I found out through Anime Diet that there was a promotion that Pizza Hut was having for the new Eva movie. Firstly, it is taking a moderate amount of control to suppress my excitement about the prospect of Rei in all her reanimated glory. Secondly, this event was a reminder that I fall within what others may not consider “normal.” When I read, “. . .life-size Rei Ayanami cardboard stand-ups,” my first reaction was, “Awesome, I want one.”There are probably only a few types of people reading this post right now. There are those who ask why it isn’t a life-size Asuka cardboard stand-up. The answer to that is because Rei is several times “>” Asuka on an exponential scale. Live with it Asuka lovers. Skipping along the gradient, there are the people like me who have to constantly explain to people why my DVD collection consist 95% Anime and 5% B-movies and the Matrix trilogy.

It isn’t unusual for anyone to be categorized as not normal because the idea of normalcy is totally subjective and arbitrary. What is normal? That can be answered with, “What is normal to you?” The fact still remains that there is always pressure to conform. Not only conform to the expectations put upon us by society, but also to those that we put upon ourselves. No matter where one lives or who one is, a model of expected behavior is thrust upon us. Many of us have personal goals as well. It is within our nature to strive to meet those goals and expectations. There are very few people who are strictly original or totally unique. This is largely due to the fact that it tends to scare others.

My wording may have offended some. Simply, it is the truth. The issue there is that many equate “normal” as lacking “uniqueness.” I would argue that is not the case. This dilemma brings us back to the issue with the definition of “normal.” For sure, I don’t feel normal for wanting a life-sized Rei cardboard standup. The fact remains that for me the thought is completely normal. In fact, for me, abnormal would be to not want a life-sized Rei cardboard standup.

It is the relativity of the social construct that is normalcy that makes using it as a measure of worth a double-edged sword. These ideas have lead to disputes among social groups, friends, family, neighbors, religions, nations, and pretty much every division humanity has placed unto itself. Our disputes, many times, are grounded in divergent ideals. Your normal is not someone else’s normal.

Everyone has to stop and wonder about their place in the world, if only for a scant few seconds. For many it is a simple thought game, but for others it defines their beings. Some of us may question our goals and the path that we have taken. Where am I going? What will I do when I get there? These are questions raised without answers given most of the time.

At the heart of this all is whether or not the drive to posses a life-sized Rei cardboard standup is more so than the desire to be socially normal. Luckily I have been spared that decision by virtue of where I live. I don’t believe there will be Pizza Hut promotions for Eva here.

So, the pretence of normalcy will continue for another day.

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I also would like a giant robot…

I copied the image from ANN too, who appeared to have taken it from the promo site.

Edit 09/08/07 15:29: Just found this, “Human-Sized Evangelion Spear Exhibited, Auctioned“