Shinji and Asuka stare out across the water in mute amazement.
SHINJI:“It can't be... an Angel!?”
ASUKA:“That!? A real one?”
Kendrix: Another incredibly important snippet. First, because we see Shinji quickly deduce what’s up, showing that he’s come to a grim acceptance of his role at this point, but also because you see Asuka’s mask slipping for a moment – “A real one?!” as in, so far she’s only fought simulations. You see it in her expression, too, her eyes go wide and there’s some disbelief in her voice.
The one special quality of Miyamura’s performance which the less good dubs don’t capture is that, maybe because her own personality is different enough that she rather sympathies than empathizes with Asuka, you never lose the sense than in the shrill frivolous ridiculous moments, Asuka is shrill, frivolous & ridiculous because she’s a child, not cause she's a “bitch” or a trope.
