One of my favorite things about Eva is how they addressed bodies and how people use/feel about their bodies in both an abstract sense and how it relates physically to others. So, you have Asuka’s body that is going through pubescence and how she wants to use it vs how she feels comfortable using it; Rei who has no connection to her “human form” and feels very disassociated and disconnected physically; and then you have Misato, who doesn’t really know how to show “love” or “emotion” unless it’s using her body.
Anno uses Misato as a pivot on which themes of women’s bodies center. The first thing I noticed about NGE was that we have two really amazing lady characters filling traditionally masculine roles—commander and scientist—and that one of these ladies (Misato) is very over the top about her sexuality and body. The show uses really obnoxious, un-subtle fanservicey shots with her (and ffs, at the end of every episode Misato says, ‘And don’t worry! They’ll be plenty of fanservice!)— but then it’s revealed that, well, Misato has no idea how to “connect” with others unless it’s through sex. Like, jeez, the first time we meet her she’s trying to relate to a 14 year old boy by drawing attention to her breasts in a picture. Later on, after Kaji’s death and Shinji’s realisation with Rei (I believe), she sits on his bed and moves to make a pass at him. Shinji throws himself away from her and tells her no, and she walks out, and she curses herself for coming onto him. In EoE, she tries to give Shinji hope— she kisses him and promises him that there’ll be more when he survives (because Misato is always making promises and is always set on challenging fate and MAKING miracles and SURVIVING. always always surviving)— but in this situation, where it’s so dire and she’s going to die, she has no idea how to relate to Shinji, to give him hope, so she falls back on her body, her sexuality, how she views her “essence” as a woman.
And I think that given what Misato has been through, what with witnessing 2nd Impact, having so much rage for her father for pushing that trauma onto her and putting his family in a secondary position, she just does not know how to love. Misato has repressed these insecurities in a really masterful way. As a child she chose not to speak for a long time, and then out of nowhere it seems, she’s opening up with Ritsuko and is in this relationship with Kaji and getting her life together. (I think of it in terms of Misato doing exactly what Asuka wishes she could do with her trauma.)
Misato is flawed in a way that is subtle, that doesn’t focus on the “tragic” as it does with the children. But on top of that, she’s also very selfish— she uses Shinji as a pawn for closure with her father/her trauma, she disregards Kaji until she needs him, she doesn’t really take care of herself in general, and it’s these little things, these little unhealthy behaviors that peek through and show us how Misato is very damaged in her own way.
And the way society hypersexualises women’s bodies and to then discredit women based on that hypersexualisation is exactly what Misato kind of subverts in the show? Because yeah, we have this really goofy, fun-loving, messy/gross, but seriously sexy woman character who is AMAZING at commanding, who takes risks, and most importantly, needs to be in control. She’s ALL about control. She wants to feel in control of her feelings, of her body, of (her) fate. She doesn’t want to go through what she did as a child. When it came down to standing by and seeing if that big Fake Robot Thing would stop on its own, or possibly sacrificing her life, she chose the latter, so she could be in control of that situation. It’s all about challenging fate and if it’s between feeling powerless/helpless or death, she’ll choose death.
And that’s why Misato is an amazing, seriously underrated character.
Buckle up. It’s time to go on a massive analysis of Neon Genesis Evangelion’s unsung secondary protagonist, Misato Katsuragi, presented by GC fiendswithbenefits.
Featuring!
A look at some of Misato’s most important relationships, such as Ritsuko, Shinji, and Ryouji.
An explanation of the infamous “kiss” scene from End of Evangelion.
The three roles Misato wears and conflates.
Who is Misato, really?
And more!
She’s not just the attractive older woman, y’know.
Warnings for suicide, thanatophobia, discussion of sex, discussion of parental abuse, mothers and fathers, violence, abuse, profanity, abandonment, nudity, pregnancy, general negativity, and basically any trigger warnings for Evangelion etc.etc. It’s also pretty long, clocking in at ten thousand six-hundred twenty-five words. If I miss anything, let me know.
The shot of Misato’s cross necklace after Shinji nails it to a grave marker during End of Evangelion accords with the brief closeup of Misato’s chest from the Cruel Angel’s Thesis OP. In this way Misato’s body becomes the very uniform of death.
EPISODE 12: The Value of a Miracle Is... / She Said, Don't Make Others Suffer For Your Personal Hatred!
If anyone tries to tell you Asuka isn’t capable of kindness, smack them upside the head.
This is one of my favorite Asuka scenes, because it demonstrates a subtle, oft-neglected part of Asuka’s character that is otherwise highly contested or outright ignored by the fandom. Asuka canbe kind. Asukacanbe thoughtful – and not just to Shinji, but to Rei and Misato, two individuals whom which Asuka seemingly harbors the most intense and visible resentment towards.
Asuka would rather give up an extravagant steak dinner if it meant that she could enjoy it with Rei, who can’t eat meat by virtue of being a vegetarian. And as it turns out, Misato – and her wallet – is more than grateful for the consideration. Asuka’s knocking out two birds with one stone.
I’ve made tons of stupid mistakes, and later I’ve regretted them. And I’ve done it over and over again. A cycle of hollow joy and vicious self-hatred. But even so, every time I’ve learned something about myself.
