TOJI SUZUHARA SPOILER!
TS
Shinji's classmate and eventually his friend, which in NGE is its own kind of sentence. Straightforward, physical, protective of his younger sister who is hospitalized and the reason he makes the decisions he makes. The most uncomplicated person in a show built around psychological damage and hidden agendas. What happens to Toji is NGE removing its last remaining pretense that being a normal kid in proximity to this war offers any protection whatsoever. The show uses his simplicity as the sharpest possible instrument.
TOJI THROUGH THE ARCHIVE //
CHARACTER PHASE PROFILES //
Open page →Before the Unit-03 incident, Shinji can still imagine quitting as a way to remove himself from the violence around NERV.
After Gendo uses the Dummy Plug to destroy Toji's Eva, that idea collapses. Shinji can refuse an order and still be forced to witness what his Eva does.
After Gendo uses the Dummy Plug to destroy Toji's Eva, that idea collapses. Shinji can refuse an order and still be forced to witness what his Eva does.
Why it matters
His later return against Zeruel is not a reset to the boy from episode 1. He returns knowing that piloting and refusing to pilot can both hurt people.
Toji's selection as a pilot changes him from Shinji's school friend into part of the Eva system.
The audience knows enough about NERV by this point to understand that becoming a Child is not a promotion.
The audience knows enough about NERV by this point to understand that becoming a Child is not a promotion.
Why it matters
The Unit-03 disaster hurts because the story lets a normal relationship be absorbed into the same institution that already controls Shinji's life.
STORY & EPISODE GUIDE //
Open page →Shinji will not attack Unit-03 while another pilot may be trapped inside. Gendo responds by activating the Dummy Plug and makes Unit-01 destroy the infected Eva anyway.
The pilot is Toji.
The pilot is Toji.
Why it matters
Shinji learns that refusing to act does not remove him from the consequences. NERV can use his Eva without his consent, and his friend can still be the person crushed under its hands.
