How Evangelion’s Most Unnecessary Character Breaks the Series Entirely

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The anime series titled “Evangelion” primarily encompasses four main components: the original 1995-1996 series known as “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” the 1997 film “The End of Evangelion,” and the movie series “Rebuild of Evangelion” that concluded in 2021. Some viewers appreciate the original series for its optimistic, abstract ending, while others find the more somber, melancholic approach of “The End of Evangelion” more appealing. The “Rebuild” series has its own dedicated fanbase and adds unique elements to the franchise; among these additions is the introduction of a significant character named Mari, who significantly alters the overall plot of the franchise as a whole.

At first glance, Mari Illustrious Makinami appears as a lively Eva pilot who infuses a delightful sense of lightheartedness and amusement into the otherwise intense battles against the Angels (and she truly is that), but unfortunately, she also serves as an unwelcome narrative element that creates issues for the main storyline. To grasp why Mari disrupts these crucial plot elements, it’s essential to comprehend what those very elements represent first.

Spoiler Warning for the Endings in the Neon Genesis Evangelion Franchise!

The Core Lore of Evangelion

In both the initial Neon Genesis Evangelion series and its continuation End of Evangelion, there are three significant elements that bind the story together:

1. The mythology of Adam and Lilith, their influence on the Evas, humanity, and the pilots.
2. The way the Evas operate, rooted in this very lore.
3. The overarching narrative centered around Shinji. While some might consider the Rebuilds as an alternate retelling not bound by the original rules, without these fundamental themes, the plot becomes fragmented and the Rebuilds risk becoming mere imitations instead of a coherent continuation.

Adam, the Primordial Angel, symbolizes the capacity for life and is the ancestor of angels who have S² engines or organs, which serve as an endless energy source. Lilith, the Second Angel, is the ancestor of humankind, offering a distinct evolutionary route to humans who possess reason. Eve was created from Adam as an attempt by mankind to create a being like God themselves. Eve is portrayed as an unholy blend of angelic physique and Lilin spirit, produced by humanity that necessitates a spiritually chaste Lilin operator. Kaworu ultimately comes to understand that he himself is an angel and is intended to serve the Lilin in the same way that the Eves do; he then decides to save Shinji. Adam and Lilith can be seen as metaphorical “origin” and Shinji as the Instrumentality’s “conclusion,” if you will.

A significant aspect of the story revolves around the bonds between Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, and their unique ties to their respective Evangelion Units. Shinji’s Unit 01 originated from an unintended fusion of Shinji’s mother, Yui’s spirit. After this incident, both Rei and Prototype Unit 00 were developed using whatever was recoverable from Yui. Asuka’s Unit 02 was the third Eva built but is known as the first Production Model Evangelion, as an effort to correct past errors in the creation of Evas, her mother Kyoko’s soul was intentionally combined with Unit 02.

The story heavily focuses on the pilots’ ability to harmonize with the Evas, which is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, each Eva needs a vital link to Adam and Lilith. Secondly, it requires a personal bond between the pilots. The underlying secret is that they are individually selected to pilot for a significant reason, which is eventually disclosed to them. This factor is so important that characters like Rei, Asuka, and Shinji frequently ponder their roles as pilots and contemplate the nature of their existence within the Evangelion universe. Asuka, in particular, faces a breaking point when her synchronization ratio drops to 0%.

In the main storyline, Shinji’s character development hinges on him experiencing ego dissolution, which allows him to understand the concept of solipsism and assume control over his personal happiness and connections with others. Interestingly, Asuka criticizes Shinji for expecting others to provide his happiness rather than generating it himself. While End of Evangelion suggests that being alive gives you a chance to be happy, the original series presents a more proactive approach to this idea.

Mari Deconstructs the Entire Series

The “Rebuild” movie series significantly alters the fundamental philosophical ideas presented in the original “Eva” series. This is done primarily to accommodate the character Mari, who was not originally intended for the “Eva” universe. As a result, the world has been restructured around her, diluting the solipsistic theme that surrounded Shinji and instead focusing on dismantling and reinterpreting his character arc.

The film series introduces fabricated plot devices such as the “Key of Nebuchadnezzar” and the “curse of the Eva”, expands upon sacred and exclusive plot devices like altering the function of Evas in relation to sync ratios, and creates illogical plot points by designating Gendo as the “king of the Lilin”.

In the movie “Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance”, Mari is introduced and establishes a pattern of confusing, illogical storylines from the beginning. When she first encounters Shinji, she mentions LCL, which doesn’t seem to fit with the plot at this stage as the Eva’s connection to the pilots, their role in Adam and Lilith, and the broader allegory to the primordial sea are still not deeply explored. The “curse of the Eva” further complicates Mari’s background when she is seen in a photograph to have previously worked with Shinji’s mother.

The Eva are Reduced to Toys

In simpler terms, Mari’s character in the series seems to convey that any person can operate an Eva, implying that they are not unique or special. However, this idea is puzzling because it doesn’t explain why she shows such intense interest in Shinji, who is supposedly insignificant in relation to the Evas. Despite having no personal bond with the Evas, Mari can pilot them effortlessly, often disregarding their established boundaries as if they were mere playthings. This suggests that she views the Evas as disposable objects.

However, a paradox arises because, theoretically, any pilot without a strong connection to the Eva should trigger the Evas to transform into Angels. Mari’s case is particularly intriguing because she seemingly bypasses this rule. Furthermore, she even manipulates the Evas to activate their berserker powers at her will, which seems like an unfair advantage that overshadows Shinji’s role.

In essence, Mari’s extraordinary abilities and lack of a genuine connection with the Evas appear to diminish Shinji’s importance within the series.

Mari’s Minor Role Intrinsically Overpowers Shinji’s

In essence, Mari’s bond with Shinji appears rather shallow and insignificant, which seems odd considering her pledge to rescue him no matter the circumstances. Interestingly, regarding Shinji, Mari once said, “Now I understand, things just seem to go his way.” This statement is both true and paradoxical. Yes, events tend to favor Shinji because he is destined to confront his own solipsism. However, given that the Rebuilds narrative does not emphasize this plot point, it seems unnecessary to acknowledge it. In fact, Mari embodies the opposite of what the story is all about.

In a more straightforward manner, it could be expressed like this: Mari’s character in the series seems to skip over the expected character development that the other characters, particularly Rei and Asuka, were intended to embody. These characters were designed to reflect different aspects of Shinji, but Mari appears to serve as an exception to these connections with him. Unlike the other pilots and the central theme of the series, Mari’s character is portrayed as having no significant traumatic past and seemingly making things happen without encountering obstacles or undergoing growth from the outset.

In the original ending, I discover a way to find contentment and joy deep within myself, seizing the opportunity to grow internally toward a brighter tomorrow that I can personally mold, despite my challenging circumstances. Somehow, Mari serves as a catalyst, fostering my happiness rather than me uncovering it on my own. Regrettably, this leaves me open to what Asuka criticized me for: passively relying on external forces to bring me happiness.

In the “Rebuilds” series, Shinji’s role shifts to a more passive one, which seems incongruous considering he should be the central figure, essentially embodying a god-like character. The narrative is intended to explore Shinji’s motivations and relationships with others via the Eva, yet it appears that Mari has suddenly emerged as if she’s the self-centered one. To swap out Shinji’s emotional depth, introspection, ego dissolution, and exploration of solipsism for a character like Mari who serves only as a minor plot device is not just an excessive cost – it’s downright disrespectful.

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2025-07-12 04:11