Plot Summary of Neon Genesis Evangelion

and Analysis of Character Interrelations

Tatiana Lameiro-González

Summary
First broadcasted in 1995, Neon Genesis Evangelion is set 20 years in
the future from its release (2015). The events of the series take place
in a post-apocalyptic world caused by the Second Impact, a global
cataclysm responsible for the annihilation of almost half the human
population. The Second impact took place in September 2000 as a
result of a ‘Contact Experiment’ during the Katsuragi expedition to
the South Pole—led by Misato Katsuragi’s father—to research and
experiment with Adam, also known as the First Angel.
Angels are enigmatic entities, descendants of Adam, one of the
two Seeds of Life that collide on Earth. While they are said to have
a genome that is 99.89 percent identical to that of humans, their
appearances do not seem to follow any pattern, and there is no sha-
red shape or physical traits among them: An Angel’s size can range
widely, ranging from microscopic beings to gigantic creatures. To
kill an Angel, the core (usually a red sphere) must be destroyed. In
Neon Genesis Evangelion, 15 different angels are depicted as Adam’s
How to cite this book chapter:
progeny (Sachiel, Shamshel, Ramiel, Gaghiel, Israfel, Sandalphon,
Lameiro-González, T. 2021. Plot
Matariel, Sahaquiel, Ireul, Leliel, Bardiel, Zeruel, Arael, Armisael and Summary of Neon Genesis Evangelion
the human-shaped vessel Tabris, also known as Kaworu Nagisa). The and Analysis of Character Interrelations.
In: Santiago Iglesias, J. A. and Soler
second Seed of Life and Adam’s counterpart, Lilith, is sometimes Baena, A. (Eds.). Anime Studies: Media-
considered as the second Angel, and it is the progenitor of the human Specific Approaches to Neon Genesis
race (also known as Lilin). Although the Angels’ origin is unknown, Evangelion. Pp. 353–363 Stockholm:
Stockholm University Press. DOI:
their eventual arrival was predicted in the Dead Sea Manuscripts pos- https://doi.org/10.16993/bbp.l. License:
sessed by SEELE, a secret worldwide society shrouded in mystery. CC-BY 4.0
354 Anime Studies

Following the catastrophic events of the Second Impact, the

United Nations commissions the defence of humanity against Angels
to NERV, a paramilitary private organization commanded by Gendō
Ikari, an enigmatic scientist and father to the main character, Shinji
Ikari. Established out of the research organization GEHIRN, throug-
hout the series, NERV becomes increasingly autonomous in its deci-
sion making under Commander Ikari’s direction. NERV central
headquarters is located in the Geo-Front (under the city of Tokyo 3),
where they are in charge of research, maintenance and deployment
of large humanoid biomechanical combat units, also known as Eva.
Exclusively piloted by teenagers, Evas can be equipped with specific
tools to fight against the Angels, and despite their biological basis,
they are usually protected by thick layers of armor, giving them a
robotic look. In order to defeat Angels, Evas share some unique traits
with their enemies, such as the AT Field, an almost impenetrable for-
ce-field barrier capable of rendering conventional weapons useless.
In Neon Genesis Evangelion, there are two main and intertwi-
ned plots: on the one hand, a lighter and more conventional app-
roach to the genre, revolving around melee combat strategies for
fighting against the Angels; on the other, an underlying narrative
focused on the mental and emotional state of the characters, woun-
ded by deep personal trauma, which is increased by their ong-
oing exposure to Evas. As the series progresses, the fight between
Evas and Angels becomes secondary to the subjective perspec-
tive of the protagonists, whose search for their own identities is
increasingly foregrounded.
As the episodes elapse, some mysteries regarding the different cha-
racters and the obscure organizations involved are eventually revea-
led: NERV—whose primary role was to defend humanity from the
Angels—seems to be undermined by its parent organization SEELE,
which appears to seek the triggering of the Third Impact, a key event
for the culmination of the Human Instrumentality Project. This
 Plot Summary 355

mysterious plan aims to release human beings from their physical

bodies and merge them into a large primordial liquid mass. As a result
of this project, human beings would lose their individuality and form
a unique existence made up of all their souls. For SEELE, the Human
Instrumentality Project is meant to answer humanity’s distressing
evolution—where pain, frustration and negative feelings prevail—by
means of a reinforced collective existence.
Showing the dramatic events taking place in the external world, the
film The End of Evangelion depicts the forces of SEELE and NERV as
engaged in a battle, resulting in the eventual execution of the Human
Instrumentality Project and the eventual destruction of life on earth.
However, the final two episodes (25 and 26) of the TV series show
a different point of view, presenting Shinji’s introspective journey.
Shinji’s psyche is depicted as an empty stage filled with his thoughts
and fears. Some previously unknown secrets from the past and details
of the characters’ lives are revealed, but they are presented in cryptic
and complex ways. Ultimately, Shinji seems to come to terms with
his own persona, and the series ends with him surrounded by all his
friends and family, after he decides that he wants to be himself and
continue living in the world. Taken together, the denouement of the
series does not explicitly provide a single conclusive ending, but is left
open with multiple possible meanings.

Main Characters
Eva unit pilots
Shinji Ikari
Shinji Ikari is a 14-year-old boy, Evangelion Unit-01 pilot, and protago-
nist of the series. Also known as the Third Child, Shinji was chosen by
NERV to drive the Eva-01 and fight against the Angels, consequently
reuniting with his father—Commander Gendō Ikari—after having been © khara, inc.
356 Anime Studies

apart from him for 11 years. A number of dangerous situations as pilot

triggers his frustration and forces him to face his fears, while pushing
him to accept himself and ultimately allowing for personal growth.
Shinji’s character is defined by his past traumas—the death of his
mother, bioengineer Yui Ikari, and being abandoned by his father—
showing behavioral disorders and existential doubt. He is usually
portrayed as a sensitive, fragile and confused child. Despite being the
hero in the series, his traits differ deeply from those of the hero arche-
type. Due to his low self-esteem, his lonely, introverted personality and
his vulnerability, Shinji often seeks approval and love from the adults
around him. Shinji’s longing for closeness with others produces various
points of conflict for him, addressed in the series as the Hedgehog’s
Dilemma. On the one hand, personal contact brings him distress and
uneasiness, causing him suffering. On the other, the more he stays away
from relationships, the more he feels the anguish and pain of loneliness.

Rei Ayanami
Rei is a 14-year-old girl and is known as the First Child. Chosen by
Gendō Ikari to pilot Eva-00, at the beginning of the series her back-
© khara, inc.
ground is mostly unknown, with no information about her origins,
childhood or family. Rei is a distant and unaccessible person, intro-
verted, quiet and enigmatic; sometimes unable to express her own
feelings or understand other people’s emotions. Throughout the
series, Rei feels pushed to question her own existence and to define
her identity. As a fellow pilot of the Eva units, Rei quickly catches
Shinji’s attention, ultimately establishing a relationship of empathy
and mutual affection.

Asuka Langley Sohryu

Asuka is a 14-year-old girl of German-Japanese-American origin and
the Second Child, the pilot of the Eva-02. She has a strong persona-
lity and a rebellious temper, but she also craves social approval. She
© khara, inc. possesses remarkable intelligence, but despite her obvious childish
 Plot Summary 357

overtones, she constantly struggles to be considered by others as an

adult, often in an attempt to get away from her troubled past. Her
self-confidence and competitive attitude are presented as reflections of
her superiority complex, occassionally making her violent and offen-
sive toward others. In some senses, Asuka is the emotional opposite of
Shinji, even though they both share an unhappy childhood.
Asuka tries to justify her own existence as the result of her lack of
maternal recognition (her mother goes insane, ignores her daughter and
eventually commits suicide). Although she hides her feelings to avoid
being hurt, Asuka’s cold and hostile behavior toward others eventually
changes. She shares a twisted love/hate relationship with Shinji. While
they seem to feel attracted to each other, both end up shutting out
their mutual feelings. Moreover, Asuka sometimes replies to Shinji with
contempt and abuse, or teases him by pointing to her sexuality.

Tōji Suzuhara
Tōji is one of Shinji’s classmates. Despite their initial disagreements,
they end up becoming good friends, learning to respect each other. As
the story unfolds, Tōji is revealed to be the Fourth Child, chosen to drive
Eva-03. However, his unit ends up being possessed by an Angel on the © khara, inc.
test run, and he is gravely injured after his Eva is torn apart by unit-01.
Despite his overall joyful disposition, Tōji has a protective temperament,
revealed early on, when he attacks Shinji, blaming him for his younger
sister’s critical injuries from one of the Angel attacks. Tōji is generally
presented as a strong-tempered boy with a spirited character, rough
around the edges, but a kind, honest and loyal friend.

Kaworu Nagisa
Kaworu is a 15-year-old boy, first presented in episode 24, and
designated as the Fifth Child by SEELE, in order to replace Asuka.
Kaworu immediately shows an open and honest personality, quickly
gaining Shinji’s trust and admiration, who ultimately finds in him the
ideal companion. However, as events unfold, Kaworu is revealed to © khara, inc.
358 Anime Studies

be Tabris, the 17th Angel. Chased by Shinji on board the Eva-01,

Kaworu is killed by his friend in Terminal Dogma before he tries to
unleash the Third Impact.

NERV staff
Commander Gendō Ikari
Also known as Gendō Rokubungi, Gendō Ikari (48 years old)
is NERV’s supreme commander and director of Project E. In his
youth, he married Yui Ikari, taking on her family name, and fathered
Shinji. However, after Yui’s death, he entirely devoted himself to his
research, abandoning Shinji and erasing any paternal feelings. Gendō
is mostly driven by his personal ambition and remarkable qualities as
a scientist. Moreover, he stands out as a cold, calculating and almost
inhuman person, placing the young pilots in danger’s way without
remorse. As NERV’s Commander, he poses as someone obsessive,
severe and quite authoritarian.
His life’s goal initially appears to be to avoid the Third Impact—
© khara, inc.
and thus the end of human life—by destroying the Angels. However,
it is later revealed that his true aim is the completion of the Human
Instrumentality Project, following the directives of the secret society
SEELE, but under his own scenario, presumably to reunite with Yui.

Major Misato Katsuragi

Misato is a NERV officer in charge of the Tactical Operations branch,
responsible for making battle plans and coordinating the Eva units
in combat. In the absence of Commander Ikari, Misato is respon-
sible for the military operations against the Angels. She is a smart,
hard-working and independent woman, skilled in combat tactics. She
usually displays an overall cheerful disposition, but becomes very
serious during battle plans. Upon Shinji’s arrival at NERV, she acts
as the boy’s guardian and mentor. Moreover, once Asuka arrives in
© khara, inc. Japan, the three of them live in Misato’s apartment.
 Plot Summary 359

Misato suffered the consequences of the Second Impact in her

childhood. Her father was the chief scientist of the expedition to
Antarctica, and she was at the site when the catastrophe took place,
ultimately being saved by her father and becoming the sole survivor
of the expedition. After dealing with her heavy injuries and serious
personal trauma, she joins NERV determined to destroy the Angels
and avoid the Third Impact.
Misato is friends with NERV’s chief scientist Ritsuko Akagi and
Ryōji Kaji, sharing an intense physical and emotional relationship
with the latter. Her bond with Shinji goes beyond her duty as guar-
dian, including support and mutual protection. Ultimately, both Shinji
and Misato share social problems, but they deal with them through
different mechanisms.

Dr. Ritsuko Akagi

Ritsuko is NERV’s chief scientist, in charge of the Technological
branch. She is also responsible for the Evangelion units research
project and the supercomputer Magi System. This supercomputer
was created by Ritsuko’s mother, Dr. Naoko Akagi, and consists of
three advanced organic computers, featuring three different aspects
of her creator’s personality—woman, scientist and mother. Although
Ritsuko is an incredibly talented scientist, her career is mostly defined
by the life choices and innovations developed by her mother. This
situation ultimately drives Ritsuko into an existential crisis, struggling
to define her own identity and showing contradictory feelings toward
her mother, admiring her as a scientist and a scholar, but despising
her as a mother. Moreover, Ritsuko is in a romantic relationship with © khara, inc.
Gendō—despite his apparent lack of interest—who was himself also
involved with her mother.
Ritsuko has been friends with Misato and Kaji since the time they
spent together in college. Through the series, their friendship beco-
mes strained due to ethical differences and Ritsuko’s involvement in
the Human Instrumentality Project. In fact, Ritsuko—together with
360 Anime Studies

Gendō Ikari and Kōzō Fuyutsuki—knows the real nature of the Eva
units and the Human Instrumentality Project.

Ryōji Kaji
Kaji is a triple agent working as a NERV observer, SEELE’s operative
and a spy for the Japanese government. Former boyfriend of Misato
in college, they resume their romantic relationship upon his arrival
to Japan. Among other tasks, he is responsible for delivering Adam’s
embryo, recovered from Antarctica, to Gendō Ikari.
Kaji is a mysterious character, ultimately driven by his perso-
nal quest for truth. He is an independent, calm and seductive man.
Moreover, he often acts as a fatherly character toward Shinji, showing
him a friendly side. Kaji’s righteous and honorable nature is repea-
tedly proven before he meets his end.
© khara, inc.
Kōzō Fuyutsuki
Dr. Fuyutsuki (58 years old) is a scientific advisor, NERV’s Vice-
Commander and Gendō Ikari’s most trusted associate. He is a former
Kyoto University professor, and there he met Yui Ikari, who made an
impression on him as a promising young scientist. After the Second
Impact, he joined the official research expedition led by the United
Nations to the South Pole, in an attempt to find out the truth hidden
behind the catastrophe and SEELE’s secret purpose. Dr. Fuyutsuki
is invested in supporting the Human Instrumentality Project, but he
shows a calm and hard-working nature under Gendō’s command.

© khara, inc.
 Plot Summary 361

CHARACTERS INTERRELATIONS
UNITED NATIONS

SEELE

NERV
Gendo MARRIAGE Yui
Ikari Ikari
49

Kozo
Fuyutsuki SAME UNIVERSITY?
50-60?
BEFORE SECOND IMPACT

Ryoji Misato Ritsuko DAUGHTER AND MOTHER

COLLEGE Kaji Katsuragi Akagi Naoko
FRIENDS Akagi
30? 29 30

Maya Makoto Shigeru

GUARDIAN Ibuki Hyuga Aoba COMPUTER
TECHNICIANS
25 25 25

EVA Rei Shinji Asuka CLASSMATES Toji Kensuke Hikari

PILOT Ayanami Ikari Langley Suzuhara Aida Horaki
UNITS
14 14 14 14 14 14

Kaworu
Nagisa
(Tabris)

Table of character’s interrelations. License: CC BY 4.0.

362 Anime Studies

Anime
Neon Genesis Evangelion (in this volume abbreviated to EVA) is
an anime featuring 26 episodes, first broadcasted between October
1995 and March 1996. Created by Studio GAINAX and directed by
Hideaki Anno, the production also involved Yoshiyuki Sadamoto’s
work on character design, and Yoh Yoshinari and Hiroyuki Imaishi
on the design and animation departments.
Death & Rebirth is the first movie of the franchise, premiering
in Japan in March 1997, and summarizing the main events that took
place in the first 24 episodes of the series. A second film entitled The
End of Evangelion debuted in July 1997, showing the events taking
place in the real world during Shinji’s introspective journey in episo-
des 25 and 26 of the original series. Finally, Revival of Evangelion
merges both films into a single one. It was first shown in March 1998.
Including some short additional scenes, it is a remastered edition
improving sound and video quality.
Years later, a new tetralogy called Rebuild of Evangelion was
announced, produced by Studio Khara in partnership with GAINAX.
The international titles of the four movies are Evangelion: 1.0 You Are
(Not) Alone (2007), Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009),
Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012) and Evangelion: 3.0+1.0
Thrice Upon a Time (2021). Presenting alternative events from those
of the initial Neon Genesis Evangelion series and films, the Rebuild of
Evangelion tetralogy is usually considered a reboot of the original
series rather than a remake.

Manga
Closely following most of the events and characters presented in the
original anime series, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto’s manga adaptation Neon
Genesis Evangelion (NGE) was published by Kadokawa Shoten in
Shōnen Ace magazine (from December 1994 to 2008) and Young
Ace magazine (from July 2009 and June 2013), with some breaks in
between, and eventually collected into 14 volumes.
 Plot Summary 363

Nonetheless, there are other manga titles which expand EVA’s

world-setting and characters. Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic
Days, by Fumino Hayashi, was published in Monthly Asuka from
November 2003 to December 2005 (collected in six volumes). Osamu
Takahashi adapted the namesake video-game into the manga series
Shinji Ikari Raising Project, published by Monthly Shōnen Ace from
June 2005 to February 2016, later collected in 18 volumes. Between
May 2007 and September 2009, Petit Eva: Evangelion@School by
Ryūsuke Hamamoto was serialized in the Shōnen Ace magazine. Also
starting in 2007 (in October and running to September 2009), Neon
Genesis Evangelion: Campus Apocalypse by Ming Ming was seriali-
zed in the Young Ace magazine, with a different look for the charac-
ters and events and situations apart from the original series.
Between February 2010 and November 2010, Monthly Asuka
published a new comedy series entitled The Shinji Ikari Detective
Diary. Depicting a similarly parodic sense of humor, Neon Genesis
Evangelion: The Legend of the Piko Piko Middle School Students by
Yūshi Kawata and Yukito was published in Young Ace from 2014 to
2009 (later collected in five volumes).