The Japanese below the photo of Shinji is his name ‘Ikari Shinji’, written in katakana. He wears a uniform, which most junior high school students must wear in Japan. His clothing in this episode seems a kind of them.
Keisuke-kun: This photo makes absolutely no sense. Shinji is depicted in a school uniform; we know that. However, high schools in Japan have three uniforms: winter, summer and an in-between (what Shinji is currently wearing in the episode but with long sleeves). Why Shinji is depicted here in a winter uniform is beyond me. According to the endless ramblings of Shinji's teacher that we hear later, Second Impact eliminated the seasons (except for summer,of course). And it is hot as hell in Japan, I might add.
Reichu: I personally find it odd that Shinji starts out WEARING the right uniform for the school he ends up at. Did they send him a school uniform along with the letter or something? Or is that just a really common uniform? (White shirt with a tee underneath, black plants.)
Additional Commentary
MDWigs: It's a pretty typical formal uniform; a lot of Japanese school uniformsare very similar (particularly for the boys). It is a bit of a coincidence, though, for it to be an exact match. ^^
Someone: BTW, the background in this photo really resembles the walls of Rei's apartment (OP C-016)…
Xana: Shinji looks surprisingly good in that black uniform, I think he looks a bit older.
Kendrix: Kendrix: It's a pity that we never actually see Shinji wear that black outfit there, he has never looked better in anything else. Being all black and high-collared, it brings out the family resemblance quite a bit, but also makes him look a bit gloomy.
