Shinji and Asuka's Relationship

Despite not joining the cast until Episode 08, Asuka quickly becomes a pivotal figure in the narrative, both in her own right and in her interactions with Shinji. The complex dynamics of their relationship are at the very heart of the show and thus deserve an in-depth analysis. Unfortunately most aspects of the relationship remained both unspoken and denied for nearly if not all of the narrative, and thus the two never come to a conclusive understanding. For this reason, as well as to properly illustrate the compounding nature of each teen's wrongful assessment of their situation, their perspectives will be analyzed separately.

Before reading further, it is important to first realize that what the characters say or do almost never directly corresponds to what they actually feel or desire. It is only by looking at the wider details of a scene, such as background conversations or the framing of a scene that these truths are revealed. In many cases the clues to unraveling a scene can only be found in conjunction with other scenes. Lastly, it is often the case that important information is transmitted visually rather than through dialog, so looking at screenshots is a necessity.

Are They a Couple?

Certainly not in the traditional sense, no... that would require both of them to acknowledge their feelings to each other and possibly others, and before that to themselves. No such luck. Rather, the show makes it clear that they are intended to be analyzed as a couple, even if only a failed one.

Through the action arc and into the beginning of the downswing their interactions follow many conventions of romantic comedy. They have an eventful first meeting, complete with instant dislike and sexual misunderstandings. Circumstances force them into continued proximity, with sexual tensions and slowly building mutual acceptance. Friends see a relationship wither the character's themselves are blind, either teasing or offering advice. Finally it culminates in a first kiss... at which point the formula breaks down irrevocably.

This is also supported in a more subconscious manner via clever use of cuts during important moments to force a parallel between the Shinji/Asuka relationship and that of Misato and Kaji. In episodes 9 and 15, for example, kiss attempts between Shinji and Asuka are immediately followed by scenes of Kaji and Misato engaged in the same. In episode 11 both pairs end up in compromising positions.

Shinji/Asuka and Kaji/Misato
comparison shots from episodes 9, 15, and 11

Shinji's POV

Before Asuka came into the picture, Shinji was just starting to recover from a very dark period in his life. His situation was stabilizing, having gained a degree of acceptance at school, home, and his work at Nerv. He was still feeling the effects of a long depression, but with growing closeness with Toji, Kensuke, Misato and even a hint of understanding with Rei, he seemed to be past the worst of it.

Not so thrilled to meet you

For these reasons his initial introduction to Asuka went about as poorly as possible. Before he even knew her name she antagonized his new friends, escalating quickly to slaps and insults. Next she dragged him around the fleet and put down his piloting abilities, called him a pervert right before forcing him to crossdress, then broke regulations in a manner similar to what got him reprimanded four episodes prior. Throughout the fight she continued insulting and hitting him while Shinji took control to save both their lives. It’s fair to say his first impression of the Second Child wasn’t glowing.

Seeing Asuka in a positive light

At school he tried to be friendly but Asuka continued teasing him, and in the next engagement she belittled him and again disregarded orders, making an impressive but futile solo attack. In debriefing Shinji became quite upset when she tried to blame him for the defeat, and was certainly no happier when she commandeered his room in Misato's apartment. When Misato announced the tandem attack plan he didn't seem thrilled but went along with the training as part of his duty, and in the process found in Asuka a sense of determination that he could admire.

On the evening before the second battle with Israfel Misato did not come home, leaving the children alone for the first time. Asuka responded to this news by moving into Misato's bedroom for the night with a parting shot about him acting like a child. She leaves him for the night with a warning about entering the room, giving the impression that she believed he might take advantage of her. In the process of warning him off, however, Asuka gave him a view down her nightshirt that Shinji didn't fail to notice with an obvious wayward glance. Later that evening he pretended to be asleep when she made a bathroom trip, only to suddenly find himself presented with a similar view as she unconsciously wandered in to sleep next to him. The Second Child, simultaneously arousing and more vulnerable than he'd ever seen her before, proved too much a temptation for Shinji. Had she not called out for her mother in her sleep he may well have justified her earlier warnings by stealing a kiss, if not more.

Temptation
Shinji begins to take note of Asuka's feminine charms, but just ends up frustrated.

(more to come)

Asuka's POV

With her family life in shambles, Asuka threw herself completely to the task of being the best of the best in every way she cared to try from a very young age. Despite her impressive accomplishments, however, Asuka was never been able to overcome the trauma of her mother’s accident and suicide, and thus continued to seek confirmation of her worth as a person from everyone around her. At the same time she developed a shell of denial around this vulnerability, hiding it from others and from herself behind a massive superiority complex.

Episode 22 reveals that the evening before meeting the rest of the cast Asuka made a play for Kaji’s affection, most likely out of a combination of real attraction and a desire to be viewed as an adult. Any chance she may have had was likely torpedoed however when she mentioned Misato, in a negative manner no less. Kaji casually dismissed her attempt at seduction, but not before mentioning Shinji as an alternative target.

You’re telling me that I lost to this puppy?

Asuka attempted to make an impression on Shinji, but her planned introduction was ruined by a stray gust of wind and boyish antics, and she quickly decided he probably wasn't worth the effort anyway. Her day continued to be frustrating as Kaji ignored her all afternoon, instead flirting with Misato and praising the Third Child. A background conversation revealed her feelings on the subject: She feelt she is being left in the cold for the sake of a ‘puppy’, a boring little boy who by all rights shouldn’t have be considered anywhere near her league.

Impressed yet? ...Nope.

Kaji's continued prodding about Shinji even when they were alone eventually drove her to make another attempt to put the Third in his rightful place, starting by showing off her Unit 02, the most important thing in her world. When he failed to appreciate her 'toy', Asuka took advantage of an angel appearance to show off her talents firsthand, dragging him along for the ride. Unfortunately events once again refused to go smoothly and she found herself being pawed over by shinji (who revealed himself a pervert earlier by peeking while she changed) while he had the gall to try and control HER eva! With her life on the line Asuka was forced to work with the idiot just this once, but in so doing failed to assert her dominance.

Playing the blame game

Once in Japan she set out to establish herself, becoming the center of attention at school (and the target of unwanted affection from unworthy fools), though neither Shinji nor 'the other one', Rei, seemed impressed. Still a little miffed about the last fight and convinced Shinji's qualifications as a pilot were a fluke, Asuka ignored Misato's advice and charged in alone to prove her worth. Unfortunately the angel cheated by splitting instead of dying, and Shinji's inability to keep up soon left her outnumbered. This unfair defeat was compounded by a dressing-down by her superiors, and in front of Kaji no less.

Still, she she got some satisfaction out of displacing the Third Child from his room, only to find out that she would be forced to live with the little deviant for training purposes. Shinji proved himself beneath her skills, but her combat status was threatened by Rei's ability to synchronize with the "turnip's" movements on the first try as if they were already very close. Humiliated by the suggestion that she was the problem and that she might once again be denied her due, Asuka resolved to throw her all into the training.

Over the course of learning to work with Shinji she gained a degree of respect for the boy, so when Misato left them alone she decided to make a subtle play for a little affection from Shinji. She made a suggestive comment, teased him by calling him a child as she entered their guardian's room, then used a little reverse psychology (and a biblical reference to a wall famous only for falling) to challenge him to act like an an adult while intentionally giving him a peek at her cleavage. She may have gone over his head though, because instead of rising to her taunts as he had before he did nothing, leaving her alone and dejected.

The Wall of Jericho
Asuka throws down the flirtation gauntlet, but her challenge goes unnoticed.

(more to come)

One More Final

(coming soon)

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