ikari shinji

Age: 14
Birthday: June 6, 2001
Height: 155 cm (5'1")
Blood type: A
Father: Gendo Ikari
Mother: Yui Ikari
Guardian: Misato Katsuragi

Shinji Ikari is the Third Child ("Third Children" in Japanese), piloting Unit 01. He is the offspring of Gendo and the late Yui Ikari. Shinji was abandoned by his father, Gendo, at a very young age, leading him to frequently flee from challenging situations. As a pilot, he tends to panic easily and reacts poorly when faced with unexpected events. Over time, encouraged by Misato, Shinji learns to be less cowardly, more vocal, and gradually gains confidence.

However, his progress is shattered when he is compelled to kill the only person who ever openly expressed love towards him. His friends are primarily Toji and Kensuke, but he harbors deeper feelings for Rei, even if he's unaware of their extent. Everyone around him seems to notice these feelings, though. While Rei shares a bond with Shinji, Asuka also plays a significant role in his life as a sexual presence and becomes emotionally crucial to him. Their relationship, although not immediately apparent, drives both characters throughout the series. Their confusing, back-and-forth interactions create considerable guilt and tension. Although Asuka is attracted to Shinji, she fears dependency and instead teases him, often with sexual undertones, hoping to provoke him into initiating a closer relationship. Notably, she gives him his first kiss, supposedly out of boredom, though it holds more meaning for her than she lets on. However, due to his emotional struggles, Shinji misinterprets Asuka's actions, feeling confused and hurt by her mixed signals.

Asuka constantly berates and blames Shinji, causing him to withdraw both emotionally and physically. This further frustrates Asuka, leading her to treat him more harshly, which only makes Shinji retreat further, creating a vicious cycle. Their tense relationship reaches a climax towards the end; when Asuka's stress causes her to become completely withdrawn, Shinji tries to comfort her but is coldly rejected.

Later, when Asuka falls into a comatose state and Shinji experiences immense mental strain, he goes to her bedside to seek help. In an act filled with guilt and self-loathing, he masturbates over her partially nude, comatose body. Overwhelmed with guilt and self-hatred, he enters a state of withdrawal similar to Asuka's earlier condition.

In the end, when Shinji chooses to reject Instrumentality, he finds Asuka to be the only other person left on Earth. They painfully reconcile, marking the culmination of their tumultuous journey.