Ikari Shinji

Shinji is the protagonist of Shinseiki Evangelion. On a trip to visit his estranged father, Shinji is needed to pilot the mecha known as the Evangelion (or EVA, for short). Shinji obstinately refuses to do so at first, but he is forced to overcome his fears and finally relents to piloting the EVA.

Throughout the story, Shinji doubts his worth and value in life. As a result, he is insecure, reserved and near-terminally depressed. Shinji twice resigns from NERV because he cannot tolerate the fact that he is an expendable asset in the organization. But Shinji is always drawn back to NERV when his friends force him to re-evaluate himself.

Because of his docile nature, Shinji gets along with almost everyone- his father being the lone exception. Misato, his guardian, eventually treats him like a younger brother as the two understand more about each other. Shinji's relationship with Asuka is vaguely reminiscent to that of Ranma and Akane from Ranma 1/2. His relationship with the other Eva pilot, Rei, is more subtle. Shinji doesn't love Rei, but he senses a connection beyond casual friendship between her and himself.

Shinji: the poster boy for Zoloft or Sony? You make the call!

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