Shinji and Rei's Relationship

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Overview

Shinji and Rei's relationship is a major point of interest in the first arc of the story, specially in episodes 5 and 6, but, over the time, more directly, with the introduction of Asuka Langley Soryu, it ends up in the background. Anyway, the character of Rei is always on the lookout, with a general development of her personality and her relationship with the Ikari, father and son.

During the first episodes, Shinji seems to be very committed in understanding her character, and somehow also seems to want to teach her to be more responsive to human relations. Over time, this concern seems to resonates with Rei, and her personality becomes more and more zealous, until its resolution, in episode 23. From that point, the character of Rei 2 is replaced by Rei 3, and a new character arc begins. This new Rei, again, was to be a blank slate, but she carries some of her counterpart's experiences, which results in her final decision, in End of Evangelion, which has a vital impact on the future of humanity.

The results and consequences of this will be explored below, in an episode-by-episode analysis of the development progress of both characters.

Episodes Analysis

Episode 1

At the very beginning of the episode, we have a vision of Shinji seeing the appearance of Ghostly Rei, which was never properly explained. Even so, this scene carries some indications to other themes that exist in the show. This appearance of Rei, however, doesn't seem to have a direct connection to the Rei Ayanami we see throughout the series, known as Rei 2.

Later, Shinji arrives in Central Dogma, and is asked by his father to pilot the Evangelion. He denies it, so Gendo Ikari calls Rei Ayanami to pilot the Unit. Rei appears to be severely injured by a previous unknown event. Even so, the team manages to transport her close to the Eva. A shockwave rocks the Eva cage, as an effect of the angel's attack. Rei falls to the ground and Shinji rushes to help her, in the process getting Rei's blood on his hands. Feeling the pressure, he agrees to pilot the Eva so as not to put the girl at fatal risk.

Episodes 3 and 4

In episode 3, Rei makes a brief appearance after Toji hits Shinji. She, still wearing her bandages, calls Shinji after the emergency call. Shinji reacts in confusion, with his initial reaction being to wipe the blood on his nose.

In episode 4, with Shinji's defection, Gendo orders Eva-01 to be reconfigured for Rei. The girl listens to his words with a gaze without hesitation, determined to follow the orders, even though she knows her life is at risk.

Episode 5

The episode begins with a flashback that shows the accident that caused Rei's injuries: an activation test of Eva-00 results in an error when the unit loses control. It begins to attack the central command, until it is finally deactivated and paralyzed with bakelite. In a hurry, Gendo Ikari rushes to see if Rei is all right, burning his hands when opening the door of his capsule at high temperature. The image focuses on his glasses being broken by the high temperature of the LCL.

In the present, Ritsuko describes the profile of Rei Ayanami: 14 years old, the first child selected by the Marduk Institute, past: unknown. Cause of accident unknown, in theory, generated by the pilot's mental instability. Misato questions Rei's diagnosis of "mental instability". Ritsuko argues about a possible hidden cause, but remains silent.

During the works of removing and studying the last Angel's remains, Shinji notices his father's burned hands, and Ritsuko tells about his act of saving Rei. Shinji is surprised by extracting something positive from his father. At school, Shinji watches Rei from afar, in what his classmates interpret as sexual interest. Shinji notices the fact that she is always alone, which Toji agrees with. Back on Nerv, Shinji observes Rei happily chatting with Gendo, which leaves him somewhat distraught.

At home, at night, Ritsuko asks Shinji to give the new access card for Rei. He goes to Rei's place the next day, and enters her apartment when he doesn't get an answer when calls for the girl. He finds a messy house, with too many medicines and bandages. His attention is then diverted to his father's broken glasses. He puts them on, and then Rei appears, naked, behind him. Shinji is very nervous. Rei's reaction is one of anger, and she rushes at him to take the glasses off his face. Shinji loses his balance, and falls over her, his hands on the girl's breasts. Rei doesn't react, while Shinji looks very embarrassed. He tries to justify his visit, too eagerly, while Rei ignores him, dresses, and leaves. Shinji follows her, not saying a word. Upon reaching Nerv, he finally has the opportunity to give the new card to Rei, who takes it violently, without thanking him.

On the escalators, Shinji tries to start a conversation, apologizing for what happened. Attempts of dialogue are flawed, as Rei doesn't mind responding and doesn't show any emotion or interest in Shinji's words. When Shinji expresses his fear of the Evas, Rei asks about his relationship with Gendo, and if he has confidence in his father's work. Shinji is upset by this, and his demonstration of anger towards his father causes Rei to turn to him and slap him on the face. She doesn't speak a word to him during or after this act.

While dressing, Rei has memories of Gendo's kind words, which justifies her trust and affection for him. Rei initiates a new activation test with Eva-00, this one being a success. She breathes a sigh of relief, knowing she might be of use to Gendo.

Episode 6

Shinji is recovering after taking a traumatic blow from the angel Ramiel. Rei Ayanami stands by while the pilot is hospitalized. She visits him in the hospital to bring him food and gives a description of Operation Yashima, which will feature both of them. Shinji is still shaken by the recent events; he refuses to eat and says he is afraid to pilot the Eva again. Rei volunteers to pilot Eva-01 in his place. She leaves him in the hospital bed, perplexed by the ease of her decision.

During the preparation for the Operation Yashima, Shinji and Rei are present, which shows that Shinji made the decision to pilot from Rei's courage. Misato relates the roles of both: Shinji will be the gunner, and Rei the shield. The technical details of the operation make Shinji fearful. In the locker room, Shinji expresses to Rei that they could probably die on this mission. Rei replies that Shinji will not die, because she will defend him. Her obstinacy and coldness in words is present as always. This attitude has the power to convince Shinji about what to do next.

While waiting for the mission to begin, Shinji asks why Rei is piloting the Eva, to which she replies that this is the bound she has with others. Not just with Gendo, but with all people. Having nothing else to cling to, she uses the Eva to get closer to other people, this being her communication tool. When the time for the operation comes, Rei stands up, and, with the moon behind her, she says goodbye to Shinji, who continues to stare in perplexity and wonder. For Shinji, the fact that Rei is so determined makes her strong, and, as a consequence, he, not being so determined, considers himself weak.

Operation Yashima begins, and after a failed first shot, the mission proves successful with Rei's help as a shield, who saves Shinji's life from a fatal attack and provides him a clear shot opportunity. With the angel defeated, Shinji runs to see Rei's situation, in a scene that mimics the flashback that showed his father running to Rei's rescue. Shinji opens the door of the high-temperature capsule, and, seeing Rei alive, cries with relief. He asks her not to say she has nothing else, and to not say "goodbye" before a mission. Shinji, in this way, shows he cares about Rei, even though he doesn't understand her well enough and is somewhat jealous of her relationship with his father. His relieved crying confuses Rei, who says she doesn't know what to do. Relieved and happy, Shinji asks her to just smile. Looking at Shinji's figure, Rei has a memory of Gendo, recognizing in him the same affection she feels for her commander. Thus, she smiles at him, having her first reaction of positive affection towards Shinji.

Episode 9

After two episodes of absence, Rei returns, along with the arrival of Asuka Langley Soryu in Tokyo-3. The first interaction between the two takes place when Asuka tries to force a "friendship" with the First Children, as it would be "convenient" for the two to be closer, in Asuka's words. Rei, who is reading a curious book, doesn't mind too much, and says that she will only approach Asuka if asked to do so. Note that she still observes interactions with other individuals in a strictly logical way, and secondary to her primary objective of piloting the Eva. Her approach to Shinji was through this act of piloting, being an a posteriori factor. Asuka, on the other hand, wanted an a priori approach, which Rei refuses.

Later, during the training between Asuka and Shinji, Rei is asked by Misato to replace Asuka in the dance exercise, as she is blaming Shinji for the poor performance. Alongside Shinji, Rei performs perfectly, showing that they both have good sync and can understand each other's rhythm. This realization irritates Asuka, who, from this moment on, starts to nurture a certain feeling of rivalry and competition with Rei.

Episode 10

In this episode, there is a quick and short scene involving Shinji and Rei. In the pool, Asuka is talking to Shinj and trying to get his attention, to which Shinji is somewhat embarrassed and confused on how to respond. As he shifts his attention away from Asuka, he visualizes Rei, in her usual neutral posture. He looks at her in a somewhat puzzled way, noticing the clear difference between her and Asuka. While Asuka is an irritable and highly sociable girl, Rei is quite lonely and introspective.

Episode 11

After the blackout, Shinji, Rei, and Asuka try to get somehow into Nerv Headquarters. Throughout the episode, Asuka and Rei make opposing decisions about what to do (much due to Asuka's insistence on antagonizing Rei and trying to establish leadership). Shinji stands between the two girls, taking a non-confrontational stance towards them. This makes Asuka's decisions dominant, given her more imposing personality. Rei, despite being more prepared for this type of situation, ends up accepting the decisions made by the other girl. Only during the fight against the Angel do the three truly cooperate and Shinji and Rei accept Asuka's strategy, which proves to be successful.

In the final scene, the three pilots are looking at the stars, on a hill far from the city, which is still in the dark, with no electricity. Rei reflects on men's need to confront darkness with fire, in which Shinji is interested, questioning whether this is what makes mankind special. He wonders if this will bring them closer to the answer as to why the angels attack.

Episode 14

See also:Theory and Analysis:Rei's Monologue

During the interchangeability test, Rei experiences a moment of introspection, which is carried out by her monologue. The monologue contains varied thoughts that range from reflections on the environment to the people around Rei. At one point, she says she feels the presence of someone who is not her, indicating the presence of a soul in the Evangelion. Her thoughts also encompass Shinji, with her recognizing him as a close person.

From that point on, it becomes clear that Rei is seeing closeness to other people as something more and more prominent in her existence. That process may have the power to shape her personality and the meanings of her existence. Shinji is a very prominent actor in this process.

The full transcript of Rei's monologue is as follows (click to collapse/expand)

-

Mountain...
Heavy are the mountains, but that changes over time.
Sky...
Blue sky.
What your eyes can't see.
What your eyes can see.
Sun...
There is only one.
Water... Comforting.
Commander Ikari?
Flower...
So many alike.
So many useless.
Sky...
Red, red sky.
Red is the color.
Red is the color I hate.
Water flowing.
Blood...
The smell of blood.
A woman who never bleeds.
From the red earth comes man, from the soil.
Born of man and woman is Man.
Town... A human creation.
Eva... A human creation as well.
What is a human? A creation of God?
Is it a human creation?
The things I possess are my life and soul.
I am a vessel for my heart.
Entry Plug, the throne for a soul.
Who is this? This is me.
Who am I? What am I? What am I? What am I? What am I?
I am myself.
This, that which is, is myself. That which is formed is me.
This is the me that can be seen, yet feels as if this is not myself.
A strange feeling.
I feel as if my body is melting.
I can no longer see myself. My shape is fading.
I feel the presence of someone who is not me.
Who is there, beyond me here?
Ikari?
I know this person. She is Captain Katsuragi.
Doctor Akagi...
Others...
Classmates...
The pilot of Unit 02.
Commander Ikari?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?

-

Episode 15

In this episode, there is a quick interaction between Shinji and Rei while cleaning up the school. Rei is wringing a cloth, to which Shinji watchs on curiously. The camera focuses on Rei's face and then the cloth. Distracted, Shinji ends up taking a broomstick from Toji. Later, on Nerv, Misato and Ritsuko comment on Shinji's mood, and Misato recalls that his mother's death anniversary will be the next day. Shinji comments the fact to Rei in the elevator, and asks her about what he should talk to his father about. Rei asks why he questioned her, and Shinji reveals that he saw them both happy once. He takes the opportunity to ask what kind of person Gendo is, which Rei doesn't know how to answer. Rei then notices the fact that Shinji has been watching her all day. Shinji then comments on the scene at school, and says the way she wrung the cloth reminded him of a mother figure. Rei blushes at this.

The proximity of Yui's death anniversary awakened in Shinji thoughts about his family, and especially his relationship with Gendo. Somehow, this fact made him associate the figure of Rei with a motherly and housewife role model. Commonly, Shinji's phrase could be interpreted as an attempt to flirt with Rei, by saying that she would make a great housewife. The meaning of the phrase, however, is different. Shinji speaks innocently and friendly, rescuing a familiar role model that he himself hasn't had access to since his early childhood. Rei's connections with a mother figure are not a random connection, and will be further explored throughout the series.

Episode 16

At the beginning of the episode, Shinji takes first place in the synchronization test. This fact deeply bothers Asuka, who vents and mocks in the dressing room, in Rei's presence. Rei doesn't show any reaction, and leaves the room saying only "goodbye", which makes Asuka angry.

Later, Shinji's spike in confidence causes him to become trapped in the angel Leliel, leading to a troubled rescue operation. Asuka again mocks Shinji, this time in public. Rei watches closely, and at one point addresses Asuka. She asks the Second Children: "Do you pilot Eva just for the praise of others?" noting that Asuka has been annoyed that Shinji is stealing her "protagonism" in piloting the Evas. Asuka talks back, saying that she does it for herself. Before Rei can respond, Misato interrupts, saying that she will punish Shinji for his recklessness. Shinji eventually breaks free of Leliel through a berserk from Eva-01, the scene torments all who witness it, for demonstrating the true hidden nature of the Evangelions.

At the hospital, Shinji awakens and see Rei sitting next to him. She tells him to rest, as they will take care of the chores for hour. Shinji says he's fine, and she replies "that's good for you". Shinji is surprised by Rei's rapid development of intersocial skills, and laughs seeing Asuka standing by the door listening to the conversation.

Episode 17

An episode with some focus on the relationships between the characters. In this episode we see Rei talking with Gendo and having her body prepared for what would become the Dummy Plug System. The usual conversation between Rei and Gendo hides the hidden goals behind him, which has been trying to improve the efficiency in fighting the Angels artificially. Although he asks about Rei's current situation, he aims to use the girl for his plans, not caring about damaging her everyday life in this way. Because of this, Rei is missing classes, and Toji Suzuhara is delegated to take the accumulated homework to the girl's house. Toji calls Shinji to go along with him. Considering the previous situation where he was at Rei's house, Shinji manages to be much more objective on this second visit. He takes the liberty of also starting to clean the room. Toji observes Shinji's work (he doesn't help, saying that it is his "policy" not to clean, as it is not a "man's job") and praises his evolution, saying that he didn't see him being able to do something for others. Rei arrives and sees the two boys. Shinji comments on the trash cleaning, and Rei, in a rare instance, blushes in shame, and thanks him. Later, she reflects on such "words of gratitude," remembering that she has never said them before, not even to Gendo.

Episode 18

Rei looks for Toji, and confirms to him that she already knows his fate. Toji replies that she doesn't usually care about people, but that she certainly does care about Shinji. She is surprised, but internally confirms what he says. Rei is certainly developing feelings of compassion and care for Shinji, and somehow worries about how the information that Toji will be the new pilot will affect him. Hikari sees the two talking, and discusses the matter with Asuka, fearing that Toji is interested in Rei. Asuka, optimistically and jocularly, says that Rei is worse than Shinji in the matter of human relationships. Which is still true, confirmed by Rei in the previous dialogue. Her social skills have only started to be stimulated after Shinji's arrival, and even then, the pace of this development is slow, and Rei doesn't know how to handle it very well.

Even so, it can be said that it is a notorious fact that she went from a point of total isolation, where she only really interacted with her creator (Gendo Ikari), to a point where she has a legitimate interest in the other.

Episode 19

After the battle that resulted in the destruction of both the angel and Eva-03, Shinji rebels at being used to harm a friend. As a safety measure, he is sedated and taken to the hospital, where his bed is next to Toji, who is making a more delicate recovery, due to the greater injuries he has suffered. During a dream, Toji visualizes Shinji and Rei inside a train. The setting is known, being called the Train Motif, and Rei's appearance here is often related to the Quantum/Ghostly Rei. Rei asks Shinji the reason for his actions, to which he replies that he cannot forgive his father. He thought he had found a sweet spot in the relationship with him, but he felt betrayed and used. Rei asks Shinji if he tries to understand his father, Shinji coldly replies that he has, but is confronted with the question again, which leaves him distraught and furious. Rei demonstrates to Shinji how he has a habit of running from what is unpleasant. Shinji finds himself confused as to why this could be a bad thing. The dream ends with Toji questioning what they are talking about.

Shinji decides to give up his pilot post, and just after he leaves town, an Angel attack occurs. Rei is placed on Eva-01 with the Dummy System, but the connection is refused. The Angel easily defeats Asuka, and, as a desperate measure, Rei uses her damaged Eva-00 in a suicide attack carrying a N2 Bomb. Shinji watches it all and decides that he can do something. He returns to Nerv headquarters and decides to pilot again, ultimately defeating the Angel and awakening the Eva-01, which devours the downed enemy.

Episode 20

Shinji is trapped inside Eva-01, and from there, he has reflections on the world around him. Rei appears at times as a form of materialized memories or thoughts. She is a link between Shinji and his father, and it is through the image of First Children that Shinji reflects on loneliness and his duty as a pilot. For Shinji, piloting the Eva means acceptance by others. Rei pilots it to create a bond with humanity, and Shinji internalizes this pattern, finding the Eva to be the escape from his problems. However, piloting alone does not lead to acceptance by others, and Shinji finds himself overwhelmed by the constant needs people have. He would like immediate acceptance. By seeing Rei dealing well with Gendo, Shinji thought he would find the same, but his expectations betrayed him.

The perspective of acceptance shifts to a more suggestive view, with images of Misato, Asuka and Rei, all naked. Women could be an outlet for acceptance that Shinji would crave, as his father ignores him. The scenario present in the sequence adds elements of maternal affection with repressed sexuality, showing the dilemma of Freudian characteristics that Shinji goes through. Rei is one of the main actors in this process, as she carries many maternal characteristics, in Shinji's view, but also has elements that arouse him sexually.

Episode 23'

A new Angel appears. Gendo doesn't want Eva-01 to be used and launches Eva-00 with the support of Eva-02, with Asuka psychologically unable to pilot it. The angel, rectilinear in shape, penetrates Eva-00's shell, causing the unit to be seriously wounded. Rei also suffers from the effects of the attack, and begins to have contact with the invader. She sees herself in her inner world, feeling a strange presence. The Angel transmits their feelings to Rei, who can feel the loneliness of the creature, identifying herself with that same feeling. In the outer world, Rei begins to cry, being surprised by the fact. The Angel begins to penetrate Eva-00 more and more, forcing Gendo to order Eva-01 to be sent. Shinji manages to wound the enemy, but eventually has his Eva penetrated as well. The Angel begins to take Rei's form and communicate with Shinji, which torments him enormously. Rei realizes that her own desires are manifesting in the Angel's behavior, seeking a closeness (of sexual aspects) with Shinji. As a desperate measure, Rei reverses her Eva's A.T. Field to contain the Angel, and triggers the self-destruct mechanism. Before sacrificing herself, she has a final vision of Gendo, smiling at her, and sheds tears.

Shinji is deeply shaken by Rei's death, but confesses to Misato that he cannot shed tears. Misato tries to approach him in order to lend comfort, but the boy rejects her. Gendo also reflects on Rei's death, and Fuyutsuki points she was a fruit of despair and hope.

Misato receives a call, and runs to warn Shinji: Rei is, somehow, alive. They both go to the hospital. Shinji says he is relieved that Rei is okay, and is grateful that she saved him. Rei demonstrates that she doesn't know what Shinji is talking about, saying that "I think I'm probably the third one".

The scene cuts to Rei being in her house. She removes her bandages and looks around. She visualizes Gendo's glasses, and presses them, shedding tears in the process. She says that this must be the first time she has seen tears, although she does not feel that way. Rei, visibly, has been replaced, and is experiencing an internal conflict over carrying memories of her previous copy. Her body and her mind are in dis-synchronicity.

At the end of the episode, Ritsuko, who had been feeling used and humiliated by Gendo in his fixation with Rei, decides to show Shinji the truth. Misato, who got classified information from Kaji, appears armed, and accompanies them both. Ritsuko shows a replica of Rei's room, called "Artificial Evolution Laboratory. Annex No. 3." Later, she shows the two a sort of aquarium, filled with Rei's replicas. Shinji and Misato are tormented. Misato asks if they are part of the Dummy System, and Ritsuko confirms, saying that these replicas are just empty shells with no souls, Rei being the only one with a soul. Ritsuko confesses to hating them, and destroys the replicas. Their bodies begin to disintegrate, and Ritsuko begins to cry as she remembers how she was used by Gendo, just as her mother once was, and that this makes her no different from these dolls, and from Rei. Shinji finds himself seriously tormented by this discovery.

Episode 24'

Shinji is quite tormented by previous events. Rei has become a stranger to him, and Asuka is missing. This leaves him in a state of mental confusion, which is numbed by the appearance of the Fifth Children, Kaworu Nagisa. Kaworu is an enigmatic figure who takes a quick interest in Shinji, and Shinji puts his trust in him, despite the uncertainty about the boy's origin and real intentions. After a synchronization test, Rei also meets Kaworu, and Kaworu says that both of them are the same, "forms of Lilin, inhabiting this planet". Rei looks at him with some distrust, unlike Shinji, who quickly made friends with him.

At the end of the episode, with Kaworu's betrayal, a fight between him and Shinji takes place in Central Dogma. Kaworu ultimately surrenders himself to the death by Shinji's hands. At that moment, he has a vision of Rei, in yet another of the girl's more ghostly appearances. Shinji is left in a deep state of shock after the death of his hitherto friend.

Episodes 25 and 26

In these last two episodes, the characters are confronted by their inner truths. Shinji must confront the fact that he murdered Kaworu, and Rei is still trying to find her identity.

Rei needs to understand where the essence of her existence lies amidst her artificial creation. To do this, she turns to the bonds she has created, with Gendo and Shinji Ikari. With this, Rei realizes that her desire is to become more and more human, even capable of dying and ceasing to exist. Something impossible given her origin and the goals attached to her existence. Gendo is what makes Rei feel non-human, an object to be used, discarded, replaced, and repeated. The bonds she develops throughout the series, especially with Shinji, give her a then unknown humanity, causing her to develop feelings of affection, compassion, fear, and anger. All of them, including for Gendo, the one who imprisons her. Shinji is, in a sense, a catalyst for Rei's change of status from a non-human into something that wants to be human, and craves human things, even if they also mean the end of her life.

In the episode 26, the narrative adopts a more melded tone, bringing together the narratives between the characters. Thus, Shinji and Rei's loneliness is put into perspective for both. The fear of abandonment and being hurt come to the fore. Piloting the Eva is, in Shinji's words (and summing up the ideals of the other characters - Rei, Asuka, Misato), a way of facing one's self, and what sums up the meaning of their lives. The fight against the Angels is no greater than the fight against the inner demons of these characters, and the act itself sums up the entire component their lives. Failure in this mission means the failure of their entire life, and the end of the purpose of their existence. This vision is concatenated by the emptiness ever-present in the earlier elements of Shinji's life, in Asuka's attempt to give up her life, in Misato's relationship with her father, and in Rei's entire creation. It also means the rejection of others, and an impossibility in bonding.

Shinji and the others need to learn about the new possibilities of life beyond the Evangelions, and an alternate reality is built to help them in that purpose. In this reality, Shinji and Asuka are childhood friends, and they go to school together. On the way, they encounter a new transfer student, none other than Rei Ayanami. A sexual tension is established between the characters, and Shinji, with a more assertive and sociable personality, brags that he has seen the new girl's underwear before he even meets her. When she is introduced in class, Rei recognizes Shinji and comments on the fact, setting up a debate involving Asuka. Tensions of adolescence are strong elements of this reality, and we see the characters developing traits that go beyond their original personas, showing that beyond pilots, they are, and have the ability to be, something more.

---

This conclusion ends the series at its original length. End of Evangelion, released a year later, tells an alternate narrative of the events, corroborating the message of the show, as well as bringing new insights.

End of Evangelion

Episode 25'

At the beginning of the film, still grieving by the loss of Kaworu, Shinji heads to the hospital to visit Asuka in an attempt to seek comfort. There, he mentions how distant Misato and Rei are to him. Since the revelation of Rei's identity, Shinji has no longer been able to see her with the same eyes. Her figure has become a tormenting aspect that reminds him of how invulnerable, unbelieving and ignorant he is in the whole situation, and especially about his father's work. The friendship that existed with Rei, which helped both of them deal with the burden of their work, and which made human relationships less bleak, seems to have vanished.

Rei awakens in her place, with the moonlight shining on her face. Her face, more than ever, resembles that of Yui Ikari, the person on whom she is based. Wife of Gendo Ikari, and mother of Shinji. Looking up at the sky, the silhouette of the clouds seem to form the image of an Evangelion, reminding her of her life function. She leaves her apartment, with the camera then focusing on Gendo's broken glasses: Rei seems to have made a decision about what she wants to do, doing so a big break with the role she had been playing until then.

The attack on Nerv begins, and Gendo prepares to put his plan into practice. Rei, who was watching her now dead and disintegrated replicas, is called by Gendo, to begin the process. It is possible to notice Rei's rather skeptical look, as if she were observing everything from a privileged point of view. Ritsuko appears before both of them and reveals her plan to destroy everything, as revenge for having been used and belittled by Gendo. Her attack fails, as MAGI refuses to comply. Gendo shoots her.

Meanwhile, Misato dies leading Shinji towards Eva-01, having a vision of Quantum Rei in her final moments. Asuka is brutally murdered in combat by the Mass Production Evangelions. Suddenly, Eva-01, locked in bakelite and unresponsive, awakens, causing Shinji to witness the state Eva-02 is in. Gendo realizes that Instrumentality is about to begin, and Shinji screams in desperation.

Episode 26'

Episode 26' opens with Rei and Gendo in front of Lilith, prepared to begin Instrumentality. Gendo, with Kaji's help, has the Adam embryo in his body, and with it he will merge with Lilith through Rei, who carries a particle of her soul. Rei's body begins to disintegrate, since her "AT-field can no longer keep the shape". Gendo then inserts his hand into Rei's body, initiating the fusion. Meanwhile, Shinji finds himself in absolute despair, as he realizes Asuka's death. This leads to the complete awakening of Eva-01, leading to Instrumentality through Seele's agenda. Rei is shown to be aware of Shinji's suffering, and when Black Moon is on display, she reveals her true intent.

Rei/Lilith rejects Gendo as the Instrumentality's conduit, saying she is not "her doll". Gendo begs her to stay, but Rei says that Shinji calls her. She merges into Lilith's body, and takes her form, finally freeing Lilith's body from her prison. Lilith's body, now in Rei's form, goes to meet Shinji, tormenting everyone who sees her.

Shinji recognizes Rei, but this does not lessen his torment. As a way of comforting him, Lilith assumes the form of Kaworu, and successfully leads Eva-01 to the next stage of the process. Shinji breaks down into LCL, seemingly comfortable, and thus begins his visions within Instrumentality.

In the first of these, in the sandbox, a kid Shinji plays with two girls, in theory Asuka and Rei, but they eventually leave with their mother (Misato), leaving the boy alone. The abandonment frustrates Shinji, who destroys the sand castle he has built, and then starts it up again, showing the cyclicality of his life.

In the train sequence, Rei asks Shinji if he tries to understand the people around him. He angrily responds that he do, to which he is rebuked by Asuka, who is shown to be aware that she has become an object of desire for Shinji. Shinji asks why they are not kind to him. An overlapping of the three girls replies to be kind. Shinji calls this a lie, pointing out the ambiguity present in their personalities, thus justifying their insecurity. Shinji begs for affection and security in front of the women, and receives no answer. Another sequence with Asuka begins, in which another misunderstanding between the parties occurs, Shinji decides, once and for all, to begin the Instrumentality of all humanity. Lilith's Anti-AT Field causes all humans to lose their physical forms, having their souls collected by Rei replicas taking the form of people significant to them.

Gendo has an encounter with Yui, Rei, and Kaworu, and understands that his fear has caused him to push Shinji away from his affection. He accepts his punishment, and has his head devoured by Eva-01. Three Rei replicas, representing each of the copies that lived with Gendo, watch, and take his glasses, which have always represented the bond between the two.

Shinji leads the Instrumentality, understanding the world as permeated with rejection and miscommunication. A Live-Action sequence begins, and Rei discourses to Shinji about the meaning of dreams. The Live Action world represents a world where Shinji does not exist, and then represents a dream. It is only in dreams that Shinji finds peace. In this case, he finds peace in non-existence, in the distortion of reality. Shinji asks where his dream is. Rei replies that this is a continuation of reality. He continues, asking where his reality is. In a definitive way, Rei answers, "at the end of the dream".

Lilith's head is severed, marking a break in the process, and Shinji's doubt. At the center of the World, between the Earth and the Moon, Shinji meets Rei. She explains that they are in the Sea of LCL, the source of life. The fusion between the consciousness of all humanity is in progress, and thus there are no more physical bodies, no more separations between beings. This is the world that Shinji desired. He, however, rejects this reality, and accepts to return to the world where the barriers between people's hearts exist again, even if this leads to pain and suffering. He decides to face this, in a new way.

Rei and Kaworu, representing Lilith and Adam, lead Shinji back to the world of physical bodies. They represent the Hope that people can understand each other. Shinji admits that, despite all the pain, the feelings he felt were true, justifying his decision. The physical version of Lilith dies, and the Black Moon disintegrates, releasing the Sea of LCL and along with it the souls of all the people.

The final sequence begins, showing the first meeting between two people back in their physical bodies: Shinji and Asuka. At the beginning of the sequence, an appearance by Quantum Rei is seen, marking a bookend to her initial appearance in the first episode of the anime. Rei no longer exists as a physical person, but she certainly left her impression on Shinji, and helped him find answers on his journey.