Who Shot Ryoji Kaji?(Spoilers)

[Homunculus_death]

Ryoji Kaji is probably the coolest character in Neon Genesis Evangelion. He was a "Triple Agent", working for the Special Inspections Division of NERV, the Investigations Department of the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs, and also directly for SEELE. He was the "James Bond" of Evangelion, he did all the cool stuff, he slept with the hottest babe (Misato Katsuragi), he was always searching for the truth, and in the end his actions brought about his demise. In Evangelion Episode 21, with the famous last words " Oh, what took you so long?", the gunshot sounded and Kaji was killed.

Debate has raged for years among Eva no Otaku over who shot Kaji. We never see the shooter, never hear them speak, we only ever see Kaji greeting them (nonchalant as ever) and then hearing the gunshot.

First I shall attempt to squash any ideas that Kaji wasn't even shot, that it was all an elaborate ruse. This theory circulates most among the legions of devoted Kaji lovers out there, who can't stand to believe that their favourite character was shot and killed. Discounting all the evidence in the series that suggests Kaji was shot, (Misato crying over the answering machine, Asuka suggesting in Episode 22 when the phone rings and it could be Kaji, and Misato saying that it can't be him, in Redone Evangelion Episode 24 Shinji comes straight out and tells Asuka that Kaji is never coming back, but Asuka says he is lying), it states directly in The End of Evangelion - Theatrical Program, which is an official canon document, that Kaji was shot to death. He is dead.
But who killed him? Who shot Ryoji Kaji?

A lot of Japanese viewers thought that Misato Katsuragi shot Kaji. They believed that because you see the door of Misato's apartment closing just after the gunshot (you see the name plate on it saying "M. KATSURAGI"), it must mean that Anno Hideaki (the director/creator of Evangelion) wanted to hint that Misato killed Kaji. Anno never intended this cut to be a clue of any sort. In fact he was taken aback when he heard that's fans thought it was Misato. He stated directly that it wasn't Misato and he even edited Evangelion Episode 21 for the Japanese Video release to remove the cut of the door saying "M. KATSURAGI") and just putting in a cut of the street instead. He removed it because he didn't want people thinking it was Misato! He was actually shocked that people thought it was Misato and was embarrassed that people thought they found "hints" where there were actually no "hints" at all. Some also point to where Misato threatened to kill Kaji in Evangelion Episode 15 as proof that she actually did in Episode 21. This doesn't hold up though because by Episode 21 (and this is show specifically at the end of Episode 20) Misato and Kaji are both doing the same thing, "looking for the truth", after Kaji is killed the baton is passed onto Misato to uncover the "truth".

Anno has said straight out that it wasn't Misato who shot Kaji. Also in the "Checkpoint" section of the official film book, it states that the person who shot Kaji was not a main character. It was some nameless security officer from either NERV or SEELE.

In the original scenario for Episode 21 there is a scene where one of the NERV security officers enters Gendou's office and tells him that Fuyutsuki has returned but that they couldn't find the man who kidnapped him (which of course is Kaji).
Then the scene that follows is where the NERV security officer goes to Misato, gives her gun back, and tells her that "it's over now" and that they "don't know where 'he' is". It seems clear that nobody at NERV knows where Kaji is.

SEELE would though. In Evangelion Episode 20 SEELE refer to Kaji as a bell attached to Gendou Ikari's neck but which doesn't ring. Then they say that they will make the bell work. Kaji kidnaps Fuyutsuki for SEELE, but then in the end he frees him. In the redone Evangelion Episode 21 there is added dialogue between Kaji and Fuyutsuki, Kaji is warned by Fuyutsuki, that by freeing him is probably going to get him killed, by Kaji replies that "They", referring to SEELE, have found out that Kaji stole Adam (in Evangelion Episode 08) from them and gave it to Gendou. The passage is as follows:



quote:
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Fuyutsuki: It's you.

Kaji: It's long since the last time.

Fuyutsuki: This action will result in your death.

Kaji: I just want to get closer to the truth... the truth within me. Besides, it seems they're catching on to the fact that I smuggled the Adam sample for Commander Ikari. If I don't start looking out for myself, things could be looking grim... for me.

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It seems clear that SEELE wanted Kaji killed. As to who shot him, well Anno has said it wasn't a main character, that it was just a security officer. There is not "hidden truth" to Kaji's death, SEELE had him killed, not in an important way, they just sent a security agent to shoot him. Kaji faced death, as he had always faced life, with the indifferent coolness that won him so many fans. Ryoji Kaji rest in peace.

[turambar]

i thin misato killed kaji

[OniKira]

I think it was Misato. Though Kaji led Misato to Nerv's truthes, she perhaps could not handle such a truth. Remember that Evangelion is quite a deep anime series, with truthes and lies constantly criss-crossing one another, making the entire show have a very etheral and surreal effect.

Though Anno may say it was not Misato, I think this is in homage to the Eva series itself. IDK, but I tend to think Anno purposely has said it was not Misato because it is within the context of the philosophy behind the series itself.

Yet, perhaps...Kaji had shot himself? ABSOLUTELY CRAZY idea, I know, but think about it for a second. Kaji was acting as several agents with one agenda. It's kind of like when Shinji was in the sea of durak; he confronted his other selves. Maybe, spiritually, Kaji had done the same thing and killed himself. IDK

[thedarkconquerer]

Oh my god, i cant believe so many people think that Misato killed Kaji, there is absolutely no proof behind that statement. People come up with excuses like

Remember that Evangelion is quite a deep anime series, with truthes and lies constantly criss-crossing one another, making the entire show have a very etheral and surreal effect.

There is no evidance in that statement at all that Misato killed Kaji, none at all.

Saying that, there is evidance behind it being a SEELE hired goon that had killed Kaji. As all who have seen the anime, and have actually taken the time to think through what they are watching, have seen SEELE is an organisation with one goal, the instrumentality of the human race. That being said, they needed a "Bell" around Gendou's neck as to make sure there plans are being relised by Gendou and also to make sure he isnt using his power for personal gain. When Gendou orders Rei to throw the Lance of Longinus, which is a vital part of SEELE's plan, at the 14th Angel (i think), SEELE relises that they are not as in control as they thought they were, and therefore needed a new "Bell" around Gendou's neck, one that actually rings, this is when they decide to use Ritsuko Akagi as the bell instead of Kaji, when SEELE had no use for Kaji, they had him killed. Simple.

[Ninjacat]

Random SEELE agent.

Don't you think if it were somebody important like...say, <i>Misato</i> they'd show them or something?

[OniKira]

Wow Darkconqueror, I never thought of it that way. Thanks for your own insight.

But please, don't say I'm don't think about what I'm watching. C'mon...It's incredibly disrespectful. Hideaki Anno once said himself that Evangelion is like a puzzle, one with no correct answer. That allows Evangelion to be open to many different views and discussions.

Now then, I see how I lack validity, and looking back on it and re watching the episode, I would agree that Misato did not kill Kaji.

But seriously, don't come on here and accusing me of not watching the show thoroughly. I agree, perhaps my analysis was incredibly off, but Eva is one of my favorite anime. Hell, I own the DVD box set and all the manga that has been published so far. I do make thoughtful analyses. Just not this time.

[thedarkconquerer]

Sorry you feel so strongly, but i too have all the manga & the DVD box set. The comment in itself wasn't directed directly at you, it was directed at the vast audience that watch anime's, but don't actually watch it. I can see how you took it and for that i am sorry, i meant no real disrespect in what i was saying. I was just trying to point out a few things.

Again im sorry for using your quote as an example, but it was just the perfect example as to what i was meaning in the above. If you want me to, i will delete it.

~DC

[Tsuchi]

i think it was a seele member possibly keele lorenz but i think they used misato's gun because before it happened nerv/seele took it before and gave it back after his death.

[maria]

Wow. I never actually thought about it.... You box set owners are intense!

[Axle Starr]

I'd rather not believe it was Misato, although it would make for a nice twist to the series, or at least, her character

[SolidSnake526]

Makes sense. It annoyed the hell out of me, too. Anyone know where I can get hold of any of these books (IN ENGLISH - if I'm not mistaken, the Red Cross Book and the manga are all in Japanese)? I, like most fans, HATE the English dub of the show, but I can't read/speak Japanese. I don't mind reading subtitles (which is what I did each time I watched it unless I forgot to change the language, but I caught it at once and changed it), but having literature about something so amazing in a language I can't understand is like having Helen Keller as a driving instructor...

Yeah, before I get the typical "new user is a moron" post, I know I'm new. But I'm not exactly new to the series. I haven't been a fan of it for long (never even knew it EXISTED until not too long ago), but once I saw it, I loved it. This is now my most prized possession (the Platinum collection).