BBS

★ (No Subject) / 柊

Dear Rei-Fan

I'm sorry for the late reply
Also, there are some things I would like you to understand before replying.

Please understand that the following statements are my personal intentions, and of course I do not force you to agree with them.

And in my opinion, Ayanami Rei is a very multi-layered character, and her charm can be completely different for each audience.

Therefore, my perception of Ayanami Rei's charm is probably very different from your perception of her. And I think it's good for each audience member to cherish the "Rei Ayanami" they believe in.
I hope you can understand this point.

Now, your reply was very interesting to me.
It was especially interesting because I hadn't thought about Ayanami Rei's outstanding abilities and strength as an EVA pilot.
Indeed, if you look at episodes 11 and 12 of the TV version, for example, Rei always seems to be calm and has excellent judgment. She's an excellent commander, isn't she?

Also, as you pointed out, Rei Ayanami is a character with a history of being used excessively conveniently by the producers, as well as being ignored for some unknown reasons. *1

Rei Ayanami, who was reprised on television in 1997 and once graced the cover of Time magazine, has been the target of much ill will as her popularity has grown.

For example, anti-Ayanami Rei was posted on many other message boards as well as on 2chan, the predecessor of today's 5chan.
Much debate and confrontation has ensued since then.
It is true that malicious prejudice, mainly from part of Asuka fans, was directed at Ayanami Rei and her fans.

In particular, the fact that Rei is a clone of Shinji's mother became an object of unbearable ridicule at times, even though it was clear that this did nothing to harm the value of Ayanami Rei.
I also know that there are still many people who mock Ayanami Rei on 5chan these days.

But now I've decided not to pay them any mind.
Ayanami Rei has been a dignified woman for 25 years and still is.
As a fan of "Rei Ayanami" who is not only a dignifed but also intelligent girl,
it's useless to worry about those foolish people who don't recognize her charm and say things that put her down.

At the same time, as a fan of Ayanami Rei, I would like to properly acknowledge Asuka's courage and the efforts she has made so far.
I'm sure that the majority of Asuka's gentle and fair-minded fans will be happy to hear that.

This is my personal attitude toward Asuka and her fans.

Finally, there is one thing I would like to ask
Assuming I understand your writing correctly, you said that the real reason for bringing Shikinami closer to Rei in this new series is due to Asuka's lack of ability.
Do you have any clear evidence for this? If so, please let me know.

As far as I know, this is something that only Director ANNO and his staff know.
(There has been a lot of discussion and speculation about the reason for this, but so far there should be no official explanation).

* 1
At the same time, I think we need to recognize the fact that Asuka is an unnecessarily abused character in the story.

色々自信ないな。やっぱやめときゃよかった。（苦笑）

No.81 2021/04/14(Wed) 01:10:40

★ (No Subject) / Rei Fan

deepl.comを使って良い翻訳ができます。

Dear Heragi(柊）,

I also believe naturally, under ideal conditions, that Asuka, Shinji, Rei, yes, even Gendo deserve happiness.
However, that is simply an ideal, and given the current conditions, the treatment of Asuka was very deserved.

Why?

Ever since 1997, Rei has not seen the same peak. The Rei Ayanami who was intelligent, strong beyond measure. A cool EVA, cool things like the Lance of Longinus, a heroine who would save the day with her own strength and develop positively.
She was Lilith, saved Asuka and Shinji, and herself. She had impressive abilities, AT-fields, flying, everything.

Where has this Rei gone? That was 24 years ago. Video games, manga, merchandise, pachinko, even crossover products like "Super Robot Wars", there was nothing of that Rei at all. But Asuka, even Kaworu increasingly usurped Rei's traits and got stronger roles. Little by little, Rei was eroded. "Lilith" disappeared.

Asuka fans, Kaworu fans cheered, and Rei got more and more forgotten. Asuka fans everywhere exploded with hatred for Rei, and ridiculed Rei simply for being born as a clone. An unnatural, inhuman existence. Don't believe me? Look at your own 5ch Evangelion BBS.

Even Hideaki Anno and Tsurumaki Kazuya, belittled Rei and her fans. Even though Rei was originally this supreme character.

So when in Shin Eva, Asuka "Soryu" isn't good enough to pilot EVA - and must be "improved" to become more like Rei, a clone - this is the perfect "poetic justice".
Asuka as a character may not have deserved it, but Asuka fans did.

Even though it is indirect, this is Hideaki Anno finally admitting that Rei is the best after all, and his "old favorite" needed to be remodeled to be more like Rei.
In summary, this is deserved for Asuka fans.

Because they were the ones who abandoned the original "Soryu" Asuka. The Asuka fans created "Shikinami" themselves. So it is deserved.

Personally, I would have preferred that Rei returned to full strength, and was more than just a "cute victim". I would have preferred the neurotic, doll-like Soryu too. But, this conclusion is also good, and the punishment is good too.

I want to see more of the "True" Rei Ayanami.

No.80 2021/04/09(Fri) 03:19:39

★ またまたふと思うに / Hoffnung

ネタバレというほどでないネタバレ

シンエヴァは、あれだ、「カーテンコール」なんだ、と勝手に納得。芝居はもう終わっている、ハッピーエンドであろうと、バッドエンドであろうと。でもってさっきまで熱演していた役者たちが、みな勢揃いして観客にごあいさつと。

カーテンコールにストーリーはない、整合性もない。芝居で使った小道具で遊ぶことはあるかもしれないが、さっきまでの敵同士が手をつないで舞台に並ぶ。カーテンコールを見て観客が感動して拍手を送るのは、それまでの芝居の余韻のおかげである。

元のTVシリーズから観てきて、Qの破綻ぶりに萎えて、それでも自分なりに作り上げた幻想としてのエヴァに満足している人は、妄執の産物としてのエヴァの物語に対するカーテンコールとして、シンエヴァを観て、それで納得して「ああ終わったな」と感じたんじゃなかろうか．．．って、おおよそ私自身のことなんですけどね。

ゲンドウのユイに対する気持ちを「取り戻す」でなく、実は「見送りたかった」と超絶オトナのシンジ君が喝破するけど、その意味では妄執を背負ったマニア＝ゲンドウ、ユイ＝レイまたはアスカ（さすがにマリではない）、と対応づければ、「納得できないという事実に納得する」ことでレイやアスカを中心としたエヴァの物語を見送った、と言えるんじゃなかろうか。

書き殴りにつき、補足・修正があればまた夜にでも書きます

No.78 2021/04/07(Wed) 18:01:15