>>10405023It simply opens up possibilities; the protagonist isn't going to die in 99% of stories, having the damage be taken by a surrogate machine allows them to suffer damage/losses with less or no time devoted to recovery but retains whatever the point of their loss was [lack of skill/being unlucky/etc.] thus not invalidating training. the machine can also get upgrades. It's not unlike supernatural or fantasy powers desu
Plus, there's still the inherent chance of death which the writer can utilize whenever
Some series still have other stakes related to piloting though, for example in Fafner using one brings the pilot closer to death each time and in the sequel causes creepy body horror stuff. I do like how the Eva units are barely kept under control.
Haven't seen the rebuilds since forever. I'll rewatch them when 4.0 is out most likely.
