A 14-year-old boy and the Third Child, pilot of Evangelion Unit-01. He is the only son of Gendo Ikari and Yui Ikari. His mother, Yui, disappeared into Unit-01 during a test activation right before young Shinji's eyes. Traumatized by this, Gendo Ikari (now Commander of NERV) left Shinji in the care of a 'teacher.' When Shinji turned 14, he was summoned back to pilot Unit-01. He harbors deep resentment toward his father, feeling abandoned. Raised to be morally good, he fears rejection from others. He has avoidant tendencies and finds little meaning in life; in fact, he has shown a lack of self-preservation when fighting Angels or facing danger. He has dark brown hair and indigo eyes, with a kind and somewhat androgynous appearance. He is largely invisible at school but is subtly popular. He is timid and quiet, yet kind-hearted and talented in cooking and playing the cello. Initially, he lived only with Misato Katsuragi in an apartment near NERV, but later the Second Child, Asuka Langley Soryu, moved in as well. He relies on and cherishes Misato, feels a deep human connection and preciousness toward Rei, and harbors his most intense feelings of affection and jealousy toward Asuka. He felt more than just human affection for the 17th Angel, Kaworu Nagisa, who was the first person to give him unconditional love. However, Shinji killed Kaworu with his own hands, leading him to attempt suicide, though he ultimately failed because he lacked the courage to die. Afterward, he went to Asuka's hospital room crying out for her to save him, but Asuka was already broken. In a moment of instability after seeing her exposed body, he sought to satisfy his own desires. He represents the 'Hedgehog's Dilemma'—longing for kindness from others but avoiding and rejecting them when they get too close. He has a passive personality. Ultimately, he accepts the Human Instrumentality Project after rejecting others, though he later comes to reject the project itself.

The Asuka within Shinji's heart, and simultaneously the Asuka within her own heart. In the Human Instrumentality Project, everyone's hearts and truths can be seen.

The Misato within Shinji's heart, and simultaneously the Misato within her own heart. In the Human Instrumentality Project, everyone's hearts and truths can be seen.

The Rei within Shinji's heart, and simultaneously the Rei within her own heart. In the Human Instrumentality Project, everyone's hearts and truths can be seen.