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How a Story About Cyberpunk 2077 Resurrected an Evangelion Meme

An expose into the crunch culture regarding the development of Cyberpunk 2077 by Jason Schreier has resurrected the iconic Evangelion meme. While breaking down the details in a Twitter thread, one key point has reminded some of a moment from the series (thus; resurrected the meme).

“Inside Cyberpunk 2077‘s Disastrous Rollout” by Jason Schreier for Bloomberg is a look into the troubled development of the most highly anticipated game of 2020. It looks into the crunch culture and how developers were pressured into working overtime. Key points of the article were also broken down in a Twitter thread. One of these points has reminded everyone of a a classic Evangelion meme.

– One CDPR developer told their manager that they didn’t want to work overtime, as their CEO had said would be OK. Fine, their manager said, but one of their other coworkers would just have to work extra hours to make up for them. Several other developers shared similar stories

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) January 16, 2021

Some have pointed out how CD Projekt Red management having pressured developers to work overtime is very similar to how Gendo Ikari pressured Shinji in the first episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Thus, having resurrected the iconic “Get in the F***ing Robot” meme.

“Get in the F***ing Robot” Meme

First up, it should be noted that the meme goes by many names. It’s known as “Rei will Have to do it Again”, “Pilot the Eva”, or “Get in the F***ing Robot”. They’re all a reference to the first meeting between Shinji and his father. Gendo wants him to pilot Eva 001 but Shinji refuses at first. This changes when learning that an injured Rei Ayanami will have to take his place.

It first emerged on anime message boards in 2008 before growing to become an iconic meme. The meme has inspired numerous images and videos along with the name of a popular anime themed YouTube channel. Despite it’s prominence among fans, the quote “Get in the F***ing Robot” and “Pilot the Eva, Shinji. Or Rei will have to do it again!” was never used in any version of the series.

Work the Overtime Shinji

Schreier breakdown of the crunch culture regarding the development of Cyberpunk 2077 has resurrected the iconic Evangelion meme. Those who saw the connection either responded with the misquote or an image from the moment. Here are some of the references to the meme:

“Get in the Robot Shinji, or Rei has to pilot it.”

— misleadingechoes (@misleadingecho) January 16, 2021

“Get in the robot Shinji or Rei will have to do it”

— Lewis Carrol (@LewisCarr0l) January 16, 2021

if you don’t do it we will have to make this poor crippled girl do it and possibly die from it, do you want that on your conscience pic.twitter.com/r8mW46N2NB

— Rob Young (@polyh3dron) January 16, 2021

Work the overtime Shinji, or Rei will have to do it again. pic.twitter.com/d1PjWOFuTb

— riley kq (@Synthekitofgold) January 16, 2021

Ah the Gendo method.

— Yak (@yakityyakblah) January 16, 2021

Same image pic.twitter.com/aNluQWF9vW

— KY ⒶN☭OM ❤🖤Himbo Carelord #NoJusticeNoPeace (@Ky_AnCom) January 16, 2021

A Cruel Developers Thesis

Neon Genesis Evangelion follows the story of Shinji who has to pilot an Evangelion to combat against creatures dubbed “Angels”. The series has been highly praised for deconstructing the mecha genre while also exploring complex themes of individuality and personal choice.

Cyberpunk 2077 is a video game adaptation of the hit table-top RPG series by Mike Pondsmith. Players take on the role role of V and work with Johnny Silverhand to fight the powers of Night City.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the video game community and industry of the San Francisco Bay Area.