Shinji Ikari

Eva Unit-01 Pilot

The protagonist of ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', a 14-year-old boy. Exclusive pilot of Evangelion Unit-01. He repeatedly battles and grows while grappling with psychological conflicts.

Quotes

  • Don''t run away
  • I am Shinji Ikari, pilot of Evangelion Unit-01
  • I want to see everyone again
  • Go
  • There is only one Rei Ayanami

Trivia

  • Male gender, but character design emphasizes delicacy and androgynous beautiful boy.
  • Voice actor Megumi Ogata pushed through agency opposition to audition and passed.
  • In the manga version, more cynical personality and expresses emotions more actively than anime.
  • In Super Robot Wars F, there is a scene where he says the same line as Amuro Ray.
  • Appears as a same-named character in New Shinkansen Transformation Robot Shinkalion.
  • Conflict with father Gendo is one of the themes, with very deep psychological depiction.

Alternate names

Shinji Ikari Third Child The Third Boy

Tags

Neon Genesis Evangelion Evangelion Pilot Third Child Shinji Mental Conflict Boy Introverted Growth Story 14 years old

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Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male
Birthday
June 6
Birth year
2001

Appearance

Overall appearance
A 14-year-old boy with androgynous and delicate facial features. Designed as a clean and somewhat feminine beautiful boy. Light brown eyes, black hair, wearing a school uniform or plugsuit.
Height
About 157cm
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Androgynous beautiful boy features
  • Delicate expressions
  • Clean appearance
Iconic items
  • Plugsuit
  • Cello
  • S-DAT Player
  • Can Badge 'Don''t Run Away'
  • Cross Pendant

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Introverted
Detailed personality
Starved for love due to his mother''s death and lack of affection from his father, he has low self-esteem, is introverted and naive. He fears pain but seeks connection with others, possessing complex emotions. He also has strong self-loathing and guilt, but possesses a brave side.
Keywords
  • Love Starvation
  • Introverted
  • Indecisive
  • Brave
  • Self-Loathing
  • Self-Denial
  • Conflict
  • Sensitive
  • Growth
Motto
Don''t run away
Talents
  • High synchronization rate with Evangelion
  • Cello performance
Skills
  • Eva piloting
  • Cooking
  • Calm judgment
Motivation
To be acknowledged by his father, Gendo Ikari, and to find his own reason for existence.
Habits
Has a habit of apologizing immediately for even trivial things and shows signs of being somewhat germaphobic.
Favorite foods
Homemade bento, Miso soup
Hobbies
Cello performance, Cooking, Piano duet
Favorite colors
Blue
Music
Classical music
Disliked situations
Loneliness, Lack of love

History

Backstory
Lost his mother, Yui Ikari, at a young age and was not raised by his father, Gendo, but entrusted to others. In 2015, he was summoned to Tokyo-3 and became the pilot of Evangelion Unit-01. Through battles with Angels, conflicts with his father, and interactions with comrades, he experiences mental growth amid numerous despairs and conflicts. Ultimately, he makes the decision to seek self-affirmation and connection with others.
Debut date
October 4, 1995
Work title
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Media type
Anime
Episode or chapter
Episode 1

Appointed as Eva Unit-01 Pilot

Significant event
Appointed as Eva Unit-01 Pilot
Description
Summoned to Tokyo-3 by his father Gendo and becomes the exclusive pilot of Unit-01.

Mother''s Death

Significant event
Mother''s Death
Description
Loses his mother Yui during the Eva activation test in his childhood.

Battle with the 10th Angel and Restart

Significant event
Battle with the 10th Angel and Restart
Description
Defeats the 10th Angel with Unit-01 amid great sacrifices and achieves pseudo-evolution.

Vessel for the Human Instrumentality Project

Significant event
Vessel for the Human Instrumentality Project
Description
Due to his mental instability, he becomes the vessel for the Instrumentality Project and regains self-affirmation in the Instrumentality world.

Restart in Rebuild of Evangelion

Significant event
Restart in Rebuild of Evangelion
Description
With strong will, he boards Eva again and resolves to continue fighting Angels.

Growth in Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

Significant event
Growth in Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
Description
Grows into a young man and steps forward to carve his own future.

Relationships

Gendo Ikari

Father

A cold and distant father. Desires recognition but harbors strong conflicts and complex emotions.

Yui Ikari

Mother

Mother lost in childhood. A precious existence and the starting point of his sense of self.

Misato Katsuragi

Guardian

Lives together and acts as a guardian, becoming Shinji''s mental support.

Rei Ayanami

Teammate

A being that draws closer and promotes mutual growth. Becomes confused upon learning the truth, but their bond deepens.

Asuka Langley Shikinami

Teammate

They clash and repel each other but influence one another. Feelings are complex, sometimes aware of each other as opposite sex.

Toji Suzuhara

Friend

Middle school friend and understanding supporter, providing mental support.

Kensuke Aida

Friend

Middle school friend and comrade sharing everyday life.

Kaworu Nagisa

Friend

The only one who affirmed him and showed affection. Deeply wounded upon learning he is an Angel.

NERV

NERV: protagonist

Media appearances

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Anime / Protagonist

1995 TV series

Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone

Movie / Protagonist

2007 theatrical version

Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

Movie / Protagonist

2009 theatrical version

Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo

Movie / Protagonist

2012 theatrical version

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

Movie / Protagonist

2021 theatrical version

Super Robot Wars series

Game / Protagonist

2001 onward

Voice cast and creators

Megumi Ogata

Voice actor
Megumi Ogata
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime version, Rebuild theatrical versions, etc.
Notes
Original voice actor

Ryunosuke Kamiki

Voice actor
Ryunosuke Kamiki
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time final scene
Notes
Adult voice

Spike Spencer

Voice actor
Spike Spencer
Language
English
Version or series
English version

Casey Mongillo

Voice actor
Casey Mongillo
Language
English
Version or series
Netflix version

Hideaki Anno

Creator name
Hideaki Anno
Role
Original author

Yoshiyuki Sadamoto

Creator name
Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
Role
Character designer

Megumi Ogata

Creator name
Megumi Ogata
Role
voiceActors

Related goods

Shinji Ikari Figure

Item name
Shinji Ikari Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Plugsuit Costume

Item name
Plugsuit Costume
Category
Apparel
Availability
Limited

Can Badge Don''t Run Away

Item name
Can Badge Don''t Run Away
Category
Accessory
Availability
Regular

Cello Miniature Model

Item name
Cello Miniature Model
Category
Accessory
Availability
Limited

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