Board Thread:Off Topic/@comment-24993958-20160721222431/@comment-14138255-20160825034130

Phantomlink959 wrote: I know that wasn't your intent, it's just what it feels like to me.

Dude, joke. Chill.

@Ark: I've always been under the impression that moe meant characters which trigger instinctive attachments and shit. Sorry, it's hard to differentiate.

@Ark and Phantom: It's both. It's cuteness and cute characters, but it also involves a big brother/sister instinct from the viewer, as well as emotional investment. It's explained here. It relates to Shinji (at least I assume you meant Shinji, Yui isn't really well liked either) as he's a meek, youthful character who goes through some tough shit, eliciting an emotional empathy. Whether or not you feel that way (particularly after some... questionable actions) doesn't matter, the intent makes the character type (I personally didn't mind Shinji when watching NGE, though I can't defend his little... moment in EoE).