Akagi Ritsuko

Overview

Akagi Ritsuko is a head scientist at NERV in the Neon Genesis Evangelion series. Attached to the First Division of the Technology Development Bureau, she serves as the chief developer of the Evangelion project (Project E) and manages the MAGI supercomputer system. Pragmatic, rational, and highly intelligent, she provides essential scientific and technological support during operations against the Angels.

Appearance

Originally having brown hair, Ritsuko dyes her hair blonde. She features a distinctive beauty mark (mole) under her left eye. Her signature outfit consists of a lab coat worn over an open, unbuttoned blue shirt, a tight black pencil skirt, black pantyhose, and pumps, accompanied by earrings and red lipstick. In the Rebuild of Evangelion films from Q onward, her hair is styled into a very short haircut.

Personality

Ritsuko is an extremely rational, calm, and pragmatic professional. As a dedicated workaholic, she performs her duties with absolute perfection and is capable of cold, unsentimental decisions for the sake of the mission. She is a heavy smoker, though she harbors a softer side reflected in her love for collecting cat-themed merchandise and figurines.

Abilities

Ritsuko is an extraordinarily talented scientist specializing in biology, genetics, and computer science. She handles the maintenance and operation of the MAGI supercomputer network and directs the technical aspects of the Evangelion development program, providing essential technical intelligence during combat.

Background

She is the daughter of Naoko Akagi, the creator of the MAGI system. Following her mother's death, Ritsuko took over her responsibilities within NERV. She became involved with Commander Ikari Gendou both professionally and personally, assisting in his secret agenda. Upon learning the truth regarding Ayanami Rei and the dummy system, she was driven to destroy the Rei clones and later attempted to blow up NERV using MAGI, leading to her demise by Gendou's hand. In the Rebuild series, she joins the anti-NERV organization WILLE as the executive vice-captain of the AAA Wunder.

Relationships

She has been close friends with Katsuragi Misato and Kaji Ryouji since college, though her pragmatic views often cause friction with Misato. She harbors complex feelings for Ikari Gendou, serving as his lover before realizing she was being used. She holds mixed love-hate feelings toward her mother, Akagi Naoko. Her subordinate, Ibuki Maya, looks up to her with deep admiration and affection.

Trivia

Her surname originates from the Japanese battlecruiser (later converted aircraft carrier) Akagi. The role was the first anime voice acting role for her Japanese voice actress, Yuriko Yamaguchi.