Ikari Shinji's theme

[@Naeddyr]

Yes! That is right! Other people have also realized that this song sounds like: 1) Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 2 2) God Save the Queen / King or 3) "Shinji is just like me" which I've never actually listened myself to but it's really popular Which one were you?

[@kivegg]

I have the impression that it's also similar to rach 3rd concerto

[@RebeccaChambersIRL]

Wow, glad to see you’re still here.

[@fredam6003]

you’re alive

[@ianian4162]

This whole time I thought it was some obscure Rachmaninov composition that I just couldn't find anywhere, lol.

[@theoreticalphysics3644]

Wait wut it really does sound like these though. Rach no.2 is an incredible piece to take inspiration from.

[@zhuzhuqing4862]

At least Shinji got his own theme. I have none.

[@user-mx3ho3tp5h]

Zhuzhu Qing fax

[@Horrormaster13]

@Zhuzhu Qing Yup

[@smhrat5752]

unless

[@muanofuny7457]

Your alarm music is your theme mine is the soviet anthem

[@appleWhisky43]

You can (Not) have a theme

[@itsvoogle]

I used to be so hard on Shinji when i was younger....then you realize he was a just a 14 year old kid! The realism of NGE showing how immature and torn he was in dealing with so much trauma is amazing and one only appreciates it more and more with age...

[@sausage5488]

Was he really immature ?

[@jkl7607]

@@sausage5488 he was...

[@sausage5488]

@@jkl7607 He was pretty serious about this stuff. Not every 14 year old kid would be able to do what he did. If you want immaturity look at Asuka.

[@doomfan89]

I feel like Shinji´s reaction is the only realistic anime portrayal I´ve seen so far as to how a normal person would react if someone was just like "hey, you have to fight these huge monsters inside of a robot, and oh, humanity´s probably gonna end if you lose"

[@omariramsey1154]

@@doomfan89 Shinji's reactions were almost TOO realistic and i think thats what brought the anime to that next level for me. The fact that, even though hes the main character, he's a far cry from the hero you'd expect from a story like this one

[@sansnom5269]

Rewatching it via Netflix I just realized how EVERYONE treats Shinji like trash. At first It gives the feeling it's only Gendou who is distant and cruel, but in reality everyone, from Asuka to Misato, patronizes him and constantly puts him in pressure, never giving him the option to fail. Ironically, in the series where everyone acts like a dick to each other, Shinji is the only one who rarely gives it back.

[@yupooo6842]

oatknee But Kaworu Betrayed Shinji which is more 10x worst because he’s the only person who truly loved Shinji to only just betray him which make Drove Shinji Depressed even more.

[@JMRG2992]

To be honest man, I loved how Rei in the manga treated shinji. The part where she asks to hold his hand one more time... was just impressive... she was in love with him in the manga, well, before she was Rei III. just Rei II

[@yupooo6842]

JóH RédFíéld yep they give more dept to Rei And The Manga is very different than the anime one in the final battle Shinji actually saved Asuka which is very an satisfying moment compared to anime

[@mlggodzilla1567]

@@a.n.y2902 rei's own a.t. field overpowered kaworu's, so it was either rei or shinji inside the eva who were going to kill him. Kaworu had no choice thats why he understood that he failed and let shinji kill him, he thought that they had adam and he infact was going to destroy the world. Kaworu just like everyone else were abusing shinji, no one truly cared about him, well only rei actually to a certain degree. If you read the manga you will actually see that kaworu being in love with shinji was just a reflection of rei's love to shinji. During the armisael attack asuka wasnt sent with the eva-02 but it was kaworu with rei inside the eva-00. During the attack armisael connected both the evas and during the explosion of eva-00 rei's feelings passed to kaworu. Shinji hated kaworu and they actually got in a fight because kaworu treated like shit asuka and said that rei was useless after her death.

[@dollartreejadenyuki6046]

BIG SMOKEE you do realize kaworu didn’t betray him,right? it was either he die or he destroyed everything. he was literally protecting him man

[@pranjalfarhan7771]

Everyone asks "Where is Shinji?" but no one asks "How is Shinji?"

[@stevepensando2593]

This it... This is the plot of the entire anime

[@MatiNuva1724]

"Why isn't Shinji piloting the robot" would sound better ngl

[@OzAbi]

I'm feel.

[@비늘가지]

Damn it is

[@user-ev1yb5bd1p]

이게 맞다 진짜

[@FUNNIEFURBY]

We gotta protect this boy

[@giraffecentral4502]

sad kitty shinji protection force

[@shinjiikari6866]

Yes thank you

[@Milkshakebuttplug]

Agreed

[@WohnJick517]

Ok Dutch

[@rogeryoung7562]

This boy at least the most powerful creature in this world.And he is psychopath.We need protection from him…

[@ricc4620]

Shinji DESERVES to be happy.

[@rchetype7029]

Shinji was entitled to nothing which he couldn't earn through introspection and strength.

[@Lillian_Ashcroft]

Kaji said in the manga nobody deserves happiness but also that if Shinji didn't grab hold of life better and learn from mistakes that he would let people die in vain. There is a reason the manga turns out better.

[@rchetype7029]

@@Lillian_Ashcroft He says the same thing to shinji in the anime before shinji kills Zeruel

[@nemeru3352]

I dunno, he unintentionally helped initiate third impact

[@MrMcArmenio]

Shinje needs to get into the damn robot

[@austinpowers3659]

The only person who made Shinjis life easier was the gay angel dude who didn't put up a fight and let Shinji kill him, think about that the only person that was nice to Shinji was the person who he was forced to kill

[@kiriyin5891]

Kensuke?

[@smhrat5752]

I mean it was shinjis choice to kil

[@Igrzu-san]

@@smhrat5752 not really

[@Teal_.]

right becuase misato, kaji, toji, kensuke the class rep, asuka, pen^2, rei were never seen interacting with him in a friendly manner

[@austinpowers3659]

@@Teal_. they all used him though, you can be nice to someone and still have evil intent in the end

[@TheRazzyDazzle]

Shinji Ikari Defense Squad reporting in

[@FreshZCORD]

hell yeh u go u realistic written character you

[@nya-sama1269]

Shinji Ikari I am Here

[@theturtwig50]

Yes hello there

[@BunnaySango]

Shinji Ikari Shinji is a precious cinnimon roll and honestly I just wanted him to be happy so bad.

[@hanakosan4404]

Shinji Ikari French is here 👍

[@VinegarMoneyGrows]

“A child that is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth”

[@River_song-f1p]

Dang

[@cleverman383]

So with sadness in my heart I feel the best thing I could do Is end it all and leave forever

[@Holynoelle]

Where did I heard this before?

[@its_him562]

​@@Holynoelleprobably not heard, but if you've seen JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, then you'll recognize that this quote depicts what started the main antagonist's life of evil.

[@grand-dadmiral]

@@Holynoelle It's an old proverb, attributed somewhat vaguely to the entire African continent. I suppose the village from whence it came burned down. It's a commonly held truism elsewhere, oft-accompanied by "It takes village to raise a child."

[@hanscarabonala2462]

To everyone who thinks that Shinji is a pussy: he's not. He was a human who feared death, but already lost most of his life and lived the rest by just accepting orders, up to the very point where he even accepted to be extremly near to death itself. But he built a new life, without even wanting it, up to the very point he didn't accepted everything and thus, lost his mind with time, mostly because of the pressure he had... And even after this all... He tryed to fix the world. He didn't accepted all orders, but he accepted his destiny. You shouldn't compare NGE with other animes in this way, you should compare it to real life, because NGE's characters are there to compare them with real life and your self. So... Could you do this?

[@hanscarabonala2462]

***** Why was he annoying? Maybe in the English dub or in the first episodes, but he was never annoying in the Japanese dub after the first 3-4 episodes.

[@goblingravy]

guys we're just talking about a chinese cartoon here

[@woodman2855]

+Goblingravy's Good Games Hey look at me I'm so edgy! So therefore because it's a chinese cartoon it can't have complex characters lol no.

[@timorr6008]

Very true mate. That's exactly it.

[@kamakaokaino]

yeah! I hate when people think shinji is useless and whiny like he's reacting pretty realisticly to his situation?

[@huwinner2428]

Despite how many people perceive Shinji, I think he's really the strongest protagonist I've seen in any story. Man went through some deep shit, and he took it like a real person would - internalized it, tried to force it down, had it bubble up in toxic and horrific ways, and push others away from him. People treated him like trash, and he was always set up to fail, yet he came back anyways! Shinji cried and struggled, but isn't that what strength is? Excellent writing, Ano.

[@aevvah_flxwer8550]

Beautifully summed up and well said, Huw. 🙏

[@furfekkia93]

last sentence is pretty funny in italian

[@cedeliqueti5179]

@@furfekkia93 in spanish too

[@terapia2914]

i dont think hes strong at all, but the thing i liked about him was how he acted like a real person would

[@theeartofwar]

read berserk

[@didiervillarreal1638]

I love Shinji because I see myself in him because he’s weak, he always wants to escape, he hates himself, and I want to love me so I love Shinji. I want him to be better and to be happy because I want to be better and to be happy.

[@didiervillarreal1638]

P.d. I wrote this while shitting, the most intense shit I’ve ever taken

[@seanshogun1957]

Didier Villarreal so you love others in the hopes of loving yourself

[@chillmeii]

relatable

[@pezvonpez]

@@didiervillarreal1638 it was such an emotional comment and then you ruined it

[@fuze9458]

@@didiervillarreal1638 you were shitting in the shinji chair position

[@koshilowell9531]

I think the funniest part of Shinji and yet the most tragic part In the spinoff games. We see that if you surround Shinji with mentally sound nice people his age Shinji just ends up being a nice normal kid. Hes just a person.

[@qwertydavid8070]

That's honestly the most tragic part about his character. Bro was literally dealt the worst cards possible. As you said it yourself, he's just a person. But he was stuck in the most godawful and horrible situation imaginable. He broke down because he was surrounded by incompatible people. Not necessarily bad people, but they definitely were NOT the support system he needed. And worst of all, the one time he finds another person that genuinely loves him unconditionally, he's forced to freaking kill him. Hell naw, the people who think he's a pussy are wildin'. If I was stuck in his situation, I'd probably just curl up and die after like the first fight.

[@NToniiiii]

@@qwertydavid8070 nah I still think Shinji sucks. Though his theme song is a banger. Side characters/104th cadet corps in Attack On Titan who were barely a year older than him went through so much more, for example.

[@qwertydavid8070]

@@NToniiiii I get what you're saying, but by that logic I could just say "Bro that's nothing, jesus went through much more pain when he was tortured" This isn't a dick measuring contest. Within the context of NGE, shinji was in one of the worst situations. Yes, maybe not the worst, but things don't need to be the worst to still be bad. You shouldn't be comparing pain because it's an inherently subjective matter.

[@NToniiiii]

@@qwertydavid8070 The dick measuring analogy is not very logical, man, especially when in this context. Shinji has a literal school harem around him, a bully that (very) quickly became his friend eventually. His mentor, Misato, who is like a mother figure he never had. And he's still absolutely selfish as fuck. *HOSPITAL SCENE MOMENT* "mmhh.. yeah... daddy issues got me like-" Fkin travesty lmao. I could get into so, so much more about why this inconsistent mess of this mediocre show is a failure. This dumb show got people thinking like piloting an Eva would be the worst thing ever, when in reality it just wouldn't even come close to that. How in the hell would Shinji get bullied in the first place just for saving the city? How does his father hold such incredbile amount of intelligence about everything in the Eva world yet not make an effort for his child? Or maybe even know how to raise him? Even if you think about it, if he did raise a child, his official plan would've come to fruition smoothly. How the hell is an Anime villain written this terribly and blandly lmao. This show is a pathetic excuse of an author who could barely take care of himself, which attracts other young teens into its' selfishly immature ideations, praising unhealthy coping mechanisms. I know some irl people who fell into the trap of this crap of an art piece and became drug addicts. But then again, this show also helped some people at the same time, so it's a fine gray line. I rest my case here.

[@Nancy-ff5tr]

​@@NToniiiiiAnime is unrealistic in that way yeah, a normal person wouldn't be able to handle what most anime protagonists do. Evangelion shows the real side of humanity, and Shinji is just a kid. If you must compare, remember that AOT people are trained and battle hardened soldiers who know what to expect while Shinji was thrown into the world of Evas and angels against his will, surrounded by toxic and manipulative people.

[@flow_987]

People call Shinji a pussy, but let's be real. 99.99% of us would have turned out similar if we were in Shinji's shoes.

[@davidnoel1665]

I would probably die in the 1st angel I encountered

[@jackpitman15]

i guarentee not many people would reject instrumentality if put in shinjis shoes, and age

[@nightcat9049]

Ye, the people who call him a pussy really lack in the empathy and imagination department.

[@-sanju-]

Nah, I'm just built different.

[@flow_987]

@@-sanju- Good for you. You're part of the 1%.

[@mariamqveli]

I love this comment section so much. Everyone's defending and saying how much they love Shinji which is very rare. He's one of my favorite characters to ever exist simply because he's the most relatable and human character I've ever seen.

[@vacuousloki1648]

I hate him and think he’s a piece of shit, the problem is I’m just like him

[@TheSlonk]

You would like Shinichi in Parasyte as well

[@ΝεκτάριοςΘεοδωρόπουλος-σ4η]

we feel affection like he is our son

[@soysource3218]

I think Punpun better written than Shinji but yes Shinji is an interesting character in his own right.

[@Nancy-ff5tr]

I think it's easy as a child to judge him and compare him to other anime hero protagonists. As you grow up however, you realize how fucked up his situation is and that he really is very realistic, acting like any 14 year old would

[@CC-gv1yd]

For this of you wondering, this piece is a MINOR variation of an old melody used for England’s anthem (God save the queen) and “my country ‘it’s of thee”, also the same melody for at least seven other countries, it’s also the melody for the traditional song, “this is my planet earth”. The world’s anthem in a way, which the composer uses perfectly by being able to tell how everyone in the show puts the fate of the world on shinji arms, stressing him until he decides to make the world into his liking in the End of Evangelion, much like this theme did. Even stranger, we only hear this piece in the very first episode, somehow giving a clue on how the whole story will conclude.

[@HYPERMUSH64]

Thanks for that explanation! I always wondered about that

[@cringerfilmmaker]

wait it was played, in the first episode? when?!

[@tomemeornottomeme1864]

@@cringerfilmmaker This is the song when Shinji is taken into the Eva Cage for the first time by Misato and Ritsuko and they show him the Evangelion, and tell him the reason he was brought to Nerv was because he needs to pilot it. As his Dad reveals that was the only reason he wanted to see Shinji and Shinji begins to freak out over everything is when the music begins to pick up.

[@cringerfilmmaker]

@@tomemeornottomeme1864 I see

[@Mimedus]

Or just go to Rachmaninoffs Piano Concerto n. 2….. i always asumed that was the inspiration for this piece 😃

[@jonmartin4690]

Shinji's honestly one of the more interesting protagonists I've seen. If there's a singular word I have for him, it's "flawed". He doesn't have the high ideals most main characters have in stories, but is it really realistic to think that he should? Being only 14, his life is anything but figured out. Epiphanies that lead to disaster and further epiphanies. Isn't that just being a teenager? While his morals may seem twisted, he just hasn't had the opportunity to develop his personality enough to make such large decisions. Even the very ending could have been entirely different if it happened a day earlier or later. His mind was a mess, but rightfully so.

[@stew7852]

I agree, besides the fact that the author wanted to reflect that. And I don't know why many people are bothered by the fact that he is like any of us, even though they see themselves reflected and are bothered by it. Anyway, this is one of my best protagonists.

[@ProfessionalismTrash]

@@stew7852 as i was writing my reply to you, i tried making arguments about how Shinji's just pretty fucking weird, but every time i thought about an example, i realized "nah, this one's understandable". turns out his actions are indeed understandable. still don't get why tf he was so different in EoE, i know he was depressed but damn wtf

[@Deid]

@@ProfessionalismTrash EoE was right after Kaworu, when he was at his lowest point of the entire series. It just seems a little sudden since it's a jump from episode 24 to movie and not from scene to scene or an episode to episode but it's pretty in line. He pretty much lost everything he somewhat gained throughout the series and then this one ray of hope appears and immediately betrays his feelings. He's just broken at that point.

[@hairglowingkyle4572]

@@ProfessionalismTrash The dude couldn't think right anymore, he lost sight of righteousness after being given the most unfair choice of his life. After that he didn't believe in justice or happiness anymore, or at least that's what I think of it

[@iwannabetheguy4355]

"It was in the prophecy"

[@Amigo21189]

I think we, as an audience, have a bad habit of overlooking the fact that Ikari Shinji is a _child soldier_ when we judge him.

[@Mr.Needle-Hamster]

We tend to do that a lot, don't we?

[@furggedaboutitable]

Shinji is more or less the most flawed protagonist I've seen. Nothing about him is idealized. And you missed a HUGE point in Evangelion, to love you have to be loved. Shinji isn't (or is convinced so), therefore it really takes a toll on his personal and emotional life. This probably applies to a good deal of the main characters too. Odds are that Pen-Pen is the sanest character. If you wanna watch meaningless sex or meaningless fanservice, then you're looking in the wrong way.

[@noodleboi6711]

furggedaboutitable He's supposed to be flawed. We're not meant to project our feelings on to this character like most shows. Hideiki Anno makes it clear that the point is that you can't run away from your problems. Shinjis not a character we're supposed to use for escapism to run from real life, Anno's probably also saying something about the nature of otakus (including himself) in Japan and how escapism can, and is effecting the hikikomori, and depression problem in Japan. And if you do decide to get close to this character and invision yourself as him then you'll only get hurt, following the hedgehog's dillema.

[@Lillian_Ashcroft]

And yet, he is probably a character I can relate to heavily more than any self insert protaganist probably because Shinji is a self insert protaganist for real.

[@evastarunit7361]

Too bad most people just see him as a coward or an idiot but i totally understand what he is going through cause i've been through what he has been and trust me i had the same doubt in myself about life and totally understand him in every way i just hope people understand him too or else they are just plain idiots to think that he is just a coward cause if you took a different point of view of shinji he's probably the most relatable character in the entire show

[@tradingforsouls]

I think this is accurate enough, but Shinji is a character that you want to see prosper, but you hesitate to root for him because of his actions. We can only stand back and watch as he falls into hopelessness with his life crumbling to pieces around him, because he never really cared enough to fight. This Character’s writing is ingenious.

[@evastarunit7361]

@@tradingforsouls exactly

[@thathandsomedevil0828]

Shinji Ikari and Guts (from Berserk) are the most tortured characters in anime history, bar none.

[@ps123fan]

what about guts..

[@anzinc]

i'm just about to type guts name, but still, only if they both got a normal life

[@nowhereman6019]

There are plenty of objectively worse off characters. The reason we think those two are the worst off is because we care about them the most.

[@jjba3571]

That girl from madoka magica, poor her :(

[@michaelgrimes2689]

Yea I’d say guts more than Shinji though

[@ArthurShotgun]

I never got the Shinji hate. He's the most relatable main character I've ever seen in any medium.

[@cleverman383]

"I'm so fucked up."

[@FullSaphir]

Yes Bocchi you are right

[@hello-rq8kf]

you have a bocchi pfp, no wonder you relate to fucking losers

[@EdyYT66]

@@cleverman383 he never said he was F up, more like "i am so lonely" vibes / "i dont want to do this" vibes / "i dont want to be a loser" vibes, "i dont know what should i do" "everything is so pointless " vibes, you clearly dont get the anime or the main premise of the show

[@zebitus5731]

@@EdyYT66 The original american dub in question:

[@ReGZ0089]

For some reason Shinji always seemed very haunted to me. He always seems to play to role of the unwilling fool in a plot beyond his understanding.

[@wookiewaffles1503]

Hope you see this so you can come back

[@philliprubak8123]

@@wookiewaffles1503 I mean hes right most of the plot wasnt discovered by him EoE was more ununderstable for him than for us because he just sits in his eva and sees everything occure I dont know if he hears Fuyutsuki.

[@resunodmar2924]

Who else feels like Shinji deserves a hug? Boi suffered long enough and he barely received affection back (except that "pilot")

[@yamboijam2996]

But isnt real.

[@MoskusMoskiferus1611]

​@@yamboijam2996. Who cares

[@motionisdead9796]

There's no grace. It's a thoroughly lonely, selfish and harsh melody with each segment properly representing Shinji's state of mind. The piano is depicting a struggle, a wish for hope, love and purpose - at the same time being the realizement of his naivety, anger, confusion and most importantly - misery. While the piano(Shinji) is expressing itself, the rest of the instruments accompany it symbolizing the world, or everyone around Shinji. Violins are the breaking point and usually are used to magnify the feeling of dread, confusion and hope with a reflection on those emotions. Violas', cellos' and double basses' job is to magnify the feelings of tragedy, despair and sadness.

[@blacknote6945]

don't dig in too deep like those doujin artist

[@vintheguy]

In the show Neon Genesis Evangelion they live in a society

[@nemusubs]

That's deep

[@androidlewzerz6424]

this comment is deep *claps*

[@liamgulyas9476]

Creating words to relate vibrations to a series of moving drawings

[@TheMokeyMokeyChannel]

People forget that Shinji was just a young kid. A teenager confronted by the cruelty of this world. Forced to do things he didnt want to. He endured, he struggled and then he broke. All the pressure, all the loss, all the pain, all the hatred and the lack of empathy and love for him broke him. He was alone in a dark ocean. And he drowned. He is not a perfect protagonist, but that is what he is about. He is no hero. He never wanted to be one and he does not find a real purpose or redemption in beeing one. He does things because he has no choices. In the end - he is just human. A human kid that was used. And this piece of music tells a lot about what is going on inside of him. Anger, sadness, desperation, crying for help, losing oneself.

[@thesnob5515]

At first it did not understand the hatred so exaggerated to the protagonist but then it became more evident. The author obviously wants us not to insert ourselves into the protagonist but not so that we do not feel good enough to confront reality. And we do not all like that

[@jacques9515]

What

[@whathell6t]

سليل أل صورم سليل أل صورم It’s a paradox for that type of character structure. You rarely see that in anime/manga/visual/light novels so professionally done as Evangelion. The only characters that are Ikari Shinji-tiered formation is Guts the Black Swordsman, Spike Speigal, Emiya Shiro, and Dr. Kuroo “Blackjack” Hazama.

[@DreamlessSleepwalker]

@@whathell6t What about Kirito?

[@whathell6t]

Korewa Krusader Are you being serious with that question?

[@DreamlessSleepwalker]

@@whathell6t kirito is teh bestest animae carater ever.

[@sergi0ram0s23]

what a mysterious & complicated personality...Shinji is one of the "deepest" anime characters ever.

[@wookiewaffles1503]

Baklava

[@alanbersoza2044]

@@wookiewaffles1503 playboi carti > burguer king

[@wookiewaffles1503]

@@alanbersoza2044 sigogglin > crooked

[@yamboijam2996]

Hes suffering like all characters in evangelion or others animes

[@KomradeCPU]

People are rotten, Shinji is one of the most relatable protagonist ever. It seems that everyone wants to have someone to push down so they can feel superior.

[@vacuousloki1648]

He can be relatable and a piece of shit, I mean, look at me

[@jacktaylor0465]

Gay

[@NikiWonoto26]

sadly true reality

[@r.k845]

@@vacuousloki1648 he's just a little boy

[@vacuousloki1648]

@@r.k845 *bitch Me too

[@MVPerry]

Shinji always annoyed me but maybe it's because he reminds me of my teen self

[@austinpowers3659]

He was 12

[@Arkew_]

@@austinpowers3659 14

[@lanerehms24]

Fancy seeing you here.

[@srtakaiba2344]

Oh my..I didn't expect to find you here xd

[@napasenseigaming]

Yooo biggest surprise ever

[@misterwacky3186]

Palpatine (to Shinji): “Young fool, only now... at the end, do you understand,”

[@averageconsumer0]

"strike humanity with all of your hatred and your journey to instrumentality will be complete"

[@misterwacky3186]

Average Consumer Good one. 👍🏻

[@mlggodzilla1567]

And thats how shinji ikari fell to the dark side of the force

[@whathell6t]

MLG Godzilla That’s actually the whole point of the first introduction of the End of Evangelion. Ikari Shinji’s masturabation was to show that Ikari Shinji’s Id has fallen from the Ego to the Shadow, the psychodynamic term for the Dark Side as explain by Carl Jung. The Shadow of the Self is where depravity, immoral-animalistic savagery, and unconscious version such as anger, hate, and fear; reside. The Shadow will surface up unconsciously every time again for a healthy individual and they will noticed and quickly restrain it. As for Ikari Shinji, he is so broken he lost unbalanced after enduring the war for survival of humankind, that he led his Shadow pop out uncontrollably thus Ikari Shinj following his primal instinct which to be views as animalistic. It’s reason why the masturabation scene is so disturbing.

[@misterwacky3186]

@@whathell6tI concur. If he were a villain who doesn’t need his father anymore, things might have changed. Every day is a tragedy for him.

[@soberano2887]

For some reason, I really laughed at the fact that the applause at the end was represented by the "congratulations Shinji" scene.

[@sleepyavenue5572]

I don't get why people call Shinji whiny and annoying. His behavior is reasonable when you take into account his childhood trauma, the lack of affection/appreciation he is given even when the fate of humanity rides on his shoulders, and the fact that he's still only 14. Shinji's character design isn't trying to imitate a crybaby, but rather a real human who feared death and coudn't move on from his past traumas

[@GLUBNOIR]

I find it ironic that everyone put the fate of the world on his shoulders, only for him to use Third Impact to turn everyone into Fanta because of his self-loathing or lack of human connections or whatever

[@18yearoldcel]

​@@GLUBNOIRbro he didnt Even know what was going on, how can u Even blame him lol

[@jackliechtenstein660]

Possibly the greatest and most well-composed theme I've ever heard in anime history.

[@maxfaberg128]

check out rachmaninoffs piano concerto no. 2 its pretty much copied a lot

[@ntsoarakoto7584]

Shiro Sagisu's work For me the best and is back with bleach now

[@ntsoarakoto7584]

Shiro Sagisu's work For me the best and is back with bleach now

[@refrigerateur8000]

@@maxfaberg128 true ! I found myself thinking about Haendel's Sarabande as well, probably because of the start of the melody

[@ThatguyScotland]

It's such a deeply moving piece, and I think it personifies Shinji, and this experience of an anime, perfectly. I think that even those who despise Shinji's character can sympathise with him through this music alone.

[@radiogaga3501]

Shinji Ikari will always be at my heart as the bravest human in history. Bless you,Third child #ShinjiIkariDefenseSquad

[@Wiziliz]

Someone doesn't know of Simon the Digger! Boom!

[@aljosa_]

@@Wiziliz this is what I thought too lol

[@ColorMeHoppy]

I'm glad people have started respecting Shinji more. Most of the fandom seemed to hate him 8+ years ago.

[@moxopal5681]

Yes everyone was algergic to jizz back then, and then everyone became depressed with the lockdowns and everyone realized the importance of cumming regularly. So yeah I hope I was helpfull...

[@agentfries1560]

@@moxopal5681 what

[@franciscodls3]

This is so like Rachmaninoff: Concerto for piano No 2 in many ways... Even so, beautiful, and really nostalgic. :)

[@jkl7607]

Its similar

[@tapuutube]

Especially the beginning.

[@revoyc5082]

Ah yes, a people of culture.

[@ritchan-k1f]

yes, love it

[@Dageka]

I had exactly the same thought

[@tiernanmcculloch]

Loving this comment section. I've aways been an avid Shinji defender, bro is by far the most relatable protagonist in any anime and deserves more recognition for taking so much shit in stride in a realistic way. While I love idealized protagonists that can take anything thrown their way, like Guts or Jotaro, there is simply no possible way to ever fully relate to them. They are fantasies of characters, an that is great. I'll always love a character that serves to inspire through how impossibly strong they are in the face of massive turmoil. But Shinji serves as an inspiration because he is so human. He just BARELY makes it through most situations he is put in, and is eternally changed by nearly every one of them. While obviously the hardships he faces are far more than any of us will ever face, there is something to that imperfection in handling situations. SO many other protagonists only falter in their final moments, but it is nice to have a character that you can relate to their countless failures but continued dedication towards improvement. Sometimes I feel as though I'm going nowhere, I'm not doing enough, like I've failed in many regards that only I'll notice and no one else will ever point out. Most of the times those kinds of failures go unnoticed in fictional narratives, but through Shinji, Evangelion is capable of giving a narrative that is actually relatable, flaws and all. And I really appreciate Anno for having done that. Giving a character that despite the impossibility of how deep he is in all the shit he doesn't understand, he still tries. I'll do the same, even if I reach an ending drenched in despair, trying is all we can do as living beings. And I think there is importance to that, even if there isn't some afterlife, even if there isn't any hope of improvement in the grand scheme, even if my life means nothing, I still enjoy the feeling of trying. So I'll keep on trying until I physically, mentally and emotionally can't anymore.

[@evstar2645]

We love Shinji. He was emotionally unstable, but who could blame him. His mom died in his early childhood, his father neglected him for all of his life, he hardly had a choice to pilot the EVA and save the world from godly beings when he didn’t even know what an EVA was, and he was forced to kill Kaworu, the one person that had genuine feelings towards Shinji. I feel so bad for him :(

[@jaquitavulpix3418]

I never really understood why Shinji is so hated. The first time I saw NGE I connected to him more than to any other character, he's just so damn relatable. edit: I'm also part of the Shinji Ikari Defense Squad :)

[@wha-258]

A reason people hate Shinji is because Shinji was so realistic that people could see themselves in him. So they hated him just like they hate themselves.

[@samuelfvalim7418]

Exatly, people in general can't handle realistic representantion of humans

[@philliprubak8123]

@@samuelfvalim7418 I think its because Humans watch anime or any other media to escape from the reality to another place where its better than reallife. And thats exactly what evangelion wants to achieve. Evangelion wants you to see ypurself and your mistakes and start confronting your problems and mostly the reality. The reality we cant escape.

[@thatonekid4630]

I'm so late but people hate him mostly for the hospital scene cuz wtf

[@spinnorsomething]

@@thatonekid4630 To be honest, despite how disturbing the hospital scene was Shinji was pretty much at his breaking point, he could hardly ration anything left of his sanity after Kaworu's death, and he mourned over it to the point he desparately searched for the same love Kaworu had shown him unlike anybody else I know it's probably weird to defend someone jacking off to someone in a comatose, but it's just how I view it

[@b_mng]

Up your head, Shinji. You deserve to be fine.

[@ian09dbz]

"erm.... shinji isn't the perfect unstoppable anime protagonist so he fucking sucks" 🤡 i love this dude with all my heart

[@Mr.Needle-Hamster]

Do people actually say that?

[@yurigagarine6998]

​@@Mr.Needle-Hamsterpeople used to say this in the 2000s. They were obviously teenagers.

[@Mr.Needle-Hamster]

@@yurigagarine6998 And I was only a baby

[@yurigagarine6998]

@@Mr.Needle-Hamster freaking gen Z.

[@ameliawright6947]

Shinji needs a hug. And Asuka, a restraining order. Against him.

[@retrad158]

shot op m8

[@epicafantasia9998]

Fernando Solís If you think that how Asuka acts towards Shinji is love... I really don't know what to say. She treats him like total garbage.

[@axiological5468]

@@epicafantasia9998 that's only because she herself is broken. She insults him and is mean because she too is afraid of being hurt. In many ways, she is just like Shinji.

[@epicafantasia9998]

@@axiological5468 I know that, but I still think it's something that Shinji doesn't deserve and it's really hurting him.

[@nini4696]

@@axiological5468 Her being damaged is definitely not an excuse to treat people like they are total piece of shits who caused the entirety of her pain. shinji did NOTHING to her (despite the hospital scene) and yet she constantly put pressure on him, called him a coward, and an idiot

[@Pandemu]

I'm just a poor boy... nobody loves me...

[@conquertodotuyo]

I love you

[@gendoikari7195]

@@conquertodotuyo ok

[@rga0019]

Francisco C. HE'S JUST A POOR BOY FROM A POOR FAMILY! SPARE HIM HIS LIFE FROM THIS MONSTROSITY!

[@gendoikari7195]

@@rga0019 WE WILL NOT LET HIM GO!!

[@gendoikari7195]

EASY COME, EASY GO WILL YOU LET ME GO?

[@JohnJosephTed2656]

Shinji isn’t annoying, his mind was filled with everything that was around him. The unstoppable changes in his environment caused him to separate himself from others. The only thing he wanted was to hear “I am proud of you” from his father, who was more frightened than him. That is what makes Shinji the strongest and most complicated character in any animated movie or series.

[@UltramelissameUTRAMELISSAME]

You know? I never hated Shinji even in the first episode. Maybe we are more similar than I imagined XD

[@laurynwade2470]

Same

[@Misao.]

Yeah me neither!

[@zakariadjedjig7972]

Kawasaki Ninja Thanks!

[@aminrosli9744]

Is it weird that i dislike kaneki ken, but i dont dislike shinji ikari?

[@zakariadjedjig7972]

Amin Rosli no, because each of us has its own preferences 😊

[@emmawatson9180]

No joke, tune sounds like it's part of a thriller/psychological horror old time movie. Love it! Love the discordant feeling.

[@gameoverman5444]

I think you are absolutely correct. It sounds like something that might fit within Hitchcock's Vertigo. This piece is clearly inspired by Rachmaninoff piano concerto No 2 and No 3.

[@llamaking1071]

@@gameoverman5444 What about this reminds you of the Vertigo score?

[@The_Cadena]

shinji ikari is the perfection of the imperfect of the human being

[@cryolocker0224]

*DEPRESSION INTENSIFYS*

[@fortnitesexman]

Cyrolocker 1 your spelling skills make me depressed

[@HumaneBat]

Langaje *stonk meme pic*

[@AoSCow]

Congratulations!

[@conquertodotuyo]

Cow Norris gracias

[@aevvah_flxwer8550]

@@conquertodotuyo congratulations 👏

[@alexf225]

Gratuluję

[@dukelca]

Tebrikler

[@viennasavage9110]

I hate how everyone just wails on shinji with the message that " this is the example of what you *arent* supposed to be ". Like, hes been through so much and the pressure of the world around him just got to him, is that really so horrible?

[@kaszagryczana7829]

yes because he literally had so many opportunities to stop piloting the Eva but by that time he had already assigned all the worth he had as a human to being a pilot. He wanted to live an easy life where he didn't have to love himself because other people were doing it for him. When they didn't want to show him affection because they realized the relationship was one-sided Shinji lost the only things keeping him away from depression. Shinji IS a bad guy, just not in the conventional way

[@viennasavage9110]

@@kaszagryczana7829 First of all, literally everyone in the show is bent on controlling Shinji. From Misato constantly bashing human lives onto his head, to Asuka and her superiority complex, to of course Gendo himself. Shinji has never experienced love growing up, i don't see how you can expect him not to crave it, nor can I see how you expect him to love himself when every character in the show is constantly giving him reasons to hate himself. From him nearly killing his classmate, to him murdering Kaworu, he's constantly the sacrifice that needs to be made " to save " someone. He always has to save someone, help someone. Episode 1 is literally him dooming himself for the sake of someone he dosent know. All of this and you say love with Shinji is one sided? You're acting like everyone else is doing all the work while Shinji twiddles his thumbs! If anything, its the opposite. People seem to assume that Shinji needs hardship to become a good person, but he clearly has had enough of that. Often, the mind knows what it needs, and what Shinji needs and KNOWS he needs, is love. Something he has yet to get even to the end of the series (excluding Kaworu, who he had to kill yet again to save humanity -- a race that has yet to love him in any way). Many people like to cling to the Shinji hate wagon in an attempt to place some sort of mental highground on the plot and progress of the show, but that's not really what's going on here.

[@kris_py]

@@viennasavage9110 He has a point though, love with Shinji is one-sided, and it's explained and expanded upon in the scene where Shinji chokes Asuka in EoE.

[@Alaskanman]

Yes, shinji has a horrible mindset but he's a reflection of his environment and experiences. He hurts people to push them away as a defense mechanism, which only puts him in a hellish cycle despite his longings for affection. The reactions to his character is honestly pretty accurate to real life. Weak people like early shinji are bullied and exploited, which is how the poor kid was treated the entire series. It's either you hate him at face value or you cheer him on to break the mental cage, cause we understand his struggles. I'd say his character was written well for those reactions

[@Kosmicant]

his character is meant to be hated, and anno himself has stated that shinji is someone you don't want to be like, a wishy-washy, lonely, miserable, horny fool. i think they gave shinji his epiphany, but didn't show him bettering himself because you're meant to fill in that part after seeing shinji's character arc, it's open to interpretation

[@xereta1123]

Shinji and Asuka were the only characters that I identified with in my life, 10 years ago when my depression started I was like Asuka, now I look more and more like Shinji, it gets harder and harder to live. Evangelion translated into words feelings I couldn’t even express, seeing how people hate Shinji made me understand a little why people don’t like me, seeing all this from another perspective made me reflect on everything, but maybe I’m more stupid than I thought, because even so I couldn’t reach any different conclusions

[@nolanmeg8926]

the music starts so nicely and then it transforms into something scary, dangerous, empty. It's like if there was no hope... but there is hope, hope is everywhere, hope is everything and will stay that way forever. This is song is poethic without any lyrics, it has so much power.

[@TheSouthernSpark]

This legitimately sounds like a trial of morality in someone's mind.

[@FunnyValentineRE4L]

"shinji's a pussy" bro had his chest melted, had a spear go through his head and had the fate of basically the entire world in his shoulders more than once.

[@BlissofAgape]

Ayyyyyeeee

[@FreshZCORD]

yeahhhhhh shinji

[@armorvoltfarfan3762]

*AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH*

[@elel7113]

Shinji Ikari HAH!

[@kamenraider1175]

Eh, not angsty enough, obviously not the real one

[@zakariadjedjig7972]

*I'M THE REAL ONE HERE!!!*

[@maxb935]

Shinji is realistic and not simple power fantasy like other teen boys in anime.

[@linkedwolf160]

That's what I love from him, shinji is not a generic and unrealistic anime protagonist

[@nicholasavalos4381]

When you think about, Shinji is actually very strong in a very unconventional way. For instance take Jotaro from stardust crusaders. He’s a badass who is physically strong and had magical superpowers on top of that. So he’s a physically strong character. Then take day Lelouch from Code Geass who’s greatest weapon is his mind on top of some magical superpowers. However he is a mentally strong character. And then there’s Shinji. Despite what you say, this is a 14 year old kid who still fended off giant space monsters while battling severe trauma and depression. On top of that, even though he did end the world (which makes sense why he did in his position and his view on life) he still brought everyone back in hopes for himself that he could find happiness. It’s somewhat a selfish reason for saving everyone, to find his own happiness, but nonetheless it shows that with everything he’s been through in his life and in the show, he still was strong enough to give life a second shot not only for himself but for everyone else. In my book, that’s being emotionally strong. Something we often don’t see in many characters as a source of strength because it’s hard to write and develop. Hopefully he found some happiness with Asuka or anyone else after EoE and here’s to hoping he finds happiness in 3.0+1.0. Shinji, you are one of my favorite anime characters.

[@Gadgetmcflyv2]

Unpopular opinion: Shinji's a badass.

[@aaaaaah169]

you're not so different, you and i

[@hairglowingkyle4572]

It's nice to see him finally being truly happy in 4.0, even though the Rebuilds are flawed at least Shinji gets the ending he deserves

[@SoySauce9]

@@Gadgetmcflyv2 Absolutely he's a badass, he never took the easy way out of suicide.

[@SlapStyleAnims]

As someone who struggles with constant self hatred I connected with Shinji so damn much. I’m now a proud member of the Shinji Ikari Defense Squad

[@mr.mcnuggies]

When I watched this anime I also connected with Shinji a lot. When I watched the last two episodes it really changed my perspective on life

[@mistre220]

@@mr.mcnuggies the last two episodes are the most mindblowing episodes in anime history, they change the way people think

[@mila9162]

If this was created 300 years ago then everyone would know of this song today and it would be viewed as a masterpiece

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Love Shinji as a character. I understand why a lot of people don’t like him, but he’s always been painfully realistic and relatable to me.

[@robbyalp]

It's nice to have a song that reminds you that things genuinely aren't OK

[@CountZurich]

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty...

[@FutureDeep]

God save Shinji.

[@nowhereman6019]

@@FutureDeep no, fuck off God. He/She I'd the one who made everything shit in the Eva-verse.

[@heatsyncope2859]

@@nowhereman6019 the species which created the angels arent gods, they're just beings with super advanced tech.

[@darklord3174]

2020 theme.

[@lordzeno7713]

Heil dir Sieger Shinji!

[@Nicohakuu1]

#TeamShinji

[@SavyGamez]

Hands down Shinji is the realest character I've ever seen, I love how Evangelion deals with psychological problems, speaking of which, everyone in that show deserves a happy ending. Especially Shinji.

[@bipbopopo]

From someone who never watched evangelion, this melody feels like falling in love with someone you shouldn't, and I think it's extremely beautiful.

[@mr.mcnuggies]

This is a really interesting comment, even though you say you haven’t watched evangelion, what you are saying is something actually in the show. Part of Shinji’s character revolves around him caring about people he really shouldn’t

[@mr.mcnuggies]

When he starts to care about people, they actually start to cause him more harm than good (whether intentionally or not)

[@mold7530]

Hedgehog’s Dillema

[@madeinmeme9688]

Basically his entire relationship with Rei

[@emilianoiphone]

theres a literal scene where shinji has sex with a woman in comma

[@samibzzi]

I love Shinji. Is an amazing character, is an angel in a hell. Those stupid people who say than Shinji is not a good protagonist, are fucking stupid. Evangelion is about depression, Shinji reflect perfectly what depression feels like.

[@mints5599]

Nice song to listen while running away

[@mlggodzilla1567]

@Matarael, Angel of Rain can you please stop leaking acid all over the streets?

[@mlggodzilla1567]

4:06 damn the part where the theme start again is very powerful, i would say almost like a rude buster, the part before is very calm and feel like one of those very rare moments where shinji felt comfortable like when he was playing the violoncello. And then as the theme kicks in again it feels like all the bad things are attacking him again, the angels threatening again humanity, his struggle to feel comfortable with other people, his troubled relationship with asuka and rei, his father's issues, and the reminder thar even if the eva is clearly more powerful than the angels, he still might die while piloting them.

[@_y2kei]

This is the most wholesome EVA comment section Ive been into. No ships, no arguments, just people sharing how they love Shinji and understand him and people like me who’d want for him to be happy and just… to protect this precious bb boi. Man I’m just happy to be here. Thank you.

[@avaricel]

shinji is possibly the most relatable mc ever.

[@NikiWonoto26]

I can relate a lot with Shinji Ikari, and I'm almost 40

[@cleverman383]

bro you're older than Gendo

[@tm2jetfire]

What's wrong with running away from reality if it sucks?

[@tapuutube]

tm2jetfire this is a suboptimal solution.

[@leipzigergnom]

You will make reality worse (I know you're just quoting the anime, I just was trying to think of my own response)

[@nickolascrousillat4265]

You wont know true happiness unless you deal with the reality that comes with it.

[@crapposter8201]

Nothing wrong with trying to hide from problems. Everything is wrong with hiding if you have a chance to make real change to your life or better yet, to humanity. Shinji hid from his problems, not a big deal. But then he received a burden of saving humanity from Angels, one from which he hid until very last moment.

[@yidrotha9722]

Because it won't stop being shit until you face it

[@heil808]

Everyone be calling Shinji a pussy or a piece of shit but can you imagine what it would be like for your dad to finally talk to you after years of being abandoned and telling you to risk your life to save the world. I think the piece of shit in this story was definitely Gendo.

[@postmortemritual]

could be, but at the heart of it all , Gendo did everything just for love to his wife, Shinji's mum. One of the most stunning things in anime its that not everything its a dicotomy of b/w. All moves between greys, just life itself.

[@jacktaylor0465]

I'd be thrilled

[@VegitoBlue1995]

in EOE Gendo says he pushed others away (like shinji) because he didn’t want to hurt other people

[@loliplatiolacat3406]

people hate shinji cuz many of them are just watching themselves reflected in a mirror and they somehow hate to feel identificated even if they dont conciously realise it.

[@smusicchannel5174]

Shinji is not weak, He is caring and full of anxietys and traumata. If you once where in his position, you probably his struggle and it would be relatable.

[@basedandchristpilled]

I don't even watch Evangelion, and this piece is remarkably beautiful. You can feel actual pain and mourning through it.

[@hello-rq8kf]

average 14 year old "guts is liturally mee" christtard

[@Termina2018]

6:17 "Congratulations!" 👏

[@Vsmassl]

I’ve always understood why Shinji was always so hated, because I absolutely despise him. But, I despise him because I feel like he’s a self insert character, one who reminds me of myself. Rather than trying to make a character with all the good traits of me, instead he’s a character with everything I hate about myself. The most emotive I’ve ever got watching anything was watching end of Evangelion, as I screamed at the T.V in rage for his inaction. I hate him, but I feel like he’s the best way to heal in a way. (Sorry for bad grammar, 5am tired rn)

[@pneusur]

Yeah he really is a cathartic character, I pity him, I hate him, I’m terrified by what he has done. Evangelion is a masterpiece

[@ShinjiIkari1884]

THANK YOU!

[@ancientdirectorkun7199]

Wait, there's 2 shinji's? WTF

[@rga0019]

Ancient Director Kun There are 3 Shinji's now.

[@gendoikari7195]

And there is also the shinji in my mind.

[@samuelfvalim7418]

There's a Shinji in every person dude

[@justjustin_y]

Shit

[@edgytheedgehog8618]

Behold, the single best anime protagonist in History.

[@mrbanks456]

My lizard youtube brain thought this was an analysis video. What I got instead was the realization that, holy shit, Eva has a fire soundtrack.

[@strawberrybee9764]

Why is no one talking about the very end when the song ends and everyone gets up and moves on? For me thats the saddest part of the song and shows how lonely life is.

[@flokiseo6583]

Well as hard as it is everything should come to an end at some point. I am glad the music is nice.

[@RealCoolstriker64]

“Shinji’s a pussy.” “MF, have you SEEN the shit he’s fighting?!? Do you have any idea how big the angels get?!? HE HAS TO CATCH AN APOCALYPTIC MEATEOR SIZED LIFEFORM WITH HIS HANDS! Giant robot hands but still.

[@yowassup3685]

This sounds like someone like him, someone who can't control his emotions and at the end they end up eating him alive, letting him explode.

[@Dat_Feathered_Boi]

One of the few anime protagonists that actually feel real.

[@illegalbuildingtechnique6807]

I don’t like shinji because I see myself in him

[@juliaescorcio5881]

That's hard man

[@adorenu1338]

That is literally why most otaku hates him, Because they see themselves im it

[@nowhereman6019]

So you don't like yourself? I love Shinji, I really do, as much as I would love a friend, and I suppose that means I love myself, even if I'm hard on myself.

[@infernusblack9924]

Shinji is much much better than me lol

[@HumaneBat]

Same

[@Eric_-ge2xs]

What remains when good times become memories? The emptiness you feel in your bones, that reaches your soul It's not pain, it's not allergy or anger Or fear Oh indescribable feeling, it's not mourning or self-pity, but the shine is gone And there is nothing, there is absolutely nothing new that has not already occurred under the sun.

[@derpphil5400]

As others feel in the comments, I love shinji because he hates himself as I do. I have never related with a character's behavior and outlook on life as much as Shinji.

[@cesarleiva2443]

Wow, It's so intense., it reminds me of the Rachmaninov piano concerto 2, as a pianist I have to play this marvelous piece. Here I go Shinji.

[@lukezillig6111]

Everyone in this comment section is sleeping on this pianist. Like god damn as a pianist myself I can recognize how difficult this piece would be :o

[@gringerandom5872]

I hope all members of sids (Shinji Ikari Defense Squad) a wonderful day!

[@Anri_ver04]

You’re worthy of love shinji

[@dundy7845]

Just a member of the Shinji Ikari Defense Squad checking in.

[@a.thales7641]

most people in this world won't understand what we did... Shinji being great in his own way.

[@deadbeef576]

They all treat him like shit, even going as far as "You are a coward if you dont just suddenly jump into this giant robot to fight against that giant monster without any training or instructions whatsoever" Who wouldnt get fucked up psychologically.

[@philliprubak8123]

Yeah hes not some overpowered Main Character hes just a normal human like us all without any abilitys or strong will. Because of that he is so releateble hes not the typical hero or like and idle hes not over our level hesjust like us all...

[@Caprisun360]

and it’s crazy because shinji knows what he needs to do. he just doesn’t have the courage or heart to do it, but no one cares about how he feels they just want to save the world. Shinji’s mental health is the least important thing they have to worry about. i think this song shows the amount of pressure, fear, and anger shinji felt towards the world. i think that’s what makes evangelion so good. and in the rebuilds when shinji finally gets his happiness the theme is almost a polar opposite to this one. i’m sorry i just typed so much i just love this series so much

[@mrtecnhimuyo]

The pressure of Shinji to be given a heavy task from his estrange father....poor Shinji....

[@Storm10009]

When I was Shinji's age I used to think him weak, growing up made me realize I'm no different than him.

[@giusi3965]

I got a tattoo of shinji cause of how much he resembles myself to me. I always loved shinji, because I felt potrayed by a character for once in my life. When you feel like others use you only for what they need , when they need, you realize you are just a disposable piece in their lifes, you realize people don’t understand the struggles you gotta face everyday to keep yourself together, to not bother others. You distance yourself more and more everyday, you lock yourself inside your mind, you avoid any real contact with others… Because when you do… You come out as the crybaby, you start craving that connection but you know that everytime you try, you’ll always be considered the outsider. Shinji makes me feel less lonely and this song describes perfectly the emotional rollecoaster shinji, and all the “shinjis” in the world feel. Solitude, melancholy, sadness, misery… and it keeps eating you, it gets heavier and heavier, you’ll trick yourself… feel like “others” , feel normal sometimes… You might be able to forget about it for some time, but at some point, even the slightest detail will cause again this huge turmoil inside… And in the end, you realize: you can’t escape yourself. You wanna change, you don’t know how, you don’t know what to change, panic. You give yourself the fault for your pain…you then feel pity for yourself because you remember all your pain, all you had to face… You get angry, at others , at yourself , and the cycle repeats itself. In the end tho, there will be a moment when everything will end, we’ll get the applause we need and deserve, either from someone finally understanding the complexity of us, or from a mirror. Shinji deserves happiness and us too.

[@iultoni8209]

Listened to this while writing an essay and tried writing with the tempo, most intense essay ever.

[@ianian4162]

Oh man, I know exactly what you mean. What was it about?