16. “Those Women Longed For the Touch of Others’ Lips, and Thus Invited Their Kisses” (Episode 15″
Shinji and Gendo visit the grave of Shinji’s late mother, Yui Ikari. The two men had a falling out following her death, and Shinji believes in this moment he is growing closer to his father.
15. “Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win!” (Episode 9)
Shinji and Asuka fail to take out an angel and NERV suffers embarrassment due to their failure. I love how they are both pointing fingers at each other, even though they both failed spectacularly.
14. “She Said, ‘Don’t make others suffer for your personal hatred.'” (Episode 12)
This shot is of Masato during the Second Impact. Right before the station explodes, her father puts her in a capsule and saves her life. Not unlike Superman in a way and we learn a little more of why Masato gives her life to NERV.
13. “Those Women Longed For the Touch of Others’ Lips, and Thus Invited Their Kisses” (Episode 15)
This list could easily be made up of just menacing shots of Gendo Ikari. There isn’t a second in this series where he looks warm and inviting. This shot is of him looking at Rei while she recuperates inside the chamber he has created for her.
12. “Rei III” (Episode 23)
The truth is revealed. Shinji and Misato discover that Rei is not one of a kind, but rather one of a series of clones. I love the framing of this shot as Misato is prepared for combat but is taken aback at this reveal. The lifeless Rei clones just floating in a tank.
11. “Rei II” (Episode 6)
A shot of Misato, Shinji, and Rei. I like the usage of negative space in this shot and how the hard lines cast off the characters. There are a lot of silhouettes in the series, and this is one of my favorites.
10. “Asuka Strikes!” (Episode 8)
Speaking of silhouettes, this one is from the introduction of Asuka. The framing makes her look overpowering as the camera aims up from her feet on the battleship. It would’ve been easy to get a cheap fanservice shot of her, but by keeping Asuka in the shadows we are left with the mystery of this strange new character.
9. “Introjection” (Episode 19)
Gendo reflects countless images through his lens, but rarely do we get to see how Shinji looks reflected through the glasses. Shinji has returned to NERV after leaving and is ready to protect everyone using EVA, whether his father likes it or not.
