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This is a '''list of characters''' in the [[Japanese anime]] ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' and the movie ''[[The End of Evangelion]]''.
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{spoiler}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
== Eva Pilots ==
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In the original Japanese versions of ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', the Eva pilots have the title of "The ''n''th Children," where ''n'' relates to the order of their discovery in ascending order. Although grammatically incorrect when used in the singular, it is stated to be intentional and correct by [[Gainax]].
[[Image:Characters of Evangelion.jpg|300px|right|thumb|The cast of ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' as depicted on the Japanese "Genesis" (volume) 14 [[LaserDisc]] and [[VHS]] cover]]
 
The Japanese anime television series ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' has an extensive cast of characters that were created by [[Gainax]]. The show's [[protagonist]] is [[Shinji Ikari]], a teenage boy whose father [[Gendo Ikari|Gendo]] recruits to the shadowy organization Nerv to pilot a giant, bio-machine [[mecha]] called an [[Evangelion (mecha)|Evangelion]] and fight against beings called [[List of Angels in Neon Genesis Evangelion|Angels]].
[[ADV Films]]' dubbings of the series, [[VIZ Media]]'s translation of the manga, and [[Manga Entertainment]]'s dubbing of the movies, however, translates this as "The ''n''th Child" for linguistically aesthetic reasons. The latter of the two variants is used in this and other ''Evangelion''-related articles.
 
The character designs were drawn by the artist, [[Yoshiyuki Sadamoto]], who designed each character to be easily identifiable from their silhouette. The personalities were based on that of [[Hideaki Anno]], the show's director and main scriptwriter. Many of the heroes in the second half of the series suffer trauma or physical violence that exacerbates their anxieties and fears, and the episodes give ample space to their [[inner monologue]]s, in which they question the meaning of their actions and lives. This narrative choice culminates in the two final episodes, whose narrative pivots on Shinji's [[stream of consciousness|streams of consciousness]]; the finale, however, does not clearly conclude the plot.
=== First Child Rei Ayanami ===
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Rei.png]]
|-
| Age || 14
|-
| Sex || Female
|-
| Birthday || Unknown
|-
| Relations || Other cloned vessels of Rei - the "spare parts"<br>Guardian: [[Gendo Ikari]]<br>Brothers: Kaworu? Shinji? <br> Source of genetic material: Yui Ikari?
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Megumi Hayashibara]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Amanda Winn Lee]]
|}
{{main|Rei Ayanami}}
Rei Ayanami (綾波レイ ''Ayanami Rei'') is the First Child, and the pilot of Evangelion Unit 00. She is shown to be socially withdrawn and hardly interacts with anyone. Rei's cool, silent and emotionally-stunted personality has garnered the scorn of her schoolmates; Asuka calls her a "doll" or "puppet." Clones of her, which lack souls, are kept hidden under the NERV building to be the supposed "cores" of the Dummy Plugs. Although she once only associated with Gendo, she and Shinji break the ice after the battle against [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Ramiel|Ramiel]], and grow progressively closer for a while.
 
In Japan, the characters received favorable audience reception, becoming the subjects of merchandise and winning popularity polls. Critics had mixed feelings about their psychological exploration; some reviewers appreciated their complexity and depth and praised Anno's script, but others found the characters to be stereotypical or problematic, and disliked the insistence on their weaknesses and characterization. The show's last two episodes proved to be controversial, since the plot is eclipsed by moments of introspection. ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' characters, especially [[Rei Ayanami]], also inspired later anime series, creating or helping to spread new stereotypes in Japanese animated productions.
Physically and genetically, her appearance has some importance in the series. It is readily apparent that Rei is the diametric opposite of Asuka, not only in terms of personality, but also physically. Asuka is outspoken, extremely emotional, and violent; Rei is the opposite of Asuka on all these major accounts. Asuka has red hair and blue eyes, while Rei has red eyes and blue hair. This color switch between the characters may also relate to the difference between how they are seen by others and what their true feelings are. However, the lead character designer has said that Rei's coloration was intended to make her look "more distinct," so this color inversion may simply be a coincidence.
 
==Conception==
Rei's mysterious background has led fans to develop multiple theories of just what exactly went into creating her. Gendo Ikari first introduced her to the NERV staff as an "acquaintance's child" whom he is temporarily taking care of. The [[Red Cross Book]] states that Rei was created from the "salvaged remains" of Yui after her death in 2004, in spite of the popularized 2001 birthdate (derived from the character's [[seiyu|seiyū]]). There is evidence shown to support the Red Cross Book: Shinji Ikari tells her that he thinks she'd "make a good mother," and later compares Gendo's manipulation of her to his manipulation of Yui; they are also shown to have a physical resemblance. In episode 24, Kaworu mentions that he and Rei are "the same." This statement was expanded in the "director's cut" of the episode, in which Kaworu goes on to say that he and Rei are human vessels for the souls of Adam and Lillith, respectively; however, since at least part of the information SEELE gave him is known to have been inaccurate (the ___location of Adam's body, for instance), there's no way to know how much credence to give to this statement. There's certainly some connection between them: both have red eyes, pale skin, and light hair, and while the NERV Dummy Plugs contain Rei clones, SEELE's Evas use Kaworu-powered Dummy Plugs. Kaworu is the seventeenth Angel, and Rei demonstrates Angelic powers later in the series.
The studio [[Gainax]] studio chose interpersonal communication as the main theme of ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'', insisting on portraying inter-generational relationships, such as those between parents and children.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=1|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=34}}</ref> The studio wanted to create a series that reflects on the lack of communication in contemporaneous Japanese society, which was considered to be in ruins.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=24|pages=25–26 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> The director of the series, [[Hideaki Anno]], an [[otaku]] since his youth, experienced [[depression (mood)|depression]] after the conclusion of his previous anime series, ''[[Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water]]'',{{sfn|Lamarre|2009|p=180}} and poured his emotions into ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', making it a reflection of his feelings:{{sfn|Takeda|2002|p=164}}
 
{{blockquote|I tried to include everything of myself in ''Neon Genesis Evangelion''&nbsp;– myself, a broken man who could do nothing for four years. A man who ran away for four years, one who was simply not dead. Then one thought. "You can't run away," came to me, and I restarted this production. It is a production where my only thought was to burn my feelings into film. I know my behavior was thoughtless, troublesome, and arrogant. But I tried. I don't know what the result will be. That is because within me, the story is not yet finished. I don't know what will happen to Shinji, Misato or Rei. I don't know where life will take them. Because I don't know where life is taking the staff of the production.|Hideaki Anno<ref name="Annomanga1">{{Cite book|last=Sadamoto|first=Yoshiyuki|author-link=Yoshiyuki Sadamoto|others=Essay by Hideaki Anno; translated by Mari Morimoto, English adaptation by Fred Burke|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion, Vol. 1|date=December 1998|orig-date=1995|publisher=VIZ Media LLC|___location=San Francisco|isbn=1-56931-294-X|pages=170–171|chapter=What were we trying to make here?}}</ref>}}
It is generally believed that Rei died twice; in the series, this stems from the fact that Rei herself says "I think I'm the third one," shortly after her suspected death when Unit 00 self-destructed, an event that she could not remember. The first Rei is thought to have died as a small girl at the hands of Dr. Naoko Akagi for revealing carelessly (or perhaps in an intentional set-up by [[Gendo Ikari]]) to Naoko that Gendo called her a "useless old hag." Naoko's tone of voice after supposedly killing her would seem to confirm this. The theory is that her soul and most of her memories are transferred to one of the clones every time she dies, which then takes the preceding Rei's place as if she had not died at all.
{{-}}
 
For each character, Anno took cues from a part of his personality,<ref name=JEN>{{cite news|last=Kosukegawa|first=Yoichi|title=Cartoon 'Eva' captures sense of void among Japanese youth|newspaper=Japan Economic Newswire|date=May 8, 1997|quote=In the September 1996 issue of the Quick Japan information magazine, Hideaki Anno, the director of Evangelion, described Eva as a 'personal film,' each character reflecting part of his own personality.}}</ref> stating that: "All the characters of ''Evangelion'' are me".{{sfn|Sanenari|1997|pp=23-24}} Shinji, for example, was conceived as a mirror of his self: "both the conscious and unconscious part".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Virtual Panel! Meet Hideaki Anno |magazine=Animerica |volume=4 |issue=9 |publisher=Viz Media |year=1996 |page=27}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|editor=Gainax|title=Kazuya Tsurumaki Interview|journal=The End of Evangelion Program Book|year=1997|language=ja}}</ref> According to him, moreover, [[Kaworu Nagisa]] and [[Gendo Ikari]] represent his [[shadow (psychology)|shadow]], the dark, unconscious side of an individual's psyche.{{sfn|Sanenari|1997|pp=79-80}}<ref>{{cite magazine|script-title=ja:EVA SPECIAL TALK with 庵野秀明＋上野俊哉|magazine=Newtype|date=November 1996|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten}}</ref> [[Kazuya Tsurumaki]], assistant director of the series, stated that the autobiographical intent can also be detected in the female protagonists and secondary characters, such as [[Misato Katsuragi]], [[Rei Ayanami]], and Ryoji Kaji, saying, "Every character is ultimately the same. On the surface, different 'seasonings' have been used, but inside [the characters] are very similar".<ref>{{cite book|date=2010|title=ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：破 全記録全集|publisher=Ground Works|isbn=978-4-905033-00-4|language=ja|chapter=鶴巻 和哉|pages=323–351}}</ref> Anno also said Shinji and the other main characters are not to be considered only a mirror of his personal experience but a reflection of the other members of the series' creative staff as well.<ref>{{cite web|author=Charles Solomon|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/06/movies/evangelion-hideaki-anno.html|title='Evangelion' Director Explains How He Finally Found His Ending|work=The New York Times|date=August 11, 2021|access-date=November 2, 2021|archive-date=August 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807015654/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/06/movies/evangelion-hideaki-anno.html|url-status=live}}</ref> According to him, "It's strange that ''Evangelion'' has become such a hit&nbsp;– all the characters are so sick!"<ref name="Wong">{{Cite magazine|last=Wong|first=Amos|date=January 1996|title=Interview with Hideaki Anno, director of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'|magazine=Aerial Magazine|url=https://www.aoianime.hu/evangelion/index.php?page=interanno|access-date=May 4, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613125248/http://www.aoianime.hu/evangelion/index.php?page=interanno|archive-date=June 13, 2007}}</ref>
=== Second Child Asuka Langley Soryu ===
[[File:Evangelion Proposal cast.png|thumb|left|upright=1.1|[[Yoshiyuki Sadamoto]]'s early draft for the character designs of the main characters]]
{| class="infobox"
In 1993, about two years before the series aired, the production studio established a temporary lead on the creation of the characters in a presentation document titled {{nihongo|''New Century Evangelion (tentative name) Proposal''|新世紀エヴァンゲリオン (仮) 企画書|Shinseiki Evangelion (kari) kikakusho|''Proposal''}}.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatralical VHS Box Booklet|language=ja|publisher=King Amusement Creative|date=1997}}</ref> Much of them were already outlined, despite differences in script.<ref name="SMag">{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=1|page=26 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Anno did not follow a well-defined plan for the development of the protagonists; he improvised as the episodes passed and following his instincts, as in a "live performance".<ref name="NewtypeAnno">{{cite magazine|title=EVA, 再擧 庵野秀明 スペシャルインタビュー ニュータイプ|magazine=Newtype|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|date=June 1996|language=ja|pages=10–15}}</ref> The original project also included a girl character named Yui Ichijō who was similar in appearance to Rei but had dark hair; this character never appeared in the final version of the show.<ref>{{cite book|title=Der Mond|publisher=Viz Media|year=2001|page=116|isbn=1-56931-546-9}}</ref>
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Asuka.png]]
|-
| Age || 14
|-
| Sex || Female
|-
| Birthday || [[December 4]], [[2000]]
|-
| Relations || Mother: Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu<br>Father: "Papa"<br>Step-mother: "Mama"<br>Guardian: Misato Katsuragi<br>Former Guardian: Ryoji Kaji
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Yuko Miyamura]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Tiffany Grant]]
|}
{{main|Asuka Langley Soryu}}
Asuka Langley Soryu (惣流・アスカ・ラングレー ''Sōryū Asuka Rangurē'') is the beautiful Second Child, who pilots Evangelion Unit 02. She is from Germany, but with an American father and a half-German, half-Japanese mother. Her mother, Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu, went insane after an Eva-related experiment and began to believe that a doll that resembled Asuka was, in fact, her daughter, to the point that she refused to even acknowledge the real Asuka. Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu committed suicide on the very day that Asuka was chosen to become an Eva pilot. On that day, Asuka promised herself that she would never cry again. This event gives her an innate hatred of dolls and all things that she perceives to be doll-like, especially Rei. Asuka's father later remarried a woman for whom Asuka feels no affection. Asuka feels the need to verbally and sometimes physically lash out at everyone around her, except to her sole friend, Hikari, and her unrequited crush, Kaji, who is Misato's ex-boyfriend and more than twice Asuka's age. On her better days, however, she can be quite cheerful and friendly.
 
The blood type and date of birth of each character were almost always identical to those of the character's voice actor, the exceptions being Toji, Kensuke, Kaworu, and Rei, whose date is never explicitly revealed in the series.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Eva Tomo no Kai |volume=8 |language=ja}}</ref> Anno named most of the characters after ships of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] in [[World War II]], while others were taken from comic-book characters and the novel {{nihongo|''Ai to gensō no fascism''|愛と幻想のファシズム||"The Fascism of Love and Fantasy"}} by Japanese writer [[Ryu Murakami]], from which the names Toji Suzuhara and Kensuke Aida come.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=4|language=ja|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|pages=8–9}}</ref><ref name=Essay>{{cite web|author=Hideaki Anno| url = http://www.gainax.co.jp/hills/anno/essay1.html| title =Essay|date=November 2, 2000| website =Gainax.co.jp| publisher =[[Gainax]]| access-date =July 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220135947/http://www.gainax.co.jp/hills/anno/essay1.html|archive-date=February 20, 2007|language=ja}}</ref> The show's character designer was [[Yoshiyuki Sadamoto]], who had worked with Anno on ''Nadia''; Sadamoto was asked to develop a design with a "relatively subdued appearance".<ref>{{Cite book|author=[[Yoshiyuki Sadamoto]] |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion 3-in-1 Edition |date=2012 |publisher=Viz Media |volume=1 |page=341 |isbn=978-1-4215-5079-4}}</ref> Sadamoto gave the characters immediately distinguishable features and silhouettes, trying to reflect as much as possible the interior of each of them.{{sfn|Lamarre|2009|p=204}} Initially, Anno proposed using a female protagonist, following Gainax' earlier projects ''[[GunBuster]]'' and ''Nadia'', but Sadamoto was hesitant about the idea, not understanding "why a girl would want to pilot a robot". Sadamoto suggested having a male protagonist, Shinji, and Asuka became the show's co-protagonist.<ref name="DerMond">Interview with Sadamoto in {{cite book|title=Der Mond: The Art of Yoshiyuki Sadamoto – Deluxe Edition |publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]] |year=1999 |isbn=4-04-853031-3}}</ref>
As a pilot, Asuka greatly fears being inadequate, often venting by lashing out at Shinji and Rei. Asuka says that she would rather die than be saved by the skill of another pilot. Her pride and recklessness affects her performance: she grows jealous of NERV's special treatment of its best Eva pilot, causing a massive drop in synchronization rate. Eventually, Asuka loses all functional synchronization with Unit 02. In her third-to-last battle in the series, she suffers massive emotional damage as her Eva loses both arms and its head to the fourteenth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Zeruel|Zeruel]]. She is only saved from death by Central Dogma's split-second decision to undo her remaining neural connections with the Eva. Her synchonization rate drops below viable levels after she is attacked by the fifteenth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Arael|Arael]]. Due to her inability to pilot the Unit 02 again, she finds herself useless and enters a cycle of deep depression ultimately leading to her becoming comatose, and is tended in the NERV's infirmary until ''The End of Evangelion''.
 
===Development===
In ''The End of Evangelion'', Asuka is saved from being assassinated. NERV personnel place her inside her Eva and dropped seventy meters below the surface of the lake in the underground crater. She awakens to the sound of battle and, after finally making contact with her mother's soul in the Eva, she realizes that she was never truly alone. Revived, she combats and takes out the nine SEELE Eva in less than three minutes.
[[File:Godzilla Resurgence World Premiere Red Carpet- Anno Hideaki (28526529431).jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' director Hideaki Anno]]
{{-}}
Anno began working on ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' with the idea the setting and characters would evolve as the story progressed.<ref name=Annomanga1/> He continued to rely on his personal experience and avoided depicting "human dramas", perceiving the task as difficult; he thus preferred to represent ''Evangelion'' as a "documentary" rather than a drama.{{sfn|Takekuma|1997|pp=103-109}} While working on [[A Transfer|the third]] and [[Hedgehog's Dilemma (Neon Genesis Evangelion)|fourth episode]]s, he set the goal of surpassing other television series in development and psychological depth. The first episodes focus on Shinji's relationship problems and his constant attempts to approach Rei in "[[Rei I]]" and "[[Rei II]]".<ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=3|pages=35–36 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref> The creative staff felt dissatisfied with the result, considering it too heavy.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=庵野 秀明 - Part I|title=Zankoku na tenshi no you ni |publisher=Magazine Magazine |year=1997 |isbn=4-906011-25-X|language=ja}}</ref> To give a different impulse to the second part of the series the irreverent, exuberant character Asuka was inserted in the eighth episode, "[[Asuka Strikes!]]", which is the center of many comic and typically adolescent situations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama41.shtml|script-title=ja:第41回 エヴァ雑記「第八話 アスカ、来日」|language=ja|access-date=April 28, 2020|archive-date=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010182026/http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama41.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> In the following episodes, despite their communication difficulties, the show's protagonists are portrayed with the lightness typical of comedy following a conventional, science-fiction anime scheme. The episode's scriptwriter [[Shinji Higuchi]], who is known for the humorous and lighthearted character of his works,<ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=4|page=27 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref>{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=23}} intervened and the characters' development became more positive.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama44.shtml |title=第44回 エヴァ雑記「第拾壱話 静止した闇の中で」 |language=ja |access-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128130109/http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama44.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> In the following episodes, Misato opens up to Shinji and talk to him about her painful past;<ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=6|page=32 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref> Asuka shows a sweeter and more-caring character, the cold commander Ikari helps his subordinates and praises his son.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama45.shtml |title=第45回 エヴァ雑記「第拾弐話 奇跡の価値は」 |language=ja |access-date=July 23, 2020 |first=Yūichirō |last=Oguro |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301180911/http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama45.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=34}}
 
The last episodes would have closed the story and the protagonists' journey; for the ending the writers originally planned a scene in which Gendo would have said {{nihongo|"Live!"|生きろ|Ikiro}} to his son Shinji, similar to the ending of Gainax's earlier show ''The Secret of Blue Water'', in which Captain Nemo utters the same phrase before sacrificing himself.{{sfn|Takekuma|1997|p=140}} During the first broadcast of the series, Anno responded to animation fans with anger, accusing them of being excessively closed and introverted; for this reason, he changed the atmosphere of the show's second half, making the narrative even darker and more introspective. This change of direction is reflected in the protagonists' development. While being criticized, Anno decided to make the characters Asuka and Toji undergo physical and psychological violence, which was considered unsuitable for a television show in a protected transmission time.<ref name="Azuma">{{cite web|last=Azuma|first=Hiroki|title=Animé or Something Like it: Neon Genesis Evangelion|url=https://www.ntticc.or.jp/pub/ic_mag/ic018/intercity/higashi_E.html|publisher=NTT InterCommunication Center|access-date=August 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808182031/http://www.ntticc.or.jp/pub/ic_mag/ic018/intercity/higashi_E.html|archive-date=August 8, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hiroki">{{cite magazine|author=Krystian Woznicki|title=Towards a cartography of Japanese anime – Anno Hideaki's Evangelion Interview with Azuma Hiroki|magazine=Blimp Filmmagazine|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|date=September 1991}}</ref>
=== Third Child Shinji Ikari ===
 
{| class="infobox"
According to Michael House, native English translator for Gainax, at the beginning Anno had the idea of ending the anime with a scene of Shinji smiling and with the full maturation of the characters, who would be able to establish healthier relationships, but towards the middle of the show, he realized this could not be done in a credible way. Anno would have failed in his intent, creating characters who were too closed and problematic.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 28, 2011|url=https://www.gwern.net/docs/eva/2011-house#|title=Interviewing translator Michael House|access-date=July 23, 2020|archive-date=August 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824175245/https://www.gwern.net/docs/eva/2011-house|url-status=live|last1=House|first1=Michael}}</ref> Asuka, for example, was initially inserted to lighten the tone of the series, and only as the show progressed it was decided to pay attention to her inner fragility.<ref>{{cite journal|script-title=ja:あんた、バカぁと、言われてみたい。（庵野秀明、宮村優子）|language=ja|date=July 1996|journal=Animage|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]}}</ref> At the same time, breaking a taboo of Japanese television, Anno focused on the sexuality of the protagonists, inserting in the twentieth episode a sequence of implicit sex that includes a long, off-screen shot of Misato making sounds of pleasure in bed with her lover Kaji.<ref>{{cite journal|script-title=ja:新世紀エヴァンゲリオン』をめぐって（庵野秀明×東浩紀）|journal=Studio Voice|publisher=INFAS|language=ja|date=October 1996}}</ref> The director said he wanted to show the audience, and especially children, how sex and violence are an integral part of human life.<ref>{{Cite book |date=July 14, 2012 |title=Front Runner |language=ja |page=b3}}</ref>
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Shinji.png]]
 
|-
In the show's fourteenth episode, Anno wanted to investigate Rei Ayanami, whom he felt he had not adequately explored and with whom he felt less affinity than the other characters. Running out of ideas, an acquaintance of Anno lent him a book on mental illness.<ref>{{cite book |title=Zankoku na tenshi no you ni |publisher=Magazine Magazine |year=1997 |isbn=4-906011-25-X|language=ja|pages=32–33}}</ref> Since then, Anno tried to include more concepts from psychology and psychoanalysis into the show.<ref>{{cite magazine|editor=Miyako Graham|title=Anecdotes from Mr. Hideaki Anno|pages=40–41|magazine=Protoculture Addicts|issue=43|year=1996}}</ref> The show's main theme thus became the deepening of the human inner lives<ref name="DR2">{{Cite book |date=1997 |title=Death & Rebirth Program Book |publisher=Gainax |language=ja |chapter=説明|edition=Special }}</ref> and reflections on interpersonal communication are depicted through [[stream of consciousness|streams of consciousness]] of the protagonists.<ref name=PB3>{{cite book |chapter=Episode Commentaries|title=Platinum Booklet |volume=3 |publisher=ADV }}</ref>{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=49}} Shinji's character was deepened through [[internal monologue]]s, as in the sixteenth{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=51}}<ref name=PB4>{{cite book |chapter=Episode Commentaries|title=Platinum Booklet |volume=4 |publisher=ADV }}</ref> and twentieth episodes.<ref name=PB5>{{cite book |chapter=Episode Commentaries|title=Platinum Booklet |volume=5 |publisher=ADV }}</ref>{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=75}} The last episodes also suffered from the tight production schedule; they were made in a short time to meet the deadlines. In the twenty-fifth episode, the protagonists undergo a psychoanalysis session in a dark theater, retracing their childhoods through flashbacks.<ref name=PB7>{{cite book |chapter=Episode Commentaries|title=Platinum Booklet |volume=7 |publisher=ADV }}</ref> By rewriting the script, Anno focused only on the psychology of the main characters{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=92}} with a special focus on Shinji,{{sfn|Porori|2010|pp=82-85}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=9|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=95}}</ref> completely abandoning the main plot and not offering a clear conclusion to the anime's narrative.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2002-06-11|title=Understanding Evangelion|author=Mike Crandol|date=June 11, 2002|work=Anime News Network|access-date=September 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213005148/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2002-06-11|archive-date=December 13, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Lawrence">{{cite web|author=Lawrence Eng|url=http://www.cjas.org/~leng/revolution.htm|title=A look at "The Four Revolutions of Anime"|publisher=CJas.org|access-date=September 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231214/http://www.cjas.org/~leng/revolution.htm|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> He tried to deliver a message to and criticism of the [[otaku]] world and himself, as a long-time otaku.{{sfn|Takekuma|1997|pp=120-121}}
| Age || 14
 
|-
==Pilots==
| Sex || Male
In the Japanese dialogue for the original anime, the Eva pilots are referred to as "children", even when referring to an individual pilot. The English translation refers to the individual pilots as First Child, etc. In ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion]]'', the expression "(n)th Children" is not used; instead, the pilots are referred to as {{nihongo3|"The First Qualified Person/Candidate"|一番目の適格者|Ichibanme no tekikakusha}}, {{nihongo3|"First Girl"|第一の少女|Dai Ichi no Shōjo}}, {{nihongo3|"Third Child"|三人目の子供|Sanninme no kodomo}}, or {{nihongo3|"Third Boy"|第三の少年|Dai San no Shōnen}}.
|-
 
| Birthday || [[June 6]], [[2001]]
===Shinji Ikari===
|-
| Relations || Father: [[Gendo Ikari]]<br>Mother: [[Yui Ikari]]<br>Guardian: [[Misato Katsuragi]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Megumi Ogata]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Spike Spencer]]
|}
{{main|Shinji Ikari}}
{{anime voices|[[Megumi Ogata]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.akadot.com/story.php?id=31|title=Rocking the Boat|date=April 27, 2001|access-date=April 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623173408/http://www.akadot.com/story.php?id=31|archive-date=June 23, 2008|website=Akadot.com}}</ref> [[Ryūnosuke Kamiki]] (adult)|[[Spike Spencer]] (ADV, Movies and ''Rebuild''),<ref>{{cite web|author=Shasta Calvo|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2009/supanova-perth/five-minutes-with-spike-spencer|title=Five minutes with Spike Spencer|date=July 20, 2009|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 12, 2017|archive-date=May 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507160036/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2009/supanova-perth/five-minutes-with-spike-spencer|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Casey Mongillo]] (Netflix)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Evangelion/Shinji-Ikari/|title=Shinji Ikari|publisher=Behind The Voice Actors|website=Behindthevoiceactors.com|access-date=April 18, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803234329/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Evangelion/Shinji-Ikari/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
Shinji Ikari (碇シンジ ''Ikari Shinji'') is the Third Child, who pilots Unit 01. He is the son of Gendo and the late Yui Ikari. Abandoned by his father, Gendo, when he was a toddler, Shinji often ran away from difficult situations. As a pilot, he panics easily and reacts very poorly to unexpected events. Over time and with encouragement from Misato, he learns to be less cowardly, more outspoken, and more confident, but his progress is all undone when he is forced to kill the only person who ever openly expressed love toward him. His only friends are Toji and Kensuke, but he apparently cares about Rei more than even he realizes, although everyone around him seems to think that his feelings are obvious. Despite his rapport with Rei, Asuka is a sexual presence in his life. Asuka gives him his first kiss (out of boredom, though the Director's Cut makes clear that the kiss meant a lot more to her than she lets on), and in the beginning of '' The End of Evangelion '', it is Asuka's comatose body that Shinji masturbates over. Also, it is Asuka who is on the beach with him at the end in a possible allusion to the Biblical story of Adam and Eve.
 
{{-}}
{{nihongo|Shinji Ikari|碇 シンジ|Ikari Shinji}} is the only son of Gendo Rokubungi and Yui Ikari.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=1|page=6 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Following the early death of his mother, who disappeared in a mysterious accident, his father entrusted Shinji to a guardian. Once Shinji turns fourteen, Gendo calls him back to the city of Tokyo-3 to assume the role of Third Child, a pilot assigned to command Eva-01. Because of his abandonment, Shinji feels unwanted{{sfn|Ishikawa|2007|pp=73-74}} and, according to Hideaki Anno, "abandoned the attempt to understand himself", convincing himself he is useless. Anno also described him as shy of human contact and unable to commit suicide.<ref name=Annomanga1/> Compared to the stereotypical heroes of traditional mecha anime, he is devoid of energy, withdrawn, and pessimistic.<ref name="Napier">{{Cite journal |last=Napier |first=Susan J. |author-link=Susan J. Napier |date=November 2002 |title=When the Machines Stop: Fantasy, Reality, and Terminal Identity in ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' and ''Serial Experiments Lain'' |journal=Science Fiction Studies |volume=29 |issue=88 |url=http://www.depauw.edu/sfs/abstracts/a88.htm#Napier |access-date=May 4, 2007 |issn=0091-7729 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626203404/https://www.depauw.edu/sfs/abstracts/a88.htm#Napier |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/tsuribe/anime/critique/evae.html|title=Prison of Self-consciousness: an Essay on Evangelion|last=Tsuribe|first=Manabu|website=www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp|access-date=March 29, 2019|archive-date=July 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721105429/http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/tsuribe/anime/critique/evae.html}}</ref> After moving to Tokyo-3, Shinji begins to form relationships that influence him positively, especially with other pilots, his classmates,{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=7}} and members of Nerv, such as [[Misato Katsuragi]], his superior and legal guardian, and [[Ryoji Kaji]].{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=7}}
 
While writing Shinji, the show's writers used psychological concepts such as [[Freud]]ian theories of the [[oral stage]],{{sfn|Sanenari|1997|p=44}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=8 |page=25 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> the [[porcupine's dilemma]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=April 8, 2021|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/science-and-philosophy/202003/neon-genesis-evangelion-and-the-hedgehogs-dilemma|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion and the Hedgehog's Dilemma|publisher=Psychology Today|date=March 29, 2020|first=Walter|last=Veit|archive-date=March 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326000555/https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/science-and-philosophy/202003/neon-genesis-evangelion-and-the-hedgehogs-dilemma|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=2 |page=30 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref> and the [[Splitting (psychology)#Melanie Klein|splitting of the breast]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=10 |page=21 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref><ref name=Oguro49>{{cite web|url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama49.shtml|title=第49回 エヴァ雑記「第拾六話 死に至る病、そして」|date=June 8, 2006|language=ja|access-date=April 17, 2020|first=Yūichirō|last=Oguro|website=Style.fm|archive-date=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010182100/http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama49.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> His characterization has been compared to that of [[Amuro Ray]], the protagonist of ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'',<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fontana |first1=Andrea |last2=Tarò |first2=Davide |title=Anime. Storia dell'animazione giapponese 1984–2007 |publisher=Il Foglio Letterario |language=it |year=2007 |isbn=978-88-7606-160-8 |page=101}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2019/06/25/evangelion-is-a-great-anime-but-not-without-its-influences-and-hardly-the-first-of-its-kind/#79852f16a54f|title='Evangelion' Is A Great Anime But Not Without Its Influences And Hardly The First Of Its Kind|date=June 25, 2019|access-date=April 27, 2020|first=Ollie|last=Barder|work=[[Forbes]]|archive-date=July 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723092607/https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2019/06/25/evangelion-is-a-great-anime-but-not-without-its-influences-and-hardly-the-first-of-its-kind/#79852f16a54f|url-status=live}}</ref> and Japanese otaku.{{sfn|Lamarre|2009|p=180}}<ref name=Oguro49/> Anime critics associated the character with the youth and climate of 1990s Japan, which was impacted by the [[Tokyo subway sarin attack]], the [[Great Hanshin earthquake]], and the bursting of the [[Japanese asset price bubble]],<ref>{{cite web|language=zh|access-date=April 10, 2021|url=https://m.xinminweekly.com.cn/content/12680.html|title=一场大火， 烧出的不仅是动漫之殇|date=July 24, 2019|publisher=Xinmin Weekly|archive-date=October 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008224453/https://m.xinminweekly.com.cn/content/12680.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|language=zh|access-date=April 10, 2021|url=https://www.jiemian.com/article/3003332.html|title=是时候说说平成废柴了|date=April 2, 2019|publisher=Jiemian|archive-date=October 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008224448/https://www.jiemian.com/article/3003332.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and interpreted him as a [[Messiah|messianic]] figure.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Broderick|first=Mick|year=2002|title=Anime's Apocalypse: Neon Genesis Evangelion as Millennarian Mecha|journal=Gender, History, and Culture in the Asian Context|volume=7}}</ref><ref name="Thouny">{{Cite journal |last=Thouny |first=Christophe |title=Waiting for the Messiah: The Becoming-Myth of "Evangelion" and "Densha otoko" |year=2009 |journal=Mechademia |volume=4 |pages=111–129 |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/368621|access-date=September 10, 2013 |doi=10.1353/mec.0.0066|s2cid=52219780 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326003708/https://muse.jhu.edu/article/368621|archive-date=March 26, 2017|url-status=live|doi-access=free}}</ref>
 
''Unreality Magazine''{{'s}} Nick Verboon described Shinji as "one of the most nuanced, popular, and relatable characters in anime history".<ref>{{cite web | last= Verboon | first= Nick | date= June 13, 2013 | title= 90's Flashback: Neon Genesis Evangelion | url= https://unrealitymag.com/90s-flashback-neon-genesis-evangelion/ | publisher= Unreality Mag | access-date= November 17, 2013 | archive-date= July 24, 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200724095440/https://unrealitymag.com/90s-flashback-neon-genesis-evangelion/ | url-status= live }}</ref> Anime and manga publications gave Shinji a mixed reception. Comic Book Resources' Angelo Delos Trinos wrote, "No anime character inspires as many polarized takes as Shinji".<ref>{{cite web|author=Angelo Delos Trinos|date=July 6, 2021|publisher=Comic Book Resources|url=https://www.cbr.com/anime-popular-characters-secondhand-embarrassment-cringe/|title=10 Popular Anime Characters Who Made Us Feel Secondhand Embarrassment|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219164150/https://www.cbr.com/anime-popular-characters-secondhand-embarrassment-cringe/|url-status=live}}</ref> Although his complexity was praised<ref>{{cite book |last=Napier |first=Susan J. |title=Anime – From Akira to Howl's Moving Castle |year=2005 |page=xv |isbn=1-4039-7052-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-shinji-underrated-or-annoying/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: 5 Reasons Why Shinji Is Actually An Underrated Hero (& 5 Why He Really Is Annoying)|date=April 25, 2020|access-date=July 23, 2020|first=Sean|last=Cubillas|publisher=CBR|website=Cbr.com|archive-date=July 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723134854/https://www.cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-shinji-underrated-or-annoying/|url-status=live}}</ref> and generally considered realistic,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://manga.tokyo/otaku-articles/why-shinji-cant-just-get-in-the-robot-depression-in-neon-genesis-evangelion/|title=Why Shinji Can't Just 'Get in the Robot': Depression in Neon Genesis Evangelion|access-date=July 23, 2020|author=Mary Lee Sauder|publisher=Manga Tokyo|website=Manga.tokyo|date=November 5, 2017|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021073632/https://manga.tokyo/otaku-articles/why-shinji-cant-just-get-in-the-robot-depression-in-neon-genesis-evangelion/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://the-artifice.com/the-endings-of-evagelion-exploring-shinji-ikari/|title=The Endings of Evangelion: Exploring Shinji Ikari|date=February 26, 2016|access-date=July 23, 2020|first=Joe|last=Manduke|publisher=The Artifice|website=The-artifice.com|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102233818/https://the-artifice.com/the-endings-of-evagelion-exploring-shinji-ikari/|url-status=live}}</ref> his insecurity and weakness were criticized.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-timeless-overrated-comparison-anime/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: 5 Ways It's A Timeless Anime (& 5 Ways It's Overrated)|date=June 28, 2020|access-date=July 23, 2020|first=Daniel|last=Kurland|publisher=CBR|website=Cbr.com|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630032349/https://www.cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-timeless-overrated-comparison-anime/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shinji's characterization in the spin-offs and the ''Rebuild of Evangelion'' films, however, was positively received because of his more self-confident personality and the optimistic tone of his development.<ref name=CBRFinal>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2021|publisher=Comic Book Resources|url=https://www.cbr.com/nge-end-of-evangelion-thrice-upon-a-time-comparison/|title=NGE: 5 Ways End Of Evangelion Was A Perfect Finale (& Why Thrice Upon A Time Is Better)|date=August 24, 2021|first=Daniel|last= Kurland|archive-date=September 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902223557/https://www.cbr.com/nge-end-of-evangelion-thrice-upon-a-time-comparison/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/08/evangelion-thrice-upon-a-time-review-1234658228/ |title='Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time' Review: Hideaki Anno's Iconic Anime Finally Gets a Proper Ending |last=Motamayor |first=Rafael |date=August 16, 2021 |website=Indiewire.com |publisher=Indie Wire |access-date=November 27, 2021 |quote= |archive-date=November 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121082216/https://www.indiewire.com/2021/08/evangelion-thrice-upon-a-time-review-1234658228/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/evangelion-3010-thrice-upon-a-time-review |title=Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Review |last=McLain |first=Kyle |date=August 14, 2021 |website=Ign.com |publisher=IGN |access-date=November 27, 2021 |quote= |archive-date=March 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329000131/https://www.ign.com/articles/evangelion-3010-thrice-upon-a-time-review |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
===Asuka Langley Soryu===
{{Main|Asuka Langley Soryu}}
{{anime voices|[[Yūko Miyamura]]<ref>{{cite book|first=Carl Gustav|last=Horn|publisher=Viz Media|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion|volume=12|isbn=978-9-8127-6814-8|chapter=Voice Actors Tiffany Grant and Yuko Miyamura Reflect on Their Most Famous Roles|url=https://www.evamonkey.com/writings/horn-carl-voice-actors-tiffany-grant-and-yuko-miyamura.php|date=2011|access-date=May 26, 2021|archive-date=February 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207065446/http://www.evamonkey.com/writings/horn-carl-voice-actors-tiffany-grant-and-yuko-miyamura.php|url-status=live}}</ref>|[[Tiffany Grant]] (ADV, Movies and ''Rebuild''), Stephanie McKeon (Netflix)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/21/18693526/neon-genesis-evangelion-netflix-redub-cast|title=Netflix's Neon Genesis Evangelion debuts English re-dub|last=Patches|first=Matt|work=Polygon|date=June 21, 2019|access-date=January 23, 2021|archive-date=July 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720085144/https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/21/18693526/neon-genesis-evangelion-netflix-redub-cast|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
 
{{nihongo|Asuka Langley Soryu|惣流・アスカ・ラングレー|Sōryū Asuka Rangurē|{{IPA|ja|soːɾʲɯː asɯ̥ka ɾaŋɡɯɾeː|IPA}}}} is a fiery pilot who is assigned to command [[Evangelion (mecha)#Evangelion Unit-02|Evangelion Unit 02]] as the Second Child.{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=83}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=3|page=6|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref> She is a red-haired, blue-eyed, German-Japanese-American girl who was raised and educated in Germany.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=70}}</ref> Asuka is a [[child prodigy]] who graduated from college at a young age; she is brave, positive,<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=43 |page=24 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> and enthusiastic about her role as a pilot, but has a pronounced [[inferiority complex]] towards males.<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|last=Cannarsi|first=Gualtiero|volume=6|page=44|publisher=Dynamic Italia|language=it}}</ref> Asuka appears to be authoritarian towards recent acquaintances.{{sfn|Porori|2009|pp=16-17}} Although she has a natural spontaneity, she suffers from mental problems, which alongside her excessive self-love, causes her to be unable to pilot her Evangelion in the series' second half. Asuka is attracted to her colleague Shinji Ikari, but over time she starts to develop ambivalent feelings towards him.{{sfn|Porori|2010|pp=14-15}} In the anime's final episodes, Asuka develops a deep self-loathing and begins to feel anxiety at the idea of being alone,{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=86}} in a framework similar to [[separation anxiety disorder]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=25|page=25|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref> In the ''Rebuild of Evangelion'' tetralogy, Asuka is renamed to Asuka Langley Shikinami and given the rank of Captain in the European Air Force.
 
Critics and official publications about the series have linked Asuka to psychological disorders and defense mechanisms such as masculine protest, [[reaction formation]], [[repression (psychology)|repression]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=29|page=29|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref> and [[narcissistic personality disorder]].<ref>{{cite journal|language=ja|first=Koji|last=Mizobe|title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオンにみる思春期課題と精神障害|url=https://www.otemon.ac.jp/var/rev0/0000/5482/center08_mizobe.pdf|date=2011|issue=8|journal=地域支援心理研究センター紀要|publisher=追手門学院大学|access-date=February 24, 2021|archive-date=August 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817124825/http://www.otemon.ac.jp/var/rev0/0000/5482/center08_mizobe.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> She maintained a high ranking in every popularity poll of the series<ref>{{cite web|publisher=SoraNews24|access-date=February 4, 2021|first=Shannon|last=McNaught|url=https://soranews24.com/2019/02/13/evangelion-store-popularity-contest-reveals-surprising-results/|title=Evangelion Store popularity contest reveals surprising results for a former fan favorite|date=February 13, 2019|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224144236/https://soranews24.com/2019/02/13/evangelion-store-popularity-contest-reveals-surprising-results/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=July 24, 2019|language=ja|access-date=September 30, 2019|url=https://news.merumo.ne.jp/article/genre/8853263|title=女子が好きな『新世紀エヴァンゲリオン』キャラクターTOP3/ 1位はなんとあの脇役！|archive-date=September 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930154146/https://news.merumo.ne.jp/article/genre/8853263|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|language=ja|access-date=September 13, 2020|url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/anime/eva-all/ranking/|title=Ranking|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804001612/https://www.nhk.or.jp/anime/eva-all/ranking/|url-status=live}}</ref> and has appeared in surveys of the most-popular anime characters in Japan.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Akemashite best 100!|script-title=ja:あけましてベスト100!|magazine=Animage|date=February 1999|language=ja|publisher=Tokuma Shoten}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=July 2021|title=Ranking|magazine=Newtype|language=ja|page=114|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten}}</ref> Despite this, Asuka received mixed reception. Some critics took issue with her [[hubris]] and her personality, judging these as tiresome and arrogant; others appreciated her realism and complex psychological introspection.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=April 27, 2020|url=https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-asuka-fascinating-character-anime/|title=Evangelion's Asuka Is One of the Most Fascinating Characters in Anime|date=June 29, 2019|archive-date=July 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718191724/https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-asuka-fascinating-character-anime/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ogawa">{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/it/anime-feature/2019/12/04/why-asuka-is-one-of-the-best-anime-characters-of-all-time|title=Why Asuka is One of the Best Anime Characters of All Time|date=December 4, 2019|publisher=Crunchyroll|first=Noelle|last=Ogawa|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-date=June 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602185620/https://www.crunchyroll.com/it/anime-feature/2019/12/04/why-asuka-is-one-of-the-best-anime-characters-of-all-time|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
===Rei Ayanami===
{{main|Rei Ayanami}}
[[File:School uniform of Asuka and Rei, Neon Genesis Evangelion 20090306.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Reproduction of the school uniform worn by the female students of the first municipal middle school of Tokyo-3]]
{{anime voices|[[Megumi Hayashibara]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/archive/news/2007/08/26/20070826org00m200002000c.html|title=特集：ヱヴァ、新生 新劇場版、庵野は何を目指すのか？|date=August 6, 2007|access-date=March 3, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707092937/http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/archive/news/2007/08/26/20070826org00m200002000c.html|archive-date=July 7, 2009}}</ref>|[[Amanda Winn-Lee]] (ADV, Movies and Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild''), [[Brina Palencia]] (Funimation ''Rebuild''), Ryan Bartley (Netflix)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Evangelion/Rei-Ayanami/|title=Rei Ayanami|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=May 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501183156/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Evangelion/Rei-Ayanami/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
 
{{nihongo|Rei Ayanami|綾波 レイ|Ayanami Rei}} is a pilot assigned to command [[Evangelion (mecha)#Evangelion Unit-00|Evangelion Unit 00]] as the First Child. Her date of birth is unknown.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=2 |pages=5–8 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Rei is a taciturn,<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=42 |page=30|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> shy girl who mechanically carries out orders from her superiors, even if they are cruel. She is committed to fighting against the Angels, as if it is the only connection between her and other people and her reason for living. Rei minimizes contact with others;<ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=3 |pages=35–36 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref> the only exception being Gendo Ikari, to whom she is more open.{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=13}} Rei is a [[Human cloning|clone]] created from the genes of Yui Ikari, Gendo's wife; every time Rei dies, she is replaced by a new clone, and she is aware of being replaceable. As the show progresses, Rei slowly befriends Shinji, her colleague at Nerv and classmate, discovering human emotions and acquiring greater self-awareness.{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=11}}
 
According to Winn-Lee, behind Rei's cold and aloof appearance is a "small spark of humanity" that is overshadowed by her low self-esteem;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ex.org/2.5/12-news_winn.html|title=Meet the voice of AD Vision Amanda Winn|author=Roderick Lee|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060110085818/http://www.ex.org/2.5/12-news_winn.html|archive-date=January 10, 2006|access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> Winn-Lee also said Rei "knows she's expendable, but the thing is, she's still human".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fansview.com/080798h.htm|title=Otakon Highlights - Evangelion Voice Actors|date=August 7, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617215942/http://www.fansview.com/080798h.htm|archive-date=June 17, 2008|access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> Critics have compared Rei to the [[Virgin Mary]],{{sfn|Morikawa|1997|p=98}} [[Pinocchio]],<ref name="Hiroki"/><ref name=Lee>{{Cite web|last=Kenneth|first=Lee|date=September 9, 1998|title=The Thin Veneer Known as "Evangelion"|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/editorial/1998-09-09|url-status=live|access-date=February 27, 2021|website=Anime News Network|archive-date=July 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724103237/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/editorial/1998-09-09}}</ref> and a "Great Bad Mother trying to take in her son".{{sfn|Sanenari|1997|pp=184-190}} Anno originally conceived of Rei as a representation of his unconscious mind{{sfn|Takekuma|1997|pp=93-96}} and a young, female [[schizophrenia]] sufferer. He asked Sadamoto to give Rei the likeness of "a bitterly unhappy young girl with little sense of presence".{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|pp=97-98}} Sadamoto also took inspiration from [[Paul Gallico]]'s novella ''[[The Snow Goose (novella)|The Snow Goose]]''.{{sfn|Sanenari|1997|pp=164-165}} Writer Patrick W. Galbraith described Rei as "the single most popular and influential character in the history of otaku anime".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japanesestudies.org.uk/articles/2009/Galbraith.html|title=Moe - Exploring Virtual Potential in Post-Millennial Japan|first=Patrick W.|last= Galbraith|date=October 31, 2009|access-date=April 15, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021030033/http://www.japanesestudies.org.uk/articles/2009/Galbraith.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Rei has received a positive reception, and has appeared in popularity polls about the best anime characters decades after the show's first broadcast.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Newtype Magazine|Newtype]]|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|date=July 2005|page=107|language=ja|title=The Stars}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=January 28, 2021|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/en-gb/anime-news/2015/01/12/rei-ayanami-kills-fatestay-night-servants-in-latest-newtype-character-rankings|title=Rei Ayanami Kills "Fate/stay night" Servants in Latest "Newtype" Character Rankings|date=January 12, 2015|archive-date=July 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719115054/https://www.crunchyroll.com/en-gb/anime-news/2015/01/12/rei-ayanami-kills-fatestay-night-servants-in-latest-newtype-character-rankings|url-status=live}}</ref> Her role in ''Rebuild'' was especially appreciated; reviewers praised her development and gradual process of gaining self-awareness.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/it/anime-feature/2021/04/07/spoiler-filled-review-talking-about-that-evangelion-3010-ending |title=Spoiler-Filled Review: Talking About That Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Ending |last=Harding |first=Daryl |date=April 7, 2021 |website=Crunchyroll.com |publisher=Crunchyroll |access-date=November 27, 2021 |quote= |archive-date=August 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822154919/https://www.crunchyroll.com/it/anime-feature/2021/04/07/spoiler-filled-review-talking-about-that-evangelion-3010-ending |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/evangelion-3-0-1-0-wouldnt-work-without-its-quiet-cont-1847646302 |title=Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Wouldn't Work Without Its Quiet, Contemplative Opening |last=Whitbrook |first=James |date=September 18, 2021 |website=Gizmodo.com |publisher=Gizmodo |access-date=November 27, 2021 |quote= |archive-date=November 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106014303/https://gizmodo.com/evangelion-3-0-1-0-wouldnt-work-without-its-quiet-cont-1847646302 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
===Toji Suzuhara===
[[File:Seki Tomokazu from "PSYCHO-PASS Sinners of the System Case.1 & Case.2" at Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo International Film Festival 2018 (44705229685).jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Tomokazu Seki]] voiced Toji in Japanese.]]
{{anime voices|[[Tomokazu Seki]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gainax.co.jp/soft/mahjong/ss/chara/touji.html |title=鈴原トウジ |language=ja |access-date=December 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011227155058/http://www.gainax.co.jp/soft/mahjong/ss/chara/touji.html |archive-date=December 27, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=2|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=11}}</ref>|Joe Pisano (ADV, episodes 3–18),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anime-planet.com/people/joe-pisano|title=Joe Pisano|date=|publisher=Anime Planet|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref> Michael O'Connor (ADV, episodes 19 and 20), [[Brett Weaver]] (ADV, episode 26, films and Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild''),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anime-planet.com/people/brett-weaver|title=Brett Weaver|date=|publisher=Anime Planet|access-date=3 December 2023|archive-date=December 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203124950/https://www.anime-planet.com/people/brett-weaver|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brettweavervoice.com/evangelion-is-coming-to-amazon/|title=Oh Look! Evangelion is coming to Amazon…|date=July 5, 2021|author=Brett Weaver|access-date=3 December 2023|archive-date=December 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203124902/http://www.brettweavervoice.com/evangelion-is-coming-to-amazon/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Justin Cook]] (Funimation ''Rebuild''),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Evangelion-1-0-You-Are-Not-Alone/Toji-Suzuhara/|title=Toji Suzuhara|date=|publisher=Behind The Voice Actors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409083707/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Evangelion-1-0-You-Are-Not-Alone/Toji-Suzuhara/|archive-date=9 April 2023|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fandompost.com/2022/09/14/evangelion-3-01-0-thrice-upon-a-time-anime-feature-film-gets-australian-theatrical-showing/|title='Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 – Thrice Upon A Time ' Anime Feature Film Gets Australian Theatrical Showing|date=14 September 2022|publisher=The Fandom Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915000149/https://www.fandompost.com/2022/09/14/evangelion-3-01-0-thrice-upon-a-time-anime-feature-film-gets-australian-theatrical-showing/|archive-date=15 September 2022|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref> [[Johnny Yong Bosch]] (Netflix)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anime-planet.com/people/johnny-yong-bosch|title=Johnny Yong Bosch|date=|publisher=Anime Planet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527225929/https://www.anime-planet.com/people/johnny-yong-bosch|archive-date=27 May 2023|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://animeuknews.net/2019/06/neon-genesis-evangelion-evangelion-deathtrue2-and-the-end-of-evangelion-now-streaming-on-netflix/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion, Evangelion: Death(true)2, and The End of Evangelion Now Streaming on Netflix|date=21 June 2019|publisher=Anime UK News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413223437/https://animeuknews.net/2019/06/neon-genesis-evangelion-evangelion-deathtrue2-and-the-end-of-evangelion-now-streaming-on-netflix/|archive-date=13 April 2023|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref>
 
{{nihongo|Toji Suzuhara|鈴原 トウジ|Suzuhara Tōji}} is a student of class 2-A at the first municipal middle school in Tokyo-3.{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=60}} At first, he shows strong animosity towards Shinji, holding him responsible for an accident that affected his younger sister during the clash between the third Angel, Sachiel, and Unit 01;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gainax.co.jp/anime/eva/story.html|title=連続TVアニメーション作品 全26本 1995年10月3日〜1996年3月27日 TV東京系にて放|publisher=Gainax|access-date=June 12, 2017|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050118020726/http://www.gainax.co.jp/anime/eva/story.html|archive-date=January 18, 2005}}</ref> in the [[A Transfer|third episode]], he assaults Shinji before the arrival of the fourth Angel, Shamshel. However, after witnessing the fight, Toji feels guilt for his actions<ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=2 |page=22|publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=2|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=25}}</ref> and becomes concerned about Shinji, despite pride that prevents him from openly showing his feelings.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=2|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|pages=26–27}}</ref> Toji considers himself to be a tough guy and projects a strong character, but hides an honest, kind,<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=41 |page=5 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> and introverted side.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=2|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=24}}</ref> His humane approach and expansive character have a positive influence on Ikari and the other Children.{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=33}} In the series' second half, Toji is chosen as the Fourth Child, the qualified subject and pilot assigned to command Eva-03.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=6|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|pages=32–33}}</ref> Toji accepts the task assigned to him on the condition his sister is transferred to the hospital at Nerv's headquarters.{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=54}} However, during its activation experiment, the Angel [[List of Angels in Neon Genesis Evangelion#Bardiel|Bardiel]] infects Unit 03, who goes out of control and clashes with and defeats 02 and 00; it then engages in a hand-to-hand fight with 01 that causes its destruction. Toji survives, but loses his left leg.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=6|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=66}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=7|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=11}}</ref> In the manga adaptation, Toji is killed instead of being injured. In the ''Rebuild'' films, Asuka test pilots Unit-03 instead of Toji. As shown in the final installment, he marries Hikari and has a child with her.
 
===Kaworu Nagisa===
{{Main|Kaworu Nagisa}}
{{anime voices|[[Akira Ishida]]|Kyle Sturdivant (ADV),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anime-planet.com/people/kyle-sturdivant|title=Kyle Sturdivant|date=|publisher=Anime Planet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203130325/https://www.anime-planet.com/people/kyle-sturdivant|archive-date=3 December 2023|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Kyle-Sturdivant/|title=Kyle Sturdivant|date=|publisher=behindthevoiceactors.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023115134/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Kyle-Sturdivant/|archive-date=23 October 2023|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref> Aaron Krohn (films),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.looper.com/891829/greg-ayres-reflects-on-the-regular-recasting-of-evangelions-kaworu-interview/|title=Greg Ayres Reflects On The Regular Recasting Of Evangelion's Kaworu - Interview|date=10 June 2022|publisher=Looper|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608052419/https://www.looper.com/891829/greg-ayres-reflects-on-the-regular-recasting-of-evangelions-kaworu-interview/|archive-date=8 June 2023|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref> [[Greg Ayres]] (Director's Cut),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animeherald.com/interview/ghost-stories-crossing-an-interview-with-greg-ayres/|title=GHOST STORIES CROSSING: AN INTERVIEW WITH GREG AYRES|date=9 July 2022|publisher=Anime Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804201204/https://www.animeherald.com/interview/ghost-stories-crossing-an-interview-with-greg-ayres/|archive-date=4 August 2022|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.san-japan.org/sj-guest/greg-ayres/|title=Greg Ayres|date=|publisher=San Japan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123082734/https://www.san-japan.org/sj-guest/greg-ayres/|archive-date=23 January 2022|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref> [[Jerry Jewell]] (Funimation ''Rebuild''),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/rebuild-evangelion-best-voice-actors/|title=The 10 Best Voice Actors In The Rebuild Of Evangelion's English Dubs|date=6 February 2022|publisher=Comic Book Resources|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210020054/https://www.cbr.com/rebuild-evangelion-best-voice-actors/|archive-date=10 December 2022|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref> [[Clifford Chapin]] (Netflix), [[Daman Mills]] (Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild'')}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/rebuild-of-evangelion-amazon-prime-new-dub-cast/|title=Rebuild of Evangelion: Amazon Prime Credits Confirm New Dub Cast|date=7 August 2021|publisher=CBR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419124507/https://www.cbr.com/rebuild-of-evangelion-amazon-prime-new-dub-cast/|archive-date=19 April 2023|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref>
 
{{nihongo|Kaworu Nagisa|渚 カヲル|Nagisa Kaoru}} is the Fifth Child,<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=49 |page=11|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|language=ja|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion LaserDisc Encyclopedia|volume=12|date=1998}}</ref> who is sent to Nerv as a replacement pilot for Unit 02 following Asuka's psychological breakdown.{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=81}} Kaworu befriends Shinji Ikari, towards whom he has a sincere and unconditional affection, and then reveals himself as the seventeenth and final Angel [[List of Angels in Neon Genesis Evangelion#Tabris|Tabris]]. Kaworu infiltrates Nerv's headquarters in an attempt to reunite with the first Angel [[List of Angels in Neon Genesis Evangelion#Adam|Adam]], but after discovering that the second Angel [[List of Angels in Neon Genesis Evangelion#Lilith|Lilith]] is locked in the Terminal Dogma, he asks Shinji to kill him.{{sfn|Porori|2010|pp=18-10}} Kaworu was born on September 13, 2000, the same day as the Second Impact.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=11|page=6 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=94}}
 
Critics have compared Kaworu to [[Jesus Christ]] for his sacrifice,<ref name=Ploof>{{cite web|access-date=February 2, 2021|url=https://25yearslatersite.com/2019/06/20/neon-genesis-evangelion-rei-and-kaworu/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Rei and Kaworu|first=Aaron|last=Ploof|date=June 6, 2019|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120072248/https://25yearslatersite.com/2019/06/20/neon-genesis-evangelion-rei-and-kaworu/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Devilman]]''{{'s}} [[Ryo Asuka]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.it/play/televisione/2019/06/21/opere-ispirato-neon-genesis-evangelion/|title=5 opere che hanno ispirato Neon Genesis Evangelion|date=June 21, 2019|publisher=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|language=it|access-date=January 30, 2021|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102233638/https://www.wired.it/play/televisione/2019/06/21/opere-ispirato-neon-genesis-evangelion/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Kaoru, a character from the science-fiction movie ''[[Summer Vacation 1999]]'' (1988).<ref>{{cite web|first=Mario|last= Pasqualini|url=http://www.dimensionefumetto.it/cinemanga01/|title=Cinemanga – 1999 nen no natsu yasumi|date=September 5, 2016|publisher=Dimensione Fumetto|access-date=October 23, 2021|archive-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428145908/http://www.dimensionefumetto.it/cinemanga01/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Mario|last= Pasqualini|url=http://www.dimensionefumetto.it/la-lingua-di-evangelion/|title=La visione di Evangelion da vicino – La lingua di Evangelion: parole, numeri, simboli e il "Libro della vita"|date=August 12, 2021|publisher=Dimensione Fumetto|access-date=October 23, 2021|archive-date=August 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812150216/http://www.dimensionefumetto.it/la-lingua-di-evangelion/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Evangelion Chronicle'' magazine linked his name to Tabris, the Angel of free will, and Cahor (Japanese: {{nihongo|Kahoru|カホル}}), who is referred to as the Angel of deceit, a detail the publication relates to his deceptive, anthropomorphic features.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=13 |pages=3–4|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Gainax originally conceived Kaworu as a cat that controls a boy, intended to appear in the series' twenty-second episode.<ref>{{cite book | date = 1997 | editor = Gainax |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Newtype 100% Collection|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|isbn=4-04-852700-2|language=ja|page=88}}</ref> Although Kaworu only appears in one episode, he remains popular with audiences and animation enthusiasts,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama57.shtml|title=第57回 エヴァ雑記「第弐拾四話 最後のシ者」|last=Oguro|first=Yūichirō|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901151057/http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama57.shtml|archive-date=September 1, 2013|access-date=January 30, 2021}}</ref> and topped popularity polls.<ref name=March97>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Animage]] |date=March 1997|page=233|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Animage|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|date=April 1997|title=BEST 10|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Animage|publisher=Tokuma Shoten|date=September 1997|title=BEST 10|language=ja}}</ref> [[Anime News Network]]'s Kenneth Lee disliked Kaworu's ambiguity and lack of clarity, and the homoerotic undertones of his relationship with Shinji;<ref name=Lee/> others reviewers praised it and enjoyed his personality.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Comic Book Resources|access-date=July 26, 2020|first=Anthony|last=Gramuglia|url=https://www.cbr.com/best-worst-anime-queer-guys-evangelion-yuri-gravitation/|title=The Best (and Worst) Anime Starring Queer Guys|date=June 6, 2020|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127131234/https://www.cbr.com/best-worst-anime-queer-guys-evangelion-yuri-gravitation/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-list/2012-10-27|title=8 Alternative Couples Sure to Touch Your Heart|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=April 4, 2017|first=Lynzee|last=Loveridge|date=October 27, 2012|archive-date=April 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405084848/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-list/2012-10-27|url-status=live}}</ref> Kaworu's role in the film ''[[Evangelion 3.0]]'' (2012) also drew positive comments from critics.<ref name="Zac">{{cite web|first=Zac|last=Bertschy|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion-3.33/you-can-redo/blu-ray/.98252|title=Evangelion 3.33: You Can (Not) Redo|date=February 2, 2016|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=January 30, 2021|archive-date=September 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929201019/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion-3.33/you-can-redo/blu-ray/.98252|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion 3.0|magazine=Anime Reign Magazine|page=32 |volume=1|issue=2|date=2013}}</ref>
 
===Mari Illustrious Makinami===
{{Main|Mari Illustrious Makinami}}
{{anime voices|[[Maaya Sakamoto]]<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Maaya Sakamoto as Makinami mari Illustraious |title=Newtype |___location=Tokyo |publisher=Kadokawa Shoten |date=July 2009 |page=91 |language=ja |url=http://www.evangelion-not-end.ru/images_news/090-091_aug09.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131223001616if_/http://www.evangelion-not-end.ru/images_news/090-091_aug09.jpg |archive-date=23 December 2013 }}</ref>|[[Trina Nishimura]] (Funimation),<ref>{{cite web|access-date=26 February 2021|url=https://www.otakustudy.com/anime/2019/10/trina-nishimura-interview/|title=A Conversation With Trina Nishimura|date=25 October 2019|publisher=The Otaku's Study|archive-date=29 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629002735/https://www.otakustudy.com/anime/2019/10/trina-nishimura-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> Deneen Melody (Amazon Prime Video)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deneenmelody.com/|title=Deneen Melody|date=|publisher=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031032108/https://www.deneenmelody.com/|archive-date=31 October 2023|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref>}}
 
{{nihongo|Mari Illustrious Makinami|真希波・マリ・イラストリアス|Makinami Mari Irasutoriasu}} is introduced in the film ''[[Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance]]'' (2009), the second installment of the ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion]]'' tetralogy. Mari is originally from England and is a pilot for Nerv's European branch. In her first appearance, Mari is assigned to [[Evangelion (mecha)#Rebuild of Evangelion|Evangelion Unit 05]] and fights aboard Asuka's Eva-02.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=31|pages=3–4 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Mari was created at the request of Toshimichi Ōtsuki, the original series' producer, to introduce a new female character for the ''Rebuild'' series and attract new audiences.<ref>{{cite book|date=2010|title=ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：破 全記録全集|publisher=Ground Works|isbn=978-4-905033-00-4|language=ja|chapter=『序』の公開直後に大きいな転換点へ}}</ref> Anno decided not to meddle in the creation of Mari to avoid replicating the other main characters.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=December 4, 2021|language=ja|url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/439251?page=2|title=エヴァの｢マリ｣TV版にはいなかったキャラの正体|date=July 10, 2021|publisher=Toyokeizai Online|archive-date=July 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715222509/https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/439251?page=2|url-status=live}}</ref> He entrusted Mari's development to Kazuya Tsurumaki, a member of [[Khara (studio)|Khara]].<ref>{{cite book|date=2010|title=ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：破 全記録全集|publisher=Ground Works|isbn=978-4-905033-00-4|language=ja|chapter=庵野秀明 interview |page=357}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=September 4, 2021|language=ja|url=http://yaraon-blog.com/archives/198024|title=『シン･エヴァ』公式ラジオでスタッフが岡田斗司夫を実名でぼろくそに批判する・・・なぜこんなに扱いが悪いのか|date=June 9, 2021|archive-date=June 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611014416/http://yaraon-blog.com/archives/198024|url-status=live}}</ref> Mari's concept went through numerous revisions because neither Anno nor the other writers knew what kind of female hero they wanted to create, and were undecided until the deadline.<ref>{{cite book|date=2010|title=ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：破 全記録全集|publisher=Ground Works|isbn=978-4-905033-00-4|language=ja|chapter=ギリギリまで粘って変更したマリの出番}}</ref> Mari's character design was entrusted to Sadamoto, who wanted to differentiate her from other ''Evangelion'' protagonists,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dummy-system.com/2013/07/11/sadamoto-yoshiyuki-intervista/|title=Intervista a Yoshiyuki Sadamoto|date=July 11, 2013|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028101337/http://www.dummy-system.com/2013/07/11/sadamoto-yoshiyuki-intervista/|url-status=live|language=it}}</ref> and took inspiration from various sources, including ''[[Space Battleship Yamato]]'', ''UFO,'' and a character played by [[Yui Aragaki]] in ''[[My Boss My Hero]]'' (2006).<ref>{{cite book|date=2010|title=ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：破 全記録全集|publisher=Ground Works|isbn=978-4-905033-00-4|language=ja|pages=222–224}}</ref>
 
Mari received mixed reception from critics. Some reviewers thought she was excessively sexualized, and considered her role irrelevant and insignificant;<ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2021|language=ja|publisher=Oguhei|url=https://oguhei.net/2009/06/29/anime_eva-ha/|title=【映画】「エヴァンゲリオン破」感想。良い意味で庵野監督らしくない最高のエンターテイメント作品|date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308183526/https://oguhei.net/2009/06/29/anime_eva-ha/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Jonathan Clements, Helen McCarthy|publisher=Stone Bridge Press|date=2015|title=The Anime Encyclopedia, 3rd Revised Edition: A Century of Japanese Animation|chapter=Neon Genesis Evangelion|isbn=978-1-61172-909-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 29, 2021|publisher=Morgan Lewis|url=https://vgculturehq.com/evangelion-3-01-0-anime-expo-screening-time-revealed/|title=Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Anime Expo Screening Time Revealed|date=July 2, 2019|author=Morgan Lewis|archive-date=June 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615014603/https://vgculturehq.com/evangelion-3-01-0-anime-expo-screening-time-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 29, 2021|publisher=Comic Book Resources|url=https://www.cbr.com/rebuild-of-evangelion-improves-original-doesnt/|title=Rebuild Of Evangelion: 5 Ways It Improves On The Original Anime (& 5 Ways It Doesn't)|date=November 25, 2019|author=Rehan Fontes|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023233145/https://www.cbr.com/rebuild-of-evangelion-improves-original-doesnt/|url-status=live}}</ref> others praised it,<ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2021|publisher=Beyond Hollywood|url=http://www.beyondhollywood.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-2-22-you-can-not-advance-2009-movie-review/|title=Neon Genesis: Evangelion 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance (2009) Movie Review|date=June 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615233109/http://www.beyondhollywood.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-2-22-you-can-not-advance-2009-movie-review/|archive-date=June 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2021|publisher=Dream Logic|url=http://www.dreamlogic.net/archives/evangelion-2-22-you-can-not-advance-movie-review-early|title=Evangelion 2.22: You Can (Not) Advance — movie review — early|date=June 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610232638/http://www.dreamlogic.net/archives/evangelion-2-22-you-can-not-advance-movie-review-early|archive-date=June 10, 2010|author=Chris Nelson}}</ref> finding her a good alternative to the other characters.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2021|url=https://www.fandompost.com/2011/08/12/evangelion-2-22-you-can-not-advance-uk-anime-blu-ray-review/|title=Evangelion 2.22: You Can (Not) Advance UK Anime Blu-ray Review|date=August 12, 2011|author=Bryan Morton|archive-date=March 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323162742/http://www.fandompost.com/2011/08/12/evangelion-2-22-you-can-not-advance-uk-anime-blu-ray-review/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2021|publisher=Japanator|url=https://www.japanator.com/japanaten-the-10-best-british-anime-characters-19344.phtml|title=JapanaTen: The 10 best British anime characters|date=April 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205042031/https://www.japanator.com/japanaten-the-10-best-british-anime-characters-19344.phtml|archive-date=December 5, 2017|author=Josh Tolentino}}</ref> In ''[[Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time]]'', Mari's character was deepened with additional details, which drew attention<ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2021|language=ja|publisher=Akiba Souken|url=https://akiba-souken.com/article/50815/|title=<nowiki>総括・「シン・エヴァンゲリオン劇場版:|7=」（後編）──真希波・マリ・イラストリアスはなぜ昭和歌謡を歌い続けたのか【平成後の世界のためのリ・アニメイト　第9回】</nowiki>|date=May 15, 2021 |archive-date=July 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715194312/https://akiba-souken.com/article/50815/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2021|language=ja|publisher=My Jitsu|url=https://myjitsu.jp/archives/269891|title=『プロフェッショナル』庵野秀明監督の独占密着で"マリ"のモデルが明らかに!?|date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=April 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411043824/https://myjitsu.jp/archives/269891|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2021|language=ja|publisher=Encount|url=https://encount.press/archives/158935/|title=「エヴァ」大注目のマリ、しびれるせりふ連発の特別映像に「今では1番好きなキャラ」|date=April 8, 2021|archive-date=April 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408104329/https://encount.press/archives/158935/|url-status=live}}</ref> and further mixed evaluations; several critics complained about the lack of explanations about her nature, finding her underdeveloped and wasted;<ref name=ANNFinal/><ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2021|publisher=Escape Into Film|url=https://www.escapeintofilm.com/home/evangelion-rebuild-30-10-thrice-upon-a-time-film-review|title='Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time' film review: The true end of Evangelion|date=August 9, 2021|archive-date=August 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812022326/https://www.escapeintofilm.com/home/evangelion-rebuild-30-10-thrice-upon-a-time-film-review|url-status=live}}</ref> others appreciated her battle scenes,<ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2021|publisher=Game Rant|author=Raul Velazquez|url=https://gamerant.com/evangelion-3-01-0-thrice-upon-time-review/|title=Evangelion 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time Review|date=August 13, 2021|archive-date=September 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901200301/https://gamerant.com/evangelion-3-01-0-thrice-upon-time-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> her psychology, and her role in the show's finale.<ref name=CBRFinal/><ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2021|publisher=Comic Book Resources|url=https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-3-0-1-01-thrice-upon-a-time-review/|title=Evangelion: 3.0 + 1.01 Thrice Upon A Time Justifies the Rebuild Movies' Existence|date=August 15, 2021|author=Reuben Baron|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828203959/https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-3-0-1-01-thrice-upon-a-time-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
==Supporting characters==
===Nerv staff===
====Gendo Ikari====
{{Main|Gendo Ikari}}
{{anime voices|[[Fumihiko Tachiki]]<ref>{{Cite book|title=Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Theatrical Pamphlet|year=2021|___location=Japan|pages=52–53|language=ja|chapter=Fumihiko Tachiki as Gendo Ikari|asin=B08Y85RJ9Q}}</ref>|Tristan MacAvery (ADV and films),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crystalacids.com/database/person/2641/tristan-macavery/|title=Tristan MacAvery|access-date=28 October 2018|archive-date=6 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406225455/http://www.crystalacids.com/database/person/2641/tristan-macavery/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[John Swasey]] (Director's Cut and ''Rebuild''),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.derpycon.com/2020/01/22/from-golden-boy-to-made-in-abyss-introducing-john-swasey/|title=From Golden Boy to Made in Abyss, Introducing John Swasey!|access-date=28 October 2018|archive-date=28 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228180250/https://www.derpycon.com/2020/01/22/from-golden-boy-to-made-in-abyss-introducing-john-swasey/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/evangelion-movies-english-cast-prime-video/|title='Rebuild of Evangelion' Movies Get New English Dub Cast Ahead of Prime Video Release|author=Lauren Massuda|publisher=Collider|date=7 August 2021|access-date=21 November 2021|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812223941/https://collider.com/evangelion-movies-english-cast-prime-video/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ray Chase (voice actor)|Ray Chase]] (Netflix)<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Anime UK News|website=Animeuknews.net|date=19 August 2021|url=https://animeuknews.net/2021/08/neon-genesis-evangelion-ultimate-edition-blu-ray-details-revealed-pre-orders-open-available-6th-december/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Ultimate Edition Blu-ray Details Revealed, Pre-orders Open, Available 6th December|access-date=5 December 2021|archive-date=4 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204230543/https://animeuknews.net/2021/08/neon-genesis-evangelion-ultimate-edition-blu-ray-details-revealed-pre-orders-open-available-6th-december/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
 
{{nihongo|Gendo Ikari|碇 ゲンドウ|Ikari Gendō}} is Nerv's supreme commander,{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=22}} husband of Yui Ikari, and father of Shinji, with whom he has a difficult relationship. Gendo conducts the Adam Project and the Human Instrumentality Project.{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=25}} He has cold, pragmatic, and calculating mannerisms, displaying a distant attitude toward his subordinates; only Fuyutsuki seems to understand his thoughts.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=7|language=ja|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|page=70}}</ref> Gendo's attitude leads him to use any means necessary to achieve his personal goals, embarking on romantic and sexual relationships with Dr. Naoko Akagi and her daughter Ritsuko. Gendo leads the Instrumentality Project in hopes of reuniting with his wife Yui, who died in a mysterious accident years ago. Gendo is also the main antagonist of ''Rebuild of Evangelion'', and in particular ''[[Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time]]'' (2021).
 
The character was originally conceived as a modern version of [[Victor Frankenstein]];<ref>{{cite book|language=ja|chapter=Ikari Gendoh|title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオンPHOTO FILE Eve|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|date=1996|isbn=4-04-852661-8|page=64}}</ref> he was inspired by the personal experiences of the series' staff members, reflecting the absent and emotionally detached Japanese father figure.<ref>{{cite web|author=Carl Gustav Horn|url=http://www.pulp-mag.com/archives/6.03/flcl_04.shtml|title=FLCL is the formula|access-date=April 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060509084759/http://www.pulp-mag.com/archives/6.03/flcl_04.shtml|archive-date=May 9, 2006|website=Pulp-mag.com|publisher=PULP}}</ref> ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' director [[Hideaki Anno]]'s father was also an influence on Gendo;<ref>{{cite journal|title=Animerica Spotlight: Neon Genesis Evangelion|journal=Animerica|date=July 2002|volume=10|issue=7|quote=''Eva'' does seem to contain a host of personal symbols. It is said that the troubled relationship between Shinji and his distant manipulative father is based on Anno's own childhood.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/anime/2019/09/17/neon-genesis-evangelion-resurfaced-interview-creator-abusive-father/|date=September 17, 2019|title=Resurfaced Interview Sees Evangelion Creator Reveal His Father's Abusive Ways|access-date=September 29, 2019|archive-date=September 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929131459/https://comicbook.com/anime/2019/09/17/neon-genesis-evangelion-resurfaced-interview-creator-abusive-father/|url-status=live}}</ref> Anno also took inspiration from [[psychoanalysis]] concepts, especially the Freudian [[Oedipus complex]]. Gendo ranked in several polls about the most attractive male characters,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/08/30-1/male-otaku-names-the-anime-heroes-they-would-like-to-have-as-a-boyfriend|title=Male Otaku Names The Anime Heroes They Would Like to Have as a Boyfriend|date=August 31, 2013|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-date=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031005241/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/08/30-1/male-otaku-names-the-anime-heroes-they-would-like-to-have-as-a-boyfriend|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-list/2015-08-22/.91847|title=7 Anime for Grown-Up Romantics|date=August 22, 2015|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-date=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031052405/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-list/2015-08-22/.91847|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ranking.goo.ne.jp/column/4723/ranking/50699/?page=3|title=奥さんが羨ましい！最強の愛妻家キャラランキング 21位から27位|language=ja|date=September 25, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-date=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031135415/https://ranking.goo.ne.jp/column/4723/ranking/50699/?page=3|url-status=live}}</ref> but reviewers also had negative opinions of him;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Evangelion: 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion-1.0-you-are-not-alone|access-date=October 7, 2021|archive-date=May 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520165226/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion-1.0-you-are-not-alone|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Comic Book Resources|url=https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-anime-too-far/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: 10 Times The Anime Went Too Far|date=March 8, 2021|author=Ajay Aravind|access-date=March 25, 2021|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309053402/https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-anime-too-far/|url-status=live}}</ref> they criticized his abusive<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Screen Rant|first=Chris|last=Shaddock|date=January 19, 2021|url=https://screenrant.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-best-worst-characters/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Best & Worst Characters, Ranked|access-date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201125522/https://screenrant.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-best-worst-characters/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Screen Rant|first=Ritwik|last=Mitra|date=January 16, 2021|url=https://screenrant.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-characters-worst-best-character-arc/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Main Characters, Ranked From Worst To Best By Character Arc|access-date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=February 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207134125/https://screenrant.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-characters-worst-best-character-arc/|url-status=live}}</ref> and manipulative ways.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kristty Ambrose|date=January 10, 2021|access-date=February 5, 2021|url=https://www.cbr.com/anime-villians-from-90s-would-not-work-today/|title=10 Anime Villains From The '90s That Would Not Work Today|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213045126/https://www.cbr.com/anime-villians-from-90s-would-not-work-today/|url-status=live}}</ref> Gendo's role in ''Rebuild'' has been more positively received,<ref name=Sevakis>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion/2.0-you-can-not-advance|title=Evangelion: 2.0 You Can Not Advance|date=November 24, 2009|work=[[Anime News Network]]|author=Sevakis, Justin|access-date=December 2, 2009|archive-date=October 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025185653/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion/2.0-you-can-not-advance|url-status=live}}</ref> especially in the final installment.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.ukfilmreview.co.uk/post/evangelion-30-1-0-thrice-upon-a-time-review|title= Evangelion 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon a Time Review|author= Robert Stayte|date= August 17, 2021|website= |publisher= UK Film Review|access-date= December 6, 2021|archive-date= December 6, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211206101121/https://www.ukfilmreview.co.uk/post/evangelion-30-1-0-thrice-upon-a-time-review|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/evangelion-30-10-thrice-upon-a-time-amazon-prime-review|title='Evangelion 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon a Time' Ends the Legendary Anime Once and for All|author=Kambole Campbell|date=August 14, 2021|website=|publisher=Thrillist|access-date=December 6, 2021|archive-date=August 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816204848/https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/evangelion-30-10-thrice-upon-a-time-amazon-prime-review|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ANNFinal>{{cite web|url= https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion/3.0-1.0/thrice-upon-a-time/.170407|title= Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time|author= Richard Eisenbeis|date= March 9, 2021|website= Animenewsnetwork.com|publisher= Anime News Network|access-date= December 6, 2021|archive-date= March 10, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210310210156/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion/3.0-1.0/thrice-upon-a-time/.170407|url-status= live}}</ref> His image has also been described as "one of the most easily recognizable images of anime on the internet";<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/evangelion-presents-gendo-ikari-animes-worst-dad/|title='Evangelion' Presents: Gendo Ikari, Anime's Worst Dad|date=July 12, 2019|access-date=September 12, 2019|archive-date=September 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909171920/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/43j9nn/evangelion-presents-gendo-ikari-animes-worst-dad|url-status=live}}</ref> his joined-hands pose, which fans named the Gendo pose, has been parodied in subsequent anime and manga.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/references-parodies-in-gintama/|title=10 References & Parodies You Missed In Gintama|date=December 7, 2019|access-date=December 17, 2019|archive-date=December 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217201612/https://www.cbr.com/references-parodies-in-gintama/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/voltron/278173/voltron-what-to-watch-next|title=Voltron: What To Watch Next?|date=December 14, 2018|access-date=January 3, 2019|archive-date=January 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072859/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/voltron/278173/voltron-what-to-watch-next|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=October 20, 2021|url=https://www.cbr.com/anime-neon-genesis-evangelion-references-homage-tribute/|title=10 Anime That Referenced Neon Genesis Evangelion|date=September 16, 2021|author=Angelo Delos Trinos|publisher=Comic Book Resources|archive-date=September 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925040139/https://www.cbr.com/anime-neon-genesis-evangelion-references-homage-tribute/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
====Misato Katsuragi====
{{Main|Misato Katsuragi}}
{{anime voices|[[Kotono Mitsuishi]]|[[Allison Keith]] (ADV, Movies and ''Rebuild''), [[Carrie Keranen]] (Netflix)}}
 
{{nihongo|Misato Katsuragi|葛城 ミサト|Katsuragi Misato}} is the captain of the Nerv Operations Department{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=20}} and Shinji's guardian.{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=22}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=4|page=6|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Due to her childhood trauma, she has developed a frivolous, exuberant, and extroverted personality and leads a sloppy, messy lifestyle. Misato's affectionate personality sometimes causes her to prioritize her human feelings over her duty as a Nerv employee, and her job provokes internal conflict and causes her to make difficult choices. In the ''Rebuild'' saga, Misato is the captain of Wille, an organization created to destroy Nerv.
 
For the character, the staff took inspiration from [[Fujiko Mine]] of ''[[Lupin III]]'', Japanese writer [[Aya Sugimoto]],<ref>{{cite book | date = 1997 | editor = Gainax |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Newtype 100% Collection|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|isbn=4-04-852700-2|language=ja|pages=124–126}}</ref> and [[Usagi Tsukino]] of ''[[Sailor Moon]]'', with whom she shares a voice actor.<ref>{{cite book|date=1997|editor=Shinseiki Fukuin Kyoukai|title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオン完全攻略読本|publisher=San-ichi Publishing Co., Ltd.|isbn=4-380-97219-4|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama38.shtml|title=第38回 エヴァ雑記「第伍話 レイ、心のむこうに」|language=ja|access-date=June 2, 2018|archive-date=October 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020091456/http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/animesama38.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Mitsuishi described Misato as a lonely, insecure woman who tries to hide "the darkness and loneliness she harbors deep in her heart".<ref name=DR>{{cite book|title=Death & Rebirth Program Book|chapter=出演者コメント|date=1997|editor=Gainax|language=ja}}</ref> Writer Dennis Redmond speculated that Misato may be based on Nadia Arwol from ''The Secret of Blue Water'', while Akio Nagatomi of The Animé Café compared her to Kazumi Amano from ''[[Gunbuster]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|access-date=April 19, 2021|url=http://members.efn.org/~dredmond/Anime.html|title=Anime and East Asian Culture: Neon Genesis Evangelion|author=Dennis Redmond|journal=Quarterly Review of Film and Video|issue=24|date=2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305032831/http://members.efn.org/~dredmond/Anime.html|archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Akio|last=Nagatomi|publisher=The Animé Café|access-date=May 31, 2021|url=https://www.abcb.com/eva/eva_t008.htm|title=Shinseiki Evangelion Review Pages – Episode 8: Asuka Strikes!|website=Abcb.com|archive-date=August 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802083531/http://www.abcb.com/eva/eva_t008.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Misato has ranked high in popularity polls<ref name=August97>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Animage]]|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|date=August 1997|title=BEST 10|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Animage]]|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|date=February 1998|title=明けましてパクト100|language=ja}}</ref> and has generally had a positive reception.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vgculturehq.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-is-a-metaphor-for-life/|date=September 8, 2017|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion is a metaphor for life|author=Morgan Lewis|access-date=June 2, 2018|archive-date=May 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525085830/http://vgculturehq.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-is-a-metaphor-for-life|url-status=live}}</ref> Reviewers appreciated her tenacity, endearment,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nicovideo.jp/watch/nw2813841|title=最強にカッコ良い「姉御キャラ」といえば？ 2位月詠|date=June 4, 2017|access-date=June 4, 2018|language=ja|archive-date=June 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607055946/http://news.nicovideo.jp/watch/nw2813841|url-status=live}}</ref> and psychology;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=1914&s=Reviews|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion|date=October 12, 1998|access-date=December 29, 2013|archive-date=December 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001343/http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=1914&s=Reviews|url-status=live}}</ref> deeming her realistic{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=85}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autostraddle.com/top-five-anime-ladies-i-want-to-date-228172/|title=Top Five Anime Ladies I Want To Date|date=March 14, 2014|access-date=June 2, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141002/https://www.autostraddle.com/top-five-anime-ladies-i-want-to-date-228172/|url-status=live}}</ref> and underrated.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/02/20/the-granddaddy-of-super-robots-returns-with-mazinger-zinfinity|date=February 20, 2018|title=The Granddaddy of Super Robots Returns with Mazinger Z/Infinity|author=Kara Dennison|newspaper=Crunchyroll |access-date=June 2, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140739/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/02/20/the-granddaddy-of-super-robots-returns-with-mazinger-zinfinity|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
 
====Kozo Fuyutsuki====
{{anime voices|[[Motomu Kiyokawa]]|Guil Lunde (ADV), Michael Ross (films, Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild''), [[Kent Williams (voice actor)|Kent Williams]] (''Rebuild''), [[J. P. Karliak]] (Netflix)}}
 
{{nihongo|Kozo Fuyutsuki|冬月 コウゾウ|Fuyutsuki Kōzō}} is Nerv's deputy commander.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=48 |page=5|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> After obtaining a professorship as a teacher of metaphysical biology at [[Kyoto University]], in 1999 he met Yui Ikari, a promising student at the same institute.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=8|language=ja|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|page=22}}</ref> Around this time, he met Yui's boyfriend Gendo, of whom he was immediately suspicious. After the Second Impact, the [[United Nations]] called upon Kozo to conduct a formal investigation into the event. Kozo met Gendo again, reinforcing his suspicions about him. Kozo began to think that he and a mysterious organization named Seele may be responsible for the catastrophe and the deaths of billions of people. In 2003, Kozo continued to independently investigate the matter; having arrived at the Artificial Evolution Laboratory, he threatened to publicly disclose the truth he discovered, but Gendo led him to Central Dogma, where he met Dr. Naoko Akagi and learned of Gehirn, the association in which they both secretly operate. Gendo asked Kozo to collaborate with him to build the new history of mankind; for unknown reasons, Kozo accepted{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=76}} and later became Gendo's close associate.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=1|language=ja|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|page=28}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|page=4}}</ref>
 
Although Kozo shares Nerv's basic objectives, he occasionally shows he does not approve of its means.{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=72}} He has a balanced character and does not panic in dramatic situations.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=1|language=ja|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|page=75}}</ref> Despite his role as a deputy, he maintains an affectionate personality and a humane approach to his subordinates, including the pilots.{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=25}} In ''[[The End of Evangelion]]'', a vision of Yui Ikari appears to Kozo during Instrumentality and he smiles to welcome her;{{sfn|Porori|2010|pp=26-27}} he serenely watches the process while waiting to reunite with the woman he never stopped loving.{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=96}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=24|page=24|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Kozo's last name Fuyutsuki comes from the {{sclass|Akizuki|destroyer|||1942|1}} of [[Japanese destroyer Fuyutsuki|the same name]].<ref name=Essay/> According to Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Gendo and Kozo are respectively based on [[Ed Straker]] and [[Alec Freeman]] from the television series ''[[UFO (British TV series)|UFO]]''.<ref name="DerMond"/>
 
====Ritsuko Akagi====
{{anime voices|[[Yuriko Yamaguchi (voice actress)|Yuriko Yamaguchi]]|[[Sue Ulu]] (ADV and films), [[Colleen Clinkenbeard]] (Funimation ''Rebuild''), [[Erica Lindbeck]] (Netflix), [[Mary Faber]] (Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild'')}}
 
{{nihongo|Ritsuko Akagi|赤木 リツコ|Akagi Ritsuko}} is the head of the first section of the technology department at Nerv's headquarters,<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=45|page=21 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> and one of the main developers of the Evangelion units.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=5|page=6 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> In 2005, during college, Ritsuko met and befriended Misato Katsuragi,<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=5|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=40}}</ref> as well as her boyfriend Kaji, whom Ritsuko considered annoying.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=8|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=31}}</ref> In 2008, after completing her studies at Tokyo-2, Ritsuko joined Gehirn Research Center as the head of Project E.{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=40}} Following her transfer to the special agency Nerv, Ritsuko became responsible for the management of the Magi supercomputer.{{sfn|Porori|2009|pp=26-27}} At Nerv, Ritsuko comes into close contact with her mother's lover Gendo Ikari, learning secret information that is withheld from almost all other members of the organization.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=1|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=76}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=5|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=41}}</ref>
 
Ritsuko is rational, and has a strong sense of discipline and detached judgment. She finds it difficult to reconcile these sides of her character, which are often a source of violent, emotional contrasts.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=7|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=69}}</ref> Ritsuko shows great determination and indifference, and hesitates to talk about herself, even with longtime friends, which ultimately fractures her friendship with Misato by the end of the series. Despite her rational and reserved exterior, she is sensitive, expressive, and passionate. At the beginning of her university career, Ritsuko dyed her hair blonde to differentiate herself from her mother Naoko.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=9|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=24}}</ref> She later fell in love with Gendo Ikari, with whom she entered a secret romantic relationship and offered him her scientific skills and body. Ritsuko is jealous of Rei, the center of Gendo's attention, and feeling used and betrayed, she carries out reckless acts of revenge against him.<ref>{{cite journal|editor=Gainax|title=山口由里子|journal=The End of Evangelion Program Book|year=1997|language=ja}}</ref> In ''The End of Evangelion'', Ritsuko is no longer able to manage her feelings of love and hate; she attempts to destroy Nerv's headquarters, uttering the phrase "Mom, do you want to die with me?". However, the Casper computer, in which Naoko's personality is imprinted, refuses the command to self-destruct, and Gendo shoots Ritsuko dead.{{sfn|Porori|2010|pp=28-29}} ''Newtype'' magazine compared Ritsuko to previous Anno characters, such as Kazumi Amano from ''Gunbuster'' and Electra from ''Nadia''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Newtype Complete 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン |publisher=Kadokawa Shoten |year=2005 |language=ja |pages=24–25}}</ref>
 
====Ryoji Kaji====
{{anime voices|[[Kōichi Yamadera]]|Aaron Krohn (ADV and films), [[J. Michael Tatum]] (Funimation ''Rebuild''), [[Greg Chun]] (Netflix), Sean Burgos (Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild'')}}
 
{{nihongo|Ryoji Kaji|加持 リョウジ|Kaji Ryōji}} is a member of Nerv's Special Investigations Department.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=6}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=13|page=6 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> During college, he met Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi. He later enters into a romantic relationship and cohabitation with Misato, which was broken off two years later.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|pages=29–30}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=74}}</ref> When Ryoji joined Nerv, he was transferred to Germany and appointed as Asuka's guardian. In 2015, he traveled with Asuka to Japan and met his former university friends. During the trip, he secretly carried the embryo of Adam, the first Angel, and delivered it to Gendo Ikari.{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=80}}<ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=4 |page=31 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref> For Gendo, Ryoji sabotages the Jet Alone, a robot built by Nerv's rival chemical industry community. Ryoji works at the Investigations Department of the Japanese Government Ministry of Internal Affairs<ref>{{Cite book |date=1997 |title=Death and Rebirth Program Book |language=ja |publisher=Gainax}}</ref> and is also assigned by Seele to monitor Gendo Ikari.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=48|page=9|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Ryoji is a spy under the pay of three organizations, which Gendo is aware of, but he seems to benefit the most from his presence.{{sfn|Porori|2009|pp=28-29}}
 
Although the motive for Ryoji's actions remains unknown,<ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=5 |page=33 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref> he tries to find the truth about Nerv's real objectives.{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=89}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=6|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=4}}</ref> After the battle against the Angel Zeruel, one of Ryoji's informants betrays him and a third man assassinates him. Ryoji bequeaths the results of his investigations to Misato. Some fan theories about the identity of his murderer arose; starting from the twentieth episode, many fans thought Misato, who takes a gun in the scene before his murder, is responsible, but the main staff falsified this theory,<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview mit Tsurumaki Kazuya (Studio GAINAX)|url=https://www.tomodachi.de/html/archiv/funime/f27_kurz_1.html|publisher=Anime No Tomodachi|language=de|access-date=September 8, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170903064443/http://www.tomodachi.de/html/archiv/funime/f27_kurz_1.html|archive-date=September 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> saying the responsible party would be found among the members of Seele or the secret services.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=8|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|pages=38–39}}</ref> To avoid misunderstanding, some scenes of the director's cut version of the series were changed.{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=75}}<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Episode Commentaries|title=Platinum Booklet |volume=6 |publisher=ADV }}</ref> The character was inspired by Captain Foster from the television series ''UFO''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=6|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=20}}</ref>
 
====Makoto Hyuga====
{{anime voices|[[Hiro Yūki]]|[[Matt Greenfield]] (ADV), [[Keith Burgess]] (films), [[Mike McFarland]] (Funimation ''Rebuild''), Daniel MK Cohen (Netflix), Joe Fria (Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild'')}}
 
{{nihongo|Makoto Hyuga|日向 マコト|Hyūga Makoto}} is one of Nerv's main operators who, from the command bridge, follows and controls all operations of the Eva units.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=25|page=6 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> He assists Major Misato Katsuragi in the strategic planning of the battles against the Angels.<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|last=Cannarsi|first=Gualtiero|volume=1|page=19|publisher=Dynamic Italia|language=it}}</ref> Makoto has a friendly, kind, and compassionate nature but he speaks his mind and is not intimidated, even in front of his superiors. Compared to his colleagues, Makoto is more confident with Katsuragi, due to his skills and ability to gather secret information. On some occasions, Makoto acts rashly and seems to have feelings for Misato.{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=31}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=49 |page=7|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Although Makoto is aware of his feelings, which are not reciprocated, he continues to assist Misato and launches into dangerous situations to help her. In ''The End of Evangelion'', Misato appears to him during Instrumentality, and a mixed expression of terror and pleasure is visible on his face.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=23|page=26 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> His last name is derived from the Imperial Japanese Navy battleship [[Japanese battleship Hyūga|of the same name]]. Hideaki Anno said he does not remember why he named the character Makoto, but says a possible influence may have been the novel ''Shinsengumi Keppuroku'' by [[Ryōtarō Shiba]].<ref name=Essay/>
 
====Maya Ibuki====
{{anime voices|[[Miki Nagasawa]]|Kendra Benham (ADV), Amy Seeley (films, Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild''), [[Monica Rial]] (Director's Cut), [[Caitlin Glass]] (Funimation ''Rebuild''), [[Christine Marie Cabanos]] (Netflix)}}
 
{{nihongo|Maya Ibuki|伊吹 マヤ|Ibuki Maya}} is one of the three main technical operators in the Operational Command Center at Nerv's headquarters. Her main task is to report the synchronicity rate of the pilots. Being directly involved in Project E, Maya is subordinate to Dr. Ritsuko Akagi,<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=45 |page=14 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> for whom she feels a sense of veneration as she faithfully carries out her directives. Although she is a diligent and competent assistant, she is emotionally immature, and Ritsuko accuses her of excessive idealism. Maya's scrupulous character makes her feel aversion to the Dummy System, which she considers to be inhuman.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=8|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=68}}</ref> During bloody wartime confrontations, Maya feels revulsion or vomits. Over the course of the series, it is implied that Maya gradually develops feelings beyond professional respect for her [[senpai]] which turns into [[sapphic love]].<ref name=Maya>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=7|pages=6–8|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=32}} For the names [[Japanese cruiser Maya|Maya]] and [[Japanese cruiser Ibuki (1943)|Ibuki]], Anno took inspiration from two cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy and a commander in the series ''[[Return of Ultraman]]''.<ref name=Essay/>
 
====Shigeru Aoba====
{{anime voices|[[Takehito Koyasu]]|[[Jaxon Lee|Jason C. Lee]] (ADV and films, Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild''), [[Vic Mignogna]] (Director's Cut), [[Phil Parsons (voice actor)|Phil Parsons]] (Funimation ''Rebuild''), [[Billy Kametz]] (Netflix)}}
 
{{nihongo|Shigeru Aoba|青葉 シゲル|Aoba Shigeru}} is, along with Makoto Hyuga and Maya Ibuki, one of the technical operators of the Operations Command Center at Nerv's headquarters.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=20|page=6 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Shigeru is realistic, serious,<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=45 |page=18 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> professional, and emotionally detached. He keeps his life and private life private and does not socialize much with his colleagues, although he has good relations with them. At work, Shigeru is calm and calculating.{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=30}} Shigeru is a big fan of music and plays guitar.<ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=5 |page=30 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=6|page=17 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref> In ''The End of Evangelion'', during Instrumentality, Shigeru is terrified at the sight of Rei Ayanami's clones. As his colleagues transform into LCL, an expression of terror is visible on his face, and Rei does not take on the appearance of any of his loved ones; according to the book ''The Essential Evangelion Chronicle'', this is because he "has never loved another person".{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=97}} His last name is derived from the Japanese Imperial Navy cruiser [[Japanese cruiser Aoba|of the same name]]; the name Shigeru was chosen to create a pun with ''Aoba Shigereru'', a 1974 Japanese film that was directed by [[Kihachi Okamoto]].<ref name=Essay/>
 
===Classmates===
====Kensuke Aida====
{{anime voices|[[Tetsuya Iwanaga (voice actor)|Tetsuya Iwanaga]]|Kurt Stoll (ADV and films), [[Greg Ayres]] (Funimation ''Rebuild''), [[Benjamin Diskin]] (Netflix), [[Alejandro Saab]] (Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild'')}}
 
{{nihongo|Kensuke Aida|相田 ケンスケ|Aida Kensuke}} is a student in class 2-A of the first municipal middle school in Tokyo-3. Kensuke has strong dialectical skills,<ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=2 |page=24 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=2 |pages=41–42 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref> is a fan of military life,<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=28|page=19|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=42 |page=19 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> and often plays survivor games when he is alone in the countryside.<ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=2 |pages=28–29 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref> Like his classmates Shinji Ikari, Toji Suzuhara, Rei Ayanami, and Hikari Horaki, Kensuke is motherless.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=2|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=31}}</ref> Some dialogue in the seventeenth episode suggests that his father is part of the Nerv administration, either in its research department or general affairs division. Along with the rest of the school, he moves to another place after Tokyo-3 is destroyed.<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=19|page=6|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref>
 
====Hikari Horaki====
[[File:JunkoIwao.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Junko Iwao]] voiced Hikari in Japanese.]]
{{anime voices|[[Junko Iwao]]|Carol Amerson (ADV), Kimberly Yates (films, Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild''), [[Leah Clark]] (Funimation ''Rebuild''), [[Abby Trott]] (Netflix)}}
 
{{nihongo|Hikari Horaki|洞木 ヒカリ|Horaki Hikari}} is the head of class 2-A at Tokyo-3 Municipal Middle School.<ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=2 |page=18|publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=8|page=6 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> She has an older sister named Kodama and a younger sister named Nozomi. Hikari is grumpy, rigid, and rule-abiding<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=46 |page=29|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> but hides a sweet, patient side; she is caring and attentive to the needs of her sisters and friends.{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=35}} Hikari constantly taunts and reprimands her partner Toji Suzuhara, likely to repress her feelings of love towards him. Among the girls of 2-A, Hikari is the only one who can approach Asuka. In the series' final episodes, Hikari's companion goes through an emotional breakdown and Hikari remains close to her, hosting Asuka in her house, and showing her sincere and unconditional affection until the end.{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=59}} For the character's surname, Anno took inspiration from Murakami's novel ''Ai to gensō no fascism'';<ref name=Essay/> the names of her sisters, Kodama and Nozomi, are taken from high-speed trains of the [[Tokaido Shinkansen]] line.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=5|language=ja|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|page=34}}</ref>
 
===Other characters===
====Naoko Akagi====
{{anime voices|[[Mika Doi]]|Laura Chapman (ADV and films)}}
 
{{nihongo|Naoko Akagi|赤木 ナオコ|Akagi Naoko}} is the mother and colleague of Dr. Ritsuko Akagi.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=48|page=6|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Naoko is a world-renowned scientist and a member of the Gehirn Research Center, and knows the truth about Second Impact and the Eva creation project. Naoko embarked on a secret relationship with Gendo, Gehirn's commander-in-chief, while he was married to Yui.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=8|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=33}}</ref> In 2008, Naoko completed the fundamental theory of the Magi System supercomputer, which was completed two years later.{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=77}} In the three Magi [[biocomputer]]s she developed, she digitally transcribed the main aspects of her personality; as a woman, as a scientist, and as a mother.{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=73}} Naoko later realized that Gendo was exploiting her for her talent as a scientist and researcher. but ignored the truth and continued the relationship.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=16|pages=6–8 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> In 2010, Gendo arrived at the base with a child named Rei Ayanami, who resembles Yui. On the evening of her visit, Rei gets lost in Gehirn's control room and runs into Naoko, whom she calls an "old hag", which Gendo also called her. Naoko recognizes Yui's features in Rei's face, and in a fit of rage, she strangles Rei and then commits suicide<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=2|pages=15–16 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=8|language=ja|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|pages=35–36}}</ref> by crashing into the Caspar computer.{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=31}} For the character's name, Hideaki Anno took inspiration from an old elementary-school company of his.<ref name=Essay/>
 
====Yui Ikari====
{{anime voices|[[Megumi Hayashibara]]|[[Kim Sevier]] (ADV), [[Amanda Winn-Lee]] (films, Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild''), [[Stephanie Young]] (Funimation ''Rebuild''), Ryan Bartley (Netflix)}}
 
{{nihongo|Yui Ikari|碇 ユイ|Ikari Yui}} is Shinji's mother<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=48 |page=3|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|language=ja|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion LaserDisc Encyclopedia|volume=11|date=1998}}</ref> and Gendo's wife.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=30|pages=6–8 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> In 1999, when she was a student at Kyoto University, she met Professor Fuyutsuki and discussed research on artificial evolution with him. Later that year, she became romantically involved with Gendo, whom she married, to Fuyutsuki's disappointment. Later, Yui works with her husband at the Laboratory for Artificial Evolution. In 2004, at the age of twenty-seven, Yui willingly proposed herself as a subject in an experimental activation of Unit 01. During the test, Yui was killed in front of Gendo, the other members of the laboratory, and her son Shinji.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=2|pages=13–14 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Yui was absorbed by the humanoid and her body disappeared. Attempts to recover her were unsuccessful, and the case was dismissed as an accident but became public knowledge.{{sfn|Porori|2010|pp=66-67}} In the series' final episodes and in ''The End of Evangelion'', however, it is revealed that the accident was the result of Yui's deliberate choice.{{sfn|Poggio|2008|pp=44-45}}<ref>{{Cite book|publisher=Dynit Italia |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Feature Film - DTS Collector's Edition Booklet |date=2009 |page=11|language=it}}</ref> Her soul is kept inside the unit, and she is occasionally able to aid Shinji by controlling its movements. In ''The End of Evangelion'', Yui's spirit gives Shinji the courage to choose his future and that of humanity, rejecting Instrumentality.{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=30}} Hideaki Anno chose the name Yui because it is similar to Rei's name; while {{nihongo|''Rei''|零}} means "zero" or "nothingness", {{nihongo|Yui|唯}} can be translated as "only one".<ref name=Essay/>
 
====Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu====
{{anime voices|[[Maria Kawamura]]|Yvonne Aguirre (ADV), Kimberly Yates (films)}}
 
{{nihongo|Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu|惣流・キョウコ・ツェッペリン|Sōryū Kyōko Tsepperin}} is the mother of Asuka Langley Soryu. Kyoko was born in 1974 and worked for the German division of the Gehirn Research Center, which eventually became Nerv. In 2005, Kyoko was subjected to a contact experiment with Unit 02,{{sfn|Porori|2010|p=69}} which she had promoted the construction of.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=8|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=40}}</ref> During the test, she suffered mental contamination and was psychologically damaged. After being hospitalized, Kyoko became unable to recognize Asuka and spoke to a cloth doll who she believed to be her daughter.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=22|page=7 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> In the meantime, Kyoko's husband begins an affair with another scientist.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=14|page=23 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Shortly afterward, Asuka is chosen as the Second Child and pilot of Unit 02; Asuka, believing the event could induce her mother to recognize her again, runs to Kyoko's hospital room, only to find her body hanging from the ceiling.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=9|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=40}}</ref> It is assumed that a part of Kyoko's soul or her maternal side remains within Eva-02.<ref>{{cite journal|editor=Gainax|title=用語集|journal=The End of Evangelion Program Book|year=1997|language=ja}}</ref> For the names [[German aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin|Zeppelin]] and [[Japanese aircraft carrier Sōryū|Sōryū]], staff took inspiration from two warships—one German and the other Japanese—while the name Kyōko was inspired by a character in a comic book by [[Shinji Wada]].<ref name=Essay/>
=== Fourth Child Toji Suzuhara ===
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Touji.jpg|200px]]
|-
| Age || 14
|-
| Sex || Male
|-
| Birthday || [[December 26]], [[2001]]
|-
| Relations || Sister: Unnamed
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Tomokazu Seki]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Brett Weaver]] (one of several)
|}
{{main|Toji Suzuhara}}
Toji Suzuhara (鈴原トウジ ''Suzuhara Tōji'') is the Fourth Child. Toji is a tough boy, the stereotypical "jock," and is in constant conflict with Asuka. Toji's kid sister was injured in the battle between the third Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Sachiel|Sachiel]], and [[Evangelion (mecha)#Evangelion Unit 01 (Shogouki)|Unit 01]], piloted by [[Shinji Ikari]], and he beats Shinji up soon after for being indirectly responsible. However, after witnessing firsthand the suffering Shinji experiences piloting Eva in the battle against the fourth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Shamshel|Shamshel]], Toji comes to respect Shinji and the two eventually become friends.
 
====Keel Lorenz====
In the same day he becomes a pilot, Unit 03, his Evangelion, is taken over by the thirteenth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Bardiel|Bardiel]], and is destroyed by Unit 01, which was under the control of the Dummy Plug system. He is severely injured when his Entry Plug is crushed, leaving him crippled(legs and arms broken). He only chose to pilot the Evangelion to get his sister better medical care in the NERV hospital. In the manga, Toji is killed during Unit 01's assault on Unit 03.
{{anime voices|[[Mugihito]]|Rick Peeples (ADV), [[Tom Booker]] (films, Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild''), Bill Jenkins (Funimation ''Rebuild''), [[D. C. Douglas]] (Netflix)}}
 
{{nihongo|Keel Lorenz|キール・ローレンツ|Kīru Rōrentsu}} is the president of the Human Instrumentality Committee and the secret organization Seele.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=9|pages=6–8 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Multiple cybernetic components are grafted into his body, allowing him to have [[vital energy]] despite his advanced age, being sixty-seven years old.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |publisher=Sony Magazines |volume=17 |page=25 |language=ja}}</ref> Keel secretly manipulates the world's fate to see the Third Impact realized.{{sfn|Poggio|2008|p=90}} Keel is of German nationality and has a calm, rational personality.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=41 |page=20 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> For the character's name, the authors were inspired by biologist [[Konrad Lorenz]];<ref name=Essay/> in the presentation document of the series, his name was Konrad.
Toji is named after one of the main characters in the novel ''The Fascism of Love and Fantasy'' (''Ai to Gensou no Fascism'') by [[Ryu Murakami]].
{{-}}
 
====Pen Pen====
=== Fifth Child Kaworu Nagisa ===
<!-- This section is linked from [[Pen²]] --><!-- This section is linked from [[Pen²]] -->
{| class="infobox"
{{anime voices|[[Megumi Hayashibara]]|[[Amanda Winn-Lee]] (ADV, films, Amazon Prime Video ''Rebuild''), [[Mandy Clark]] (Director's Cut), [[Monica Rial]] (Funimation ''Rebuild''), [[Cherami Leigh]] (Netflix)}}
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Kaworu.png]]
|-
| Age || 15
|-
| Sex || Male (?)
|-
| Birthday || [[September 13]], [[2000]]
|-
| Relations || Brothers: other Kaworus? ([[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#Dummy Plug|SEELE Dummy Plug System]])<br>Sister: Rei Ayanami?
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Ishida Akira|Akira Ishida]]
|-
|English [[voice actor]] || [[Kyle Sturdivant]] (original dub)<br>[[Aaron Krohn]] (movies)<br>[[Greg Ayres]] ("Director's Cut" episodes)
|}
{{main|Kaworu Nagisa}}
Kaworu Nagisa (渚カヲル ''Nagisa Kaworu'') is the Fifth Child, and the seventeenth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Tabris|Tabris]]. He is sent to NERV by SEELE as a replacement pilot for Unit 02 after Asuka's synchronization ratio falls below viability. SEELE actually sent Kaworu to hasten the Human Instrumentality Project, as the seventeenth Angel. He verbally expresses love toward Shinji, though the show's creator denied allegations that Kaworu was homosexual. He breaks into Terminal Dogma to return to Adam and initiate the Third Impact, but upon discovering that the being there is actually Lilith, he implores Shinji to destroy him. After his death in Episode 24, Kaworu is not seen again until ''The End of Evangelion'', where he appears in the beginning and middle of Third Impact.
{{-}}
 
{{nihongo|Pen Pen, or Pen<sup>2</sup>|ペンペン|Penpen}} is a small pet penguin and the companion of Misato Katsuragi. Pen Pen, who belongs to a new breed of hot spring penguins,<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=41 |page=25 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=1 |page=30 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref> is most likely the result of a biotechnology experiment and has a serial number on his collar. He seems to have a high [[IQ]], which allows him to bathe himself,{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=55}} understand human languages, read a newspaper,{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=178}} and live independently inside Misato's apartment. In the series' final episodes, Pen Pen is moved to a country house to live with the Horaki family.{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=37}} Yoshiyuki Sadamoto designed the character to meet the staff's request to include a being that could serve as the series mascot. Because the show is set in [[Hakone]], a town known for its hot springs, Pen Pen was at first conceived as a monkey, but the idea was considered unattractive and was discarded.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=4|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|pages=26–27}}</ref> Pen-Pen is possibly inspired by {{nihongo|Mister Pen-Pen |Mr．ペンペン}}, a genetically modified penguin that appears in a 1986 anime of the same name.<ref>{{cite book | first1 = Jonathan| last1 = Clements | first2 =Helen | last2 = McCarthy|title=The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917|edition=Revised & Expanded | year = 2006|publisher=[[Stone Bridge Press]]|isbn=1-933330-10-4|page=420}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.awesome-engine.com/2011/07/15/a-brief-history-of-anime-penguins/ |title=A Brief History of Anime Penguins |author=Brian Smith |publisher=Awesome Engine |date=July 15, 2011 |access-date=December 15, 2021 |archive-date=October 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019140414/http://www.awesome-engine.com/2011/07/15/a-brief-history-of-anime-penguins/ }}</ref>
== NERV Staff ==
=== Head Commander Gendo Ikari ===
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Ikari Gendo.png]]
|-
| Age || 48
|-
| Sex || Male
|-
| Birthday || [[April 29]], [[1967]]
|-
| Relations || Son: [[Shinji Ikari]]<br>Wife: [[Yui Ikari]]<br>Guardian of: [[Rei Ayanami]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Fumihiko Tachiki]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Tristan MacAvery]] (original dub)<br>[[John Swasey]] ("Director's cut" episodes)
|}
{{main|Gendo Ikari}}
Gendo Ikari (碇ゲンドウ ''Ikari Gendō'') is the head commander of NERV. He is responsible for the research done on the Evas, Rei Ayanami, and the Human Instrumentality Project. He is the father of the Third Child, Shinji Ikari, and the guardian of Rei. His original surname was Rokubungi, but he changed it to Ikari following his marriage to Yui. At the start of the series, he is the only person having an effective connection to Rei Ayanami. As the series progresses, his rather unscrupulous past is revealed, as is the intensity with which he loved his late wife, Yui. He bears a slight resemblance to Director Miyagi from Blue Gender even down to attitude.
{{-}}
 
====Shiro Tokita====
=== Deputy Commander Kozo Fuyutsuki ===
{{anime voices|[[Hōchū Ōtsuka]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=43|page=17|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>|Rob Bundy}}
{|class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Fuyutsukieva.jpg]]
|-
| Age || 58
|-
| Sex || Male
|-
| Birthday || [[April 9]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Motomu Kiyokawa]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Guil Lunde]] (series)<br>[[Michael Ross (actor)|Michael Ross]] (movies)
|-
|}
Once a professor of meta-biology at [[Kyoto University]], Kozo Fuyutsuki (冬月コウゾウ ''Fuyutsuki Kōzō'') is now Deputy Commander of NERV under Gendo. In the director's cut, it is revealed that he has had some sort of training as a physician though he has either lost or never acquired a license to practice medicine. He taught the talented Yui Ikari and bailed Gendo out of jail once during college. He was originally in opposition to Gendo, once calling him a "disagreeable fellow." Yui, however, referred to Gendo as a "cute/sweet person." Fuyutsuki apparently holds more than just good feelings towards Yui Ikari.
 
{{nihongo|Shiro Tokita|時田シロ|Tokita Shirō}} is a representative of the Community of United Chemical Industries of Japan, which is mainly responsible for the construction of the Jet Alone, a humanoid robot developed to compete with the Nerv's Eva, about which he is privy to much secret information gained from espionage operations.<ref>{{cite book |author=Gualtiero Cannarsi|title=Evangelion Encyclopedia|volume=4 |page=23 |publisher=Dynamic Italia |language=it}}</ref> Shiro appears only in the seventh episode of the series, in which he openly mocks the competitors' capabilities and ridicules the Evangelions in front of the project manager Ritsuko Akagi.<ref>{{cite book|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book|volume=3|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|page=15}}</ref>{{sfn|Porori|2009|p=79}} During the activation experiment, the Jet Alone goes out of control, threatening to create a nuclear crisis. After initial hesitation, Tokita gives Misato Katsuragi the access code to activate the stop command.<ref>{{cite book|title=Evangelion Chronicle|volume=11|pages=23–24|publisher=Sony Magazines|language=ja}}</ref> For the character's name, Anno drew from Murakami's ''Ai to gensō no fascism''; the seventh episode also features men named Manda and Yasugi, whose names are borrowed from the same novel.<ref name=Essay/>
After Fuyutsuki threatened to expose Gendo to the public, regarding the massive deception concerning Second Impact, in 2003 (through his own research), Gendo led him into Central Dogma and revealed to him the incomplete Unit 00. He tempted Fuyutsuki to join him and "create a new future for humankind, together with me." Fuyutsuki accepted this, and started to help Gendo.
 
==Other media==
Despite Fuyutsuki's initial dislike of Gendo, it is clearly evident that he becomes the closest thing that Gendo has to a confidant in the series. Most likely, it was Yui's hope that the two would become friends. Before reverting to LCL during Instrumentality, Fuyutsuki witnesses an image of Yui which appears to float down to embrace him.
===''Rebuild of Evangelion''===
{{-}}
[[File:Logo Wille.png|thumb|upright=1.2|Wille's logo]]
In ''[[Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo]]'' (2012), the third installment of the ''Rebuild of Evangelion'' series, a new organization named Wille ({{IPA|de|ˈvɪlə|}}, German for "[[Will (philosophy)|will]]") is introduced. Wille was created to destroy Nerv and is led by Misato Katsuragi.
 
====Sumire Nagara====
=== Captain/Major Misato Katsuragi ===
{{anime voices|[[Sayaka Ōhara]]|Krishna Smitha (Funimation), Rebeka Thomas
{| class="infobox"
(Amazon Prime Video)}}
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Misato.png]]
|-
| Age || 29
|-
| Sex || Female
|-
| Birthday || [[December 8]], [[1986]]
|-
| Relations || Father: [[List of characters in Neon Genesis Evangelion#Dr. Katsuragi|Dr. Katsuragi]]<br>Guardian of: [[Shinji Ikari]], <br>[[Asuka Langley Soryu]], [[List of characters in Neon Genesis Evangelion#Pen Pen|Pen Pen]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Kotono Mitsuishi]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Allison Keith]]
|}
{{main|Misato Katsuragi}}
Misato Katsuragi (葛城ミサト ''Katsuragi Misato'') is the very beautiful head operations officer at NERV, initially holding the rank of Captain (with a later promotion to Major). She chose to have Shinji move in with her rather than live alone. Misato was with her father, leader of the Katsuragi expedition to [[Antarctica]], during the Second Impact. Before her father's death, he placed 14-year-old Misato in a protective capsule (reminiscent of an Entry Plug) which saved her life. She has a deep scar on her chest from the trauma of the Second Impact, and became mute and refused social interaction for several years after that event. While grateful to her father for saving her life, she also admits to hating him, as he devoted his life to his work and neglected her and her mother. She always wears a cross pendant which her father put around her neck before sealing the protective capsule.
 
{{nihongo|Sumire Nagara|長良スミレ|Nagara Sumire}} is in charge of the anti-gravity system of an airship called ''AAA Wunder''. Sumire is a dark-skinned woman in her twenties or thirties, with long brown hair worn in a ponytail. Her name derives from [[Nagara-class cruiser|the class of light cruisers]] used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. In the original dubbing, she is played by [[Sayaka Ōhara]], who tried to portray her as an older sister. She described Sumire as a strong woman who has endured difficulties and the deaths of several loved ones. According to the character's voice actress, she betrays her most-secret emotions through her facial expressions, and chooses her words calmly and wisely.<ref>{{cite book|title=ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版:Q 記録集|language=ja|date=November 17, 2012|page=72}}</ref>
After her period of mute catatonia, her personality changed when she began to attend college, where she became more social and talkative (Ritsuko, whom she met in college, commented that she talked so much as if she was attempting to "make up for lost time"). At the time of the series, she is very extroverted (and some would say [[alcoholism|alcoholic]]). This is mainly as a result of her being always a bridesmaid and never a bride, which worsened when Kaji dies, the only man she had ever loved. She exhibits great concern for the Eva pilots under her command; indeed, she is something of a surrogate mother to Shinji. ''The End of Evangelion'', however, adds another layer to the relationship between Misato and Shinji. In one scene of '''The End of Evangelion''', Misato kisses Shinji and tells him that when he comes back, "they'll do the rest." By pushing him to pilot the Eva, Misato saves Shinji's life and causes the Human Instrumentality Project to advance. Misato dies just after she sends Shinji away, and was cognizant of that.
{{-}}
 
====Koji Takao====
=== Head Scientist Ritsuko Akagi ===
{{anime voices|[[Akio Ōtsuka]]|Greg Dulcie (Funimation), Jake Eberle (Amazon Prime Video)}}
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Ritsuko.png]]
|-
| Age || 30
|-
| Sex || Female
|-
| Birthday || [[November 21]], [[1985]]
|-
| Relations || Mother: [[List of characters in Neon Genesis Evangelion#Naoko Akagi|Dr. Naoko Akagi]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Yuriko Yamaguchi]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Sue Ulu]]
|}
{{main|Ritsuko Akagi}}
Ritsuko Akagi (赤木リツコ ''Akagi Ritsuko'') is NERV's head scientist. The daughter of Naoko Akagi, the developer of the MAGI supercomputers, she is a lonely, cool and intelligent woman who has great affinity for cats and is completely devoted to her work. In flashbacks, it is revealed that she was one of Misato's first friends following the Second Impact. Ritsuko was also friendly with Kaji, and jokingly flirted with him, which is often misinterpreted by fans as evidence of a past romance. Additionally, she is a natural brunette who bleaches her hair. Along with Gendo and Fuyutsuki, she's the only person at NERV fully aware of the Evas' true nature and the purpose of the Instrumentality Project. Similarly to Gendo and unlike Misato, Ritsuko is willing to sacrifice the Eva pilots if the situation appears to warrant it. It is revealed in the later episodes that Ritsuko was romantically involved with Gendo Ikari. She feels betrayed by Gendo when she realizes that he was using her, mirroring her own mother's tragic fate. As revenge, she destroyed the Rei Dummy Plug system. She was shot dead at the end of ''The End of Evangelion'', when she tried to launch the self-destruct to stop Gendo from initiating the Third Impact. She failed when Casper, the third MAGI computer which contained Naoko Akagi's personality as a woman, overrode the command. She was then shot and killed by Gendo.
{{-}}
 
{{nihongo|Koji Takao|高雄コウジ|Takao Kōji|}} is one of Wille's engineers and is responsible for the engine ignition sequence of the ''Wunder ship''. Koji presents himself as a man of robust build; he is balding, and has a [[goatee]] and a black mustache. Koji is an acquaintance of Kaji, through which he has come into contact with Misato. His name is derived from [[Takao-class cruiser|a class of four heavy cruisers]] of the Imperial Japanese Navy that were used in the [[Pacific War]]. In the original anime, Koji is played by [[Akio Ōtsuka]], who had earlier dubbed the character Nemo in ''Nadia''; he described Koji as an efficient businessman who made progress in his field.<ref>{{cite book|title=ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版:Q 記録集|language=ja|date=November 17, 2012|pages=70–71}}</ref>
=== NERV Special Inspector Ryoji Kaji ===
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Kaji.png]]
|-
| Age || 31
|-
| Sex || Male
|-
| Birthday || [[June 17]], [[1984]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Kōichi Yamadera]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Aaron Krohn]]
|}
{{main|Ryoji Kaji}}
Kaji, while only being a special inspector, secretly works for SEELE investigating NERV's true intentions. He is always called by his last name, Kaji. During college, he had a serious relationship with Misato, but after having long broken up, they see each other again on the UN fleet ferrying Unit 02 and its pilot, [[Asuka Langley Soryu]], to Japan. After he returns to NERV headquarters, Kaji and Misato rekindle their romance following a period of teasing and insults, when Misato confesses that she broke up with him because she realized that Kaji reminded her of her father. He is eventually shot by an unnamed assailant. The identity of the killer is never revealed and remains one of the biggest mysteries of the series. Many assumed that Misato killed Kaji, but Anno himself stated that it was not Misato who killed him. In the manga adaptation however, it is implied that Commander Ikari is personally responsible.
{{-}}
 
====Hideki Tama====
=== First Lieutenant Makoto Hyuga ===
{{anime voices|Anri Katsu|Aaron Roberts (Funimation), Scott Golden
{| class="infobox"
(Amazon Prime Video)}}
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Hyuga.jpg]]
|-
| Age || Unspecified (about 24)
|-
| Sex || Male
|-
| Birthday || [[February 13]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Hiro Yuuki]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Matt Greenfield]] (series)<br>[[Keith Burgess]] (movies)
|}
Makoto Hyuga (日向マコト ''Hyūga Makoto'') is First Lieutenant at NERV and a computer technician. He is something of a nerd, reading manga while on his break time, but is a hard worker, nonetheless. He also appears to harbor a deep crush for Misato, as Lilith approaches him during his implementation in the form of Misato.
{{-}}
 
{{nihongo|Hideki Tama|多摩ヒデキ|Tama Hideki|}} is a young engineer and Takao's colleague on ''Wunder''. He is skinny, has thick, black hair, and is shy and reserved; during operations, he keeps manuals under his hand for reference. The character's name is derived from that of [[Japanese cruiser Tama|the Japanese World-War-II-era cruiser of the same name]]. In the original anime, Hideki is played by Anri Katsu, who Anno commissioned to convey weakness and humanity in the character. Katsu described Hideki as a man who takes his time; he used to follow rules and slightly cowardly, but still performs his duty in times of danger, and has been trained to do the bare minimum.<ref>{{cite book|title=ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版:Q 記録集|language=ja|date=November 17, 2012|page=73}}</ref>
=== First Lieutenant Maya Ibuki ===
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Mayaeva.jpg]]
|-
| Age || 24
|-
| Sex || Female
|-
| Birthday || [[July 11]], [[1991]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Miki Nagasawa]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Kendra Benham]] (original dub)<br>[[Amy Seeley]] (movies)<br>[[Monica Rial]] ("Director's cut" episodes)
|}
Maya Ibuki (伊吹マヤ ''Ibuki Maya'') is a First Lieutenant at NERV and a computer technician who works primarily with Ritsuko Akagi. Her main role during the fights with the Angels is to constantly monitor the Eva pilots’ synchronization ratios and send various emergency commands to the Evangelions as ordered by Misato or Gendo. Her implementation scene during the ''[[The End of Evangelion]]'' movie has been read by many fans as a revelation that she is secretly in love with Ritsuko. When Maya's Instrumentality occurs, Lilith (in the form of Ritsuko) types "I need you" into Maya's laptop and embraces her. Maya's reversion to LCL comes after an ecstatic gasp of "[[Senpai]]!" However, this scene is the only one that alludes to her possible feelings towards Ritsuko, and its intention is not clear. Also, Maya is known to have Haemophobia (fear of blood) which is evident, when Eva-01 goes beserk and eats Zeruel in episode #19.
{{-}}
 
====Midori Kitakami====
=== First Lieutenant Shigeru Aoba ===
{{anime voices|[[Mariya Ise]]|[[Tia Ballard]] (Funimation), Bijou Vann
{| class="infobox"
(Amazon Prime Video)}}
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Aoba.jpg]]
|-
| Age || Unspecified (about 24)
|-
| Sex || Male
|-
| Birthday || [[May 5]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Takehito Koyasu]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Jason C. Lee (V)|Jason C. Lee]] (original dub and movies)<br>[[Vic Mignogna]] ("Director's cut" episodes)
|}
Shigeru Aoba (青葉シゲル ''Aoba Shigeru'') is First Lieutenant at NERV and a computer technician. A stereotypical [[metalhead]], he is a [[Nihilism|nihilist]] and plays [[guitar]] (he can also sometimes be seen strumming an air guitar). In his implementation sequence, Lilith forces her way through his AT Field by bombarding him with a wall of Reis in which he screams in fear. She supposedly takes this tactic with his implementation because he is staunchly opposed to the concept of Instrumentality, even though Lilith could have taken the form of Maya Ibuki (his view of her as love interest is mentioned in one of the trading card games). Alternatively, some fans feel Lilith had to force her way through his AT Field in this manner due to his nihilism; because of which there was no one he loves or trusts enough to let his guard down.
{{-}}
 
{{nihongo|Midori Kitakami|北上ミドリ|Kitakami Midori|}} is an engineer serving on ''AAA Wunder''. She is slim, has pink hair, and is lazy and timid. Midori's control panel is covered in sticky notes. The character's last name is derived from [[Japanese cruiser Kitakami|a Japanese cruiser]] that was in service from 1920 to 1945. In the original anime, Midori is played by [[Mariya Ise]], who described Midori as a modern woman who is unwilling to undertake difficult tasks and to use formal tones with her superiors. Anno asked Ise to make Midori look like a young woman from the Yidori generation—people who were born in the late 1980s and early 1990s.<ref>{{cite book|title=ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版:Q 記録集|language=ja|date=November 17, 2012|page=74}}</ref>
=== Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu ===
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Kyoko.jpg]]
|-
| Age || 31
|-
| Sex || Female
|-
| Relations || Daughter: [[Asuka Langley Sohryu]]<br>Husband: "Papa"<br>Soul-carrier: [[Evangelion (mecha)#Evangelion Unit 02 (Nigouki)|Unit 02]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Maria Kawamura]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Kimberly Yates]]
|}
Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu (惣流・キョウコ・ツェッペリン ''Sōryū Kyōko Tsepperin''), Asuka's mother, was a key scientist in the German division of GEHIRN (what would later become NERV's Third Branch) and the development of Unit 02, the first Production Type (the second and third of which were later produced by the two American branches of NERV). After participating in Unit 02's contact experiment, she became mentally unstable and was admitted to a mental institution. Her husband entered an affair with Kyoko's own doctor, which eventually prompted Kyoko's suicide in 2005; and by the time of Kyoko's funeral, the doctor had already become Asuka's stepmother.
 
====Sakura Suzuhara====
Kyoko's soul seems to have become trapped in Unit 02 as a result of the experiment, although how her body remained intact afterwards is a well-disputed mystery. Many speculate that her losing her soul during the GEHIRN experiments is the reason for her mental instability. In the NGE2 game released for the PSP it is revealed that the mother portion of her soul was taken explaining why she no longer was able to recognize her daughter as well.
{{anime voices|[[Miyuki Sawashiro]]|[[Felecia Angelle]]}}
{{-}}
 
{{nihongo|Sakura Suzuhara|鈴原 サクラ|Suzuhara Sakura}} is a member of Wille; she is briefly introduced in ''Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance,'' but does not speak. Sakura is Toji's younger sister; she admires Misato, whom she takes as her role model. Sakura is kind, simple, and optimistic.<ref>{{cite book|title=ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版:Q 記録集|language=ja|date=November 17, 2012|pages=66–68}}</ref>
== GEHIRN Staff ==
=== Naoko Akagi ===
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Naoko.jpg|200px]]
|-
| Age || Unspecified
|-
| Sex || Female
|-
| Relations || Daughter: [[Ritsuko Akagi]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Mika Doi]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Laura Chapman]]
|}
Naoko Akagi (赤木ナオコ ''Akagi Naoko'') was Ritsuko's mother. She was the creator of the MAGI Super Computer system and the former GEHIRN head technician. The MAGI computers were built on three opposing principles of the life of its creator: Naoko as a scientist (Melchior), Naoko as a mother (Balthasar), and Naoko as a woman (Casper). These three aspects are in constant conflict, and together they delegate to formulate decisions and judgments on behalf of NERV and the government of New Tokyo-3. Naoko was involved in a romantic relationship with the recently-widowed Gendo Ikari while working at GEHIRN. However, after Rei I called her an "old hag" and said that Gendo himself called Naoko that frequently, she realized that he had merely been using her affections to ensure her performance for him. In a fit of rage, Naoko strangled Rei to death and then apparently committed suicide by plunging from the command tower onto the MAGI system. Soon afterward, GEHIRN was disbanded and the organization NERV was formed in its place.
 
===''Detective Evangelion''===
A popular theory among fans is that her soul now resides in Unit 00, which would explain the Eva's reluctance to synchronize with Rei as well as the Unit's violent attacks toward Gendo Ikari while in "berserk" mode, as seen in episode 5. (In addition, as Unit 00 seemingly attacks Gendo Ikari, Ritsuko Akagi thinks that it may have in fact been trying to attack her. The subtext is that Naoko would attack Ritsuko as a result of her relationship with Gendo.) However, since Naoko's actual death is never seen and the only evidence of her death is a chalk outline of her corpse amid bloodstains (seen in episode 21), some fans have suggested that her death may not have been a suicide. However, in the manga Naoko's death is explicitly shown and in the anime Professor Fuyutsuki notes that all previous members of GEHIRN were transferred to NERV, with the exclusion of Dr Akagi. (In the manga this is mentioned dryly in the narrative).
In the video game {{nihongo|''Detective Evangelion''|名探偵エヴァンゲリオン|Meitantei Evangerion}} (2007), which was released for [[PlayStation 2]] by Broccoli and is based on the spin-off manga ''Detective Shinji Ikari'', three Nerv operators who do not appear in the original series appear; each of them oversees one of the computers of the Magi System, and each reflect the aspects of Naoko Akagi's personality contained in the machines.
 
====Kaede Agano====
Another theory is that Dr Naoko's soul and personality were transferred into the MAGI super-computer system. This theory would explain CASPAR's "behaviour" during the planned self-destruction of NERV HQ intiated by Ritsuko Akagi during the End of Evangelion movie. MELCHIOR's decision was based upon Naoko's convictions as a scientist and perceived the destruction of NERV to be logically favourable when compared with the alternative, of allowing Third Impact to occur. Hence it voted in favour of self-destruction. BALTHASAR's programming emulated Naoko's feelings as a mother and wished to protect the Earth and her daughter from the vacuum of third impact. Thus it too voted in favour of self-destruction. However, CASPAR who was based upon Naoko as a woman (and may have in fact contained Naoko's brain) favoured her ex-lover Gendo over her own daughter and so voted against the self-destruction. As the decision to destroy NERV requires a unanimous decicion from all three MAGI, the self-destruct sequence did not initiate and Ritsuko's last minute ploy was foiled.
{{anime voices|[[Ai Shimizu]]|}}<ref name="Detective" />
 
{{nihongo|Kaede Agano|阿賀野 カエデ|}} is a simple woman with short light brown hair.<ref>{{cite book|title=Detective Evangelion Booklet|publisher=Broccoli|language=ja|date=2007|page=4}}</ref> She has a strong sense of family, is kind and is a good cook;<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=1|page=24|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> she is in charge of Baltashar, in which Dr. Akagi's maternal side is reflected.<ref name="Detective">{{Cite web |url=https://www.4gamer.net/weekly/charagame/007/charagame_007.shtml |title=【4Gamer.net】 － キャラクターゲーム考現学 － 週刊連載 |publisher=4Gamer |language=ja |access-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903192507/https://www.4gamer.net/weekly/charagame/007/charagame_007.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
This theory (Naoko's soul transferred into the MAGI and not Unit 00) is supported by the fact that Naoko Akagi's soul is clearly an odd choice for the resident soul of unit 00 considering it's designated pilot. While the ideal soul for an Evangelion is apparently the pilot's mother, and Rei Ayanami seems to have no mother, and the nature of Unit 00's resident soul is left ambiguous, It still seems unlikely that the next best choice would be Rei's killer.
{{-}}
 
====Satsuki Yui Ikari Ōi====
{{anime voices|[[Maria Yamamoto]]<ref name="Detective" />}}
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Yui.png]]
|-
|Age || 27 (at the time of her disappearance)
|-
| Sex || Female
|-
| Birthday || [[1977]]
|-
| Relations ||Son: [[Shinji Ikari]]<br>Husband: [[Gendo Ikari]]<br>Genetic: [[Rei Ayanami]] (to a degree)<br>Soul-carrier: [[Evangelion (mecha)#Evangelion Unit 01 (Shogouki)|Unit 01]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Megumi Hayashibara]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]]||[[Kim Sevier]] (original dub)<br>[[Amanda Winn-Lee]] (movies)
|}
{{main|Yui Ikari}}
Yui's background is not covered in the series, but according to the "Neon Genesis Evangelion 2" PS2 game, her father was a powerful member of SEELE, which explains why she had the backing of this powerful organization. She was a student of genetic engineering at Kyoto University, where she met her future husband Gendou and her mentor and trusted friend Kouzou Fuyutsuki. Afterwards, she joined Artificial Evolution Laboratory(future GEHIRN) in Hakone, Japan, and played an integral role in Project E.
 
{{nihongo|Satsuki Ōi|大井サツキ|}}, a sensual, Russian-Japanese woman with long hair<ref>{{cite book|title=Detective Evangelion Booklet|publisher=Broccoli|language=ja|date=2007|page=5}}</ref> and a liking for vodka. Satsuki lives alone and drinks alcohol to forget her loneliness.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=4|page=24|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> She is responsible for Casper, Naoko's feminine side, and Shinji's sensitivity-improvement program.<ref name="Detective" />
Despite Fuyutsuki's misgivings, Yui served as the test subject for the Contact Experiment of EVA-01 in 2004, saying that "everything happens as it must." She invited her son Shinji to GEHIRN to watch what would be her final moments: Yui "disappeared" during testing — leaving no body behind — and was proclaimed dead that same year after efforts to recover her failed. Although GEHIRN considered it an accident, it is arguably clear that what happened was Yui's intention. Living on within the Eva, she continues to ensure a "bright future" for Shinji and the rest of humanity, seeing to it personally that SEELE's scenario is never entirely fulfilled.
 
====Aoi Mogami====
While Yui is not exactly an important character on her own, it is her relationships with those around her that make her key to the entire series.
{{anime voices|[[Yui Horie]]<ref name="Detective" />}}
 
{{nihongo|Aoi Mogami|最上アオイ|}}, a bespectacled, intelligent, and straightforward girl,<ref>{{cite book|title=Detective Evangelion Booklet|publisher=Broccoli|language=ja|date=2007|page=6}}</ref> is in charge of Melchior, which contains Naoko as a scientist and Shinji's intelligence enhancement program.<ref name="Detective" />
Gendou's love for her is his entire motivation for going through with SEELE's Instrumentality Project. He misses her so longingly that he goes through with SEELE's plan in the hopes that, after being implemented, he would be able to be one with Yui again.
 
====Victims and other characters====
Shinji is equally affected by his mother. Her absence and Gendou's subsequent abandonment of Shinji is the reason behind his anti-social, non-confrontational nature. At the same time, her maternal protectiveness of Shinji as the soul of his Unit 01 is solely responsible for EVA-01's being the formidable fighter it is. Also, many have noted that Shinji's relationship to his Eva is a physical manifestation of the Freudian Oedipus Complex: he longs for contact with his mother to the point that he wants to be inside her, and acts aggressively toward his father for trying to take his mother away from him. Shinji's entire character is shaped by his desire to be with his mother again.
The game also includes several other characters who are brutally murdered and whose case Shinji Ikari investigates:
* {{nihongo|Natsuko Kako|加古ナツコ}}, the first victim, a fourteen-year-old girl who attends Neo Tokyo-3 Middle School.
* {{nihongo|Kyōko Nachi|那智キョウコ|}}, second victim, a twenty-nine-year-old teacher at Neo Tokyo-3 Middle School.<ref>{{cite book|title=Detective Evangelion Booklet|publisher=Broccoli|language=ja|date=2007|page=9}}</ref>
* {{nihongo|Erika Kashii|香椎エリカ}}, third victim, a twenty-seven-year-old woman and member of the Nerv forensic department.<ref>{{cite book|title=Detective Evangelion Booklet|publisher=Broccoli|language=ja|date=2007|page=7}}</ref>
* {{nihongo|Mimi Satsuma|薩摩ミミ}}, fourth victim, a twenty-three-year-old teacher at Neo Tokyo-3 Middle School.<ref>{{cite book|title=Detective Evangelion Booklet|publisher=Broccoli|language=ja|date=2007|page=8}}</ref>
Also appearing in the game are the {{nihongo|Shirase|白瀬市長|}} the mayor of Neo Tokyo-3, a man named {{nihongo|Kokubunji|国分寺|}}, the director of a facility called Kichijoji Bowl, and Dr. {{nihongo|Hideaki Katsuragi|葛城ヒデアキ|}}—Misato's father and head of the research group that is responsible for Second Impact.<ref>{{cite book|title=Detective Evangelion Booklet|publisher=Broccoli|language=ja|date=2007|pages=10–11}}</ref>
 
===''Evangelion Battlefield''===
{{nihongo|''Evangelion Battlefields''|エヴァンゲリオンバトルフィールズ|Evangerion Batorufiiruzu}} is a mobile game that was released for the operating systems [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] on April 2, 2020. The game allows players to command and fight with various Evangelions. It was produced by [[Khara (studio)|Khara]] studio, and released by Mobcast and [[Takara Tomy Arts]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/evangelion-battlefields-will-be-changing-publishers/ |title=Evangelion Battlefields will be changing publishers |author=Kazuma Hashimoto|date=October 5, 2020 |access-date=December 25, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.otaquest.com/evangelion-battlefields-delayed/ |title=Evangelion Battlefields delayed |author=Corey Prasek |date=March 25, 2020 |access-date=August 3, 2021 |archive-date=August 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803095351/https://www.otaquest.com/evangelion-battlefields-delayed/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The game introduces two new female characters:
*{{nihongo|Kotone Suzunami|涼波コトネ}} is a cheerful, fourteen-year-old girl who is Shinji's new fellow pilot. She is used to referring to her classmates with the Japanese honorific term ''senpai'' and is voiced by [[Megumi Han]].<ref name="Battlefields">{{Cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-06-01/evangelion-battlefields-smartphone-game-introduces-new-pilot/.160129 |title=Evangelion Battlefields Smartphone Game Introduces New Pilot |author=Kim Morrissy |publisher=Anime News Network |date=June 1, 2020|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref>
*{{nihongo|Hitomi Amagi|天城ヒトミ}} is a twenty-seven-year-old woman who is introduced as both a Nerv worker and a mental health counselor; in the second season of the title, she becomes a playable character. Hitomi is voiced by [[Mai Nakahara]].<ref name=Battlefields/>
 
===''Neon Genesis Evangelion RPG: The Nerv White Paper''===
{{nihongo|''Neon Genesis Evangelion RPG: The Nerv White Paper''|新世紀エヴァンゲリオンRPG NERV白書|}} is a tabletop [[role-playing game]] that was published by Kadokawa Shoten in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/199999714513/ |title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオンRPG白書 |publisher=Kadokwa |language=ja |access-date=December 24, 2021}}</ref> The game is set during the events of the classic series,{{sfn|Nakazawa|1996|pp=8-9}} and introduces new characters and Angels.{{sfn|Nakazawa|1996|p=146}}
*Commander Nikolayev (ニコラーエフ 司令官?) is the head of the Nerv's Russian section. Nikolayev is seemingly friendly, amiable, and well-mannered but in reality, with this positive attitude, he could only be [[stonewalling]] the Nerv headquarters and concealing his true character.{{sfn|Nakazawa|1996|p=97}}
*Marie Vincennes (マリイ・ヴァンセンヌ?) is a fourteen-year-old girl who was born in the United States; she is a prodigy with a Ph.D. who is called by Nerv on July 7, 2005,{{sfn|Nakazawa|1996|p=89}} to help advance the science of the Evangelion programs. Despite having a kind voice and good manners, Marie is self-centered and arrogant.{{sfn|Nakazawa|1996|p=79-80}} During a welcome party dedicated to her at Misato's apartment that is attended by the main members of the organization, Marie does not bond with anyone but the penguin Pen-Pen, whom she hugs at the end of the party.{{sfn|Nakazawa|1996|p=85}} Feeling she is treated as an outsider, Marie sells some of the technologies she developed to the CIA, who had contacted her previously. Following the killing of two American agents and an accident that is caused by her inventions, she realizes her mistake and confesses everything after a hospitalization. Maire tells members of the Nerv she has inserted a chip containing the program to cancel the modifications to the Evangelion's cockpits she introduced in Pen-Pen's collar.{{sfn|Nakazawa|1996|pp=90-91}} Once the danger is averted, Marie is shipped to China and assigned the development of the Eva-08. At the end of the game. Marie greets the Nerv members at Hakone Yumoto station, saying, "See you, my friends".{{sfn|Nakazawa|1996|p=93}}
 
===''Secret of Evangelion''===
{{-}}
{{nihongo|''Secret of Evangelion''|シークレット オブ エヴァンゲリオン|Shīkuretto Obu Evangerion}} is a PlayStation 2 video game that was developed by West One and published by Jinx on December 21, 2006. It is set between the events of the final episodes of the television anime and ''The End of Evangelion'', and features thirty scenarios and ten endings.<ref name="pl">{{Cite web |url=https://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/jp0287npjh50207_000000000000000000.html |title=シークレット オブ エヴァンゲリオン ポータブル |language=ja |access-date=June 13, 2021 |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613182331/https://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/jp0287npjh50207_000000000000000000.html }}</ref><ref name="gamecity">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamecity.ne.jp/shop/game/cyberfront/eva_soe.htm |title=シークレット オブ エヴァンゲリオン(Win) |language=ja |access-date=June 13, 2021}}</ref>
* {{nihongo|Kyōya Kenzaki|剣崎キョウヤ|}} is a member of the first section of the Nerv's investigation department. He is the protagonist of the game;<ref name=pl/><ref name=gamecity/> he is twenty-nine years old, projects a calm, shrewd attitude, and constantly wears sunglasses. Kyōya faithfully performs his duties, is not afraid of death, and maintains cordial relations with other people. He has known Misato, Kaji, and Ritsuko since his college days. At the beginning of ''Secret of Evangelion'', Kyōya is tasked with delivering the Eva-04 to the Nerv headquarters but he encounters mysterious accidents, terrorist attacks, and a conspiracy within the organization.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/040/G004006/20070521181654/ |title=PC版「シークレット オブ エヴァンゲリオン」，6月28日に発売 |date=May 21, 2007 |language=ja |access-date=June 13, 2021}}</ref> His design was handled by Shunji Suzumi, a staff member of the original series.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0610/10/news067.html |title=これまで明かされなかった謎に挑む——「シークレット オブ エヴァンゲリオン」 |date=October 10, 2006 |language=ja |access-date=June 13, 2021}}</ref>
* {{nihongo|Hitomi Kaga|加賀ヒトミ| Kaga Hitomi}} is a scientist in Nerv's first science department; she is a brilliant but absent-minded and clumsy. Kyōya has a degree in metaphysical biology and participates in Project E along with Ritsuko Akagi, becoming involved in the development of the Eva, and the creation of the Dummy System and Dummy Plug. Hitomi plays a central role in an operation to retrieve Shinji Ikari, who is trapped inside an Evangelion unit.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.4gamer.net/preview/secret_of_eva/secret_of_eva.shtml |title=新作紹介 ： シークレット オブ エヴァンゲリオン |language=ja |access-date=July 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20061017/eva.htm |title=サイバーフロント、新たな謎に迫るADV PS2「シークレット オブ エヴァンゲリオン」 |language=ja |access-date=July 13, 2021}}</ref>
 
===Mana Kirishima===
== Other characters ==
{{anime voices|Megumi Hayashibara|}}
=== SEELE Leader Keel Lorenz ===
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Keel.jpg]]
|-
| Age || Unspecified
|-
| Sex || Male
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Mugihito]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Richard Peeples]] (series)<br>[[Tom Booker]] (movies)
|}
In the series, Keel Lorenz (キール・ローレンツ) is the leader of SEELE. Among his most defining characteristics are the futuristic visors that he wears throughout the series, which some fans have interpreted to mean that he is blind. He is also ancient in appearance and from what little is said about him in the series, he is believed to be a figure of a great political power in the UN. Little else is known about him and is vastly up to interpretation. His body is also shown to be supported by a myriad of artificial components when he dissolves into LCL.
 
{{nihongo|Mana Kirishima|霧島 マナ|Kirishima Mana}} is introduced in the 1997 [[visual novel]] ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion: Girlfriend of Steel]]'', which was published by [[Bandai]] and is set just before the thirteenth episode of the anime series.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ppe.pl/encyklopedia/8335/neon-genesis-evangelion-girlfriend-of-steel.html |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Girlfriend of Steel |date=December 10, 2015 |language=pl|access-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029132537/https://www.ppe.pl/encyklopedia/8335/neon-genesis-evangelion-girlfriend-of-steel.html |url-status=live|archive-date=October 29, 2020}}</ref> Mana is a shy, gentle, fourteen-year-old girl with reddish-hair, who is from the town [[Akune]]. She moves to class 2-A of the middle school of Tokyo-3,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bibi-star.jp/posts/13129 |title=【新世紀エヴァンゲリオン】霧島マナとは何者？正体や声優情報も紹介 |date=February 15, 2020 |language=ja |access-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602104341/https://bibi-star.jp/posts/13129 |url-status=live|archive-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> and immediately attracts the attention of her male classmates, especially Shinji.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gainax.co.jp/soft/koutetsu/index.html |title=鋼鉄のガールフレンド |language=ja |access-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204233250/http://www.gainax.co.jp/soft/koutetsu/index.html |archive-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref> Shinji and Mana immediately establish a close friendship; Shinji is attracted by Mana's straightforward behavior and approaches her despite the accusations from Asuka, who is jealous and thinks Mana is a spy who wants to exploit Shinji for her own purposes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008279/20090116034/ |title=「新世紀エヴァンゲリオン 鋼鉄のガールフレンド＜特別編＞ポータブル」が，4月9日に発売 |language=ja |access-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722233412/https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008279/20090116034/ |url-status=live|archive-date=July 22, 2020}}</ref>
Some fans believe him to be the character from the apocryphal, anti-Semitic story, [[The Wandering Jew]], but there is no evidence in the series or from any other source to support this claim. In fact, news clippings with Lorenz's picture dating 20 years prior to the story show him visibly younger. An immortal would not have aged in a mere two decades.
 
Mana immediately treats Shinji as her boyfriend and the two, after advice from Kaji, have their first date. It is later discovered Mana actually is a spy under the orders of a rival company to Nerv, and is assigned as a pilot of a mecha called Trident, along with two men named {{nihongo|Musashi Lee Strasberg|ムサシ・リー・ストラスバーグ}} and {{nihongo|Keita Asari|浅利 ケイタ}}. At one point in the game, the mecha goes out of control and the three Nerv pilots are tasked with shooting it down. Depending on the options chosen by the player, different endings (in which Mana moves to another city, dies in combat, or joins Nerv) are offered. The character's name comes from the Japanese battleship ''[[Japanese battleship Kirishima|Kirishima]]''.<ref>{{cite book |title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオン 鋼鉄のガールフレンド メモリアルブック |date=1998 |publisher=Gainax |page=102 |isbn=4-7572-0114-1}}</ref> In addition to ''Girlfriend of Steel'', Mana appears in the manga ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project]]''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-bizarre-spinoffs/ |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Has Some Truly Bizarre Spinoffs |author=Anthony Gramuglia |date=July 3, 2019 |access-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319225039/https://www.cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-bizarre-spinoffs/ |url-status=live|archive-date=March 19, 2020}}</ref> and in ''[[Petit Eva: Evangelion@School]]''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=35|page=18 |publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref>
The inspiration for his name originates from [[Konrad Lorenz]], a zoologist known especially for his research on animal psychology who also, notably, was once a Nazi.
{{-}}
 
===Mayumi Kensuke Aida Yamagishi===
{{anime voices|[[Kyōko Hikami]]|}}<ref name=Mayumi/>
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Kensuke.gif]]
|-
| Age || 14
|-
| Sex || Male
|-
| Birthday || [[September 12]], [[2001]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Tetsuya Iwanaga]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Kurt Stoll]]
|}
Kensuke Aida (相田ケンスケ ''Aida Kensuke'') is a [[geek]], a military buff, Toji's best friend, and a part of the "Other Children," candidates who are also Eva replacements placed in the same class as Shinji, Toji, Rei, and Hikari. His hobbies include camping in the mountains surrounding Tokyo-3 and playing simulated war reenacting - by himself. Kensuke became Shinji's friend after Shinji picked him and Toji up in his Eva during the fight against the fourth Angel, Shamshel. Kensuke constantly dreams of becoming an Eva pilot. He ceaselessly begs Shinji to pull strings in NERV to be commissioned as a pilot, but Shinji has no say in the matter. It is likely that NERV monitors all of the 14-year-old children in Tokyo-3 constantly, as they are all candidates specifically chosen for their suitability as pilots. Nevertheless, Kensuke enjoys the privileges of being the friend of an Eva pilot; he has fun on the excursion to the UN combined naval fleet during the transportation of Unit 02. Like Toji, Kensuke has a crush on Misato Katsuragi.
 
{{nihongo|Mayumi Yamagishi|山岸マユミ|Yamagishi Mayumi}} is introduced in the video game {{nihongo|''Shinseiki Evangelion: 2nd Impression''|新世紀エヴァンゲリオン 2nd Impression|}}, which was released by Sega-AM2 in 1997 for [[Sega Saturn]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Evangelion Chronicle |volume=28|page=20|publisher=Sony Magazines |language=ja}}</ref> Mayumi is a shy girl with long, black hair and glasses who moves into 2-A at Tokyo-3 Municipal Middle School. The game revolves around Mayumi's increasingly close relationship with Shinji, who seems to have feelings for her.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ex.org/2.8/37-game_eva.html |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Second Impression|access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050913101710/http://www.ex.org/2.8/37-game_eva.html |archive-date=September 13, 2005}}</ref> Mayumi is a diligent student and has a passion for singing<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.segadriven.com/shinseiki-evangelion-2nd-impression-mini-cd/ |title=Shinseiki Evangelion 2nd Impression Mini CD |date=January 10, 2016 |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119192623/http://www.segadriven.com/shinseiki-evangelion-2nd-impression-mini-cd/ |url-status=live|archive-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> and reading.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://frequ.jp/1622 |title=【新世紀エヴァンゲリオン】山岸マユミは使徒と関わっている？ネタバレ解説 |date=June 30, 2020 |language=ja |access-date=June 12, 2021}}</ref> Following the appearance of an Angel called the "Original Angel", it is discovered Mayumi guards the enemy's core inside her body, which is its only weakness.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thegamer.com/best-evangelion-games-ranked/ |title=Top 10 Evangelion Games, Ranked |date=July 9, 2019 |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602104341/https://www.thegamer.com/best-evangelion-games-ranked/ |url-status=live|archive-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> In one of the video game's scenarios, Mayumi asks Shinji to kill her and then attempts to commit suicide<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/saturn-cheats/Evangelion_2nd_Impression_Cheats#Happy_Ending |title=Evangelion 2nd Impression Cheats|date=March 14, 2017 |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602104420/https://www.ign.com/wikis/saturn-cheats/Evangelion_2nd_Impression_Cheats#Happy_Ending |url-status=live|archive-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> but Shinji saves Mayumi, who transfers to another school after the battle is over.<ref name=Mayumi>{{Cite web |url=https://bibi-star.jp/posts/13186 |title=【新世紀エヴァンゲリオン】山岸マユミとは何者？使徒との関係やモデル・声優は？ |date=February 6, 2020 |language=ja |access-date=June 12, 2021}}</ref>
Kensuke is named after a main character in the novel ''The Fascism of Love and Fantasies'' (''Ai to Gensou no Fascism'') by [[Ryu Murakami]].
{{-}}
 
===Nene Hikari Horaki Matsukaze===
{{nihongo|Nene Matsukaze|松風ネネ|}} is introduced in the visual novel {{nihongo|''Shinseiki Evangerion Gaiden 2: Ningyō-tachi no utage''|新世紀エヴァンゲリオン外伝2 〜人形達の宴〜|}}, which Tin Machine released on May 30, 2006. Nene is a new student in class 2-A at Tokyo-3 Middle School; she constantly carries around a teddy bear, which she believes contains a spirit named Sandy. Nene's design came from a contest Gainax held to create a fan-designed character to be featured in a video game.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tinmachine.co.jp/eva_gainax/evangelion2.html |title=エヴァンゲリオン外伝2 |language=ja |access-date=June 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0605/30/news045.html |title=iモード「新世紀エヴァンゲリオン外伝～人形たちの宴～」を配信 |date=May 30, 2006 |language=ja |access-date=August 5, 2021}}</ref>
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Hikari.jpg]]
|-
| Age || 14
|-
| Sex || Female
|-
| Birthday || [[February 18]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Junko Iwao]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Carol Amerson]] (series) (movies??)
|}
Hikari Horaki (洞木ヒカリ ''Horaki Hikari'') is the cute and pretty president of the class that Shinji and the other Eva pilots attend. Despite her by-the-book demeanor, she has a crush on Toji Suzuhara, although she is unable to express her feelings to him openly. She also appears to be Asuka's only friend.
 
==Cultural impact==
Hikari is named after a character in the novel ''The Fascism of Love and Fantasies'' (''Ai to Gensou no Fascism'') by [[Ryu Murakami]]. Her name, and that of her unseen younger sister, Nozomi, and elder sister, Kodama, is also in reference to the names of the trains of the [[Tokaido Shinkansen]] line.
===Popularity===
{{-}}
According to Allegra Frank and Aja Romano of ''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]'', in Japan, ''Evangelion'' "spawned countless anime tropes", and "it remains common to see characters like Shinji, Rei, and Asuka appear in advertisements or ''[[pachinko]]'' parlors throughout Japan, and the series' iconography remains widely recognizable in the country". According to Frank, outside Japan "''Evangelion''{{'s}} characters are well-known, beloved and memed by anime fans".<ref>{{cite web|author=Allegra Frank|author2= Aja Romano|publisher=Vox|access-date=December 23, 2021|url=https://www.vox.com/2019/6/21/18683621/neon-genesis-evangelion-netflix-release-explained|title=8 things to know about Neon Genesis Evangelion, the legendary anime now streaming on Netflix|date=June 21, 2021}}</ref> The ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' characters were immediately popular with Japanese audiences, appearing at the top of popularity charts. According to the website Sora News 24, they enjoy "eternal popularity", as evidenced by their frequent use for merchandise items.<ref>{{cite web|author=Katy Kelly|url=https://soranews24.com/2021/03/08/new-dining-out-initiative-enrols-the-evangelion-cast-stars-themed-dishes-and-merchandise/|title=New dining out initiative enrols the Evangelion cast, stars themed dishes and merchandise|publisher=Sora News 24|date=March 8, 2021|access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref> The series appeared for years in the [[Anime Grand Prix]], a large, annual poll ''[[Animage]]'' magazine conducts. In 1996, Shinji and Gendo occupied the second and sixteenth place among the most-popular male characters; Rei, Asuka, and Misato were the first, third, and eighth, respectively, among the female ones.<ref name="eighteen">{{cite web |url=http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_1996.html |title=第18回アニメグランプリ［1996年5月号］ |publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]] |archive-date=October 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019175259/http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_1996.html}}</ref> In 1997, the rankings saw Shinji (first), Kaworu (second), Kaji (tenth), Gendo (fourteenth), Toji (forty-fourth), and Fuyutsuki (fifty-seventh) among the male characters; and Rei (first), Asuka (fourth), Misato (eighth), Maya (nine-teenth), Ritsuko (twenty-seventh), and Hikari (forty-seventh) among the female characters.<ref name="nineteen">{{cite web |url=http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_1997.html |title=第19回アニメグランプリ［1997年6月号］ |publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]] |archive-date=October 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019174636/http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_1997.html}}</ref> In 1998 Shinji and Kaworu maintained their placement, while Rei, Asuka, and Misato dropped to fifth, sixth, and twelfth, respectively.<ref name="twenty">{{cite web |url=http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_1998.html |title=第20回アニメグランプリ［1998年6月号］ |publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]] |archive-date=October 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019175145/http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_1998.html}}</ref> Some of the characters appeared in the magazine's monthly rankings for years, such as Shinji, Asuka, Rei, and Maya.<ref name=March97/><ref name=August97/>
 
The protagonists also appeared in ''Newtype'' magazine's polls, even years after the show's first airing;<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Newtype Magazine|Newtype]]|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|date=May 2005|page=182|language=ja|title=NT RANKING}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Newtype Magazine|Newtype]]|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|date=January 2009|page=203|language=ja|title=人気キャラクター女性 年間 TOP10}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Newtype|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|date=March 2019|language=ja|title=Ranking}}</ref> from August to October 2009 they were among the most popular among the magazine's readers,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=MONTHLY LINE UP|magazine=[[Newtype Magazine|Newtype]]|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|date=August 2009|page=172|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=MONTHLY LINE UP|magazine=[[Newtype Magazine|Newtype]]|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|date=September 2009|page=148|language=ja}}</ref> both in the male and female categories.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=MONTHLY LINE UP|magazine=[[Newtype Magazine|Newtype]]|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|date=October 2009|page=136|language=ja}}</ref> In March 2010, ''Newtype'' named Rei the most-popular female character of the 1990s, and placed Shinji first and Kaworu second in the male category.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Newtype Magazine|Newtype]]|title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオン|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|date=March 2010|pages=24–25|language=ja}}</ref>
=== Pen Pen ===
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:penpen.jpg]]
|-
| Age || Unspecified
|-
| Sex || Male
|-
| Relations || Guardian: [[Misato Katsuragi]]
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Megumi Hayashibara]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || [[Amanda Winn Lee]] (series and movies)<br>[[Mandy Clark]] (Director's Cut)
|}
Pen Pen, or Pen² (ペンペン) is a warm-water [[Erect-crested Penguin]] with a relatively high degree of [[intelligence (trait)|intelligence]]. According to the manga, he is the result of a [[genetics]] experiment at Misato's former workplace, and she adopted him after the experiment's conclusion rather than watch him be [[animal euthanasia|euthanised]]. He lives in a custom refrigerator in her apartment, enjoys taking warm baths, eating whatever food he can get his hands (or wings) on, and going to [[hot springs]]. He is also shown watching TV and reading newspapers. Pen Pen is a key source of comic relief in the series.
{{-}}
 
===Critical response===
== Incidental Characters ==
{{multiple image
* "Mama" Sohryu
| footer = The character development of the series, and particularly the last two episodes, have received divided reception. [[Yoshiyuki Tomino]] criticized the series for suggesting the idea that "we're all depressed nervous wrecks".<ref name=Tomino/> [[Makoto Shinkai]] appreciated the last two episodes, saying that: "Anime doesn't always have to be about crazy movement and a lot of action. Sometimes it is also about the words or even the lack of words, things not being spoken".<ref>{{cite news|last=Kelts|first=Roland|date=February 17, 2012|title=Shinkai engages intl anime fans|newspaper=The Daily Yomiuri|url=http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/T120210005792.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216191208/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/T120210005792.htm|archive-date=February 16, 2012}}</ref>
* "Papa" Sohryu
| image1 = 2008TaipeiGameShow Day2 DigitalContentForum Yoshiyuki Tomino.jpg
* "Doll" Asuka
| align = right
| alt1 =
| caption1 =
| width1 = 149
| image2 = Makoto Shinkhai in Moscow.JPG
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| width2 = 150
}}
 
The characters of ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' divided critics. Peter Harcoff of the webzine The Anime Critic did not like Shinji's weak personality and Asuka's grumpiness but praised the relationships between the characters and their motivations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animecritic.com/evangelion/anr-evangelion.html|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215400/http://www.animecritic.com/evangelion/anr-evangelion.html|archive-date=October 4, 2013|access-date=April 20, 2020}}</ref> The website Anime Planet was critical of some aspects of the series but praised the characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anime-planet.com/reviews/a390.html|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Review|date=December 11, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928163249/http://www.anime-planet.com/reviews/a390.html|archive-date=September 28, 2013|access-date=April 20, 2020}}</ref> [[THEM Anime Reviews]]'s Raphael See found their characterization irritating and clichéd, saying he had seen similar personalities in previous anime.<ref>{{cite web|author=Raphael See|url=http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=142|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion|publisher=T.H.E.M. Anime|access-date=February 9, 2014|archive-date=February 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220172156/http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=142|url-status=live}}</ref> See's colleague Tim Jones, disdained the psychology of the protagonists, all of whom have tragic pasts and relationship problems, with the exception of Kaji.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=761 |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion |access-date=April 24, 2017|publisher=T.H.E.M. Anime}}</ref>
== Characters from outside of the main series ==
=== Mana Kirishima ===
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:manaeva.jpg]]
|-
| Age || 14
|-
| Sex || Female
|-
|Birthday || November 4, 2001
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Megumi Hayashibara]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || No English version.
|}
Mana Kirishima (霧島マナ ''Kirishima Mana'') is the main focus of ''[[Girlfriend of Steel]]'' (鋼鉄のガールフレンド ''Kōtetsu no Gārufurendo''), a game that is like an episode of the series. She appears as a transfer student at the Children's school, and becomes the focus of Shinji's interest and Asuka's ire (due to a rampant fit of jealousy). She is the pilot of another man-made replacement for the EVA Units, the ''Trident'', whose combat skills are actually on par with the Evangelions', to whom they bear a resemblance in design. She also appears in ''[[Shinji Ikari Raising Project]]'' (碇シンジ育成計画 ''Ikari Shinji Ikusei Keikaku''). Like many Evangelion characters, Mana's family name, Kirishima, is taken from a World War II battleship.
 
An implicit sex scene between two characters in the twentieth episode caused controversy considering the show was broadcast in an afternoon time-slot,{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=162}} and the last two episodes completely focus on the Shinji's psychological depth and inner monologs, which raised further controversy and polarized the opinions of critics.<ref name="Solomon">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-apr-10-et-solomon10-story.html|title=Anime Series Draws on a World of Alienation|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first=Charles|last=Solomon|date=April 10, 2002|access-date=May 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305142153/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/apr/10/entertainment/et-solomon10|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> For anthropologist Lawrence Eng, the ending does not give a sense of closure for most of the characters, and said, "for many loyal fans of ''Evangelion'', this was a betrayal on Anno's part".<ref name="Lawrence" /> [[Vice.com]]'s Chia Conteras, while not finding the conclusion incomprehensible, described it as incongruent with what the protagonists faced through the rest of the series.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/nothing-prepares-you-for-the-end-of-evangelion/ |title=Nothing Prepares You for the End of 'Evangelion' |author=Chia Contreras |publisher=Vice |access-date=December 14, 2021|date=August 2, 2019}}</ref> Anime director [[Yoshiyuki Tomino]] also criticized ''Evangelion'' and rebuked the show's producers for not trying to "making fun for or gaining the sympathy of the audience", and instead trying to show "that everybody is sick" and hopeless. According to Tomino, "I don't think that's a real work of art&nbsp;... I think that we should try to show people how to live healthier, fuller lives, to foster their identity as a part of their community, and to encourage them to work happily until they die. I can't accept any work that doesn't say that".<ref name=Tomino>{{cite journal|journal=Animerica|volume=8|issue=2|date=March 2000|publisher=Viz Media|page=36|title=Animerica Interview: Yoshiyuki Tomino}}</ref>
A new female character, Mana Kirishima, starts at Shinji Ikari's school and immediately admits to finding him cute. Gradually, a relationship unfolds and they end up going on a date where they kiss. It turns out, however, that she is one of three test pilots of TRIDENT, of a new competitor to the Evangelions, similar to Jet Alone, thus the name Girlfriend of Steel. Eventually, the other robot goes berserk and the Evas have to destroy it. Throughout the game, Asuka Langley Soryu is constantly jealous of Shinji and Mana, consistent with her widely-speculated romantic feelings for Shinji. (Mana is, in fact, much disliked by many fans of the Shinji/Asuka pairing.) Rei Ayanami is present but plays a rather background role in the story.
The interactivity in most of the game is limited to walking around areas until the next plot event is triggered. However, the one true branch occurs at the end of the game, where the player may choose to focus on Mana, Asuka or Kaji. This choice determines which of the game's three endings are shown. In the Mana ending, Mana is discovered not to have been killed in the battle. Shinji rescues her and brings her back to his apartment. She showers, emerges wearing only a towel, and teasingly asks Shinji if he'd like her to remove it (this is similar to a scene involving Shinji and Asuka in Yoshiyuki Sadamoto's Evangelion manga, in which Asuka actually does remove the towel - revealing that she has on a sleeveless, strapless top and short shorts underneath). In discussion with Misato, however, it is agreed that Mana has to leave Tokyo-3, and she says a teary goodbye to Shinji who had won her heart.
 
Other reviewers praised the characterization of the protagonists. According to [[Kotaku]]'s Rita Jackson, "it's not fun to spend time with these characters", given the strong emotional pressure and anguish they are forced to suffer, and while "sometimes characters feel more like mouthpieces for Anno's thoughts about society than actual characters", she appreciated the writer's "brilliant" work.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-is-coming-to-netflix-in-the-spr-1830687694 |title=Evangelion Isn't Fun, But It's Still Worth Watching |author=Gita Jackson |date=November 27, 2018 |publisher=Kotaku|access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref> Morgan Lewis of the webzine VG Culture HQ stated, "none of the characters are black and white" and "all of them are screwed up beyond belief"; he called Shinji the most layered character, stating ''Evangelion'' is not suitable for an inattentive audience.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://vgculturehq.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-isnt-for-normies/ |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Isn't For Normies |author=Morgan Lewis |date=June 29, 2019 |publisher=VG Culture HQ |access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref> A similar opinion was given by [[Anime News Network]]'s Nick Creamer, according to whom one of the anime's strengths is the fact no protagonist is trapped in a simple narrative role; Creamer said, "''Evangelion'' portrays the mindsets of its characters with empathy and nuance".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/neon-genesis-evangelion/episodes-1-26/.148638 |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion |author=Nick Creamer |publisher=Anime News Network |access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref> According to Matthew Perez of ''Anime Reign'' magazine, "the characters are by far the most hated aspect of ''Neon Genesis Evangelion''"; he noted many are initially archetypal and stereotypical. Perez praised the characters' realism and judged some of them to be the "most well made in anime to date".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Anime Reign Magazine|pages=23–24 |volume=1|issue=2|date=2013|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion|first=Matthew|last=Perez|url=https://issuu.com/mukeshkumar18/docs/anime_reign_issue2_2013__1_}}</ref>
 
For writer Andrea Fontana, ''Evangelion'' would be "a true sociological and psychological treatise"; he praised the introspective insight of its protagonists and the underlying message of learning to be oneself.<ref>{{cite web|author=Andrea Fontana|url=http://www.nonsolomanga.it/anime/eva_articolo-af.htm|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: l'apoteosi dell'anime|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229123512/http://www.nonsolomanga.it/anime/eva_articolo-af.htm|archive-date=February 29, 2008|access-date=April 17, 2020|language=it}}</ref> Equally positive were the reviews from [[Comic Book Resources]] authors. Ajay Aravind praised the personalities of Rei, Misato, and Yui; Anthony Gramuglia called the protagonists "incredibly complicated and fascinating";<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Comic Book Resources|author=Ajay Aravind|date=December 2, 2020|url=https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-character-likability/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: Every Main Character, Ranked By Likability|access-date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121000410/https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-character-likability/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/is-neon-genesis-evangelion-still-relevant-in-2019/ |title=Is Neon Genesis Evangelion Still Relevant in 2019? |author=Anthony Gramuglia |date=June 9, 2019 |publisher=Comic Book Resources|access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref> and Reuben Baron appreciated the characters' three-dimensionality and exploration of trauma but criticized the [[fan service]] and sexualization of the teenage characters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/why-watch-neon-genesis-evangelion-anime/ |title=10 Reasons Everyone Must Watch Evangelion (And 10 Aspects That Don't Quite Hold Up) |author=Reuben Baron |date=December 2, 2018 |publisher=December 2, 2018|access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref> Other writers at Comic Book Resource described the female characters as strong, determined, and independent, and considered the series to be ahead of its time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-changed-mecha-anime/ |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: 10 Undeniable Ways That It Changed Mecha Anime Forever |author=Theo Kogod |publisher=Comic Book Resources |date=January 27, 2020 |access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-anime-ahead-of-time-criticism/ |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: 5 Ways The Anime Was Ahead Of Its Time (& 5 Ways It Wasn't) |author=Caleb Bailey |publisher=Comic Book Resources |date=November 18, 2019|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref> Anime News Network's Martin Theron praised Sadamoto's "distinctive" character design.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/neon-genesis-evangelion/dvd-3 |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion (Review) DVD 3: Platinum Edition |author=Martin Theron |publisher=Anime News Network |date=March 18, 2005 |access-date=November 9, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117035828/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/neon-genesis-evangelion/dvd-3 |url-status=live|archive-date=January 17, 2013}}</ref> Allen Divers, another editor at Anime News Network, stated, "The characters and storyline of ''Evangelion'' would give Sigmund Freud complexes".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion-collection-0-7-dvd |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Collection 0:7 DVD |author=Allen Divers |publisher=Anime News Network |date=January 10, 2002 |access-date=November 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925012514/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion-collection-0-7-dvd |url-status=live|archive-date=September 25, 2015}}</ref> Fellow reviewer Matt Jong also appreciated the development, calling it "provoking";<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/neon-genesis-evangelion/dvd-1/by-matt-jong |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion (Review) DVD Vol. 1 |author=Matt Jong |publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=October 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023162037/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/neon-genesis-evangelion/dvd-1/by-matt-jong |url-status=live|archive-date=October 23, 2020}}</ref> and Paul Fargo, another reviewer for the same website, praised the tragic nature and psychological depth of the second half of the series, especially in the director's-cut version of the home video editions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/evangelion-collection-0-7-dvd |title=Neon Genesis Evangelion |author=Allen Divers |publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref>
{{-}}
 
===Merchandise===
=== Other characters from Girlfriend of Steel ===
[[File:Evangelion Store Tokyo-1.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|Clothes inspired by the protagonists of ''Evangelion'' at the Eva Store, the official store of the franchise]]
* {{nihongo|Musashi Lee Strasberg|ムサシ・リー・ストラスバーグ|Musashi Rī Sutorasubāgu}}
* {{nihongo|Keita Asari|浅利ケイタ|Asari Keita}}
 
According to ''Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Unofficial Guide'', which was written by Kazuhisa Fujie and Martin Foster, the anime's release "ignited a boom in merchandise unprecedented in a country already awash with such goods", with over 600 items being made to celebrate the event.{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=126}} The characters were used for T-shirts,<ref>{{cite book |title=E-Mono|publisher=Gainax|pages=56–58|language=ja|date=1997|isbn=4-04-852868-8}}</ref> access-dateries,<ref>{{cite book |title=E-Mono|publisher=Gainax|pages=60–61|language=ja|date=1997|isbn=4-04-852868-8}}</ref> posters,<ref>{{cite book |title=E-Mono|publisher=Gainax|page=83|language=ja|date=1997|isbn=4-04-852868-8}}</ref> and watches.<ref>{{cite book |title=E-Mono|publisher=Gainax|page=79|language=ja|date=1997|isbn=4-04-852868-8}}</ref> Action figures became the most popular items, particularly those of Rei;{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=98}} books featuring her image on the cover also sold quickly and media named her "the Premium Girl".{{sfn|Fujie|Foster|2004|p=39}} When ''Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth'' was released in 1997, the [[UCC Ueshima Coffee Co.]] company marketed coffee cans with the characters of the series,<ref>{{cite book |title=E-Mono|publisher=Gainax|page=142|language=ja|date=1997|isbn=4-04-852868-8}}</ref> selling 400,000 cases—about twelve million cans; after the release of ''Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone'' in 2007, another 300,000 cases containing about nine million cans were sold.<ref name="wmjc2">{{Cite web|date=March 11, 2008|title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオン：レアもの「エヴァ缶」登場 レイとアスカがメイド姿で限定生産|url=http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/graph/anime/20080311|language=ja|access-date=October 5, 2021|archive-date=March 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315222303/http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/graph/anime/20080311/|url-status=live|publisher=Mainichi Shimbun|website=Mainichi.jp}}</ref> In 1997, a series of books dedicated to the show's protagonists was published;<ref>{{cite book |title=E-Mono|publisher=Gainax|pages=50–51|language=ja|date=1997|isbn=4-04-852868-8}}</ref> Rei,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/199999341401/ |title=REI－レイ－ 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン文庫写真集 |publisher=Kadokawa Shoten |language=ja |access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> Asuka,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/199999341402/ |title=ASUKA－アスカ－ 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン文庫写真集 |publisher=Kadokawa Shoten |language=ja |access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> Shinji<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/199999341403/ |title=SHINJI－シンジ－ 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン文庫写真集 |publisher=Kadokawa Shoten |language=ja |access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> and Kaworu,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/199999341404/ |title=KAWORU－カヲル－ 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン文庫写真集 |language=ja |access-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727003256/https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/199999341404/ |archive-date=July 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> along with two artbooks titled ''Photo File Eve'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/199999852661/ |title=eve 2015年の女神たち 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン PHOTO FILE |publisher=Kadokawa |language=ja |access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> about only the female protagonists, and ''Photo File Adam'', dedicated to the male characters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/199999852681/ |title=ADAM 2015年の戦士たち 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン PHOTO FILE02 |publisher=Kadokawa Shoten |language=ja |access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> In the same year, a catalog titled "E Mono" containing articles about the series and the characters was published; it also listed some ''[[dōjinshi]]''—unofficial comics made by fans.<ref>{{cite book |title=E-Mono|publisher=Gainax|pages=53–54|language=ja|date=1997|isbn=4-04-852868-8}}</ref>
=== Mayumi Yamagishi ===
{| class="infobox"
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Mayumi.png]]
|-
| Sex || Female
|-
| Japanese [[seiyu|seiyū]] || [[Kyoko Hikami]]
|-
| English [[voice actor]] || No English version.
|}
{{nihongo|Mayumi Yamagishi|山岸マユミ|Yamagishi Mayumi}} is the new character introduced in ''[[Evangelion 2nd Impression]]'', a [[Sega Saturn]] game. In the game, Mayumi is a bespectacled bookworm who somehow has the core of an Angel inside her body. She joins Shinji's class and befriends him, and like many of the Evangelion cast, has a dark history. Her mother apparently committed suicide while Mayumi was a girl (much like Asuka's mother), and toward the end of the game, Mayumi tries to commit suicide when the Angel she's connected with attacks Tokyo-3. Depending on the choices you make in the game, Shinji saves her, and some notable moments from the game include seeing Mayumi sing a karaoke song and running into Shinji in the library.
{{-}}
 
According to critic Pier Francesco Cantelli, "it is impossible to take a tour of Akihabara without coming across at least one poster depicting [the show's] protagonists"; he also compared the success of the ''Evangelion'' franchise to the popularity of ''[[Star Wars]]'' in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinemaerrante.com/2019/08/28/introduzione-neon-genesis-evangelion/ |title=Un'introduzione a Neon Genesis Evangelion |author=Pier Francesco Cantelli |date=August 28, 2019|publisher=Cinema Errante|language=it}}</ref> ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' protagonists also appear in video games based on the original animated series and media not belonging to the ''Evangelion'' franchise; these include ''[[Monster Strike]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://g123.jp/gnews/post-12687|title=【モンスト】「エヴァンゲリオン」コラボ第3弾が開催！限定ガチャや「葛城ミサト」も新登場|work=G123.JP-新作ゲームアプリ攻略 |date=October 5, 2017|access-date=April 15, 2018|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141751/https://g123.jp/gnews/post-12687|archive-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> ''[[Super Robot Wars]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/import-review-super-robot-wars-v-500066.phtml|title=Import Review: Super Robot Wars V|work=Destructoid |date=April 26, 2018|access-date=June 4, 2018|archive-date=August 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822001402/https://www.destructoid.com/import-review-super-robot-wars-v-500066.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Tales of Zestiria]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/11/11/evangelion-costume-set-for-tales-of-zestiria-offered-in-america-and-europe|title="Evangelion" Costume Set for "Tales of Zestiria" Offered in America and Europe|date=November 12, 2015|access-date=June 7, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142205/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/11/11/evangelion-costume-set-for-tales-of-zestiria-offered-in-america-and-europe|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Puzzle & Dragons]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/11/17/neon-genesis-evangelion-revisits-puzzle-dragons/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Revisits Puzzle & Dragons|access-date=June 7, 2018|date=November 17, 2015|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612155947/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/11/17/neon-genesis-evangelion-revisits-puzzle-dragons/}}</ref> ''Keri hime sweets'', ''Summons Board'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamedeets.com/archives/205937|title=『ケリ姫スイーツ』と『エヴァンゲリオン』コラボが復活！「第13号機 疑似シン化」などの新キャラクターが登場|language=ja|date=November 25, 2016|access-date=July 9, 2017|archive-date=December 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209152349/https://gamedeets.com/archives/205937|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://app.famitsu.com/20161019_866892/|title=『サモンズボード』に使徒、再び！『エヴァンゲリオン』コラボ情報まとめ|date=October 19, 2016|language=ja|access-date=July 9, 2017|archive-date=December 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209161049/https://app.famitsu.com/20161019_866892/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Puyopuyo!! Quest]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamebiz.jp/?p=217563|title=セガゲームス、『ぷよぷよ!!クエスト』で「エヴァンゲリオン」コラボを開始！ 「葛城ミサト」役・三石琴乃さんナレーションのテレビCMも放映中|language=ja|access-date=September 12, 2018|date=August 10, 2018|archive-date=September 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911222435/https://gamebiz.jp/?p=217563|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Line Rangers'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=使徒來襲！《LINE Rangers》與新世紀福音戰士特別合作|url=https://game.ettoday.net/article/615629.htm|access-date=September 25, 2020|date=December 18, 2015|work=ETtoday遊戲雲|language=zh-tw|archive-date=September 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926131056/https://game.ettoday.net/article/615629.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Unison'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=召喚系手機 RPG《UNISON 聯盟》X「福音戰士」合作今日開跑|url=https://gnn.gamer.com.tw/detail.php?sn=137935|access-date=October 12, 2020|date=September 29, 2016|language=zh-tw}}</ref> ''[[MapleStory]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=《新楓之谷》X《福音戰士》跨界活動即日啟動！乘坐帥氣「初號機」操縱威力驚人「陽電子炮」|url=https://www.gamebase.com.tw/news/topic/98968881/|access-date=September 25, 2020|date=March 1, 2018|publisher=遊戲基地 gamebase|language=zh-tw|archive-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925143609/https://www.gamebase.com.tw/news/topic/98968881/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=《新楓之谷》X《福音戰士》跨界合作即日啟動 於任務中乘坐「初號機」操縱「陽電子炮」|url=https://gnn.gamer.com.tw/detail.php?sn=159642|access-date=October 8, 2020|author=Jessica|date=March 1, 2018|language=zh-tw}}</ref> ''Valkyrie Connect'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=《神域召喚》x《福音戰士新劇場版》合作聯動全面展開 零、明日香及真嗣於遊戲現身|url=https://gnn.gamer.com.tw/detail.php?sn=162253|access-date=September 25, 2020|author=Edward|date=May 7, 2018|language=zh-tw|archive-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712230828/https://gnn.gamer.com.tw/detail.php?sn=162253|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=《神域召喚》x《新世紀福音戰士》合作再臨，和少年少女們拯救世界|url=https://www.4gamers.com.tw/news/detail/38185/valkyrie-connect-cross-with-neon-genesis-evangelion|access-date=October 13, 2020|author=餅乾|date=March 7, 2019|publisher=4Gamers 官方網站|language=zh-Hant|archive-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925143617/https://www.4gamers.com.tw/news/detail/38185/valkyrie-connect-cross-with-neon-genesis-evangelion|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Ragnarok Online]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=不能逃避！《RO仙境傳說：守護永恆的愛》x 《新世紀福音戰士》|url=https://game.udn.com/game/story/10453/3625048|access-date=September 25, 2020|date=January 31, 2019|publisher=udn遊戲角落|language=zh-tw|archive-date=February 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203184946/https://game.udn.com/game/story/10453/3625048|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=手遊《仙境傳說》與《福音戰士》合作 碇真嗣、綾波零全出列|url=https://game.ettoday.net/article/1374979.htm|access-date=October 13, 2020|author=樓菀玲|date=February 10, 2019|publisher=ETtoday遊戲雲|language=zh-Hant|archive-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925143620/https://game.ettoday.net/article/1374979.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Battle Cats]]''<ref>{{Cite web|title=《貓咪大戰爭》x《新世紀福音戰士》合作回來啦！追加全新要素再次出擊|url=https://www.gamebase.com.tw/news/topic/99213293/|access-date=October 13, 2020|date=July 18, 2019|publisher=遊戲基地 gamebase|language=zh-tw|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926110907/https://www.gamebase.com.tw/news/topic/99213293/|url-status=live}}</ref> and an official [[crossover episode]] of ''[[Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-08-09/rei-asuka-vas-confirmed-angel-themed-villain-revealed-for-shinkalion-giant-eva-episode/.135295|title=Rei, Asuka VAs Confirmed, Angel-Themed Villain Revealed for Shinkalion's Giant Eva Episode|website=animenewsnetwork.com|date=August 9, 2018|access-date=April 19, 2020|archive-date=May 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506225231/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-08-09/rei-asuka-vas-confirmed-angel-themed-villain-revealed-for-shinkalion-giant-eva-episode/.135295|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Miscellaneous NERV technicians ===
In ''[[Shinji Ikari Raising Project]]'', three NERV technicians are named, who may have previously been shown unnamed:
* {{nihongo|Kaede Agano|阿賀野カエデ|Agano Kaede}}
* {{nihongo|Aoi Mogami|最上アオイ|Mogami Aoi}}
* {{nihongo|Satsuki Ooi|大井サツキ|Ōi Satsuki}}
{{-}}
 
== Trivia =Legacy===
[[File:Akihabara August 2014 09.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|A store in Akihabara. The series is believed to be the starting point of the moe boom and the transformation of Akihabara, which became famous for its otaku-themed stores.]]
The Director Hideaki Anno was influenced by [[Ryu Murakami]]'s war novel ''Fascism of Love and Illusion'' (''愛と幻想のファシズム''), and many names including Aida and Suzuhara come from this story, which was based on Kanji Ishahara, a Lieutenant General in Imperial Japan.
The protagonists of ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' appeared on the covers of magazines specializing in anime and manga, such as ''Animage'' and ''Newtype'', and the anime became the most-discussed product of the Japanese animation industry. Since the broadcast of the first episode at [[Comiket]] conventions, it appeared in the ''[[dōjin]]'' market,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ex.org/1.4/07-comike.html |title=Comike 50 |author=Dave Van Cleef |publisher=EX.org |access-date=October 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001115064700/http://www.ex.org/1.4/07-comike.html |archive-date=November 15, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ex.org/3.6/14-event_comike.html |title=Comike 54 |author=Ivevei Upatkoon |publisher=EX.org |access-date=October 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991022233303/http://www.ex.org/3.6/14-event_comike.html |archive-date=October 22, 1999}}</ref> attracting male and female audiences in equal numbers.<ref>{{cite book|first=Carl Gustav |last=Horn|chapter=Eight books from Evangelion|publisher=Viz Media|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion|volume=8|isbn=978-1-59116-415-9|date=2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stanford.edu/~fenn/eva/eva1.html|title=Speaking Once as They Return: Gainax's ''Neon Genesis Evangelion''|last=Horn|first=Carl G|access-date=September 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329122552/http://www.stanford.edu/~fenn/eva/eva1.html|archive-date=March 29, 2012}}</ref> The Artifice's Justin Wu attributed the characters' success to several factors, such as Sadamoto's designs and the open-ended nature of the product, which is characterized by obscure points and facts that are left to viewers' interpretation and imagination; according to him, ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' is a pivotal event in the history of merchandise, which became an important market.<ref name=legacy>{{cite web|author=Justin Wu|url=http://the-artifice.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-rei-ayanami-legacy/|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Legacy of Rei Ayanami|date=July 11, 2013|publisher=[[The Artifice (magazine)|The Artifice]]|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=March 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318111941/http://the-artifice.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-rei-ayanami-legacy/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''Newtype'' magazine, after the anime's success, "hordes of otaku fllooded Akihabra in search of the enigmatic Rei Ayanami, and companies realized for the first time that catering to the geek crowd could be very profitable&nbsp;... Akihabara itself has transformed from an 'electric town' famous for household appliances to the geek paradise it is today".<ref name=NewtypeUSA>{{cite journal|title=An instrument of change|journal=[[Newtype USA]]|page=31|date=December 2006}}</ref> Such a high trade in figures, trading cards, and similar products began the [[moe (slang)|moe]] phenomenon, in which the audience's attention is focused on empathy and attraction to the characters rather than the plot.<ref name=NewtypeUSA/><ref>{{cite web |url= https://jmpc-utokyo.com/keyword/moe/|title= Moe|last=Galbraith |first=Patrick W. |date=April 11, 2020 |website= Jmpc-utokyo.com|publisher= University of Tokyo|access-date= December 24, 2021|quote=}}</ref> According to scholar Patrick Galbraith, ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' began a massive growth in anime that focused on cute girls, causing the fanzine and figure markets to grow tenfold due to viewers' emotional response to the characters, with "[e]ntire fanzine conventions&nbsp;... committed to the series and its characters".<ref>{{cite book|author=Patrick W. Galbraith|title=Otaku and the Struggle for Imagination in Japan|date=2019|chapter=Moe: An Affective Response to Fictional Characters|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-1-4780-0701-2}}</ref>
 
Journal ''AsianScape'' described the representation of ''Evangelion''{{'s}} characters as "possibly the most innovative and influential aspect" of the series, with the presentation of characters with deep, psychic traumas and alienation.<ref>{{cite journal|date=April 2013|url=http://www.asiascape.org/resources/publications/asiascape-ops6.pdf|journal=Asiascape Ops|first1=Carl|last1= Li|first2=Mari |last2=Nakamura|first3=Martin |last3=Roth|title=Japanese Science Fiction in Converging Media: Alienation and Neon Genesis Evangelion|volume=6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020192644/http://www.asiascape.org/resources/publications/asiascape-ops6.pdf|archive-date=October 20, 2014}}</ref> Game Developer's Brett Fujioka wrote, "''Eva'' turned hackneyed anime tropes and archetypes on their heads through its characters&nbsp;... [Anno's] psychologically malcontent characters resonated with Japanese youth at the time".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/japanese-postmodernism-and-fandom-the-rise-of-raiden-and-what-kojima-really-meant |title=Japanese Postmodernism and Fandom: The Rise of Raiden and What Kojima Really Meant |last= Fujioka |first= Brett|date=March 6, 2013 |website=Gamedeveloper.com |publisher= Game Developer|access-date= December 24, 2021}}</ref> Leading researchers also studied the characters' success. Japanese sociologist [[Shinji Miyadai]], among others, reported instances of college students identifying with Shinji or Asuka;{{sfn|Ishikawa|2007|p=80}} according to essayist Satomi Ishikawa, such episodes are a reflection of "how influential the impact of this particular anime has been" for Japanese youth at the time. Ishikawa noted in the years after the series aired, it became very popular, giving rise to the expression "''Eva'' phenomenon", and many fans saw themselves in the protagonists. The central element and the reason for so much attraction to ''Evangelion'' is in Japanese called {{nihongo|''jibun sagashi''|自分探し||"self-seeking"}},{{sfn|Ishikawa|2007|pp=76-77}} a theme that aroused empathy in the youth, who saw their problems in Shinji and Asuka.{{sfn|Ishikawa|2007|p=83}} According to Ishikawa, ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' became associated with the concept of "adult children" that was initially developed by U.S. psychologists and became the focus of Japanese media attention in the late 1990s.{{sfn|Ishikawa|2007|pp=78-79}}
Many of the surnames of the characters in Evangelion are named after Japanese warships in World War II.
 
As a result of the success of ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', the ''[[sekaikei]]'' genre, in which plots combine apocalyptic crises with the sentimental comedy of school settings, spread and became popular; the love stories of the protagonists of such works are directly related to the fate of the world.<ref name="Mihic">{{cite book |title=Re-imagining Japan after Fukushima|author=Tamaki Mihic |page=32|date=2020|publisher=ANU Press |isbn=978-1-76046-354-0}}</ref> Several representatives of this genre were inspired by Anno's series they are mainly oriented on the psychology of the characters and their relationships rather than on the plot, becoming one of the main motifs of Japanese subculture. The neologism ''sekaikei'' was often replaced with the expression "post-''Evangelion'' syndrome". Critics have identified ''sekaikei'' elements in ''[[Voices of a Distant Star]]'', ''[[She, the Ultimate Weapon]]'', ''[[Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu]]'',<ref>{{cite book |title=Apocalypse in Contemporary Japanese Science Fiction|chapter=The Birth of Sekaikei Fiction|author=Motoko Tanaka |date=2014|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US |isbn=978-1-137-37354-0}}</ref> ''[[Your Name.]]'',<ref name=Mihic/> and ''[[The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya]]'', interpreted as a parody of it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/tsuribe/anime/animeTe.html |title=Recommended Anime: TV Series |access-date=July 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822100355/http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/tsuribe/anime/animeTe.html#BigO|archive-date=August 22, 2007}}</ref> According to Comic Book Resources's Timothy Donohoo, female heroes Rei and Asuka are "extremely important to the development of modern anime writing&nbsp;... All of ''Evangelion''{{'s}} characters were influential and imitated, but in particular Rei and Asuka created a prototype for entertaining romantic interests that future series would use again and again".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-why-so-marketable/ |title=How Is Evangelion So Marketable? |author=Timothy Donohoo |publisher=Comic Book Resources |date=April 13, 2021 |access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref> [[Patrick Drazen]] wrote, "''Evangelion'' exerted a very heavy influence in terms of character design on the anime that came after it".<ref>{{cite book| first = Patrick | last = Drazen|title=Anime Explosion!: The What? Why? and Wow! of Japanese Animation|year=2014|publisher=[[Stone Bridge Press]]|isbn=978-1-61172-013-6| edition = Revised & Updated|page=297}}</ref> Rei is considered particularly popular and influential,<ref>{{cite web|access-date=September 15, 2020|url=https://www.cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-rei-facts/|title=Evangelion: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Rei|author=Adriano Valente|date=July 14, 2019|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715153848/https://www.cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-rei-facts/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Mania>{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/10-iconic-anime-heroines_article_120015.html|title=10 Iconic Anime Heroines|last=Zoth|first=Thomas|date=January 19, 2010|publisher=Mania Entertainment|access-date=January 22, 2010|archive-date=January 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122050251/http://www.mania.com/10-iconic-anime-heroines_article_120015.html}}</ref> and inspired several female heroes who came later<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 25 Anime Characters of All Time |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/103/1036651p4.html |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=October 22, 2009 |date=October 20, 2009 |archive-date=August 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822171911/http://movies.ign.com/articles/103/1036651p4.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://jmpc-utokyo.com/keyword/database-consumption/ |title=Database Consumption |last= Perdijk|first=Paul |date=April 18, 2020 |website= Jmpc-utokyo.com|publisher=University of Tokyo |access-date= December 24, 2021|quote=}}</ref> and contributed to the spread of the ''[[kuudere]]'' stereotype, with apparently cold, apathetic, and mysterious characters.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=September 13, 2020|url=https://www.cbr.com/anime-best-kuudere-characters-ranked/|title=10 Best Kuudere Characters In Anime, Ranked|date=December 5, 2019|archive-date=December 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217201625/https://www.cbr.com/anime-best-kuudere-characters-ranked/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Robert Hutton|url=https://screenrant.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-influence-impact-anime/|title=How Neon Genesis Evangelion Changed Anime Forever|publisher=Screen Rant|date=September 5, 2021|access-date=November 2, 2021}}</ref> Asuka, Shinji,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anibu.jp/eva-character-song-17986.html|title=実はけっこうある!?「エヴァ」キャラへ向けた歌！|date=June 17, 2015|language=ja|access-date=April 18, 2020|website=Anibu.jp|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802171543/http://anibu.jp/eva-character-song-17986.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Misato<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1534238504 |title=『ペンギン・ハイウェイ』石田祐康監督インタビュー｜魅力的なお姉さんにはあの作品の影響が隠されていた？ |date=August 15, 2018 |language=ja |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912022340/https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1534238504 |url-status=live|access-date=December 21, 2021}}</ref> and Gendo<ref>{{cite web|url=https://app.famitsu.com/20170428_1033752/|title=ダサいゲームは作らない！レトロゲームファンが認める『エビルファクトリー』開発の戦略は"差別化"と"かっこよさ"！？【NDC17】|date=April 28, 2017|language=ja|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-date=April 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428173558/https://app.famitsu.com/20170428_1033752/|url-status=live}}</ref> also inspired artists, characters in other animated series, video games, and comics. Asuka is considered an influential example of a ''[[tsundere]]'' protagonist; she is grumpy, short-tempered, and authoritarian but has a tragic past and deep motivations behind it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-asuka-best-tsundere-character/|title=How Evangelion's Asuka Defined Tsundere Characters for a Generation|last=Gramuglia|first=Anthony|date=October 23, 2020|publisher=Comic Book Resources|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-date=March 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324225239/https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-asuka-best-tsundere-character/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gramuglia|first=Anthony|url=https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-rei-or-asuka-best-girl/|date=November 2, 2020|title=Rei Vs. Asuka – Who Is Evangelion's Best Girl?|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119153246/https://www.cbr.com/evangelion-rei-or-asuka-best-girl/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Characters directly named after WWII naval vessels ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Character || Ship class and name || Ship fate
|-
| First Child [[Rei Ayanami]]
| [[Fubuki class destroyer|Fubuki class]] destroyer [[Japanese destroyer Ayanami|''Ayanami'']]
| Sunk after the [[Naval Battle of Guadalcanal#Second battle|Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]] by the [[USS Washington (BB-56)|USS ''Washington'']] on [[November 15]], [[1942]].
|-
| Second Child [[Asuka Langley Soryu]]
| [[USS Langley (CV-1)|Langley class]] aircraft carrier [[USS Langley (CV-1)|USS ''Langley'']]<br>[[Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu|Soryu class]] aircraft carrier [[Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu|''Soryu'']]
| [[USS Langley (CV-1)|USS ''Langley'']] wrecked by a Japanese air attack on [[February 27]], [[1942]], and scuttled by her own escorts.<br>[[Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu|''Soryu'']] sunk at the [[battle of Midway]] on [[June 4]], [[1942]], by dive bombers from the [[USS Enterprise (CV-6)|USS ''Enterprise'']].
|-
| Deputy Commander Kozo Fuyutsuki
| [[Akizuki class destroyer|Akizuki class]] destroyer [[Japanese destroyer Fuyuzuki|''Fuyuzuki'']]
| Badly damaged, then scrapped and used as a breakwater in [[1948]].
|-
| Captain/Major [[Misato Katsuragi]]
| [[Unryu class aircraft carrier|Unryu class]] aircraft carrier [[Japanese aircraft carrier Katsuragi|''Katsuragi'']]
| Captured, then scrapped in [[1947]].
|-
| Head Scientist Ritsuko Akagi
| [[Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi|Akagi class]] aircraft carrier [[Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi|''Akagi'']]
| Damaged by US air attack at the [[battle of Midway]] and scuttled on [[June 4]], [[1942]].
|-
| First Lieutenant Maya Ibuki
| [[Ibuki class aircraft carrier|Ibuki class]] aircraft carrier [[Japanese aircraft carrier Ibuki|''Ibuki'']] and [[Takao class cruiser|Takao class]] heavy cruiser [[Japanese cruiser Maya|''Maya'']]
| Ibuki was not completed, then scrapped in [[1947]]. Maya was sank at Battle of Leyte Gulf on [[October 23]], [[1944]]
|-
| First Lieutenant Makoto Hyuga
| [[Ise class battleship|Ise class]] battleship [[Japanese battleship Hyuga|''Hyuga'']]
| Sunk in the port of Kure by US planes on [[July 28]], [[1945]].
|-
| First Lieutenant Shigeru Aoba
| [[Aoba class cruiser|Aoba class]] heavy cruiser [[Japanese cruiser Aoba|''Aoba'']]
| Sunk in the port of Kure by US planes on [[July 28]], [[1945]].
|}
 
According to ''[[The Washington Post]]''{{'s}} Gene Park, a considerable portion of [[cyberculture]] is rooted in the success of ''Evangelion'', which is popular on [[4chan]] and other websites. According to Park, fans of the series are divided between Asuka and Rei, and have generated the ''[[waifu]]'' wars, a phenomenon in which users of blogs and websites clash to determine with different arguments which character is the most attractive.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/06/25/evangelion-is-finally-netflix-i-dont-need-rewatch-because-trauma-lives-me/ |title='Evangelion' is finally on Netflix. I don't need a rewatch, because the trauma lives on in me |author=Gene Park |publisher=June 25, 2019 |access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref> Maria R. Rider of Ex.org noted Gainax's series has inspired ''[[Gasaraki]]''{{'s}} character design, and particularly that of Miharu, who is similar to Rei.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ex.org/4.2/15-anime_gasaraki.html |title=Gasaraki |author=Maria M. Rider |access-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606221938/http://www.ex.org/4.2/15-anime_gasaraki.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Rurouni Kenshin]]''{{'s}} author [[Nobuhiro Watsuki]] compared his character [[Yukishiro Tomoe]] to Rei;<ref>Watsuki, Nobuhiro. "The Secret Life of Characters (41) Yukishiro (Himura) Tomoe," ''[[Rurouni Kenshin]]'' Volume 21. [[Viz Media]]. 46.</ref> he also used Yui as the visual model for Honjō Kamatari's face.<ref>[[Nobuhiro Watsuki|Watsuki, Nobuhiro]]. "The Secret Life of Characters (37) Honjō Kamatari," ''[[Rurouni Kenshin]]'' Volume 15. [[Viz Media]]. 86.</ref>
=== Characters named after parts of ships ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Character || Part of ship
|-
| Third Child [[Shinji Ikari]]<br>Head Commander [[Gendo Ikari]]
| Ikari (いかり) [[Anchor]]
|-
| [[Gendo Ikari#Background|GEHIRN Staff Gendo Rokubungi]]
| Rokubungi (ろくぶんぎ) [[Sextant]]
|-
| NERV Special Inspector [[Ryoji Kaji]]
| Kaji (かじ) [[Rudder]], [[Ship's wheel|Helm]]
|-
| [[List of characters in Neon Genesis Evangelion#SEELE Leader Keel Lorenz|SEELE Leader Keel Lorenz]]
| [[Keel]]
|}
 
== References Notes==
{{Reflist}}
* {{ja icon}} [http://www.gainax.co.jp/hills/anno/essay1.html Hideaki Anno's Official Site: Essay Page] an essay written by Hideaki Anno explaining Evangelion's character's etymologies.
* [http://eva.onegeek.org/pipermail/oldeva/1998-September/020519.html Evangelion FAQ V0.5.12.2] (see section 3.4).
* [http://members.tripod.com/~runs_with_scissors/nge/nge.html Evangelion Facts (Useless, Tasteless, & Completely Random)].
* [http://www.evaotaku.com/html/dr1-characters.html Evangelion: Death & Rebirth Theatrical Program (Characters)].
*[http://animenation.net/forums/showthread.php?t=188682 NGE2 Classified Information] translations of information presented in the NGE2 game for PSP
 
== See also References==
{{refbegin}}
* [[List of ships of the Japanese Navy]]
* {{cite book |title=新世紀エヴァンゲリオンRPG NERV白書 |publisher=Kadokawa Shoten |language=ja|date=1996 |first=Mitsuhiro|last=Nakazawa |isbn=4-04-714513-0}}
* {{cite book | date = 1997 | first = Kaichiro| last= Morikawa | title=The Evangelion Style|publisher=Daisan Shokan|language=ja|isbn=4-8074-9718-9}}
* {{cite book |first=Kentaro |last=Takekuma |title=Anno Hideaki Parano Evangerion|language=ja |year=1997 |publisher=Ōta Shuppan |isbn=4-87233-316-0}}
* {{cite book |first=Oizumi |last=Sanenari |date= 1997|title= Anno Hideaki Sukidzo Evangerion |publisher= Ōta Shuppan|isbn= 4-87233-315-2|language=ja}}
* {{cite book|last=Takeda|first=Yasuhiro|author-link=Yasuhiro Takeda|title=The Notenki memoirs: studio Gainax and the men who created Evangelion|year=2002|publisher=ADV Manga|isbn=1-4139-0234-0}}
* {{cite book|last1=Fujie|first1=Kazuhisa|last2=Foster|first2=Martin|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Unofficial Guide|year=2004|publisher=DH Publishing, Inc.|___location=United States|isbn=0-9745961-4-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Ishikawa|first=Satomi|title=Seeking the Self: Individualism and Popular Culture in Japan|year=2007|publisher=Peter Lang|isbn=978-3-03910-874-9}}
* {{Cite book|first=Alessandra|last=Poggio|language=it|year=2008|title=Neon Genesis Evangelion Encyclopedia|publisher=Dynit}}
* {{cite book|last=Lamarre|first=Thomas|author-link=Thomas Lamarre|title=[[The Anime Machine: A Media Theory of Animation]]|publisher=[[University of Minnesota Press]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-8166-5155-9}}
* {{cite book |year= 2009 |first= Syunsou |last= Porori|title=The Essential Evangelion Chronicle: Side A |publisher=[[Glénat Editions]] |isbn=978-2-7234-7120-6|language=fr}}
* {{cite book |first= Syunsou|last= Porori|title=The Essential Evangelion Chronicle: Side B|language=fr |publisher=[[Glénat Editions]] |year=2010|isbn=978-2-7234-7121-3}}
{{refend}}
 
{{Neon Genesis Evangelion}}
 
[[Category{{DISPLAYTITLE:List of ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' characters]]}}
 
[[deCategory:CharaktereLists ausof anime and manga characters|Neon Genesis Evangelion]]
[[Category:Neon Genesis Evangelion characters| ]]
[[es:Kozo Fuyutsuki]]
[[frCategory:FichesNeon desGenesis personnages (Evangelion) lists|Characters]]
[[ja:新世紀エヴァンゲリオンの登場人物]]
[[zh:新世紀福音戰士人物]]
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