“He was much better than I am... I understand now why I couldn't continue watching NGE after this episode, because it made me thoroughly uncomfortable, to accept the fact that you may place all of your love in one person... and you'll still lose them.” WordPress.com · 8 years ago
: By the end of the episode, Shinji is "broken, finally and completely". Having to kill the one person who truly loved him leaves him in a state of catatonic guilt that leads directly into the events of The End of Evangelion . Critical Perspectives Watch Neon Genesis Evangelion Episode 24 for f...
Episode 24 of Neon Genesis Evangelion , titled "" (or "The Beginning and the End"), is widely considered the emotional and thematic climax of the original series. It introduces Kaworu Nagisa, the Fifth Child, who becomes the first person to offer Shinji Ikari the unconditional love he has desperately sought throughout the show. Core Themes and Impact “He was much better than I am
: Despite legendary budget constraints, the episode features some of the series' most famous shots, including the "excruciating" 64-second long still frame of Unit-01 holding Kaworu. Having to kill the one person who truly
: Kaworu's love is described as "intoxicating" because it is inhumanly perfect. Unlike the messy, conditional relationships Shinji has with Misato or Asuka, Kaworu accepts him completely, which makes the eventual tragedy even more devastating.
Reviewers often highlight the episode's masterful use of atmosphere and sound, particularly the inclusion of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" during the final confrontation, which creates a jarring but iconic contrast between the beauty of the music and the horror of the situation.