Misato Katsuragi NERV Operations Director (Captain)
In the Evangelion anime series, Misato Katsuragi is a Captain (and later a Major) at the NERV Headquarters. She is in charge of directing all of the Evangelion pilots in battle. Ritsuko Akagi and Misato have a long history of being friends. Dr. Katsuragi, Misato’s father, was a well-renowned scientist that took part in the events leading up to the Second Impact. Misato was the only survivor of her father’s expedition in Antarctica. Both Shinji Ikari and Asuka Langley Soryu live in Misato’s apartment, effectively making her their guardian.
In the original Japanese dub, she is voiced by Kotono Mitsuishi. The ADV Films English dub cast Allison Keith to voice Misato, while the Netflix re-dub replaced her with Carrie Keranen.
Character and Personality
Throughout the majority of the series, Misato is shown to be a very carefree and fun-loving character. The audience is introduced to Misato by a photograph of her that Shinji received prior to their first meeting, so Shinji would be able to recognize her. This photograph shows Misato in a rather suggestive pose (in the context of giving it to a 14-year-old boy) and came complete with a hearts and a lipstick kiss on it. Her mature feminine charm is also quite popular among many of Shinji’s male classmates, who crowd around the window to catch a glimpse of her whenever she stops by the school.
When Shinji decides to stay with Misato, he is shocked to see that her apartment is littered with beer cans and other trash. The source of all of the beer cans is quickly made apparent, as she is usually seen with a can of beer in hand, especially after getting home from work. At some point before the beginning of the series, she also began to care for a penguin named Pen Pen, which she claims is her pet. This relaxed side of her personality is greatly contrasted by how she acts as the tactical commander of the Evangelion units.
When communicating with pilots, she is very stern and can be quick to anger. Though she recognizes the importance of keeping the Evangelion pilots safe in a professional sense, as the series progresses, she comes to care for their well-being on a personal level, especially Shinji.
Background
Although she is often very cheerful and upbeat, Misato’s childhood was one of tragedy and trauma. Her father, named only as Dr. Katsuragi, was known as an excellent scientist and was a part of the Antarctic expedition that resulted in the cataclysmic Second Impact, which destroyed everyone in the party except Misato. Since Angels were believed to be the destructive force behind the Second Impact, Misato was left with a burning desire to see the Angels destroyed. This desire eventually led to Misato becoming a Captain at NERV and leading the Evangelion Units, the only weapon the human race has that can defeat Angels.
Notable Relationships with Other Characters
Shinji Ikari: Pilot of Evangelion Unit 01 that lives with Misato in her apartment. Although they had only just met, Misato acts very casually around Shinji. She acts much like a beacon of positivity for Shinji, which is much needed as he is suddenly thrust into a whole new lifestyle that is full of stress and negativity. As the two continue to live with each other, their relationship becomes something akin to a familial bond (though it is not quite a mother-son bond). It is quite apparent that she cares deeply for Shinji. In the aftermath of the battle with the Angel Zeruel where Shinji is believed to be dead, Misato is shown crying in grief and grasping his plug suit - the only thing thought to be left of Shinji.
Ritsuko Akagi: NERV’s leading scientist and Misato’s closest friend. These two met in college. They are generally quite jovial toward each other, often poking fun at the other and sharing laughs together. However, as Misato begins to learn about the secrets hidden behind NERV, Ritsuko changes her tone toward Misato, becoming more cold and distant. Misato realizes that Ritsuko has been hiding the truth from her for a very long time, which puts an incredible strain on their once positive relationship
Ryoji Kaji: Misato’s lover who she also met while she was in college. Although both seemed satisfied with their relationship, Misato broke up with him, her reason being that she loved another man. This, however, was a lie that she made up to hide the truth that Ryoji reminded her of her father, which frightened her.
Movie Character
Misato’s character in the Evangelion Rebuild movies, goes through some significant changes. In the Evangelion Rebuild movie Evangelion: 1.0 and Evangelion: 2.0 she has the same personality and characteristics as the anime series. However being promoted to colonel she finds out of NERV’s operations and secrets in detail. In Evangelion: 3.0, at the age of 43, she is the leader of WILLE, an organization created to rebel against NERV, destroy the Evangelion Units and prevent Fourth Impact. She is colder and harsh. The many years of war and the anger towards NERV and Gendo Ikari who were trying to provoke Third Impact had changed her.