Evangelion Q&A

[HeartbreakerByZep]

Well...

They made it clear that Rei and Yui look very much alike.

Ritsuko's mother comments on how Rei looks like Yui.
Shinji is reminded of his mother when he is around Rei.


I think the use of the same voice actress for Yui and Rei further demonstrates a connection.

-Uncle Milo

Yeah, I'm not denying that. But it makes more sense to me that one aspect of Rei would be based off of Yui (her body) and one aspect of Rei would come from Lilith (her soul).

[The Eva Monkey]

Uncle Milo, stop Hijacking my thread, its not appreciated.

Why did Seele make ristuko strip naked? They are just dirty old men aren't they?

No reason for this is ever given, the men of Seele state that it is not their intention to bring any shame to her. I wouldn't account it to being because the men of Seele are dirty old men, but rather as an attempt to demean her and put her in her place. There is no explanation or fuctionality behind this, so we can only presume.

Anyway, I'm curious as to whether the theoligical basis for Instrumentality has any foundations in reality. Do the dead sea scroll really dictate the sort of things like the coming of the angels and the return of all humanity to their source? If so, where did this information come from?

The theological basis is integral and canon to Christianity and Khabbalism. Christianity calls for a day of judgement where the material world will be destroyed, where all souls will re-unite in the afterlife after the judgement. Khabbalism dictates that God is omnipresent, and that to recreate god, all beings must undergo contemplation and oneness with god. Some of the references are from the Bible, some are from the later apocryphal texts that are not seen as canon, but have been published and written about here and there. Some of it also come directly from the Khaballah. Evangelion does have a number of specific references, and it does incorporate some of the core concepts of these two religions, but it is by no means an extremely masterful understanding and depiction of them. It was not intended to be religious, just utilizing religious motifs. And it was the product of the whole staff's findings and ideas, rather than solely Hideaki Anno's, though he put more into it than any of them.

When is the directors cut going to be available in the US?

The first volume of the director's cut containing 21-23 has been available since last month, the second volume containing episodes 24-26 are being released March 9th. It should also be noted that 25-26 on the second volume are not technically director's cuts. Both DVDs contain behind the scenes bonus materials for the Live Action Eva Project.

Volume 1: Ressurection (21-23)
Volume 2: Genesis Reborn (24-26)

WHAT THE HELL DOES IT ALL MEAN!?!?!

That is largely open to interpretation, and it means something different to everyone. But to its creator Hideaki Anno, it was a cathartic work, allowing him to burn his thoughts and feelings into film. It was his way of dealing with his problems. There are more finite reasons that can be stated, but you would have to be more specific. For instance, what it means in relation to a specific character or aspect. If you're really interested I suggest reading different people's thoughts and interpretations.

http://www.evamonkey.com/em_writings.php

And I think no better description of the show can be given than by the man himself.

http://www.evamonkey.com/writings_anno1.php

How was Rei created? What components went into her creation, when was she created, in what way was she produced, and what is she physically?

This is a fuzzy subject. It is generally accepted that Rei is a clone of Yui, with the transmigrated soul of Lilith, the second angel. It can be presumed that Rei II and Rei III posess the same soul, as Rei III posesses the memories or Rei II, even though they're somewhat muddled. Its highly possible that Rei I possessed a soul other than Lilith's as when Shinji syches with Unit 0 for the first time, he encounters Rei's mind, or more importantly, the mind of the child Rei Ayanami.

Rei's creation is the subject of a rather interesting theory. We know for a fact that Lilith's lower torso was used to create Eva Unit 1, and they were attached at the midsection during Yui's activation test. It is believed by some that during the test where Yui was lost, that when Yui was absorbed into the Eva, a byproduct of the accident was Rei, as can be seen by the legs sprouting out all over Lilith's "Womb". This is speculative, though it is somewhat supported, homever it is not explained how Rei's maturation has increased, though it is possible, and that THAT might be what caused the onset of albinism in Rei Ayanami.

[Alpha_Hazard]

Wow, I'd never thought of rei as albino, I guess now that I think about it it makes a lot of sense. The red Eyes, the "Blue" hair, the light skin.

[Scintilla]

The surface story is more or less a battle between mankind and beings called angels. SEELE formed the agency NERV to deal with the threat, but were unaware that Gendo had plans on his own.

Well, if they didn't realize it at first, they figured it out by the end of the series (or, rather, by Episode 24).

[the Black Monarch]

I just feel like saying something here that REALLY needs to be said: Uncle Milo doesn't know what the hell he's talking about and should be ignored for the time being

As for Rei's TRUE origins, it is FACT that she is 14 years old in 2015, thus eliminating the possibility of having been created after Yui's death. She was born inside Dogma's lower levels and was created to cause Third Impact. There may be a connection between her and Yui, but most of the similarities can be attributed to how Gendo raised Rei (how he cut her hair etc.), and there's nothing to suggest a genetic relationship, or that Rei has Yui's soul (which is in Shogouki). A much stronger possibility is her connection to Lillith; however, neither a genetic nor spiritual tie can really be confirmed, since the only thing in all 26 episodes and EoE to suggest a Rei/Lillith connection is that one line, "Tadaima," which can only be loosely translated as "I'm home". Note that since all of Adam's progeny have the ability to "return" to Adam, it is a substantial possibility that any ol' human could return to Lillith in the same fashion. This brings up the idea that Rei has a bit of Angelic, non-Lillith DNA in her, which is what allows her to unite with both Adam and Lillith and cause 3rd Impact.

[Zarxrax]

Well, her being created after Yui's death can't be ruled out...
Yes, she did indeed have the appearance of a 4 or 5 year old girl, a mere 1 year after Yui's demise. And I know everyone hates it for some reason (though its approved by GAINAX and Anno), but the Red Cross Book states

"Her body was created from the salvaged remains of Yui Ikari after Yui was taken into the Eva, and numerous Rei clones were then prepared in Terminal Dogma so that when one Rei dies she can be replaced by another. The present Rei is the third."

Rei didn't necessarily have to be "grown" as a test tube baby. Using whatever remains they had of Yui, LCL or whatever, it's feasible that she was initially crafted in the form of a 4 or 5 year old girl.

[Kracus]

"Tadaima," which can only be loosely translated as "I'm home".

It's not a loose translation, that's what it means. A person returning home, says "Tadaima".

[Excalibur00]

If she was originally created as a five year old, then there should have been "replacements" for her, just like her 14 year self right?

[Scintilla]

If she was originally created as a five year old, then there should have been "replacements" for her, just like her 14 year self right?

So they must have managed to grow the replacements in the tank over time so that they kept the same physical age as whatever Rei was currently "alive" (for lack of a better word).

[)v(ajin Koji]

What was Rei's original purpose? To help Gendo get Yui back right? Or was it to replace Yui as I've heard a few places