[EVA] Points of Interest

[Brian Swetland]

[Brendan Jamieson <bjamieson at mailhost.chi.ameritech.net>]
> 
> 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.

I recently watched the last episode twice (on ADV's DVD 0:8) and
felt Shinji's choice was a bit ambiguous.  If "the real world" 
is a correct translation then it would seem much clearer.  If "this
world" works, I think I'd still lean towards believing that he chose
to live in the real world (which fits with his rejection of 
instrumentality in EoE and makes more sense with the breaking glass
of the 'theater' he's in just prior to the end of ep 26).

I personally think Shinji choosing reality is a better ending.

Of course it may be he's choosing between existing completely
alone vs existing with others -- but both posibilities exist
in instrumentatlity -- rather than choosing instrumentality vs
continuing life in the real world.  Again, I'm not sure if there's
enough evidence to clearly support either view...

Brian

-- 
 Brian Swetland ..: | "This patch fixes the Problem of Evil and 
 swetland at frotz.net |  the dangling-else ambiguity." -- acb