Tuned in to Retro Anime / Manga!

>>4418
There was at least one scene cut where it's supposed to be more obvious Toji lost a leg after getting in the eva and he's saying goodbye to Shinji and so forth, That would've wrapped up his arc more. You can barely tell he's missing a leg in the hospital scene with Hikari. There's lots of parts of the show that could've benefited from more time really, I think that's been talked to death.

That being said, I think promotional material will frequently feature lesser characters *because* they don't show up as much in the show. There's always someone who's favorite doesn't get much screen time, and since secondary media isn't as expensive to produce, they'll cater more to that minority in other forms. If you've ever read the manga, there's a lot more Toji and Kensuke (also Kaworu and others). There's also the rebuilds which develop their characters in weird and contentious ways…

>>4421
He's right alongside the main cast, making it look like he's part of the main group of pilots. However, he's barely in the series and is kind of a backup. And then once he actually starts piloting he's wounded and taken out of the show.

Might make more sense that Kawaru is a late edition to the story, and Toji was hastily written out of the show to make room for him.

So imagine Shinji having to kill Toji? It might have more impact if it's someone we've seen from the start rather than a new character that swoops in 80% through the show.

Oh and I've heard rumors they went through several drafts and wrote some things as they went, with them changing the story and setting drastically. Which would fit.

>>4422
Now compare this to promotional material that looks to be created at a later date. Shinji at the center, with Rei and Asuka at his sides, then Kawaru in the background. A much better representation of how prominent the characters are.

The old promo art is very detailed, and was probably made first. The later promo material is less detailed and probably made during or after the show's completion.

>>4422
And Kawarou is ONLY added in a background layer, as if he was added in later to the image.

>>4424
On the other hand, being in the background is a common way in posters of representing a lurking threat or someone with limited screen time but great influence and knowledge behind the main action. Kaworu was also very controversial (especially in his more gay interpretation) among staff during production, so a more prominent position might have not been popular if he wasn’t yet a fan favourite.
Toji’s prominence is still weird / funny, but I wouldn’t want him out of the show. Shinji having two friends allows for much more varied and interesting conversations, I think.

I'm re-watching Eva now, and Ep 3 is functionally a Toji focus episode. Also, Asuka hasn't shown up yet? God damn, Toji and the other classmates show up before Asuka does.

>>4448
Go back

I have heard that eps 1-17 were written in a batch with Anno overseeing them. This is where Toji is featured prominently. Then Anno came up with the ending, and eps 18-26 + End of Eva were written with the ending in mind.

This would explain why the show seems to awkwardly pivot from Toji being the 4th Child to almost an after thought, and Kowarou being created out of nowhere, swooping in, becoming Shinji's Best Friend, then dying.

This means they probably had bigger plans for him, but maybe he didn't test well, maybe they thought he was boring? But he got sidelined. Now the fans have spoken and Kowaru is the most popular 4th child.

Death/Rebirth is where the concept of the String Quartet comes from - and it's not Toji it's Kowarou. But all three are pilots but him? It doesn't even fit.

You can tell that Anno was kicking himself, and he now realizes that Kowarou should have been the 4th child and the pilot and introduced much earlier.

>Kawaru
>Kowaru
>Kowarou
I really don't care about this discussion anymore, but this was bugging me. His name is Kaworu / カヲル

My speculation is thus:

1. Anno wants to kill Toji.
2. Studio says no, that's too mean spirited.
3. He had planned on introducing Kaworu all along, but he was initially just "evil Rei", and an angel that is to be killed.
4. With Toji alive, Anno needs Shinji to forcibly kill a good friend, so this aspect is quickly and awkardly added to Kaworu's story.
5. It's Kawaru's death, not Toji's that sends Shinji into a spiral.

So the initial plan was likely just to have Kawaru show up and die as the new angel, and probably making him a more forgettable character. Note how menacing he looks in the promo-material? That's the classic "sinister force hiding behind everything" character. Then all later promo art Kawaru is smiling like a good friend!

>>4504
You're just lucky I am not calling him Fruit Puff Nigga.

Anons speculating, thinking Anno didn't write an ending when he wrote the series. And instead creates an ending around episode 21. Might be when they were given the green light for a proper film ending.

30 more years of eva discussion
I would like 30 more years of talking about the exact same shit we've been talking about for the past 30 years
I want more youtube videos explaining the meaning behind eva
I want more forum posts about the meaning of all the scenes in eva
I want more eva posting
I love eva so much bros