Neon Genesis Evangelion doesn't shy away from character deaths. This groundbreaking anime series explores mortality, sacrifice, and the cost of humanity's survival against the Angels. Understanding who dies and how these deaths occur reveals the series' darker themes.
The death toll varies between the original series and End of Evangelion film. Some characters meet their end during the TV show's run, while others survive only to perish in the theatrical conclusion. Let's examine every major character death and the circumstances surrounding them.
Major Deaths in the Original Series
The television series presents several significant deaths that shape the narrative and affect the surviving characters psychologically. These losses accumulate throughout the 26 episodes, building toward the series' emotional climax.
Confirmed Deaths During the Series:
- Yui Ikari (before series begins)
- Naoko Akagi
- Kaji Ryoji
- Rei Ayanami (multiple times)
- Kaworu Nagisa
Yui Ikari's Disappearance
Shinji's mother died years before the series begins during a contact experiment with EVA Unit-01. Her body dissolved and her soul became permanently absorbed into the Evangelion unit. This event traumatized young Shinji and set Gendo on his obsessive path.
While technically not a death shown during the series timeline, Yui's fate drives much of the plot. Her consciousness exists within Unit-01, occasionally manifesting during critical moments to protect her son.
Naoko Akagi's Suicide
The mother of scientist Ritsuko Akagi killed herself after strangling the first Rei Ayanami clone. Naoko discovered Gendo's manipulation and Rei's cruel dismissal of her feelings, leading to a breakdown. She threw herself from NERV's command center in despair.
This death occurred in flashbacks, revealing the dark history connecting the Akagi family, Gendo Ikari, and the Rei clones. The trauma of discovering her mother's body profoundly affected young Ritsuko.
Kaji Ryoji's Assassination
The charismatic spy and Misato's former lover uncovered SEELE's true plans and NERV's secrets. After passing critical information to Misato, unknown assassins killed Kaji in NERV's compound. His death occurs off-screen, with only gunshots heard.
The ambiguity surrounding who ordered Kaji's execution remains intentional. SEELE, NERV's internal security, or Japanese government agents could have eliminated him. His final words to Misato via answering machine carry emotional weight that haunts her afterward.
Rei Ayanami's Multiple Deaths
Rei dies and regenerates multiple times throughout the series. The first Rei was strangled by Naoko Akagi. The second Rei—the one viewers know through most of the series—sacrifices herself destroying Armisael in episode 23.
A third Rei clone awakens to replace her, though this version lacks the memories and emotional growth of her predecessor. This cycle of death and replacement emphasizes Rei's nature as an expendable tool in Gendo's plans.
Kaworu Nagisa's Execution
The Seventeenth Angel in human form appears in episode 24 as the Fifth Children. After infiltrating NERV and reaching Central Dogma, Kaworu realizes the being crucified there is Lilith, not Adam. Understanding the consequences of contact, he asks Shinji to kill him.
Shinji crushes Kaworu in Unit-01's hand, though the decision traumatizes him deeply. This death represents Shinji's most direct act of killing and weighs heavily on his psyche during the series finale.
Massive Death Toll in End of Evangelion
The theatrical film presents apocalyptic violence with numerous character deaths. Third Impact dissolves all humanity into LCL, but several main characters die before that occurs.
|
Character |
Cause of Death |
Location |
Impact |
|
Misato Katsuragi |
Gunshot wounds |
NERV corridors |
Saves Shinji |
|
Ritsuko Akagi |
Executed by Gendo |
Central Dogma |
Betrayed at the end |
|
Maya Ibuki |
Third Impact |
NERV Command |
Dissolved into LCL |
|
Hyuga Makoto |
Third Impact |
NERV Command |
Dissolved into LCL |
|
Aoba Shigeru |
Third Impact |
NERV Command |
Dissolved into LCL |
|
Gendo Ikari |
Absorbed by Unit-01 |
Central Dogma |
United with Yui |
|
Asuka Langley Soryu |
Ambiguous |
Beach after Impact |
Possibly returns |
Misato Katsuragi's Sacrifice
SEELE's forces invade NERV headquarters in a brutal military assault. Misato sustains fatal gunshot wounds while protecting Shinji and guiding him to Unit-01. She shares a final kiss with Shinji before pushing him into the elevator.
Misato dies alone in the corridor, bleeding out as explosions rock the facility. Her sacrifice ensures Shinji reaches his EVA and represents her final act of love for the boy she couldn't save emotionally.
Ritsuko Akagi's Execution
After attempting to destroy all the Rei clones and sabotage NERV's systems, Ritsuko confronts Gendo in Central Dogma. She points a gun at him but cannot pull the trigger. Gendo coldly shoots her instead, eliminating his former lover and co-conspirator.
Ritsuko's death reveals the futility of her revenge against Gendo and his manipulation. Like her mother before her, she dies destroyed by the man she loved but who never truly valued her.
The NERV Bridge Crew
Maya Ibuki, Makoto Hyuga, and Shigeru Aoba all perish during Third Impact's initial stages. The Rei/Lilith giant appears before them, offering the choice to merge or maintain individuality. They dissolve into LCL along with the rest of humanity.
These deaths receive little screen time but represent the complete breakdown of NERV's operations and the loss of Misato's trusted team.
Gendo Ikari's Absorption
During Third Impact's unfolding, Gendo attempts to force reunion with Yui by merging with Rei. Instead, Unit-01 absorbs him, bringing him face-to-face with Yui's consciousness. She rejects him, and his physical form is consumed by the EVA.
Whether this constitutes death in a traditional sense remains ambiguous. Gendo achieves contact with Yui but not the reunion he desired, instead becoming part of Unit-01's mass.
Asuka's Ambiguous Fate
The Mass Production EVAs brutally tear apart Unit-02 with Asuka inside during the film's climactic battle. The ferocity of this attack, combined with Asuka's screams, suggests her death. However, she later appears on the beach with Shinji after Third Impact.
Whether Asuka died and returned from LCL or survived the assault remains deliberately unclear. Her presence in the final scene proves she reconstituted physical form, but the specifics of her survival/resurrection stay ambiguous.
Deaths During SEELE's Invasion
The military assault on NERV kills numerous personnel throughout the facility. Soldiers execute unarmed staff members, and fierce fighting causes casualties on both sides. These deaths emphasize the human cost of the conflict beyond main characters.
Types of casualties:
- NERV technical staff executed by SEELE troops
- Security personnel killed defending the facility
- JSSDF soldiers killed by automated defenses
- Civilians caught in crossfire above ground
The invasion sequence presents graphic violence rarely seen in anime at the time. Bodies litter corridors, blood stains walls, and the brutality of urban warfare within the headquarters shocks viewers.
Third Impact's Universal Toll
When Third Impact completes, every human being on Earth dissolves into LCL fluid. This includes billions of people worldwide who never appear on screen but perish nonetheless. The ocean turns red with the liquified remains of humanity.
This mass extinction event technically kills everyone, though Shinji's eventual rejection of Instrumentality allows individuals to return if they possess sufficient willpower. The philosophical question of whether this constitutes death or transformation remains central to the film's themes.
Characters Who Survive
Remarkably few characters definitively survive both the series and film:
- Shinji Ikari: Present on the beach in the final scene
- Asuka Langley Soryu: Also appears on the beach, though her path to survival remains unclear
- Pen Pen: Misato's pet penguin, last seen before Third Impact
Rei Ayanami's fate remains particularly complex. Her individual identity merges with Lilith to initiate Third Impact, essentially ending her existence as a separate being. Whether she can return as an individual from the LCL ocean stays unanswered.
The Psychological Impact of Deaths
Each death in Evangelion serves thematic purposes beyond plot advancement. Characters die due to manipulation, sacrifice, violence, and cosmic forces beyond control. These deaths strip away the protagonists' support systems, forcing them to confront isolation and mortality.
Shinji experiences the most profound impact. He witnesses or causes multiple deaths—Rei's self-destruction, Kaworu's execution, Misato's sacrifice, and indirectly, all of humanity through Third Impact. This accumulation of trauma shapes his psychological breakdown and eventual choice.
Differences Between Series and Film
The original series ends ambiguously with a psychological exploration of Shinji's internal state. No additional main character deaths occur during episodes 25-26 beyond those already covered.
End of Evangelion replaces these episodes with graphic violence and apocalyptic destruction. The film transforms the series' introspective conclusion into physical catastrophe, killing characters who survived the TV ending.
Why Evangelion's Deaths Matter
Unlike many anime where death serves as dramatic punctuation, Evangelion treats mortality with weight and consequence. Characters don't die heroically—they die scared, betrayed, or dissolved into primordial ooze. This unflinching approach to death reinforces the series' themes about the cost of existence.
The deaths also explore different facets of mortality. Yui's absorption suggests consciousness persisting beyond physical death. Rei's clones question identity and whether replacing someone means the original lives on. Third Impact asks whether unified consciousness represents death of the individual or evolution beyond current existence.
The Legacy of Character Deaths
These tragic fates contribute significantly to Evangelion's enduring impact on anime. The series demonstrated that animated storytelling could tackle mature themes with complexity and emotional honesty. Character deaths weren't reset buttons or cheap drama—they carried permanent consequences.
Fans continue discussing these deaths decades later, analyzing their meaning and impact. The emotional resonance of watching beloved characters suffer and die creates powerful connections that last long after viewing.
For those who connect deeply with the franchise's complex characters and themes, celebrating their stories through collectibles provides a way to honor their impact. The Evangelion Action Edition building sets capture iconic moments from the series, allowing fans to engage with the narrative's most memorable scenes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shinji die in Evangelion?
Shinji survives both the original series and End of Evangelion. While he dissolves into LCL during Third Impact along with all humanity, he reconstitutes physical form and appears on the beach in the final scene.
Is Asuka dead at the end?
Asuka's fate remains intentionally ambiguous. The Mass Production EVAs violently destroy Unit-02 with her inside, but she appears alive on the beach after Third Impact. Whether she died and returned from LCL or somehow survived the assault isn't explicitly confirmed.
What happens to Rei Ayanami?
The second Rei clone sacrifices herself destroying Armisael. A third clone replaces her but lacks the previous Rei's memories. During End of Evangelion, Rei merges with Lilith to initiate Third Impact, essentially ending her existence as a separate individual.
Does everyone die during Third Impact?
Yes, every human on Earth dissolves into LCL fluid during Third Impact. However, Shinji's rejection of forced unity means individuals can reconstitute physical forms if they possess sufficient will to exist separately. Most may choose to remain in unified consciousness.
Who killed Kaji?
The series never explicitly reveals Kaji's killer. Potential culprits include SEELE operatives, NERV's internal security, or Japanese government agents. The ambiguity emphasizes the conspiratorial nature of the organizations surrounding NERV and how expendable individuals become to these powers.
Can characters return after Third Impact?
According to the film's ending, anyone with strong enough will to maintain individual identity can return from the LCL ocean and reconstitute physical form. However, most humans may prefer the comfort of unified consciousness over the pain of separation.
Conclusion
Understanding character deaths throughout Evangelion reveals how the series uses mortality to explore deeper themes about existence, connection, and the cost of consciousness. These losses shape survivors profoundly and contribute to the franchise's lasting emotional impact.
The series' willingness to confront death honestly, without easy resurrections or comfortable conclusions, distinguishes it within anime history. For fans exploring complex animated storytelling across franchises, popular collectible series continue honoring shows that challenge viewers while delivering unforgettable narratives.
