TimeRunner wrote:

I just finished watching Genesis 0:13 (You know, the one I won... ^^;).

What is everyone talking saying that 0:13 sucked? I loved it! Sure, I
watched Death & Rebirth before watching this but...

The ending was great! Sure beat the heck out of the end of the movies! I
think Shinji deserved that ending! I would have applauded (too) except that
I was the only person in the room, so... ^^; Whatever! I just felt like
crying, I was so happy!

Er, I'd better shut up before I reveal too much!

Thank you, Anno! Thank you, Gainax!

Tatakae, Otaking!

TimeRunner
(Who is defintiely waiting for Blue Uru)

When I saw the subject of this message ([rant/rave] Upon watching Eva
0:13), I figured you were another person ripping on the ending of the
Eva TV series.  I was about ready to post a very whiny message about how
I'm one of maybe three people on the whole planet who liked the ending.

I'm glad to see that's not the case.  All in all, it's been kinda
discouraging for me, because every time someone posts an Eva fic,
there's always a little bit about "I was dissatisfied with the crappy
ending, yada, yada, yada" up at the top with all the
standard.disclaimers and stuff ... but I digress.  

Anyway, my point here is that it's nice to see someone else liked the
ending.  I personally thought it was an excellent way to have a happy
ending for the series without going against the mood set in the previous
episodes.  I suppose a lot of people were expecting the end to reveal
the answers to all the mysteries presented in the series, or maybe have
Shinji and Asuka get together.

Well, if you watched closely enough, there's enough infomation presented
throughout the episodes that you can pick out the answers to most of the
major questions in the series (I'll not elaborate on this one--it could
take all day).  The final episodes, as they were, gave the story a sense
of completeness that wouldn't have otherwise been there.

I suppose what it all comes down to is the definition of a good story. 
This is of course extremely subjective, because stories are different
things to different people ... but what I myself look for in a story is
internal conflict, and the resolution thereof.  I mean, look at Shinji
for a moment.  It's safe to say that what makes people like (or dislike)
him so much is the fact that we can all relate to him, whether we admit
it or not.  Everyone has self-doubt.  Shinji's, while somewhat extreme,
is perfectly believable in context.  What made the ending of Neon
genesis so satisfying for me is that Shinji was able to overcome his
doubt and move on with his life.  He ended up a better, stronger person
because of what he went through, and he learned that he didn't have to
hate himself.

In my opinion, there couldn't be a better ending to the series than
that.  No epic final battle or grand revelation could match the sheer
emotional depth of Shinji's victory over his own inner demons.

So, those of you who hated the ending of Neon Genesis, I encourage you
to watch it again, and try to look at it from a different viewpoint. 
You may find you actually like it.

Wow, it's amazing how much I can flap my mouth when I feel strongly
about something. :)

<SHAMELESS PLUG>
If you haven't read it yet, I urge you to stop by my homepage and take a
look at my fanfic series, Patlabor Stateside.  It can be found at:
http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/~kelsey/fanfics.html
</SHAMELESS PLUG>

Later, and thank you for your attention. :)

Bart Kelsey