>>4237531Some points.
I'm not so sure Rei Lilith has expected female genitals, or that the 'Kaworu' we saw does either; the "image of Hermaphrodite" you mention may instead be referring to the abolition of differences in the aftermath of the Eschaton as forecalled in Galatians 3:28 ('...neither is there masculine, nor feminine. For we all are one in Christ.'). And I personally think the fusion of quasi-demonic imagery --- like Lilith's very organic wings --- with that of salvation fits for Evangelion, even if they seem antithetical in other contexts. Rei is not Anti-Christ; if anything, that is Kaworu's character, in terms of his deception and working against mankind. This also admittedly factors into the question of the 'Angels'. If they are indeed sent by the ultimate God, then we have to wonder about their motive. I think they were, and that you are right that humanity was fighting against them needlessly to carry on their individual existences of suffering, when in reality the right choice all along was to allow divine union in Instrumentality --- which I'm not sure why you're equating with the Forbidden Fruit of Genesis --- and end mankind's suffering brought about by man's temptation and fall aeons ago from the state provided by God. I do not consider the Rebuild media in the context of Evangelion.
Interesting notes about the new Devilman series. I'm only two episodes in, so I'll have to see how it plays out.
