This science fiction anime was originally created by GAINAX and directed by Anno Hideaki.
A total of 26 episodes aired on TV Tokyo (TNX) from October 4, 1995 to March 27, 1996. The manga version preceded the anime, beginning with its February 1995 issue in Monthly Shonen Ace. Because the manga began first, many people believe the original work is the manga, but it is in fact the anime. A remake, titled "Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo," aired from 2007 to 2009 and is planned to consist of four parts.
The series depicts the battle between 14-year-old boys and girls who become Evangelion pilots and the "Angels," with an emphasis on portraying emotions such as the relationships and various conflicts that arise. This time, we will focus on one of the most popular characters, the Second Child, Soryu Asuka Langley.
She appears in Episode 8
Asuka is one of the main heroines of the series, and is the second compatible person, making her a Second Child. She is voiced by Yuko Miyamura.
Born December 4, 2001, she is 14 years old, with type A blood, standing 157cm tall, and American nationality. She makes her first appearance surprisingly late, in Episode 8, "Asuka Arrives in Japan." As a child of a Japanese immigrant, she received special education as a Second Child from the age of four, and is an elite Second Child. She graduated from university at the age of 14. She pilots Evangelion Unit-02 and primarily speaks German when piloting the unit. She's beautiful, proud, and headstrong, but her occasional reactions to Shinji make her the epitome of a tsundere character.
"You idiot!?"
This is a standard line Asuka says to Shinji.
In the anime series, she says it 12 times: in episodes 8, 9, and 11 (three times), 12, 15, 19, 20, 25, and 26 (twice).
This line has become a standard phrase used in Asuka impersonations, and it's said that in "Kyukyu Sentai GoGoFive," Yuko Miyamura's character, Kyoko Hayase, uttered it, delighting fans.
We've been waiting for this! Confident Asuka
From Episode 8, "Asuka Arrives in Japan."
Upon arriving in Japan, Asuka boasts to Shinji that her Eva Unit-02 is the world's first genuine Evangelion for combat. Suddenly, the Sixth Angel, Gaghiel, appears. Despite the dire situation of an Angel attack, Asuka grins, seeing this as an opportunity to demonstrate her abilities.
"Chance"
"I'll get back at your wounded pride tenfold!"
This line comes from Episode 9, "Moments, Hearts, Overlapped." After a crushing defeat at the hands of the Seventh Angel Israfel, Shinji and Asuka train hard to get revenge. Asuka refuses to lower her level to match Shinji's, so when Misato asks, "Should we stop?", she arrogantly responds, saying she's doing it because there's no one else to do it. Instead, try Rei and Shinji... and they work so well together! Seeing this, Asuka is momentarily upset, but quickly replies with this line to get motivated.
It's a typical Asuka line, revealing her pride.
Kissing Shinji... What are Asuka's true intentions...?!
In episode 15, "Lies and Silence," Misato tells Shinji she'll be late getting home from the wedding reception. After the meal, Shinji and Asuka are left bored. Asuka suddenly asks Shinji if she wants to kiss him, which takes Shinji by surprise, but when asked "Are you scared?" he pretends to be confident and says "I'm not scared! It's just a kiss," and the two share a long kiss.
Asuka says that the kiss is just a way to pass the time, but it has been officially stated that she truly loves Shinji as a man.
Unrequited Love...
In episode 22, "At Least, Be Human," Asuka is mentally attacked by Arael, and she screams, "You don't do anything, you don't help me, you don't even hug me!", causing a flashback to a scene between Shinji and Asuka. Asuka loved Shinji and wanted him to help her and hug her. That's why, even though she kissed him so long that it was hard to breathe, she was irritated that Shinji still wouldn't hug her, and gargled to cover it up.
"I can't lose again!"
From Episode 19, "A Man's Battle."
Since arriving in Japan as an elite pilot, Asuka hasn't performed particularly well, and was completely no match for the 13th Angel, Bardiel (the battle scene was cut). Knowing that there are always spare Eva pilots, Asuka feared that if she continued to perform poorly and hold the others back, she would be removed from the team. I believe this comment was spoken out of frustration. She motivates herself to challenge the 14th Angel, Zeruel, but her efforts are in vain, as she is instantly killed... This scene is truly pitiful for Asuka.
Asuka Loses the Meaning of Life
A scene from episode 24, "The Last One."
After learning of the death of Kaji, whom she respected and loved, and her synchronization rate with Eva Unit-02 dropping to zero, Asuka declares that she "doesn't deserve to be a Second Child," completely losing the meaning of life. As the story progresses, it's sad to see less and less of Asuka's energy... No longer a pilot, she is protected by NERV, and a new pilot, Kaworu Nagisa, arrives.
Who is the Second Child, Asuka Langley Soryu? Summary
What did you think?
The cute, tsundere Asuka is one of the most popular characters in the Evangelion series.
In stark contrast to the other heroine, Rei Ayanami, she has a volatile emotional range and is often depicted in scenes that convey her feelings for Shinji.
In addition, in the new movie, her name has been changed to Shikinami Asuka Langley, and she is depicted as having no feelings for Ryoji Kaji.
It might be interesting to compare Asuka in the TV anime and the new movie.
