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Episode 8: Asuka Strikes!
Last episode we had our perspective on a few characters changed enough to make us wonder who the good guys are. As if that wasn't enough, this episode introduces to a new EVA pilot who is set to change the whole dynamic of the show! The episode starts off with Misato, Shinji, Touji and Kensuke all flying to a UN aircraft carrier to meet the "2nd Child" and pick up the EVA 02 (which was en route from Germany). In a funny little segment, Misato explains to Kensuke and Touji that this is a date and Toji gets happy because he bought a new cap to wear for this occasion! When they board the carrier, Kensuke runs around like a drunken minor, videotaping everything he can out of sheer excitement. Toji's cap goes flying in the wind and as he chases after it he sees a red headed girl step on it. Misato introduces this girl as Asuka Langley Sohryu and for some reason she won't take her foot off Toji's hat. When he finally pulls his hat out from under her foot she gets mad, slapping Toji because she thinks he looked at her panties. In response to this violence, Toji drops his pants so she can see his underwear. When Asuka meets Shinji she says she is surprised by how dull he seems. Suffice it to say Asuka hasn't made the best initial impression. Later, Asuka's temporary guardian Ryoji Kaji shows up and Misato is shocked. Her shock turns to anger as her ex boyfriend asks Shinji if Misato is wild in bed. Strangely, Shinji is the only one unfazed by this question and Kaji tells him that he is famous in Kaji's circle. Shinji says he is just lucky to which Kaji says, "Luck is part of your talent". On deck Kaji tells Asuka that Shinji is very talented and achieved a 40% synch ratio in his first time with the EVA, something that shocks Asuka. Later, Asuka takes Shinji to show him her EVA Unit 02 and explains to him that she has a superior EVA because it's the newest one developed. She says that the only reason Shinji works well with EVA 01 is because it's an inferior machine and that he couldn't handle an EVA like the 02. Before Shinji can refute, the 6th Angel attacks the carrier and Misato assumes it is after the EVA 02. Wanting to show her prowess, Asuka tells Shinji to join her in the Entry Plug for Unit 02 so they can defeat the Angel themselves. Meanwhile, Kaji and Gendo are on the phone and Gendo tells Kaji to escape alone if possible. Meanwhile, EVA 02, is able to connect to an umbilical cord on one of the carriers and it engages the Angel in the water and Kaji takes a fighter jet and escapes the fight, much to the chagrin of Misato. At one point we are told the EVA 02 is B-Type equipment and thus won't work well in the water so Misato has a plan. She has 02 open the Angel's mouth wide enough to send two carriers in so they can explode inside the Angel, thus destroying it. The plan works and the Angel is destroyed. In addition, Misato receives some good data from the mission as EVA 02's synch ratio's broke all records. Kaji reaches Gendo's office and gives him a briefcase which contains what the 6th Angel was after. Inside is the keystone to the Human Enhancement Project (also called the Human Instrumentality Project) and it is Adam, the first human. The next day in school, Shinji, Toji and Kensuke are happy they don't have to see Asuka too often. As if almost to punish them for that statement, a new transfer walks into the class and introduces herself: it's Asuka! This episode pushed the overall story forward by about ten fold. We now have a new EVA pilot, a mysterious man named Kaji and we are beginning to see the deception permeating NERV. Even more importantly, Gendo's plans are coming to fruition and from the title alone, the Human Instrumentality Project sounds like an important and deadly machination on the part of Gendo. The possession of Adam, the first human is one of noteworthy interest and serves to further stress the religious tones of this series. We're almost a third of the way through the series and it's good to see a strong and engaging plot developing so powerfully at this stage.