Kazuki does have good “blunt resolve” like you said, although his naivety at times (see: any scene with Asuka past the halfway mark) is frustrating. Well, I’m off to see the final episode so I’ll save final judgment on Kouichi and Kazuki until then…

The general hope is that he’ll be challenged as much as he was last season, but will still eventually win. Cruising to victory would be boring and losing would just be sad. But mostly we’re overjoyed to find someone who combines the virtues of a) being British and b) actually being good at a sport. They’re a rare breed, which is why we invent so many sports – we’re constantly seeking something we’re genuinely good at.

Kazuki and Kouichi both have their facepalm-inducing moments, but I think I admire Kazuki’s blunt resolve, while Kouichi’s ability to just let things slide really has me reaching for the NGE-hammer. Still, so long as we don’t get the sight of Kouichi pleasuring himself over Mao’s comatose body while the world ends outside it won’t be too bad.

IKnight: I laughed at your quip about Shinji; Kazuki and Kouichi are both quite large levels of facepalm-worthy most of the time for how harem-lead-generic they are, but surprisingly they haven’t brought down the show that much. Maybe that’s how much the other characters can actually drive the show, compared to more plot-based shows where plot (and thus the main character) drive it.

And would that be the Hamilton of the Lewis variety? I’ve heard he’s bigger than God over there in the U.K.

On the side characters, Hiiragi and Kuryuu both seem to be pretty controlling people, although with someone as passive as episode 23’s Kouichi around, Shinji Ikari might start giving orders. Not that both wanting to wear the trousers is a great basis for a relationship. Kai has as you say lost his status as a main character but gained uncomplicated excellence at whatever he does: the writers giveth, and the writers taketh away.

Perhaps a little like yourself refusing to leave the sinking ’ship, I’m just going to exercise my capacity for blind faith on the ending and hope that the show’s going to forge across the finish line with the panache of a Hamilton.