Previously:
Shinji Ikari arrived in Tokyo-3 just in time to see a giant robot battle a
giant monster. Now Shinji has become the
pilot of that robot, Evangelion Unit 01, and barely survived his first
encounter with a creature known as an Angel.
But Shinji’s got a lot of issues that go beyond being thrust into the
cockpit of a weapon he knew nothing about until that day. Now we get to do some digging on those issues
as Final Impact: An Evangelion Gundam Anime Corner Special continues.
Volume 2 (Episodes 2-4)
In the Anime:
Shinji tries to adjust to life in Tokyo-3 as both a
Student and as an Eva Pilot. However, he
finds adversity in class from Toji Suzuhara, whose sister was injured during
Shinji’s first sortie. This affects
Shinji’s ability to pilot his Eva during training. When the Fourth Angel, Shamshel, arrives in
the city, Shinji deploys again but is quickly overwhelmed due to his mental
state. Toji and his fellow classmate
Kensuke Aida get caught up in the battle and Shinji is forced to take them into
the Eva for protection. Despite being
told by Misato to retreat, Shinji charges the Angel and barely manages to kill
it before it’s energy is depleted.
Misato berates Shinji afterwards, who subsequently runs way. He is eventually found by NERV Intelligence,
brought back and given the option to leave NERV permanently. Misato suggests Shinji leave if he truly
wishes to not pilot the Eva. At the last
minute, Misato has a change of heart and races to stop Shinji from leaving,
only to find Shinji has decided that for himself and returns home with Misato.
In the Manga:
·
During his first encounter with Toji, Shinji
goads Toji into punching him.
·
During their second major argument, Shinji tells
Toji that if he wants to hit him again, he shouldn’t hold back. In the Anime, it’s Toji who allows Shinji a
free hit after feeling guilty for punching him the first time.
·
Toji and Kensuke don’t meet Misato until after
Shinji is told to leave NERV. Kensuke
analyzing Shinji’s state of mind is what convinces Misato to stop Shinji from
leaving Tokyo-3.
·
Misato brings Pen Pen with her to see Shinji at
the station, she also details Pen Pen’s origins here.
Toji Suzuhara has legit reasons for disliking Shinji when
he first shows up to his school. But
wow, I never thought shy and spineless Shinji would be the one to push him to
that infamous first punch. That’s
because the Shinji we met back in Volume One wasn’t a one off. That smart ass streak I loved about him then
is still present here and it doesn’t ever feel like Shinji’s trying to start
something just to start drama. This is
his way of sorting out his problems with Toji, understanding what he himself
did with the Eva and how Toji feels about it.
It might be a stronger start to their friendship than in the Anime to
have Shinji himself lay the groundwork rather than Toji and Kensuke do that,
though Kensuke ends up giving Misato the inspiration she needs to stop Shinji
from leaving. I don’t recall ever
getting a backstory for Pen Pen either in the Anime but wow is it so sad. Who the hell would ever want to euthanize
such a precious creature, I hope Misato kicked the crap out of whoever dared to
attempt that. So we got a stronger start
for Shinji and Toji’s friendship and a backstory for one of Evangelions all
time MVPs. I think I’m starting to like
this Manga a bit better than the Anime.
If we are where I think we are, next week it’s another
persons turn to begin their friendship with Shinji anew in a new universe. Everyones favorite Evangelion Poster girl…who
isn’t Asuka or Mari, takes center stage Next Friday in the next chapter of
Final Impact: An Evangelion Gundam Anime Corner Special.
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