Some Things You Didn’t Know About Rei Ayanami

Neon Genesis Evangelion revolutionized the animation business, and Rei, a series mainstay, influenced a lot of other characters.

Rei is a significant element of what makes Evangelion the gigantic sensation that it is. She is one of the most recognizable and well-known anime characters out there. The show is noted for its emphasis on characterization and the investigation of the personalities and psyches of numerous individuals. Despite the fact that it has the similar effect on Rei, she remains one of Evangelion’s most difficult to read characters to date.

Despite her celebrity, there is still a lot about her character that is unknown. After all, most fans can’t possibly know everything there is to know about each character. Aside from the extremely vital topics, Rei has several unique characteristics that many viewers overlook. The following are a few of the most notable.

Manga Differences

Evangelion, although being an original animation, has spawned a slew of manga adaptations. There’s the show’s original manga adaptation, which gives the characters and story its own flavor, as well as several spin-offs. Rei differs from her anime counterpart in each of these.

In the original manga adaption, Rei is much nicer and friendlier. The changes are evident and give the impression that she is a completely different individual. This can be seen in her other manga portrayals as well. Some fans have dubbed this RiAO, or Rei in Appearance Only, because the personality shifts make her look like a completely new character.

Her Connection To EVA-00

While we all know what EVAs are, their nature is difficult to describe. Neither is their link to their pilots, but it is indicated that each pilot’s EVA includes the souls of their mothers in the most basic aspects. The show’s pilots all feature a mother who has died. Everyone except Rei, who is a clone by nature. As a result, it’s thought that the soul inside EVA-00 is actually that of the first Rei.

Various Incarnations

As previously established, Rei is nothing more than a clone of Angel Lilith and Yui Ikari. Various iterations of Rei have appeared throughout the Evangelion story. At the very least, there are three things about which you can be certain.

The first Rei was killed as a youngster by an infuriated Naoko Akagi long before Episode 1. Rei II is a clone that appears throughout the majority of the series. In Episode 23, she passes away. Rei III appears at the end of the story and is ultimately responsible for Shinji handing over control of Third Impact to him. Each of these incarnations is demonstrated to be distinct from the others, with distinct personality traits and character features.

The Meaning Behind Her Name

Rei’s name, like the names of all the other characters on the program, was picked for a reason. Her whole name has a variety of meanings, each of which provides additional insight into her personality.

Rei’s Japanese name is zero, which is intriguing given not just the EVA she pilots, but also her lack of identity. When you consider the mystery around whose person’s soul is in her EVA, the kanji for her name can also be read as “spirit.” She was also given the identity Rei Hino from Sailor Moon in an attempt to recruit Kunihiko Ikuhara, one of the show’s directors, to work on Evangelion.

Her Relationship With Shinji

Evangelion is driven by character relationships, and none are more vital than Shinji and Rei’s. Despite the fact that their connection is difficult in the beginning of the series, they finally discover some common ground.

Though not the most overt, the dynamic the two share is one that is mutually advantageous to both of them, especially when compared to their respective relationships with other characters in the series. Regrettably, it is only temporary.

Rei And The Moon

Throughout Evangelion, Rei is frequently associated with the moon. Along with the show’s opening credits, this visual pattern appears repeatedly in various angles and scenarios. This link to the moon can be interpreted as a manner of teasing Rei’s relationship with Lilith. Surprisingly, Asuka is linked to the sun in different images throughout the series and films, albeit to a lesser level.