On Sun, 11 May 2003 13:08:44 GMT, "Dean Siren" <deanas@earthlink.net>
posted the following:

>>> (Can't say I really like either image, both Rei and Asuka have weird, 
>>> half-frightened, half-sad expressions.
>>
>> Yeah, I was trying to figure out why Rei was naked in that picture--
>> she certainly wasn't looking "sexy" (and nudity != sexy, so there),
>> just inexplicably nude.
>
>Is Gainax trying to send us a message by making these characters uncomfortable
>when they're undressed?  Why does so much anime sexualize females who don't want
>to be?

This is pretty common in anime and manga.  I think the idea is that
the females are supposed to be innocent, but not too innocent.  So
they're willing to be photographed nude, but they're still a little
embarassed about it.  Another example of this is Iori from I"s, who
does a very sexual swimsuit picture spread (and apparently is willing
to do more of them later in the series), but doesn't want anyone to
know that she did it and seems a bit embarassed about having done it
in the first place.  Sexual enough to know what's going on, but still
has that level of innocence that fans like.

Now, this does not explain the pictures where the girls don't just
look slightly embarassed, but actually scared or totally unwilling.
The explanation for these pictures is probably somewhat different (a
bit darker and creepier).

-Chris