Neon Genesis Evangelion's Most Controversial Character Choices

Buckle up, because today’s ranking is guaranteed to ignite arguments in every anime server: this is “Rank the Most Controversial” and we’re diving into the top five most debated character choices in Neon Genesis Evangelion. No other anime has split fans as dramatically over who did what, why they did it, and whether it made sense. From Shinji’s infamous decisions to Gendo’s cryptic plans, every pick here has spawned essays, memes, and heated voice chats. Let’s get into it.

Number 5: Misato Katsuragi’s Relationship with Shinji Ikari, especially in End of Evangelion. Misato is the operations director at NERV and Shinji’s legal guardian. She’s supposed to protect and support him, but in the climactic moments of End of Evangelion, she kisses 14-year-old Shinji on the lips and tells him, “That was grown-up kiss. When you come back, we'll do the rest.” The intention behind her actions is debated: some insist Misato is giving Shinji a last push to survive, using whatever means she thinks will work in a desperate moment. Others see it as an inexcusable crossing of boundaries, undermining her character and the themes of the show. This single scene has led to years of argument over authorial intent, cultural context, and whether Misato’s trauma justifies her choices. Fans still debate whether this was a meaningful act of complicated love, or an unnecessary shock that damaged her character’s legacy.

Number 4: Kaworu Nagisa’s True Motives and Relationship with Shinji. Kaworu appears late in the series—Episode 24—and immediately becomes one of the most enigmatic characters in all of anime. He offers Shinji unconditional kindness, tells him, “You deserve to be loved,” and then reveals himself as the final Angel, Tabris. His relationship with Shinji has sparked debate about whether it’s romantic, platonic, or manipulative. Some fans praise Kaworu as the first person to offer Shinji genuine affection, while others argue he’s just fulfilling his mission to bring about Instrumentality and uses Shinji’s loneliness to his advantage. The ambiguity of their connection—amplified by cultural differences in interpreting the subtext—fuels endless debates about LGBTQ+ representation, intention versus subtext, and whether Shinji’s ultimate decision to kill Kaworu is justified or emotionally devastating. Every rewatch brings new arguments about what Kaworu really wanted.

Number 3: Asuka Langley Soryu’s Portrayal in the Series and End of Evangelion. Asuka is brash, brilliant, and emotionally complex. Her early episodes present her as a confident ace pilot, but later episodes depict her mental breakdown, feelings of inadequacy, and trauma. In End of Evangelion, Asuka’s fight against the Mass Production Evangelions is one of anime’s most brutal sequences, but the aftermath—her near-death, violation, and final waking scene with Shinji—has polarized fans. Some argue that Asuka is the true emotional core of the series and her arc embodies the struggle for identity in the face of trauma. Others believe the depiction of her suffering, especially in the movie, crosses the line into exploitation and does her character a disservice. The infamous final scene, in which Shinji strangles Asuka and she responds with “kimochi warui” (“I feel sick” or “How disgusting”), is still dissected frame by frame in online debates. Was this a moment of understanding, rejection, or nihilism? The world may never agree—and that’s precisely why Asuka’s arc is so divisive.

Number 2: Gendo Ikari’s Master Plan and the Ethics of Instrumentality. Gendo’s reputation as one of anime’s most infamous fathers is well-earned. His coldness toward Shinji is legendary, but it’s his ultimate goal that fans argue over. Gendo orchestrates Third Impact with the hope of reuniting with his deceased wife, Yui, and ending human loneliness through Instrumentality—a forced merging of all consciousness. Some argue Gendo is a tragic figure, driven by grief and unable to express love except through catastrophic means. Others see him as a manipulative monster, sacrificing millions for selfish reasons. The debate extends to whether Instrumentality is a form of salvation or an erasure of individuality. Gendo’s cryptic motivations, and his willingness to manipulate everyone around him—including Ritsuko Akagi and Rei Ayanami—make him one of the most argued-over antagonists in anime history. His ultimate fate, being rejected by Rei and left alone at the threshold of godhood, only adds fuel to the fire: was he always doomed, or did he choose his own isolation?

Number 1: Shinji Ikari’s Decision During Third Impact in End of Evangelion. Shinji Ikari is the protagonist and emotional lens of the series, and his choices shape the fate of humanity. In the final act of End of Evangelion, Shinji is given the power to determine whether all of humanity will merge into a single consciousness—ending pain and loneliness, but erasing individuality—or return to a world of separation and suffering. Shinji chooses individuality, rejecting Instrumentality, but only after a surreal odyssey through his own fears, regrets, and desires. Fans have endlessly debated whether Shinji’s choice is heroic or selfish, an act of hope or nihilism. Some claim he chooses life, growth, and the possibility of connection; others argue he damns humanity to endless cycles of pain. The notorious scene where he chokes Asuka upon their return to reality has been dissected as a symbol of his confusion, anger, or inability to cope. The ambiguity of Shinji’s motives and the refusal of the creators to provide a clear answer make this the single most controversial character choice in Evangelion. Every forum post, convention panel, and thinkpiece comes back to this question: Did Shinji do the right thing, or did he just run away again?

Every single pick on this list has generated essays, flame wars, cosplays, and years-long arguments across message boards and social media. If you think a different character choice should have cracked the top five—maybe Rei’s decision during Instrumentality, maybe Ritsuko’s final confrontation with Gendo—jump into the comments and let us know how you’d rank Evangelion’s most divisive decisions.