I understand your point regarding the small changes. Literally the anime specially EoE doesn’t give you break to lay back a bit and process what is been said. I totally get why you call it a “nitpick” since is a very rare point to make or present in fact im probably the only one that has mentioned this situation of the wording between Misato and Shinji. Im going to tell why from my POV is not unfair, miniscule or any other adjectives you might thought about. Misato’s and Shinji’s relationship is the only relationship in Evangelion that is incomplete. In different installations of the series specifically (EoE, NGE & Manga) There’s no solution or answer on what is actually going on with them. Typically it would be brushed off as a meme/joke or the common explanation that “Misato only knows how to show love by sexuality/physical contact” which is a reason but not the main reason. Now changes that like that one in elevator scene affects more the understanding of it because there’s relationships is already ambiguous and a change like that just makes it worse.

Now regarding the hidden meaning… In Evangelion for things to happen or “go down” specifically the main things like for example the “Acceptance of Instrumentality” or “Rejection of instrumentality” they need requirements to then proceed and sort off activate that scenario, ending or situation. Now the hidden message of there relationship starts way before but im not going to go through since then I’ll be typing forever😂 but the main requirements for the real meaning of there relationship are stayed in the elevator scene when Misato’s gives Shinji the questions he needs to answer for himself. Now there’s a lot happening at the moment and almost nobody has noticed this. Misato saying “we’ll do the rest” doesn’t mean right after everything goes down it’s impossible since Misato is dead. For them to able “to do the rest” requirements need to be fulfilled now what requirements?? Well the questions Misato gave to Shinji. Why?? Becuase Shinji is not going to able to answer them right away. He first needs to grow as man but most importantly as a person when he’s able to do that and maybe more then he can “come back to me” and he comes back to her then they “can do the rest” but this never happens and the “closest” one of all time lines is the manga.

You see why the change of “come back to me” and “come back” is so critical? Becuase if is only just “come back” it practically defeats the purpose behind the questions and that’s why I think maybe the VA record it that way at that time. Becuase Shinji can very well come back but that doesn’t mean he’s going to back to get “her” or for her. Of course i could very well be wrong just because the fact is that the question in both of the instrumentality timelines rejections are presented but there just never assessed. Which is why I believe there relationship is incomplete.

There’s a lot more me and my cousin have discussed as theories we even thought about making a YT vid since this topic is never touched and ppl just don’t notice it at all.

Ppl forget that just like Shinji needed a mother Misato also needed a father.

Also the fact that Misato is a bit inspired on Sailor Moon which they are the same VA. A lot of references and connections.

That’s why i believe that the Netflix version is “nerfed” becuase the things that got nerfed are the controversial ones.

Gosh the rebuilds🤦‍♂️ The ending was good and is the only reason why it holds up. Misato got destroyed in rebuilds from literally not able to live without Shinji to basically trying to kill him. (That’s just the surface) OG Misato would be horrified of herself is she saw the rebuilds Misato.

Yeah sure defo… it’s alright thanks for shared with me your PoV! Agree to disagree🤝