>>3089793My opinion on their relationship in Q is there's no point to it. It relied too much on NGE by calling back to scenes from episode 24, and doesn't do anything new with them.
Kaworu in NGE had a purpose and role that could only be fulfilled by him. He came at a time when Shinji was most isolated, and gave him love and validation to a degree that he had never received before from anyone else in his life.
For the first time, he was told he was worthy of being treated kindly and that he was someone who could be loved. He came to a complete comfort and understanding with this person that we don't see with anyone else.
Now, what is his role in Q? Rebuild Shinji as we seen in 1.0 and 2.0 is a lot better off and more of a normal kid. Everyone is a lot happier and closer to him, he doesn't need someone to tell him he's worthy of love or being treated kindly at this point. He doesn't have the same complexes as Anime Shinji.
So because this is a new Shinji, there would need to be a new Kaworu, have him fulfill a different role in regards to Shinji.
But Anno didn't want to do anything new with him, in fact he didn't want to do anything new with Rebuild in general despite implying he would with that teaser. He relies back on the formula of NGE even in this new setting with new characters.
Asuka takes the place of Toji and is "killed" by Shinji, overwhelmed with guilt he leaves NERV.
Zureul takes the place of Arismael and fights against Rei, who concludes she's going to sacrifice herself to save everyone. Except Anno decides to break the NGE formula and have her saved.
It looks like Rebuild will be different after all, but then Anno decides to do a timeskip so we're back on the NGE formula again.
And so Shinji is forced into isolation with Misato and co. acting like plot devices who won't tell Shinji anything, and Kaworu can reprise a similar role to NGE.
