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Neon Genesis Evangelion is set in 2015, fifteen years after a global disaster called the Second Impact. Fourteen-year-old Shinji Ikari is summoned to the fortified city of Tokyo-3 by his estranged father, the head of a secret agency called NERV. Giant creatures known as Angels are attacking, and only NERV's Evangelion units, huge machines linked to the nervous systems of their teenage pilots, can stop them. The cast splits into three circles: the young Eva pilots, the adults who command and support them at NERV headquarters, and Shinji's classmates in class 2-A. This page covers 17 characters, including Mari, who appears only in the Rebuild films. Every profile stays with how the character is introduced, without spoilers for the second half or the films.
Shinji Ikari is the main character, a 14-year-old boy who has lived apart from his father for years. Called to Tokyo-3, he is pushed into piloting Evangelion Unit-01 with almost no warning. Shy, withdrawn and quick to expect the worst, he keeps asking why he should pilot at all. NERV designates him the Third Child. Japanese voice: Megumi Ogata.
Rei Ayanami is the First Child and the pilot of Evangelion Unit-00. She speaks very little, shows almost no emotion and carries out orders without complaint, which makes her a puzzle to Shinji and their classmates. She seems closer to Commander Gendo Ikari than to anyone else at NERV. Japanese voice: Megumi Hayashibara.
Asuka Langley Soryu is the Second Child and pilot of Evangelion Unit-02. Fiery, brave and loud, she is proud of her skill and quickly takes charge of anyone new, including Shinji. She treats piloting as a contest she has to win. In the Rebuild films the character is called Asuka Shikinami Langley. Japanese voice: Yūko Miyamura.
Misato Katsuragi is a captain in NERV's Operations Department and directs the Evas in battle. When Shinji arrives she takes him in and becomes his guardian. Cheerful and outgoing at home, with a messy flat and a fridge full of beer, she turns sharp and decisive on duty. Japanese voice: Kotono Mitsuishi.
Gendo Ikari is the supreme commander of NERV and Shinji's father. He calls his son to Tokyo-3 after years of distance, then treats him mostly as a pilot. Cold, calculating and hard to read, he keeps his plans to himself and rarely explains an order. Japanese voice: Fumihiko Tachiki.
Kaworu Nagisa joins the story late in the TV series, when NERV brings him in as the Fifth Child. Calm, gentle and unusually open, he is friendly and affectionate toward Shinji from their first meeting, which surprises a boy used to keeping people at a distance. He is one of the most discussed characters in the franchise. Japanese voice: Akira Ishida.
Mari Illustrious Makinami does not appear in the TV series; she was created for the Rebuild of Evangelion films and debuts in Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance. She is a pilot from NERV's European branch, cheerful and openly enjoying the fight. Starting with a single scene, she grows into one of the leads of the films. Japanese voice: Maaya Sakamoto.
Ritsuko Akagi heads NERV's technology department and is the scientist responsible for developing the Evangelion units and the systems that run them. Rational, disciplined and reserved, she explains the science while keeping her own feelings at a distance. She is an old friend of Misato, and the two often argue over tactics. Japanese voice: Yuriko Yamaguchi.
Ryoji Kaji works for NERV's special investigations department. Relaxed, flirtatious and always seeming to know a little more than he says, he drifts between NERV branches and turns up where people least expect him. He has a long history with Misato, and Asuka looks up to him. Japanese voice: Kōichi Yamadera.
Kozo Fuyutsuki is NERV's deputy commander and usually stands right beside Gendo Ikari on the command deck. Calm and balanced, he rarely panics during an attack and treats the staff more humanely than his superior does. He is one of the few people Gendo seems to confide in. Japanese voice: Motomu Kiyokawa.
Toji Suzuhara is Shinji's classmate in class 2-A. He talks and acts like a tough guy and is openly hostile to Shinji when they first meet, but underneath he is honest and kind. He is best friends with Kensuke, and the two become Shinji's first friends at school. Japanese voice: Tomokazu Seki.
Kensuke Aida is a classmate of Shinji and Toji in class 2-A. A military enthusiast, he carries a video camera, plays survival games and is thrilled by anything to do with the Evas. He is a quick talker who likes to debate, and he brings a lighter, nerdy energy to the school scenes. Japanese voice: Tetsuya Iwanaga.
Hikari Horaki is the class representative of 2-A. Strict and rule-abiding, she is always telling the boys, Toji most of all, to behave, but she cares a lot about the people around her. She becomes a friend to Asuka at school. Japanese voice: Junko Iwao.
Maya Ibuki is a technical operator on NERV's command bridge and works directly under Ritsuko, whom she deeply admires. Diligent and very competent at her job, she is also idealistic and easily rattled by the harsher side of NERV's work. She monitors the pilots' synchronisation and the Evas' systems during battles. Japanese voice: Miki Nagasawa.
Makoto Hyuga is one of the three operators on NERV's command bridge. Friendly, kind and outspoken, he works closely with Misato during operations and is clearly fond of her. He relays battle data and carries out her orders in the middle of Angel attacks. Japanese voice: Hiro Yūki.
Shigeru Aoba is a technical operator on NERV's command bridge alongside Maya and Makoto. Calm, serious and professional, he keeps his feelings out of the work and handles communications and detection during attacks. Off duty he is known for his love of guitar music. Japanese voice: Takehito Koyasu.
Pen Pen is Misato's pet penguin and Shinji's unexpected roommate. Unusually intelligent, he lives in his own fridge in Misato's apartment, takes baths, reads the paper and generally looks after himself. He adds quiet comic moments to the scenes at home. His squawks are voiced by Megumi Hayashibara, who also plays Rei.
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