Episode 3: NERV Bridge Crew (Evangelion Analysis Project)

[@gentalrobots3988]

Aoba having no transition guid is one of the saddest ending to a character in Eva

[@Blafina]

He was happy in is own way I guess. Nihilistically happy

[@keithlee1007]

depends on how you view it, I like to think it was because he was content with what he has

[@gentalrobots3988]

@@keithlee1007 I got a theory that aoba was the only one who loved himself so he couldn’t be seduced to instrumentality. his guitar is an example of his self actualization he does something other than fight angels and wallow in pain kaji was the same way

[@scotty2tone]

True, but doesn’t that mean that he’s extremely likely to transcend instrumentality?

[@bevrosity]

​@@gentalrobots3988well put

[@paulkaukuwitz5028]

would have been funny if rei turned into guitars for aoba

[@zalabit927]

Lmao

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

Now I can't take it off my head, thank you very much.

[@vhsguy032]

Fr

[@NannerMan]

Maya is too good for this sinful earth.

[@mechajay3358]

So True

[@Leviathan762-zh4lq]

Is definitely too wholesome

[@rubberduckey111]

You know, I just realized that after Shinji and Asuka, Aoba was likely amongst the first to separate from that "human soup" thing at the end of the series. he doesn't seem like the kind of guy that wants his conscious poured in with every other human out there.

[@starwarzchik112]

Poor guy, escapes the LCL and is _immediately_ stuck babysitting Asuka and Shinji

[@elchar3577]

@@starwarzchik112 now i want a spin off about that

[@JakeRat-xo2bw]

I would guess that all of the bridge crew made it out, since they actively seemed to fight Instrumentality off until their mental walls were broken. Maybe not Fuyutski, since he seemed more accepting of it, but that might have just been because he was happy to see Yui one last time.

[@keithlee1007]

@@elchar3577 He's super depressed at first, but finds a guitar and fucks off

[@LilithWolfheart]

Aw, that bit about Aoba has some really sad implications. :(

[@gillhewerfamily6550]

I agree with the other comment about how it's likely he would have, but refused to acknowledge/look at it because he didn't want to indulge in something not real.

[@Peetah.]

Ikr like damn bro found like nobody at all for the rei guide to take form

[@nopatiencejoe6376]

Aoba is one of the few characters that actually has his shit together in the show. Guy is good at his job, has a hobby and passion of his own, isn't involved in all the drama his co-workers are. I guess one of the things that can be said about him that he fears isolation since his guide took the form of multiple Rei, but even that is a pretty common human trait.

[@YomiKAyomi]

Hmmm.....is it me or does Evangelion works in threes? We have Shinji Asuka and Rei (Eva Pilots) Gendo Yui and Fuyutski The ones who guide Nerv, Ritsuko, Misato and Kaji all college friends who went to work for Nerv, Maya, Aoeba, and Hyuga the Magi workers and Kensuke, Toji and Hikari the friends at school.

[@HikariGamer1]

Don't forget Eva, Adam and Lilith. And the City is called Tokyo-3. Interesting.

[@LhizJordn]

Like the sephiroth path life tree?

[@LaymansPursuit]

magi system is also thirds

[@isn0t42]

That's intentional. Thanks for mentioning that, I never noticed. That's writer's fingerprints right there. Anno was thinking, "ok, now, I'll put three character that would represent evey kind of environment - four would be too much, two wouldn't be enough." Or something along those lines. It's actually a neat trick now that I think about it.

[@Dimovuha222]

3 is a common number in fiction and mythology since ancient times. It was considered "magical number". You can see such examples in a lot of pieces of media of any time.

[@garmmermibe5397]

Wow, that last part about Aoba made me sad. I love this channel, it points out so many things. I knew he liked guitar, but I actually didn't realize he may have had a depressive life.

[@jmiquelmb]

Well, all the other people wee see turning into LCL see a long time unrequited love instead of Rei, (the other two members of the crew, Fuyutsuki), so I don't know what's better at the end. Also, he didn't seem a depressive guy, to me. Maybe he wasn't in love at that moment, it wouldn't be so strange.

[@bensloan3109]

i've read other analysis suggesting that the three form a sort of gnostic/agnostic/atheist trifecta with aoba representing atheism. hence why the transition guide didn't work on him - he doesn't believe in any of it. also makes sense why he would be losing his shit - probably one of the biggest fears in the mind of an atheist is the fact that they're wrong.

[@dantegamer1]

​@@bensloan3109 That's an ambitious "theory" tho, i can see where it came from, but there isn't too much ground to support.

[@bensloan3109]

@@dantegamer1 there's plenty in the series to support this, but okay.

[@SuprMikey64]

@@bensloan3109 As an atheist I don't think being wrong would be scary. I'd love to think there's an afterlife, yet I don't have any reason to believe there is one so I don't assume there is. I (and any other atheist for that matter) don't hold any stakes on that lack of belief, not banking on being "right" or whatever. If there is, cool, I wouldn't mind retaining my consciousness forever. Anyway pretty sure if you saw your colleagues being turned into soup and the things that did it to them all turned to you, it would be fucking horrifying. He had no clue wtf was going on lol.

[@rafaelteles4161]

Makoto: friendzoned until the very end.

[@theMoporter]

Maya: kouhai-zoned and cucked by Gendo 🥲

[@CZEFrank]

Aoba really shows how disgusting the HIP can be, considering he is the only one we've seen forced into it without emotional manipulation.

[@Phoca_Vitulina]

Every time I watch Maya's 3rd impact scene I start crying

[@pumbashow7240]

Saaammmeeeeeee

[@godaironin]

Good analysis but one thing to suggest additional research on: of the three bridge crew, each of them come from a different branch of NERV. Maya is from Section One, science and technical, Aoba is from Section Two, security and intelligence, and Hyuga is from Section Three, which is Operations. All three function together to tie in the various components of NERV (and if you watch carefully, they'll be more focused on their own particular job function during battles). However, all three are not under Ritsuko's direct subordination, but instead part of their respective departments. In Maya's case she's directly under Ritsuko, but Huyga clearly reports to Misato, who is head of EVA Tactical Operations (otherwise how could she get away with dumping her laundry on him?). The section numbers very roughly correspond with military staff departments (i.e. in a typical army Intel is "G2" and Operations is "G3" and technical support may be "G1") (We never see anyone who is "head" of Section Two, which is interesting as Section Two does other things such as provide all of those black-suited bodyguards with sunglasses that follow Shinji and the other pilots around.)

[@IronicCliche]

I love how you end on "because he never truly loved anyone"

[@funnyperson7656]

Dude, its so sad when Aoba is turned into fanta. Everyone else at least had the illusion of the person they loved being with them, but he is just kinda screaming and crying. It should have been a guitar that turns him into fanta, not rei.

[@santiecam]

I don't really agree with your conclusion for Aoba. I don't think he lacked someone to love, he just refused to look at the transition guides because he knew they were an illusion. We as the audience, perceiving everything through Shinji's perspective, only see a bunch of Reis.

[@Brandelwyn]

Your version is pretty good, gives us something to think about.

[@BragoTHEgraviyKING]

Since we never went in depth with these characters we'll never know for sure but your theory does make more sense then just assuming he was a sad individual with the little we have to go on

[@321erej]

That doesnt make sense, what about maya then? We saw Ritsuko with maya and it wasnt from maya's POV

[@somethingsomething9008]

We all know missato can fly

[@hineraable]

Why would Aoba know that the transition guides were illusions? I think he was just scared of them without necessarily knowing what they were.

[@TheDarkLordOfBass]

These characters also have tremendous religious implications. Maya and Hyuga are named after a concept from the Hindu salvation (end of the world) myth.

[@wzx6x6z6w]

Actually it's been implied that their names are inspired from the Imperial Japanese Navy battleships Hyuga and Maya back in WWII.

[@jorges.1120]

I always liked these three. They are probably among the most mentally stable characters out of the entire cast. The homies in the NERV bridge crew have got you covered!

[@EinsteinJR2]

Maya is a great human :D I love her character.

[@EvaAnalysisProject]

UPDATE: So I have been revisiting this channel recently, and I'm SO sorry that it's been so long since I have uploaded a video. I graduated a few months ago and landed a good job recently, so I have no excuse to delay working on this project ;) Will update you guys with more soon as I figure out a schedule.

[@thunderbolt1213984]

Evangelion Analysis Project NOOOOOOOO i waited soooooo long for a new video and only 3 views got in before the devil studio khara takes it down, i was not one of those views. I am so happy you are posting videos again. you did a great job with the other ones. Is there another place you have this video and do you expect to win an appeal in getting this video back up. answer when you can, and its great seeing you back the eva analysis game. thank you.

[@YomiKAyomi]

Evangelion Analysis Project Oh thanks for the update! I hope to see more with your awesome analysis!

[@iHaveContrl]

+Evangelion Analysis Project congrats to ur job!! :) keep up with ur good work with eva, they are amazing videos!!

[@jacobmorales1283]

Evangelion Analysis Project are you still doing any more videos about evangeline

[@the-redtape-recorder2768]

Evangelion Analysis Project p

[@hiroaritillwhen4581]

With this characters NERV command center feels comfy like a home.

[@JozannaHanawalt487]

I wonder if Aoba not having truly loved or trusted anyone in his life is related to him not having any qualms about killing JSSDF soldiers to stay alive. He never really developed any true meaningful relationships with people (when he's not talking to Maya and Hyuga, he's usually just by himself; in that shot of him drinking the soda, he's just standing by himself not talking to anyone), meaning he probably grew up mostly detached from humanity and social norms (hence him playing the guitar in his spare time, since he hardly ever spends time with other people), meaning that he would have no problem taking a life ("It's kill or be killed."). After he gives the gun to Maya, he even gives this little look (6:51) to be on his guard, showing how paranoid and distrustful he is. Heck, given his comment about Maya's view of scientific progress ("Talk about old fashioned viewpoints."), it could be that he not only distrusts people but just about everything in general.

[@pg9193]

I don't think Aoba's detachment was necessarily bad. His interests are in the non-verbal world of music, delivering him from a fallen world of insanity where people exist on the edge of consciousness. Look at the all the depraved relationships by which he's surrounded, and not taking place in them may be the wisest thing someone could do. Also, he's not paranoid if there's actual agents coming to kill his ass and usurp his hard work.

[@JinKee]

@@pg9193 Aoba Going His Own Way

[@CoolidgeGaming]

This all makes sense but the part of 6:51 doesn't really show that he's paranoid and distrustful considering he is literally being shot at right there.

[@JozannaHanawalt]

Dude, I was just making some interesting observations. You could have just politely corrected me and said something along the lines of, “Despite Maya’s qualms about killing other human beings, which is admittedly understandable due to having never had to take such an act in a chaotic situation like this, her not taking initiative and engaging in such an act would lead to her getting herself, and possibly many others killed, which would be an even worse outcome. In a situation like this, killing in self defense for someone who has never before taken a life is a hard choice, but it is a necessary one.” But, no, you had to be an asshole about it. Maybe try tact sometime. I hear it works wonders in helping someone come across as a decent human being.

[@nopatiencejoe6376]

I wouldn't consider his behavior at EoE paranoid, he's seeing all of his coworkers wich he would interact in a regular basis on his day to day live being murdered in cold blood by some unknown faction. Of course someone would act like that since they are trying to protect their own life and also his other friends that are nearby. The guy had massive balls to not crumble under pressure and desperation and actually fight to preserve his life. But that fact alone he's one of the few normal people of the show, hence why he has so little screentime.

[@robertonome2448]

Maya + Ritsuko is the most underrated ship ever

[@acedetective9542]

2 years late but correct

[@1OtherMr]

Am I the only one who thinks that Maya is pretty much a female version of Shinji? i mean, the similarities are there, she can't kill another person, is supposedly lesbian for someone, if you look a bit into her character i think anyone anyone can get where i come from.

[@LathropLdST]

And in some shots she looks like a female Shinji. Also used and ignored emotionally by her 'mother figure'... Just as Shinji with Gendo.

[@njfhighlights5355]

I don’t think shinji is a lesbian...

[@itjustworks1858]

@@njfhighlights5355 hes kinda gay though

[@polyfloralhoney]

@galuh ismi he's pretty gaysexual bro

[@Ricemang7]

Just sat here and watched all of your videos, Really cant wait for more!

[@mlggodzilla1567]

Yo, Aoba should have had a big Stratocaster as his transition guide, or even better he should have seen a buff golden dude that punches a lot, if you know what i mean (Aoba's voice actor is the same as Dio Brando).

[@jose2D7735]

No way

[@fatimashehbaz4071]

WHAT

[@mlggodzilla1567]

@@jose2D7735 yes way

[@sandman6088]

Aoba in many ways embodies the spirit of the depressive musician.

[@obyrnemark]

These are tight and well thought out videos that explain more in minutes than years of other sources. The show is an enigma--and you are the solution. I salute you; and call you friend.

[@johnnyroberts3761]

Makoto Hyuga is my favorite of the three, I think I relate to him the most

[@Justin-yt7pi]

So you relate to being a simp nerd?

[@boiboi5402]

he looks like adult gohan

[@BragoTHEgraviyKING]

Huh. You know what he does.

[@degenerate-otaku6634]

lmao I think so too I literally keep calling him gohan in my head I forgot his name was Hyuga

[@TVCasualty212]

Aww that's so sad for Aoba that he didn't love or trust anyone. Good point, I like that I learned a little more about this character.

[@SYNC4ex]

Maya is adorable

[@SimonPiano42]

Awesome analysis. Just watched all your videos. It would be so great if you could continue putting up these analyses! at least you could make a little update video so we know you're still alive! you did great work here, mate.

[@michael9204]

i think the part about transitioning guides being the person that someone loves and trusts the most should instead be that the transitioning guide is someone that the person desires the most approval from. It's hard to draw sexual attraction from Maya just based on her rejecting Kaji and acting somewhat overjoyed when ritsuko is shown to her by rei.

[@Pduarte79]

I call them the Wedge, Biggs and Jessie of Evangelion lol.

[@hineraable]

The fact that Aoba didn't love nor trusted in anyone in particular in his life is actually pretty sad.

[@ShizukuSeiji]

More good analytical work. Well done and thank you. You didn't mention Hyuga's other telling comment that he likes Misato - when they are standing on the bridge in front of the heavily bandaged up Eva01 and he makes a comment along the lines of "she's unpredicatble - like a woman". He immediately sees the inappropriateness of that comment and, embarrased, apologises. There's multiple scenes (on a road bridge, on a park bench in the geofront) where he meets with Misato after Kaji's death to give her sensitive information about NERV as Misato conducts her own investigation. My take on Aoba's Transition Guide was that he secretly lusted after Rei and had some knowledge that she was being cloned and thus he witnessed multiple versions of her. His abject terror at that point (all the others go willingly into the LCL) reflected his (natural) fear of lusting for a child. Another idea you didn't comment on was again another of those neat paired scenes. Earlier we see Maya cowering under her control desk as the SSDF soldiers attack, and Aoba acting brave and defiant in the face of (what they most probably think is) their imminent deaths. Compare this with the other scenes later that also take place under the control desks where Maya welcomes her Transition Guide with tears of joy and this tme its Aoba cowering in terror and hiding. I interpreted the white animal sticker on Maya's laptop as a cat, not a rabbit. Another small hint she loves Ritsuko.

[@LathropLdST]

Cats and rabbits are interchangeable in Japanese/Chinese culture, and they remit to the moon.

[@titis98773]

I hope you will analyse Kaworu soon and when you do, try reading the drafts from the original episode. They have details that aren't mentioned anny where else, like Kaworu cutting him self. Anyway i hope you will post new episodes soon, till' then bye!

[@xanderq]

Hey, I just discovered these videos (I'm a big time fan of the Eva series for more than 10 years now) and they're really great and informative! I hope you keep it up. Would love to see one of Fuyutsuki.

[@bellgrand]

In all honesty, I never was mad at Shinji for refusing to get in the @#$%ing robot, but in EoE, I was totally: "Release the @#$%ing safety, Maya!" I mean, really, she's an adult with military training, but she's also been sending 14 year-olds into harm's way to protect her for the past 2 years. No sympathy whatsoever.

[@Brandelwyn]

1. She was never the mastermind behind Eva project 2. If no one else can pilot Evas, there is no choice, really 3. Eva's insides is basically the safest place available

[@Loveb4ttery]

[patiently awaits next episode]

[@dundervevo6842]

*oh I thought Aoba was just attracted to a large group of Reis, my bad*

[@DouglasZanini]

That part about Aoba , maybe he was just the only one who had no illusions about others...

[@Mach2style]

I NEED MORE

[@tatarsauce6314]

The bridge crew honestly had themselves the most together

[@JakeRat-xo2bw]

I've personally never believed that Maya was gay for Ritsuko, since the "transition guide" is simply the person you loved the most, not necessary the person you were romantically attracted to. Shinji's transition guide is Kaworu, and unless you're one of those people who think Shinji was gay for Kaworu even though he literally says in EoE that Asuka is the one he wants, then Kaworu wasn't the person he romantically loved. Also, ghost Ritsuko doesn't go for a kiss like Fuyutski's transition guide (Yui) or Hyuga's (Misato). And, Kaji's able to successfully put the moves on Maya in that one episode (I forget which one). Regardless, Maya's definitely the purest character in the show, and her death was actually one of the hardest hitting for me in EoE. Hopefully she was able to return from Instrumentality.

[@needstogofast38]

thank you, Fandoms theirs days really like to jump for the Gay card, i think it stems from loneliness. she so pure that she loves her teacher like her mother and cries for her like a child the the guild come when she need her mother.

[@Sdfckz]

asuka isnt exclusively the one that shinji wants, though. he wants misato, rei, asuka, and kaworu. he expects them to fulfill the different parts of what he lacks in his close relationships. he's literally shown pining for all of them throughout the entire series, both maternally, romantically, platonically, and sexually. kaworu was never an exception to that. i dont think shinji's feelings towards him were solely romantic (same with all of the women in eva) and i agree that the fandom oversimplifies their relationship. but shinji was able to be vulnerable with kaworu in a way that he couldnt with the others because of his fear of women. when does shinji say that asuka is "the one" in eoe? also- kaji's flirtatiousness towards maya was never even remotely reciprocated by her, what episode are you talking about?

[@somethingsomething9008]

When did he say that I've watched the dub 4 times dont remember that line

[@quadrodopollock]

I'll be honest: As someone who hates the Rebuild series, Maya's chanages are very amusing. She's one of the few things I really like about those films

[@ferarry13]

Can you upload more? Pleeeeeeease :(

[@sonicfelipemt]

yeah, part 4 !!!!!!!!

[@undergroundindy]

These are so thoughtful and well done, opening a new viewpoint into the attention to detail within character creation, as well as clearing up what is happening in some scenes. Loving these three and hope you have more coming!

[@user-pf5ot1rs8u]

The end is sad.. I feel bad for him..

[@macker33]

Transition guides, right, just when i thought i knew it all

[@pistolshrimp7775]

this is analysis profject is pretty amazing!

[@POSTELVIS]

oh man, I bet shigeru was damn scared at the end of evangelion. He probably would've chosen to come back to reality once shinji and rei allowed such a thing.

[@dylbagsmcawsum]

Man you have to keep doing these

[@highbrednxtus]

That *SPLAT* though 😂

[@randygelion]

Marvel has their fallen heroes and people turn to dust, well screw that. Evangleion they splatter in to LCL!

[@HailAzathoth]

Maya is actually best girl tbh

[@metalslug97]

Anno needs to write his own book. Or make another great series.

[@Thesecretsuspect]

I love how much work you put into these. Great job and please keep them going!

[@bombarder10]

These analysis videos have been awesome! Whenever you have time, I'd love to see your take on some of the main characters, especially during the final episodes and the movie.

[@ordo_draigo_assault_ham]

The support staff was a study in scared people watching abominable actions…and that was just in Grandpa’s old office.

[@macias1236]

Welcome back dude! Nice to see these videos back on my feed! Thanks for everything

[@Animeferak]

Nice work you have here and I hope to see more.

[@SebirothAssassin]

This channel is pretty good! I hope it's still alive.

[@maxlopez-salagdo4867]

When you see it

[@CesarCordova]

Beautiful analysis!

[@GurrenPrime]

Well that's a creepy way to end the video: a man screaming in terror, screen goes black, and you hear a squishing sound.

[@KeenanJules]

You're doing a great job with your videos keep it up !

[@carloscanalesmorales]

Please upload more videos, your work is awesome.

[@fishbrot]

Wow, I never really paid attention to the transition guides. Thanks a lot for making this! :)

[@lalalalalalalalaleli]

oh my god continue this pleaseeee

[@erikshure360]

17:16 That moment when you realize you're Aoba.

[@wx4newengland]

Wow to think, if I was in Eva I would be old enough to remember 2nd Impact.

[@HenriqueLoureirox]

I rarely comment on videos but i need to support works like yours. Amazing video as always.

[@Krashevil]

finish what you started.

[@filia666]

Yay you're back! Nice to see a new video. As always it's good stuff.

[@LuckyHamburger]

4:07 I'd be surprised if she didn't.

[@ian09dbz]

maya 🥺

[@cattibingo]

Black hyuga is the best character in all of eva

[@Xyos212]

I see your latest video was taken down due to copyright :( I hope you can re-upload, I wanted to see it! :)

[@shitpostadmiralty2921]

Poor Aoba had such a sad tanging.

[@MissAlice_646]

2:10 cracked me up. subtle comedy there

[@candlelighter1588]

Maya still best girl Sharing the title with LCL-Chan and Azaziel

[@Glamrockateer]

awesome videos, can't wait for your next one!

[@theMoporter]

In retrospect, if you compare Aoba to the other characters, it seems more like he was too self-reliant rather than lonely. He achieved peace with himself, unlike many other characters, but at the expense of walling himself off. There are few characters who are not reliant on others for personal happiness in NGE, so demonstrating - in passing - that the answer isn't to be content in solitude.

[@sms1960able]

Awesome job, man! You've got to keep it up!

[@michaellat.albano8804]

Aoba is fucking STRAPPED

[@half-elf9555]

Aoba's transition guide should have been a horde of guitars

[@carolenakavanaugh1795]

I think they all just might be friends

[@aaronamour6101]

Spicy take here but I think Aoba could be the best possible thing Shinji could have turned into, had he not decided to genocide humanity. There are quite a few similarities, such as Aoba not ever having developed attraction or trust towards anyone - something that could well end up being the same for Shinji had he grown older, since it's something he already struggled with. Additionally, Aoba plays the guitar, just like Shinji plays the Cello, with the noticeable difference being that Aoba plays it for himself. He doesn't try to get appreciation from anyone else but instead just wants himself to be satisfied with his performance. I'd also argue that he shook off a lot of the weakness that holds Shinji back like the inability to take a human's life. Aoba has no problems with it and seems very capable of just living for himself. Never thought about his character too much (was distracted by Maya consistently making me smile when she is on screen) but he seems like one of the more interesting characters in the show, now that I think about it. Only real negative about him is that he probably knows the least about the secret intentions of NERV, so just like Shinji, he is basically being taken advantage of by others who don't let him actually understand what he is working towards. Shinji should have looked at him and said: "He's literally me." but is too much of a moron for that.

[@JavaLu]

Best 7 mins i had this week. Thanks

[@MichaelConfalone]

great video, so many details I missed

[@TartarosVods]

Please, please please make more of these!

[@genova03202]

Very interesting!

[@teriwales7975]

ive been waiting for this episode!!

[@rafail2303]

Although Aooba doesn't really stand out and nobody seems to remember his existence or name I think he is one of the most human characters working for nerve. He doesn't have any real character development or outstanding traits but that's OK,. He simply is average and most people we come across in life we won't have the time or willpower to get to know on a personall level

[@Dracogame]

I don’t think Maya was in love with Ritsu. I think she believed in her blindly which is why Rei took that form.

[@s1dwyz732]

maya best girl

[@BigJerBD]

keep the good work! this is really interesting!

[@TheRobmaynez]

About Hyuga, I think that in the Neon Genenesis Evangelion 2 game for PSP, Hyuga states that he did have a date or two with Misato, but thought she was really weird as a romantic partner.

[@renzokhamm]

Great! Thank you, now i kinda get it better!