Shout-outs found in Once More with Feeling:
- Kensuke and his friends are adapting Warhammer 40,000 Epic rules in a simulated Evangelion combat game, and Unit 01 gets nicknamed "Principio Eternus". Kensuke toyed with the idea of getting Shinji and Nerv to make it official.
- The author also lists Thousand Shinji as one of his influences and slips tiny homages in his story.
- After a long day shopping for Rei's benefit, Shinji and Asuka watch Independence Day.