[EVA] Concurrency tangent (WAS: Alternate Rei on DVD cover)

[Peter Svensson]

> Nothing supplemental-wise (and that one Cardass card can be
> interpreted in different ways) said Shinji accepted Instrumentality.

If my memory serves correctly, the final checkpoint in the filmbooks states that "their smiles are those of the Complemented" or something to that effect. But otherwise, no, we don't have anything concrete that flat out says that Shinji became Complemented at the end of the TV series. I think it's self-evident given the imagery used, but it is a matter of personal opinion. 
 
> The Renewal/Platinum booklet mentions in the 26 commentary Shinji
> "gains conviction it's okay for him to be there", while the
> Renewal/Platinum DVD case Episode 26 synopsis actually states "Shinji
> learns that there could be value in living".

Neither of which either confirm nor deny him becoming Complemented. The TV ending does not give Shinji a choice about whether he wants to return to having a physical form or not. If you look at it as "Shinji has to learn to love himself in order to pass the threshold and join everyone else who has gone through the process" then there is no contradiction between Shinji realizing his self-worth and then losing his identity to gain happiness. 

> Besides, the parallels in the series ending and EoE (auditorium/Black
> Moon shattering), among MANY other things are too much to ignore, IMO at least.

There are similarities, yes, but there are differences as well. Just because some elements are similar and that there are some imagery used in both endings does not necessarily mean that they are 100% identical. They diverge from a common point and cover similar ground with the same creators responsible. It'd be shocking if there weren't ANY parallels.

Personally, my personal view is that the TV ending is Complementation where Gendo is in control, and the Movie ending is Instrumentality where no one is.  Shinji is a participant in the TV ending, and an observer in the film. Similar, but not identical.

(I have decided to use Complementation for the TV ending since it is a more accurate depiction of the process, as the idea of "filling in the gaps in each others souls" is really only present in the TV series ending, while the film ending goes in other directions to explain the concept. Yes, it's not really the most accurate in regards to fidelity to the script which has the same words for both, but it makes me happy.)

Peter Svensson