[EVA] Gendou - man or monster?

[Sailor Star Dust]

Though Gendou is one of the few characters I dislike (Ritsuko being the
other one; don't even get me started on SEELE) I can understand his actions
for the most part (although to be honest, I still can't figure out why he
didn't allow Shinji to be saved during Rami's first attack in Rebuild 1.0),
so here's my two cents on the matter using series/EoE information.

>What redeeming features has he got?

To quote Yui, episode 21' : "He's (Gendou is) a sweet person,
Fuyutsuki-sensei. It's just not nobody knows it."

>Does he even love Yui, or just idolize her on a pedestal?

The fact that he wanted to use the Human Instrumentality Project as a way to
see Yui again, it was love possibly bordering on obsession (sort of similar
with Shinji's feelings for Asuka), I think. The Classified Information files
say the following on this issue: "Gendo's goals, like Seele's, are the
annihilation of the Angels and the Human Instrumentality Project ― but, for
him, this means reuniting with the deceased Yui. He is constantly on his
toes so as not to betray the treachery he has in mind. Seele keep a close
eye on him and issue threats as needed."

>Is the man capable of real love?

Also from episode 21', the man himself this time (Platinum script): IKARI:
I'm not very good at being liked, but I am used to being treated coldly.

That sounds A LOT like a certain Eva Pilot, or at least his perception of
things, now doesn't it? ;) (Like father, like son.)

EoE, episode 26' (A2000A EoE Renewal fansub script):

IKARI: I've been waiting for this moment. I can finally see you, Yui.If I
stayed with him, I'd only hurt Shinji. So, it'd be better to do nothing.

YUI: You were afraid of Shinji, weren't you?

IKARI: I didn't believe that someone could love me. I don't deserve it,
either.

Straight from the horse's mouth, as it were. Some translations of the scene
imply/state that Gendo isn't able to love/be with Shinji without Yui at his
side. She's a source of strength for Gendo in that sense.

>Evamonkey

Actually, it's now Evageeks. http://www.evageeks.org The Evamonkey
site/forums aren't around anymore, and haven't been since last year some
time.

In regards to the Gendo stuff: Yes he's indirectly cruel but.... *sigh* Are
people even watching the same series that I am?

~SSD
-- 
Sailor*Star*Dust
http://www.fanfiction.net/~sailorstardust1
http://anime.adultfanfiction.net/authors.php?no=1296805696
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「何か役に立ちたいんだ。ずっと一緒にいたいんだ。」~ 碇シンジ