Shinji:“"It's me who should be hit. I'm a scoundrel… a coward…"”
thewayneiac: Right. Uhuh.
MagicianCamille: (234~236) I actually felt some pity for Shinji in this scene.
Reichu: It's certainly a very powerful performance by Ogata, IMO.
Incisivis: When Shinji protests that he deserved to be hit, not Toji, he's exempting himself just a little bit, again. Even if he doesn't act on it, I still consider recognition to be better than denial. Also, Shinji is showing some backbone, going against the orders of some big and tough Nerv MIBs to say what he feels needs to be said.
OMF: Shinji couldn't leave Tokyo-3 knowing people had a good impression of him. He feels his actions are undeserving of any respect, and he has to make sure everyone knows it. Really, he doesn't have any self confidence at all.
Reichu: Poor lad. Although my life hasn't sucked anywhere near as much as Shinji's (thank gawd), I can really relate to the sort of mentality being expressed here.