| Asuka Langley Soryu | |
|---|---|
| Neon Genesis Evangelion character | |
 Asuka with her Eva-02 (in the background) as a child (left), as a pilot (center) and in civilian clothes (right) | |
| First appearance | Neon Genesis Evangelion episode 8: "Asuka Strikes!" (1995) |
| Created by | Gainax (collectively) |
| Voiced by | Japanese: Yūko Miyamura English: Tiffany Grant (ADV Films dub, Rebuild) Stephanie McKeon (Netflix dub) |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Asuka Langley Soryu (Original) Asuka Shikinami Langley (Rebuild) |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Female |
| Title | Second Child Captain (Rebuild) |
| Relatives | Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu (mother) Ryoji Kaji (guardian) Misato Katsuragi (guardian) |
| Nationality | American[1][2][3][4][5] |
Asuka Langley Soryu (惣流・アスカ・ラングレー, Sōryū Asuka Rangurē, IPA: [soːɾʲɯː asɯ̥ka ɾaŋɡɯɾeː])[a] is a fictional character from the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise created by Gainax. She first appears in the original anime series, and also appears in the franchise's animated feature films and related media, including video games, the Rebuild of Evangelion films, and the manga adaptation by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. In Japanese, Yūko Miyamura voices Asuka in all her animated appearances and merchandise. In English, Tiffany Grant voices her in the ADV Films dub and Stephanie McKeon voices her in the Netflix dub.
Within the franchise, Asuka is designated as the Second Child and the fiery pilot of a giant mecha named Evangelion Unit-02 to fight against enemies known as Angels for the special agency Nerv. Because of childhood trauma, she has developed a competitive and outgoing character to get noticed by other people and affirm her own self. In the Rebuild of Evangelion films, her Japanese surname is changed to Shikinami (式波) and she differs significantly in her background and characterization from her television series incarnation.
Series creator and director Hideaki Anno originally proposed her as the main protagonist of the series. Character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto asked Anno to include a male main character instead, downgrading her to the role of co-protagonist with Shinji Ikari. Anno based her psychology on his personality, bringing his moods into the character, acting instinctively and without having thought about how the character would evolve. During the first broadcast of the series, he changed his plans, creating an evolutionary parable in which Asuka becomes more dramatic and suffers, intentionally going against the expectations of the fans. The Japanese voice actress Miyamura was also influential, deciding some details and some of Asuka's lines.
Asuka maintained a high ranking in the series' popularity polls and has appeared in surveys to decide the most popular anime characters in Japan. Merchandising based on her has also been released, particularly action figures, which became highly popular. Some critics took issue with her hubris and her personality, judging these as tiresome and arrogant; others appreciated her realism and complex psychological introspection. Asuka is also one of the most successful and influential examples of the tsundere stereotype, characteristic of grumpy and arrogant characters with a fragile hidden side, helping to define its characteristics.
- ^ "惣流・アスカ・ラングレー". The End of Evangelion Theatrical Pamphlet (in Japanese). Gainax. 1997.
She is one quarter German and Japanese, but her nationality is American
- ^ "Characters glossary in Gainax website". «Japanese: 日本と独国の血が入ったクォーターであり、国籍はアメリカ。 English: She is a Japanese-German blood quarter and her nationality is American.». Archived from the original on September 18, 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ The Essential Evangelion Chronicle: Side B (in French). Glénat Editions. 2010. p. 14. ISBN 978-2-7234-7121-3.
- ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 3. «Japanese: 国籍アメリカ合衆国 - English: Nationality: United States of America». Sony Magazines. p. 6.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "惣流・アスカ・ラングレー". Neon Genesis Evangelions The Master Guide 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン2ザ・マスターガイド (in Japanese). «Japanese: 日本人とドイツ人の血が入ったクォーターで、国籍はアメリカ。English: She is a quarter of Japanese and German blood, and her nationality is American». MediaWorks. 2003. ISBN 4-8402-2585-0.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
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