Why is Gendo so hard on Shinji? He seems unnecessarily cruel

Because muh Yui.

He wanted a daughter. That's why he created Rei Ayanami, she was some sort of a weird daughter/wife combo.

>>161698165
so how many Rei's did he sex with?

>>161698110
He needed his kid to be emotionally compromised so as to keep him in line with his scenario, the more fucked Shinji was the better the results when he piloted. That and the fact that he feels he's undeserving of Shinji's love so he keeps pushing him away.

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715KB, 1152x699px

Because Gendo had realized that the closer he gets to someone the more he'll hurt them.

>>161698110
He's just a complete and utter cunt.

>>161698441
>he feels he's undeserving of Shinji's love
Where and why? Never got that impression in the least bit.
It's probably more realistic he hates his son because he reminds him of his dead wife. But then again by that logic he'd hate Rei.. Dunno

>>161699050
Watch EoE

>>161698110
The man has no soul, I think just about everyone can see that OP.

>>161698110
He doesn't want to get stung by his spikes.