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does anyone else like the relationship between the two so much?
its supposed to be a sort of mother-son relationship but both of them are fully aware that its not really working out and that theres more going on. its ambiguous.
misato obviously knows that a part of her loves shinji romantically. and shinji knows this too - believe it or not - its being made very clear in episode 23 when shinji is at rock bottom, sitting alone in his room. misato comes in and tries to comfort him, in the only way she is capable, and she tries to go for it. the mere touch of her hand on his hand is enough for shinji to immediately realise what shes trying to do and pull back - he knows. now, its not being made clear whether or not shinji feels the same way about misato, he may share her feelings or he not, but it is crystal clear at this point that he knows that misato has romantic feelings for him.
and later in the end of evangelion it becomes even more explicit and misato goes full force for a french kiss - this time there is no resistance from shinji whatsoever - he likes it. and then she goes even further and speaks of moving on to the next stage.
considering shinji's compliance i think its safe to assume that part of him also has romantic feelings for misato.
and all this transpired right after one of the rare moments in which misato managed to properly act like a mother to shinji (she told him that from now on he has to make his own decisions etc.).
and i like that a lot about their relationship, this dynamic. misato providing a mother's comfort and a lover's comfort. i like it so much because i have a thing for older women like that, truth be told. i think its the first time a fictional relationship resonates so intensively with me.
misato is best girl. i wish i was shinji. kthxbye.