Misato and Shinji (Relationship)
Misato and Shinji have one of the deepest, most heavily implied, and one of the most confusing relationships in the Evangelion series. Though trying to act as a guardian, she ends up openly flaunting her sexuality in a way in which provokes response from Shinji. The two exist on far enough planes from each other to promote enough bewilderment to make for a difficult yet truly intriguing relationship until the onset of Instrumentality, in which the full strata of their relationship is unearthed.
First Meeting
1.The Photograph
Shinji first meets Misato not in person, but through and invitation photograph that Misato sends him. The image in and of itself is arousing, depicting Misato more as a potential love interest for Shinji than a mother figure or guardian. Further sexual objectification of her character occurs when one directs their attention to the writing scribbled on the picture. (writing, oddly enough, that is written in similar handwriting of the director, Hideaki Anno; along with lipstick from one of the few female Gainax members)
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Episode #1 Cuts
To Shinji-kun I'll be picking you up, so wait for me, okay? ♥ → Check this out!! |
Shinji (OFF) “I guess we won't be meeting here.” Obviously, choosing this picture was no accident. Though it is unclear exactly what she was trying to get across by sending him this picture: Is she just a tease? Does she see him as a valid interest? Or is this just the way she can relate to people? All three of these possible response can be valid explanations.
2.The Pick-Up
Shinji's first in-person meeting with Misato occurs in glorious fashion. Misato, just prior to his pick-up voices her concern that she has lost him, and it appears quite worried. In an interesting contrast between Misato's photograph, the picture she possesses of Shinji, attached to the dashboard of her car, presumably from the Marduk Institute, shows Shinji tight-laced and prim in what appears to be his school uniform. While she searches for him, Shinji finds himself in the proximity of Sachiel's, war path. Misato arrives just in time to pick him up, in this fashion:
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Episode #1 Cuts
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Her first words are: “I'm sorry to keep you waiting.” Oddly enough, these first lines to Shinji, and her last lines to him, (and later, to herself) all follow the theme of waiting-- waiting for something that will never happen (Shinji and Misato having sex as per her implication) in 25' (more on this later), her last words prior to her death (angry at herself for waiting too long to replace the carpets), and of course, her first words spoken in the series and to Shinji. End of Digression.
Then comes the scene in which Misato and Shinji watch the N2 bombing of Sachiel. Though the nature of the scene is ambiguous, the nature of Misato's character seems to be suggesting that this position is not just an attempt to get a better look at Sachiel (binoculars, anyone?). She's put her breasts in such a way that it's damn near impossible to look at anything else, though it seems as if Shinji's interest is torn between her mammary glands and the cross around her neck.
3. Arrival at Nerv
| Misato's View | |
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Episode #1 Cuts
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"I'm Home"-- Episodes 2, 3, and 4
Entrances of Asuka and Kaji-- Episodes 8, 9, and 10
Sub-Dramatic Context-- Episodes 11-14
Point of Catharsis: Episode 15
Everything Falls Apart-- Episode 17-20
No Longer a 'Synthetic Family'-- Episodes 21-22
Big Irony Bomb-- Episode 23
The Aftermath-- Episode 24
Episodes 25 and 26
End of Evangelion
A Bloodied Cross: In Conclusion
Sources
From the forum: "Misato the Slut?" "Misato's Kiss" "Ritsuko's Tour" "Misato's Relationships"
