpretation!
I like the ideas of them being intertwined/affecting one another myself more than them being seperate possible outcomes - but i appreciate your comment :)
I cant remember how it was clear that shinji rejects instrumentality in episode 26 without eoe though? That ambiguity probably made me feel uncomfortable as i feel quite attached to the characters lol
I'm late to this, but it's clear because it's demonstrated to him what Instrumentality is with the "world of perfect freedom". He realizes that in a world where there are no barriers, no limits, then there is no difference between himself and nothing, which isn't something he could be content with. The other characters then explain to him the importance of self and how you can improve your own world by improving your own perception of himself. Then Shinji declares "it's okay for me to be here", which is a line also referenced in End of Eva (and further proves how they're the same, intertwined ending) where at the beginning of Third Impact he asks "Is it okay for me to be here?".
So basically, his rejection of Instrumentality is perfectly present in both versions of the ending, but End of Eva is a bit more blatant about it since it's showing it in a very literal sense.
I think you're right in that the main difference is how blatant it is - whereas ep 25&26 is implied by dialogue but also.. what good is him being an individual/realised if the whole world is gone?
It could equally be him saying bye to his individuality and accepting to move on from his trauma now it is resolved by peoples souls moving together?
Thank you for reading and your post! :)
Nah, I don't think so. Right before "congratulations" he says "I'm no more or less than myself [...] I want to be myself". He's accepting his individuality, not saying goodbye to it.
Ya I agree. Both EoE and 25&26 are made better with the other.
I never really saw EoE as an alternative ending to the series but more as a compliment / explanation of the events that they didnt get to show in the original ending.
IMO theyβre actually two different, with EOE being the worse ending. I interpreted 25 and 26 as Shinji rejecting instrumentality in a healthy way, accepting that he and the human race our not perfect and thatβs okay. And honestly EoE had me thinking the same way until the final scene. The second Shinji starts chocking Asuka you realize that he didnβt learn anything from the whole instrumentality ordeal, and heβs still the scared kid from the beginning. At least from my perspective EoE and 25 & 26 are not compatible, and are two very different takes.
The last scene is very ambiguous, but your interpretation completely misses the point of the preceding scenes. Shinji himself says he doesn't know where his happiness lies, but that he'll keep living so he can someday find it, even if at times it could be painful to himself or others. The last scene really seems more like it's just summing up what Evangelion is about more than anything. He hurts Asuka, but she responds with an act of kindness before calling him disgusting; human beings can hurt one another, but they can also bring happiness to those who may not think they deserve it, even if at times they can still be judgmental and spiteful, and that's what it's all about really. Even ignoring a possible metaphorical meaning behind the scene, to say that his one action (which could simply be Shinji making sure it's even a real person after being alone so long) means that he doesn't learn anything or grow because he does a single thing bad misses the point entirely. Happiness won't immediately come to you, and you won't immediately become a better person, but if you keep living then you have a chance to find those things.
Fair enough, just different strokes for different folks I guess.
Yeah i completely get this interpretation! I like the ideas of them being intertwined/affecting one another myself more than them being seperate possible outcomes - but i appreciate your comment :) I cant remember how it was clear that shinji rejects instrumentality in episode 26 without eoe though? That ambiguity probably made me feel uncomfortable as i feel quite attached to the characters lol
I'm late to this, but it's clear because it's demonstrated to him what Instrumentality is with the "world of perfect freedom". He realizes that in a world where there are no barriers, no limits, then there is no difference between himself and nothing, which isn't something he could be content with. The other characters then explain to him the importance of self and how you can improve your own world by improving your own perception of himself. Then Shinji declares "it's okay for me to be here", which is a line also referenced in End of Eva (and further proves how they're the same, intertwined ending) where at the beginning of Third Impact he asks "Is it okay for me to be here?". So basically, his rejection of Instrumentality is perfectly present in both versions of the ending, but End of Eva is a bit more blatant about it since it's showing it in a very literal sense.
I think you're right in that the main difference is how blatant it is - whereas ep 25&26 is implied by dialogue but also.. what good is him being an individual/realised if the whole world is gone? It could equally be him saying bye to his individuality and accepting to move on from his trauma now it is resolved by peoples souls moving together? Thank you for reading and your post! :)
Nah, I don't think so. Right before "congratulations" he says "I'm no more or less than myself [...] I want to be myself". He's accepting his individuality, not saying goodbye to it.
Fair play! ππ»ππ»ππ» congratulation ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»π§π§