[EVA] Points of Interest

[Brendan Jamieson]

Okay - it's been rather quiet of late and it seems real insightful
discussion has been put on hold.
There are a few things I've been wrestling with, so I might as well
throw them out here and see what happens.

• Translation Discrepencies

In particular, Episode 26. There is a line that, in theory, could prove
that Shinji chose reality (though I still hate that concept). However,
an accurate translation is lacking. The line, thanks to the Literal
Translation Project script, reads:
Misato:    Considering that, the real world itself is not always bad.

Shinji:    The real world might not always be bad.
           But, I hate myself.


 - However, ADV Films version is vastly different in meaning.

Misato:    Considering that, *this* world may not be so bad.

Shinji:    This world might not always be bad.
           But, I hate myself.

Of course, I personally lean towards the latter translation. But is
there any definitive version or an explanation of this inconsistency?
How about in other languages? Which is more accurate?

Also - what is the best translation of the opening title cards in eps
26? These too are somewhat different.

• 2016 vs. 2015

The film ends in 2015. The D&R program's timeline concludes with the
death of Kaworu. And AIR takes place 17 (12?) hours after that. Ergo,
the film is in 2015.

The TV ending is in 2016. And that cannot be a mistake. Anno fixed up
stuff like this in Dir. Cut (like, in eps 23 when Gendo closes his phone
drawer thers is no sound effect and it's awkward - in Dir. Cut eps 23
the drawer closing sound is put in) and has had numerous chances to
change that one title card to 2015. So it cannot be a blooper.
So - what's up with that?

• "ANGEL - Beings originating with Lilith..."

Has this line in the Red Cross Book ever been reconciled? Is there any
explanation beyond "error"? 

• Anno shaved his head in apology to the audiences for the TV ending

True/False?

One other thing - the Asuka=Rei/Asuka/Misato in 'I need you.' theory has
been popping up a lot. Here's one of several websites that promotes it:
http://bopogi.tripod.com/asukaeyes.htm

The sad thing is they are all based on the same faulty image (and lack
of common sense). All one needs to do is check the video and see her
eyes are indeed their standard color (taking into account the darker
hues of the scene, of course).

-brendan