Top Ten Most Popular Neon Genesis Evangelion Characters

The Most Popular Neon Genesis Evangelion Characters list

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a wildly popular anime, widely regarded as one of the greatest in the medium. A far reaching media franchise, encompassing movies, toys, video games, dating sims, pachinko machines, and even more unusual products—like cell phones, laptop computers, telephone cards, and an official set of Japanese coins.

What I’m getting at is this: people love Evangelion—and who wouldn’t? It’s an anime about massive mechas piloted by angsty teens, fighting colossal monsters called Angels. The story is packed with twists, turns, and mystical elements drawn from Christian traditions, making it a fascinating ride for viewers.

Released over 20 years ago, these characters continue to take up a huge space in anime culture and internet memes, but who are the most popular Neon Genesis Evangelion characters?

In this list, we’ll be counting down the top ten most popular characters from Neon Genesis Evangelion. The votes come from MyAnimeList.com. We're using MyAnimeList because it allows it's users to favorite characters, making it more of a live tally over time rather than a single one-off fan vote.

Spoiler Warning: Read at your own risk

10. Suzuhara, Touji

Touji Suzuhara makes it to number ten on our list, which is rather impressive considering he doesn't get much screen time compared to the other characters in the series. A bully with a sad story, he’s a jock and is in constant conflict with Asuka, another chosen child. Despite this tough exterior, Touji cares deeply for his friends and family.

His younger sister was injured in a battle with an Angel, prompting Touji to punch Shinji—the pilot—accusing him of being responsible for her injury.

He’s chosen as the 4th Child and appointed to pilot, but he only agrees on the condition that his sister be moved to NERV’s advanced medical facilities.

Over time, Touji gradually warms up to Shinji after seeing firsthand the suffering Shinji endures piloting Unit-01 in the fight against the Angels.

9. Akag, Ritsuko

Number nine is Ritsuko Akagi, NERV’s head scientist. She’s deeply involved with the MAGI supercomputer created by her mother, and she oversees the Evangelions’ R&D and repairs. She also acts as a sort of surrogate aunt to Shinji, the main character, and is one of the caregivers to the Evangelion pilots—though first and foremost, she’s a NERV scientist.

With a cool demeanor, she’s exceptionally intelligent but has complicated relationships with those closest to her, including her mother and her boss-slash-lover.

Although she isn’t one of the main characters, she plays a significant role in the Neon Genesis story and remains a fan favorite.

8. Kaji, Ryouji

The well-liked playboy who flirts with every lady in a skirt, he’s also a terrible spy and a triple agent working for the Japanese Ministry of the Interior, NERV, and SEELE.

He’s a university friend of Ritsuko Akagi and a lover to Misato Katsuragi, as well as a father figure to both Asuka and Shinji Ikari. Asuka becomes infatuated with Kaji to a point of inappropriateness on her part, which he always rebuffs—treating her more like a daughter.

Fans can relate to him because he comes off as cocky, confident, and brash, driven by his own sense of purpose—but behind that bravado, there’s more than meets the eye.

7. Ikari, Gendo

While Gendo Ikari takes the seventh spot on our list, he might just be the worst person here—or at least the worst father in the world.

As the father of Shinji, the protagonist, he’s so distant it’s almost as if he wishes Shinji didn’t exist at all. He views his son merely as a tool to further his own research, often putting him in danger that no other father would—even rivaling the father from Fullmetal Alchemist.

He uses relationships to get what he wants, including those with Naoko and her daughter Ritsuko—both scientists in charge of the MAGI system (though not at the same time).

Despite his cold-hearted demeanor, Gendo’s ultimate plan involves leveraging his position at NERV and his connections with SEELE to fulfill a master plan aimed at reconnecting with someone he once loved.

6. Pen Pen

Pen Pen is the result of a biotechnology experiment and, despite his limited screen time, he lands at number six on our list of the most popular Neon Genesis Evangelion characters—pretty impressive for someone who doesn’t speak. Thanks to his enhanced intelligence, Pen Pen can bathe himself, read newspapers, and lives in a special freezer in Misato’s apartment.

He’s a comedic side character who drinks beer and wins fans over with his undeniable cuteness. Interestingly, Pen Pen was originally going to be a monkey in early drafts, but ultimately became the lovable hot-springs penguin fans know today.

5. Nagisa, Kaworu

Kaworu Nagisa, the Fifth Child and the 17th Angel, doesn’t appear in the story for long but leaves a huge impact on both the main characters and the audience. Despite showing up in only one episode, he became very popular among fans.

His cool attitude, confidence, and certainty in his own existence stand in stark contrast to Shinji’s personality. He plays a pivotal role in pushing Shinji to see a bigger plan unfolding in his life.

Because he isn’t entirely human, his interactions with emotions and closeness to others can seem distant. However, he still develops genuine affection for Shinji—even holding hands with him and saying, “I mean, I love you,” a moment that hits especially hard once you learn his fate.

4. Katsuragi, Misato

Captain Katsuragi, Misato (later promoted to Major) is in charge of the Evangelion pilots in the operations department of NERV and the sex appearl of the show. Inteligent and flirty, comes off as carefree but can switch to serious in an instant. Her story starts even before the series, as a child and the trauma she goes through caused by the angels, which you see in flash backs, as well as her uni years where she meets her lover Ryouji Kaji and Ritsuko Akagi.

She has a some what weird relationship with Shinji, first a carefree flitatis relation often with her teasing him to more of a family relationship often looking out for him. Misato also developes guardian relationships with all the other pilots, often their for them when going through troubles of the evangelion program.

She makes it to #4 on the list because shes a much deeper character and this helps her connects with the audience, will carefree on the outside she struggles deep down.

3. Ikari, Shinji

Number three on our list of the most popular Neon Genesis Evangelion characters is Shinji Ikari, the main protagonist of the entire series. When I first watched Evangelion as a kid, I found him pretty annoying—he doesn’t follow the traditional hero’s journey; my younger self wanted to shout “Get in the Evangelion, Shinji!” Rewatching it as an adult, I better understand that his character is actually quite relatable. This is what earns him the third spot on our list and makes him the series’ most relatable character.

Shinji has his share of problems, just like the rest of us. He has a terrible relationship with his father and constantly seeks his approval, all while dealing with the unresolved trauma of losing his mother. He isn’t your typical main character—he’s not heroic, he’s reluctant, uncertain, and scared, yet he somehow manages to push forward.

Between his non-existent relationship with his father and the odd living arrangement he has with Misato, he finds some connection with the other Evangelion pilots. He initially relates to Rei because they share a sense of isolation and loneliness; he’s drawn to her, but not in a romantic way—more like a familial bond. On the other hand, his attraction to Asuka is the classic teen, opposites-attract scenario: she’s loud and confident while he’s quiet and insecure.

This duality—a boy wrestling with his emotions, trauma, and relationships in a world that only wants to use him—helps him resonate deeply with Evangelion fans.

2. Ayanami, Rei

Rei, the First Child in the Evangelion program, is a huge fan favorite—she rarely speaks unless it’s absolutely necessary. In stark contrast to Asuka’s fiery personality, Rei is calm, composed, and soft-spoken. She’s a complex character, and while I’d love to explain why, it would completely spoil the story of Evangelion—and even saying that much might be too revealing. Just know she’s crucial to the entire narrative and its cast of characters.

1. Souryuu, Asuka Langley

Asuka takes the number one spot on our list. She’s a fiery redhead with a loud voice, known for sporting the iconic red plugsuit. Like many of the other characters, she carries her own trauma—having lost her mother at a young age. Fans connect with her struggles and the ways she copes, though her brash personality may grate on some viewers. She craves acknowledgment, battles loneliness, and wrestles with issues of self-worth.

Her relationship with Shinji Ikari is among the most complicated in the series—she’s attracted to him, and that creates inner turmoil that resonates throughout the story. The contrast between her bold confidence and her vulnerable inner world makes her feel authentic, allowing fans to connect with her on a deeper level.

Wrapping Up Our Look at the Most Popular Neon Genesis Evangelion Characters

Hopefully you enjoyed learning about the most popular Neon Genesis Evangelion characters, and I haven’t spoiled too much. If you haven’t seen Evangelion yet, I recommend you do so. In fact, you can watch both the Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series and the movies on Netflix, and the full Rebuild of Evangelion film series is available on Prime.

If you’re confused by the different ways to watch—or you’re not sure about the differences between the original TV show, the new remake movies, or even the manga—check out the Neon Genesis Evangelion watch order here.

If you’ve already seen Evangelion, how about testing your knowledge with some Neon Genesis Evangelion trivia?