Crisis

Episode 16 opens with a scene of domestic squabble between Asuka and Shinji. Realising that the water Shinji put in the bath is too hot, Asuka jumps outside the bathroom and yells at him. Shinji, for his part, calmly replies he is sorry…he could have never imagined his answer would trigger quite a lively reaction from Asuka. When Shinji manifested his passive behaviour in the cello scene i Asuka wasn’t angry, actually it seemed as if she was able to accept that trait of Shinji’s personality. In this case instead, she angrily calls him self-deprecating because, whenever someone confronts him, he only replies with “Sorry”.

Asuka’s bitter behaviour toward Shinji shows that she hasn’t gotten over what happened between them in the previous episode. Or rather, what didn’t happen. Shinji’s lack of reaction to Asuka’s kiss, makes her feel a little less confident in herself. Things get even worse during the synchronization test. Shinji manages to get the highest score and is praised by Misato, who tells him he is “number one”. When Asuka is in the locker room with Rei, she appears to be happy with Shinji’s result, but it is possible to perceive a hint of sarcasm in her words. Indeed, as soon as Rei exits the room, Asuka shows all her anger by violently punching her locker. On the personal side, Asuka was rejected by Shinji and now, he has beaten her on the professional side as well. For Asuka it is a double defeat.

After a new Angel, Leliel, hits Neo Tokyo-3, Asuka’s resentment toward Shinji takes another step further. Considering Shinji’s passive personality, Asuka teases him to lead the attack alone. To her surprise, Shinji accepts the challenge and runs toward the enemy. While Misato’s compliment certainly boosted Shinji’s almost non-existing self-confidence, his determination is about to turn against him. Before being able to get close to Leliel, a shadow suddenly appears right beneath Unit 01 and slowly drags down both the Evangelion and her pilot. While being swallowed, Shinji cries for help and calls Asuka’s name right after Misato’s.

Asuka’s initial reaction to this situation is to be enraged with Shinji. While trying to rescue him, Asuka vents her anger saying it is no use to get a high score in a test and fail to perform in the same way in a real-life situation. However, when Misato orders to retreat, being aware that Shinji is still there, Asuka looks worried. Still, even if she is concerned for Shinji she cannot, as usual, get herself to openly declare her preoccupation for his well-being. Near the accident site, Asuka conceals her feelings in front of Rei and Misato. She dismisses the accident as being caused by Shinji’s ineptitude saying “Good grief! Taking matters into his own hands, ignoring the plan. Honestly, talk about getting what he deserved. Just because he got a little better score on yesterday’s tests, he was going to show me how it’s done?! What a big-headed idiot!”.

What Asuka really feels about Shinji is shown at the end of the episode. After he has regained consciousness, Rei exchanges a few words with him and then exits his hospital room revealing Asuka, who was hidden behind the door. Shinji smiles.