That's a good point, but I'd argue that the type of hyper-egotistical pilot you talk about is represented by Asuka, who is much more a typical giant-robot-show character than Shinji upon her first appearance. If you want to see what happens when Simon or Domon Kasshu gets dumped into the Eva universe, follow how her character is worn down. As for Shinji and Rei, well... this article on the psychological damage done to child soldiers sans robot might make for interesting reading.

Gosh, this got grim quickly. Let's think about puppies instead.

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"She's old, she's lame, she's barren too, // "She's not worth feed or hay, // "But I'll give her this," - he blew smoke at me - // "She was something in her day." -- Garnet Rogers, Small Victory

FiMFiction.net: we might accept blatant porn involving the cast of My Little Pony but as God is my witness we have standards.