Well, to sum it all up, he's really human. He has good and bad points, and not too many of either. Now I'll go into a bit more detail...!

1. His looks... It has to come into it. Look at the top picture on the left - you know you can't deny that he's incredibly good looking, it's a simple fact.

2. His character is easy to understand. I'm not saying it's not complex, because it is - if it wasn't, he'd be really boring - but I can understand why he does things, and in a hypothetical situation I can generally work out what Shinji would do. (And yes, of course I've done this... If I hadn't, I obviously wouldn't be obsessed with him, would I?)
  Oh, and before anyone asks, yes I know why Shinji-kun almost kisses Asuka in episode 9. It's not that impressive an answer, though!

3. Hikari's right - he is sensitive. Practically the only caring person in the series, despite what Asuka thinks. There's evidence of it everywhere, but it really comes out in his worry for Asuka in episode 22 (thanks, Jo!), after she is defeated by the Angel.

4. Although he umms and ahs a lot (isn't it so kawaii, though?) he's actually quite decisive. It takes him a while to make up his mind, but once it's made up, it's made up. However! His decision can be swayed. For example, after he is ordered to kill Touji (the fourth child... come on, I said there'd be spoilers!) he decides that he will never pilot an EVA again. But after seeing Rei and Asuka defeated, and after talking with Kaji, he realises that he must.
  Look at it this way, it would be just a bit childish to refuse to save the world just because he considers himself betrayed by his father. Shinji is NOT petty.

5. Shinji does not hide his insecurity behind a mask of self-confidence or superiority - he tries to deal with it. It's not his fault he isn't successful. He's unsuccessful because so many people are drawn to him (like me!), making it impossible for him to keep his distance. See the "Hedgehog's Dilemma" as described by Ritsuko.

6. Despite the fact that he doesn't understand physics (even I don't, and I've chosen to do the subject) he's not stupid. Asuka, for all her knowledge of thermal expansion, never wonders why they're ordered to kill "Angels" - i.e, messengers from God.

7. He's not extremely sociable. Not everyone is, you know! Hmm, why do I like this? I guess because to me this means that he is able to entertain himself, and he has a MIND. Not that no-one else does, but this is more of my proof.
  I can teach him to be more sociable... after he's born...

8. He's MUSICAL!!! Big deal, you say. But to me this means something, and this is a page on why I like Shinji as well as why you should. He even likes CLASSICAL music... after Kaoru introduces him to it. Did you know that in episode 24 before they go to the showers he's listening to "Ode to Joy" on his walkman? (Thanks, Ayanami-chan!) Of course, after hearing my yr. 7 class play it non stop on the school keyboards however many years ago, it's not exactly my favourite piece of music... but hey, it's Beethoven, and Beethoven's cool.
  And I think he plays the cello beautifully... :)

9. Oh, and his looks... or did I say that before? But he's so kawaii, you must admit...

Sorry! "Hedgehog's Dilemma"... enjoy!

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