History Heartwarming / NeonGenesisEvangelion

* In episode 3, everyone in Shinji's class getting excited when they find out he's an EVA pilot and crowding around to ask him questions. Even if it comes across as mildly InnocentlyInsensitive since Shinji (and the audience) knows what being an EVA pilot is ''really'' like, it feels good to see people actually being friendly to Shinji for once.

'''Shinji, Asuka, and Misato:''' ...Maybe I could love myself.\\

** Asuka finally makes peace with her mother. While being inside of her Eva in the bottom of a lake and getting bombarded by the JSSDF, she comes to the realization that her mother's soul was all along in the Eva, meaning that, in a way, she was always protecting her and watching her over. We are then shown the touching scene of Asuka as a joyful child reaching her mother's hand. The realization gives her the strength to snap out of her HeroicBSOD and [[ShesBack fight the army back]]. [[TraumaCongaLine After all the crap Asuka went through]], it's really touching to see her [[http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5voxses4J1qi0kfro1_500.gif smiling with joy for the first time in the series]].

'''Shinji:''' ''[introspectively]'' I hate myself. But, maybe...

''(Shinji's room cracks open and he finds himself on a small blue globe with the cast of the series. All are applauding him and yelling "Congratulations!")''\\

'''Shinji:''' ''[introspectively]'' I hate myself. But, maybe... maybe I could love myself. Maybe, my life can have a greater value. That's right! ...I am no more or less than myself. I am me! I want to be myself! I want to continue existing in this world! My life is worth living here!\\

** Asuka, inside of her eva in the lake bottom, completely afraid of death while the JSSDF throws bombs on her, realizes that her mother has been inside of the eva all along. After all the crap she went through, feeling herself worthless and unloved, she discovers that her mother always loved her and was protecting her all along. Cut to a little Asuka in a forest, full of happiness, grabbing the hand of her mother. After that, she completely snaps out of her HeroicBSOD and [[ShesBack gets back to the action]], [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome kicking some serious asses]]! [[spoiler: ...for a moment.]]

** At the beginning of the episode, while Shinji is still hospitalized, both Asuka and Rei are seen in the waiting room, simply talking about him without any tension between them. Asuka sounds particularly [[AwwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther worried]] about his mental state, and even [[EmotionlessGirl Rei]], despite her usual emotionless mood, looks quite sad.

** At the beginning of the episode, while Shinji is still hospitalized, both Asuka and Rei are seen in the waiting room, simply talking about him without any tension between them. Asuka sounds particularly [[Aww,Look!TheyReallyDoLoveEachOther worried]] about his mental state, and even [[EmotionlessGirl Rei]], despite her usual emotionless mood, looks quite sad.

* It's a minor thing, but in episode 9 after Asuka runs off, Shinji (prompted by Hikari), runs after her- and doesn't change out of his aerobics outfit. Shinji Ikari, the boy who dwells for hours on what others think of him and doesn't want to be hated, went out in public looking like a fool to find Asuka, and even after he finds her, stays with her awhile.

** Asuka, inside of her eva in the lake bottom, completely afraid of death while the JSSDF throws bombs on her, realizes that her mother has been inside of the eva all along. After all the crap she went through, feeling herself worthless and unloved, she discovers that her mother always loved her and was protecting her all the time. Cut to a little Asuka in a forest, full of happiness, grabbing the hand of her mother. After that, she completely snaps out of her HeroicBSOD and [[ShesBack gets back to the action]], [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome kicking some serious asses]]! [[spoiler: ...for a moment.]]

* [[spoiler: Shinji's rejection of Instrumentality in chapters 93 and 94 is even more heartwarming (with a little bit of TearJerker mixed in) than it is in]] ''[[spoiler: End of Evangelion]]''[[spoiler:, due in large part to an extended conversation with a Rei/Lilith that is more Rei than Lilith. Rei tells Shinji that the world he returns to will be one where walls around people's hearts prevent them from understanding each other, where their hands and words will hurt him. Shinji responds that that may happen, but he must confirm it for himself, find the purpose of his existence, and that "it's possible for two hearts to commune the way ours did that day," [[{{Flashback}} flashing back]] to the time when Shinji and Rei held hands and truly connected. Several flashbacks then show hands being used to hurt Shinji and by Shinji to hurt others, followed by hands used in friendship and comfort. Shinji then tells Rei that he wants to hold her hand once more, and the two proceed to clasp hands, triggering the beginning of Instrumentality's end. Rei then tells Shinji that, "I am glad that I met you. I was nobody and empty. But now I am full of what you taught me. I am very happy. But this goodbye." She then smiles, and asks if her expression is the appropriate one, referring all the way back to chapter 19/episode 6 (and this page's image). At this Rei lets goes of Shinji's hand, and still smiling, passes on as Lilith falls apart.]]

* Asuka and Shinji practicing the dance routine to defeat Israfel together]]. After squabbling and fighting with each other ever since they met, they finally reach an understanding. The little smile they share with each other as they perfect the routine is adorable.

** If you can get past the [[NothingIsScarier minimalistic]] [[NightmareFuel creepiness]] of the epilogue, there's a subtle but powerful moment in the BittersweetEnding. [[spoiler:After Asuka comes out of the Sea of LCL, Shinji, at the edge of his sanity, strangles her. So rather than to return the favor, Asuka does the impossible: she caresses his face. After this, he stops, realizes what he's doing and releases her, and chooses to stay by her side after regaining his composure (as shown by the poster art associated with the film, [[WordOfGod which is canon according to Anno]]).]] This may double as an AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther moment, but it's hard to tell for some people due to the overall [[MindScrew tone]] of the film.

* [[spoiler: The ending, particularly the epilogue. It may be a BittersweetEnding, but it's as happy a one as ''Evangelion'' can have.]]

* The series' [[RousseauWasRight ultimate message]]. For all the cynicism and [[NightmareFuel/NeonGenesisEvangelion truely mind-shattering imagery]] of the show, all Gendo, SEELE, the cast (particularly Shinji and Asuka) and, hell, all of humanity wants is to be loved and accepted.

* Towards the close of episode 10, Magmadiver, for a brief, fleeting moment, we get to see Shinji -- for once in his life -- able to relax and just enjoy a soak in a hot spring. For someone who is all too frequently tormented for the viewers' entertainment, seeing him genuinely happy for once is truly heartwarming.
** It also featured some great moments between Shinji and Asuka. When Asuka is being pulled back out of the volcano, Shinji asks if she's alright, and smiles when she replies with her usual bluster when before he had been annoyed by it. Later. [[spoiler:Asuka expects to die as the cord holding her Eva has been severed and she starts falling back into the magma...only to have Shinji in Eva-01 grasp her Eva's hand, causing her to give her first genuine smile of the series and affectionately tell him 'don't over-exert yourself, idiot'.]] For all the bickering and conflict that arises between these two, [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther they still care about each other a lot.]]
* At the beginning of Episode 7 we see Shinji and Misato squabbling over her slobbish ways and he later complains about her. Then when Misato [[spoiler:has to go inside the prototype robot to stop it from rampaging]] he begs her to come back safely and is extremely worried for her. At the end of the episode, we see [[BookEnds Shinji complaining about Misato being a slob again]], but this time Kensuke and Toji tell him how stupid he is, because the fact that Misato is comfortable enough to be herself around Shinji shows that even though they were primarily brought together by conflict and unpleasant circumstances, they're family now. The look on Shinji's face as he realizes this is what sells it.

* Episode 4, anyone? Tohji and Kensuke coming to see Shinji off, followed by Shinji's apology to them... then Misato shows up, thinking she's too late, then finally spots him. Followed by [[IronicEcho a more genuine welcoming home than the one two episodes ago]].

* ''Neon Genesis Evangelion Angelic Days'' Chapter 2-4 has its take on the battle with the Third Angel. Shinji demands to be sent out to battle in place of Kaworu, and ends up in trouble almost right away, forcing Rei to put herself in danger for him, which in turn makes him have to fight for her. After the battle, [[spoiler:Shinji sees Rei holding her bandaged hand over her [[EyeScream eye]]. Shinji feels bad for impulsively rushing into battle for her, and feels it's his fault that she got injured. But what does Rei have to say after all this?]]
--> '''Rei:''' [[spoiler:''[smiling cheerfully as ever]'' It bled a lot, but it's no big deal.]] \\
'''Shinji:''' [[spoiler:I...I'm...]] \\
'''Rei:''' [[spoiler:Shinji. You saved me. Thank you.]]
** In the regular series, Shinji doing all of this would've gotten him into big trouble with Misato. Instead...

** Heck, just knowing that somewhere out there there is a universe where Shinji, Asuka, and Rei are sane and happy is heartwarming enough.



** Rei/Kaworu/Yui's messages in the Instrumentality sequence are pretty heartwarming.

** Misato's [[GoOutWithASmile smile]] as she [[spoiler:sends off Shinji for the last time]].

[[/folder]]
----

[[folder: ''Anime'']]
* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', for all its bleakness has one in the sixth episode, when after Shinji tells her to just smile as thanks, Rei finally does.
** The entire scene is heartwarming.
-->'''Shinji''': (Crying) Don't ever say that, don't say that you have nothing else, just don't say that. And don't say goodbye when you leave on a mission, it's just too sad.
-->'''Rei''': ...I'm very sorry, but I don't know how to express myself in situations like this.
-->'''Shinji''': Why don't you just try smiling?
-->'''Rei''': (Looks confused for a moment, then gives what is probably the first smile in her whole life that wasn't aimed at Gendo. [[WhenSheSmiles And it's absolutely gorgeous.]])

** The ''entire cast'' congratulating Shinji for his self-realization. Especially when his mother and father simultaneously congratulate him.

--->'''Kaji''': A person's truth is so simple, that most ignore it to concentrate on what they think are deeper truths.\\
'''Gendo''': You, for example, are simply unused to what it is to be liked by others.\\
'''Misato''': You've never learned how to deal with fearing what others feel about you and so you avoid it.\\
'''Shinji''': But, don't the others hate me?\\
'''Asuka''': What are you, stupid? Haven't you realized it's all in your imagination, you megadork!\\
'''Shinji''': But, I hate myself.\\
'''Rei''': One who truly hates himself cannot love, he cannot place his trust in another.\\
'''Shinji''': I'm a coward. I'm cowardly, sneaky and weak.\\
'''Misato''': No, only if you think you are, but if you know yourself, you can take care of yourself.\\
'''Shinji''': [''introspectively''] I hate myself. But, maybe, maybe I could love myself. Maybe, my life can have a greater value. That's right!. I am no more or less than myself. I am me! I want to be myself! I want to continue existing in this world! My life is worth living here!\\
[''Shinji's room cracks open and he finds himself on a small blue globe with the cast of the series'']\\
'''Everyone''': [''applauding''] Congratulations!\\
'''Shinji''': Thank you all!
* Shinji telling Rei that she wrings out washcloths like a mother, and [[EmotionlessGirl Rei]] blushing

* Towards the close of episode 10, Magmadiver, for a brief, fleeting moment, we get to see Shinji, for once in his life, able to relax and just enjoy a soak in a hot spring. For someone who is all too frequently tormented for the viewers' entertainment, seeing him genuinely happy for once is truly heartwarming.

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/death_and_rebirth_rei_smile_1626.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:CharacterDevelopment and a [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments heartwarming moment]] all in one image.]]

-->'''Kaji''': A person's truth is so simple, that most ignore it to concentrate on what they think are deeper truths.
-->'''Gendo''': You, for example, are simply unused to what it is to be liked by others.
-->'''Misato''': You've never learned how to deal with fearing what others feel about you and so you avoid it.
-->'''Shinji''': But, don't the others hate me?
-->'''Asuka''': What are you, stupid? Haven't you realized it's all in your imagination, you megadork!
-->'''Shinji''': But, I hate myself.
-->'''Rei''': One who truly hates himself cannot love, he cannot place his trust in another.
-->'''Shinji''': I'm a coward. I'm cowardly, sneaky and weak.
-->'''Misato''': No, only if you think you are, but if you know yourself, you can take care of yourself.
-->'''Shinji''': [''introspectively''] I hate myself. But, maybe, maybe I could love myself. Maybe, my life can have a greater value. That's right!. I am no more or less than myself. I am me! I want to be myself! I want to continue existing in this world! My life is worth living here!
-->[''Shinji's room cracks open and he finds himself on a small blue globe with the cast of the series'']
-->'''Everyone''': [''applauding''] Congratulations!
-->'''Shinji''': Thank you all!

*** The most common and sensible conclusion concerning the ending (which we can call official) is that Shinji strangled Asuka to confirm that he had returned to reality. To put it into emphasis, following Third Impact most people had been turned into LCL and the oceans of LCL flooding the Earth is the rest of humanity. When Rei merged with Lilith and started it the souls of humans were gathered and everyone is given the world that they desire. In short: [[LotusEaterMachine the mother of all LotusEaterMachine plots]] When Shinji rejected it, Rei/Lilith dies and is no longer able to hold them in her possession. Following that everyone whose soul was held in her hand above the planet returned to Earth. The soul along with LCL which floated away after being turned into LCL had returned to them. Shinji speaks with the human avatar representatives of both the souls of Adam and Lilith (Kaworu and Rei) who want to confirm if Shinji is certain about returning the way reality originally was. As Evangelion Unit 01 regains control and the mass evas links are severed. As Third Impact ends Shinji meets with his mom who careses his cheek and asks him if he will be okay. Shinji assures her that he will and then they both go their separate ways. Shinji back to Earth and Yui's soul (Eva Unit 01) leaves along with the Lance of Longinus goes through space. In the final: One More I need you. Shinji finds himself in the sea of LCL and following some time passed he heads to shore. He wakes up to find himself on shore and sees Asuka who appears to be in quite the weakened state. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qCV0hIGhWk Shinji mimicking his actions during Third Impact (13:25)]]. Asuka however, not as idle as the one he speaks with during Third Impact and rather than responding in her regular Tsundere [[MasterOfTheMixedMessage manner]] she does the most wildly unexpected: [[http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/0EA7UNQJAJUINKM807JAD57C7-Ep26%27_Caress1.jpg caresses his cheek just as his mother did not hours ago before he arrived on shore.]] Shinji then [[http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrXx3MudCDi6Z9_XC8zmTL0qqx-mrxpvV1rcrnFXrXpTGqyPQm8A breaks down and cries on her.]] Asuka in MoodDissonance simply says "I feel sick(Original)/"How Disgusting"(English dub) in the most quiet voice imaginable before the movie ends.

* [[spoiler: Shinji's rejection of Instrumentality in chapters 93 and 94 is even more heartwarming than it is in]] ''[[spoiler: End of Evangelion]]''[[spoiler:, due in large part to an extended conversation with a Rei/Lilith that is more Rei than Lilith, with a little bit of TearJerker mixed in. Rei tells Shinji that the world he returns to will be one where walls around people's hearts prevent them from understanding each other, where their hands and words will hurt him. Shinji responds that that may happen, but he must confirm it for himself, find the purpose of his existence, and that "it's possible for two hearts to commune the way ours did that day," [[{{Flashback}} flashing back]] to the time when Shinji and Rei held hands and truly connected. Several flashbacks then show hands being used to hurt Shinji and by Shinji to hurt others, followed by hands used in friendship and comfort. Shinji then tells Rei that he wants to hold her hand once more, and the two proceed to clasp hands, triggering the beginning of Instrumentality's end. Rei then tells Shinji that, "I am glad that I met you. I was nobody and empty. But now I am full of what you taught me. I am very happy. But this goodbye." She then smiles, and asks if her expression is the appropriate one, referring all the way back to chapter 19/episode 6 (and this page's image). At this Rei lets goes of Shinji's hand, and still smiling, passes on as Lilith falls apart.]]

* [[spoiler: Shinji's rejection of Instrumentality in chapters 93 and 94 is even more heartwarming than it is in]] ''[[spoiler: End of Evangelion]]''[[spoiler:, due in large part to an extended conversation with a Rei/Lilith that is more Rei than Lilith, with a little bit of TearJerker mixed in. Rei asks if Shinji is OK with returning with a world where walls around people's hearts prevent them from understanding each other, where their hands and words will hurt him. Shinji responds that that may be so, but he must confirm it for himself and that "it's possible for two hearts to commune the way ours did that day," [[{{Flashback}} flashing back]] to the time when Shinji and Rei held hands and truly connected. Several flashbacks then show hands being used to hurt Shinji and by Shinji to hurt others, followed by hands used in friendship and comfort. Shinji then tells Rei that he wants to hold her hand once more, and the two proceed to clasp hands, triggering the beginning of Instrumentality's end. Rei then tells Shinji that, "I am glad that I met you. I was nobody and empty. But now I am full of what you taught me. I am very happy. But this goodbye." She then smiles, and asks if her expression is the appropriate one, referring all the way back to chapter 19/episode 6 (and this page's image). At this Rei lets goes of Shinji's hand, and still smiling, passes on as Lilith falls apart.]]

[[caption-width-right:350:CharacterDevelopment and a CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming all in one image.]]

*** He did find peace with himself in ''End'' too, or at least overcame his issues. One of his final lines as he returns from instrumentality is "I am....myself". The fact that Shinji is now able to calmly make a self-affirming statement like that indicates that he has overcome his self-hatred. Plus he has resolved to continue living in reality in the hope of finding his happiness. Shinji finally understands that pain is an inevitable part of life and reality and chooses ''not'' to run away from it anymore, even with the knowledge that he'll eventually be hurt again. Shinji may not necessarily be happy yet, but he has indeed changed and grown as a person (and has even become a stronger person than his father). It's just not as overtly optimistic as the TV ending. However, he still hasn't made peace with Asuka, which is what the final scene is for (see the entry for ''End'' below for more info).

*** He did find peace with himself in ''End'' too, or at least overcame his issues. One of his final lines as he returns from instrumentality is "I am....myself". The fact that Shinji is now able to calmly affirm himself with a statement like that indicates that he has overcome his self-hatred. Plus he has resolved to continue living in reality in the hope of finding his happiness. Shinji finally understands that pain is an inevitable part of life and reality and chooses ''not'' to run away from it anymore, even with the knowledge that he'll eventually be hurt again. Shinji may not necessarily be happy yet, but he has indeed changed and grown as a person (and has even become a stronger person than his father). It's just not as overtly optimistic as the TV ending. However, he still hasn't made peace with Asuka, which is what the final scene is for (see the entry for ''End'' below for more info).