asuka decides to accompany mari to recover shinji moments before 3.33 begins. evangelion 3.0 (-120 min.)
of course I see where the assumption that this is further evidence that asuka and shinji are Forever In Love comes from. not interested in the surface level stuff tho, and there’s no argument that’s ever convinced me that Rebuild shinji and asuka were deeply in love. destined to orbit each other, sure, but that doesn’t require romantic love.
to me, a far more interesting and emotional read is that her choice to (begrudgingly, but calmly!!) accompany mari is further support of mari and asuka being some kind of soulmates. let’s just assume mari is intimately aware of the trauma caused by shinji, and she’s old and perceptive enough to have been aware of a definite former crush.
(-120 minutes) is *very* tender stuff. the bond and influence over each other that the women are shown to have seems airtight. Mari makes an emotionally mature suggestion knowing that it *could* be a healing experience for all involved parties, and within at least two hours, asuka has had a total change of heart, even donning a plugsuit he’d recognize her in. i don’t think this is a check mark for team shinji despite this, because I am far more moved that she can humble herself for mari- can you imagine a 14 year old asuka being capable of this turnaround? maybe it’s just more emotional maturity, natural for such an enormous time jump. Or maybe. it is gay
one day I’ll go on a Whole Thing about how a queer read on these two makes a better story for the often assumed love triangle members. love triangulars
