Neon Genesis Evangelion (anime) - Characters

Characters

For the series, Anno attempted to create characters that represent different things to different viewers. To some, the characters are historical, religious, or philosophical symbols, while others see themselves in the characters. All of the characters reflect different parts of Anno's own personality.

In the story, the characters of Evangelion struggle with their interpersonal relationships, their personal problems, and traumatic events in their pasts. Anno has described the hero, Shinji Ikari, as a boy who "shrinks from human contact" and has "convinced himself that he is a completely unnecessary person". He has also described both Shinji and Misato Katsuragi as "afraid of being hurt" and "unsuitable—lacking the positive attitude—for what people call heroes of an adventure." Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Soryu, the other major protagonists, are presented with their own flaws and difficulty relating to other people.

The characters' visual designs were done by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. His designs of the three main female leads, Asuka, Rei and Misato, contributed to high sales of merchandise, especially the design of Rei. She became so popular that she earned the name "Premium Girl" from the media, referring to the high sales of books with her on the cover.