Neon Genesis Evangelion’s Shinji Ikari Is Still Anime’s Worst Protagonist

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Hideaki Anno’s Evangelion, which first aired in 1995, remains incredibly influential even today. The series demonstrated that anime – especially giant robot anime – could tell sophisticated stories that resonate with a wide audience. Over time, its groundbreaking approach and willingness to experiment cemented its status as a classic and a true masterpiece.

Evangelion has always been a divisive anime, and the debate goes beyond just its ending. A major hurdle for new viewers is often the characters, especially the main character, Shinji Ikari. He’s one of the most disliked protagonists in anime history, and fans continue to argue about whether he deserves such a strong negative reaction.

Neon Genesis Evangelion Fans Still Argue About Shinji Hikari

At first, Neon Genesis Evangelion seems to begin in a typical way. But Shinji quickly proves he’s no ordinary hero eager to rush into battle. He immediately struggles with pressure and doesn’t hesitate to show his fear.

Shinji only agrees to pilot Unit-01 after witnessing Rei’s injuries – realizing she’ll have to fight if he doesn’t – and truly understanding how dangerous the Angel Sachiel is. Even then, he’s constantly scared and feels helpless. As the story of Evangelion unfolds, Shinji’s weaknesses become increasingly clear. He’s a departure from the typical, powerful hero often seen in anime like Solo Leveling, and it’s understandable why viewers are becoming bored with those predictable characters.

It’s true that many criticisms of Shinji – like his complaining, inability to make decisions, and lack of obvious strengths – are fair. He even sometimes refuses to pilot the robot, as fans often point out online. But Evangelion isn’t trying to tell a typical story about a hero overcoming impossible challenges.

Evangelion Proved It Doesn’t Work With Anyone But Shinji

Ultimately, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a story about the importance of human connection. It shows that even though getting close to others can be painful and involve past hurts, it’s still worth striving for those relationships. The series also encourages viewers to connect with the main character, Shinji, by looking beyond his flaws and understanding him on a deeper, more personal level.

Amidst stories of teenage heroes saving the world and achieving great things, Shinji stands out as a remarkably realistic character – flawed, traumatized, and often unlikeable. However, it’s inaccurate to simply label him a villain or someone who doesn’t try to do the right thing.

I’ve noticed that once you see Shinji as a normal teenager dropped into an unbelievably scary situation, his courage really stands out. It’s easy to imagine how most 14-year-olds would be terrified at the thought of piloting a giant robot against world-ending monsters. But Shinji, despite being scared and wanting to escape, consistently pushes through his fear and fights the Angels. It’s actually pretty inspiring when you look at it that way.

Shinji is deliberately portrayed as flawed, and his struggles with self-doubt and insecurity are very relatable. He grew up feeling ignored and unwanted by his father, only to be suddenly needed by NERV, which left him deeply insecure and unable to seek the acceptance he craved. Instead, he withdraws. These imperfections are crucial to the power of Evangelion, and the same is true for all the characters in the story.

Every Evangelion Character Is a Masterpiece in Tragic Flaws

Generally, Evangelion focuses on creating realistic characters, even if they aren’t always likable. From Shinji, who hides his insecurities behind a frustratingly arrogant attitude, to Rei, whose distant personality makes it hard to feel connected to her, every character in Evangelion is flawed and imperfect.

The characters in Evangelion powerfully represent the series’ central ideas, primarily by showcasing their flaws. These characters often behave in ways that are contradictory and destructive, much like real people, and the show doesn’t offer simple answers to help them find happiness, particularly given the difficult and heartbreaking situations they face.

Evangelion’s characters are written in a way that forces viewers to face difficult truths about what it means to be human. The characters feel incredibly real because of how openly they struggle and react to things, and even their worst qualities are often understandable. It’s important to look beyond simple labels when considering these characters, as they are complex individuals with both strengths and weaknesses. In fact, it’s their imperfections – particularly those of Shinji – that make the characters so memorable and compelling.

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2026-02-21 20:37