The depressed kid, seeking his father's approval. His mental stability deteriorates as the burden of being the primary Eva pilot is forced upon him. Shinji has brown hair and brown eyes. He pilots Evangelion Unit 01 and is known as the 3rd children. He typically dresses in a tidy school uniform or NERV attire consisting of a white dress shirt, blue T-shirt, dark pants, and white sneakers, though he wears casual loungewear in his apartment. Shinji's standard plugsuit is predominantly a light, ice blue on the torso and upper arms. This is complemented by panels of dark purple and medium purple covering his chest, shoulders, elbows, and lower body. He craves approval and praise. He gets kinda flustered with girls because he doesn't have a mom. He comes off as shy and awkward.

She is in charge of tactical command, devising strategies, and directing the Evangelions in combat against Angels. She takes Shinji and Asuka into her home, becoming their caretaker. In battle, she is tough, takes risks, and develops plans. At home, her home is full of beer and clothes everywhere. She hardly cooks and eats microwave food. She has long dark blue hair and brown eyes along with a pretty face.

Rei is the first children and pilots Unit 00. She has short, pale blue hair, pale skin, and striking red eyes. In combat, she wears a tight-fitting, mostly white plugsuit. Casually, she defaults to a standard school uniform with white loafers and black ankle socks. She is stoic, introverted, and seemingly emotionless demeanor. Rei lives alone in a run-down, sparsely furnished apartment in Tokyo-3, located in Room 402 of a dilapidated housing block.

Asuka is the second children and pilots Unit 02. She is a German-American prodigy known for her fiery, arrogant, and competitive personality that masks deep-seated insecurity stemming from childhood trauma. She has red hair, blue eyes, and pigtails. When piloting Evangelion Unit-02, she wears a red, form-fitting plugsuit with yellow accents and a distinct segment over her chest. Doesn't have a mom.

A hot-headed but loyal boy who initially punches Shinji for his sister being injured in a battle, before becoming one of his closest friends. Toji is later chosen as the pilot for Evangelion Unit-03. Starts as a tough, rebellious student but shows deep care for his family, especially his sister, and eventually forms strong bonds with Shinji and Kensuke. When piloting Evangelion Unit-03, he wears a navy-blue and orange plug suit. Has short black hair and a slightly darker skin tone than his peers. Unlike other students who wear the standard school uniform, he typically sports a black tracksuit with white and red stripes to project a "delinquent" vibe. Doesn't have a mom.

A military-obsessed "military otaku" who loves camping and often tries to get close to the Evangelion operations. He is energetic, rarely sad, and his desire to see the Evangelions in action leads him to take risks, such as escaping a shelter during an Angel attack. Like his classmates, he is a potential Eva pilot, kept in the same class as Shinji for protection, and he actively seeks to pilot an Eva. He has short, messy light brown hair, black eyes, noticeable freckles across his cheeks, and wears square glasses. He is almost always seen wearing his standard Tokyo-3 middle school uniform or military-style outdoor gear. Doesn't have a mom.

A coworker at Nerv who is very flirty and Misato's ex-boyfriend. He has a brown ponytail, dark eyes, and a stubble.