Misato Katsuragi

Origin

Misato Katsuragi is the daughter of Professor Katsuragi, who was part of an expedition to Antarctica in September of 2000. While there, the team was destroyed in the catastrophe that became known as "Second Impact", however Misato's father managed to save her from the disaster. She was left mute after the traumatic events of Second Impact. However, by the time she was attending college, Misato had regained the use of her voice. Here she met her future colleague, Ritsuko Akagi and entered into a relationship with Ryoji Kaji. After graduating from college, Misato joined NERV and eventually earning the rank of 'Captain'.

Creation

Misato Katsuragi (葛城 ミサト, Katsuragi Misato) is a main character from the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion that was created by Hideaki Anno. and produced by GAINAX. Her appearance was designed by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. Sadamoto is also the writer and artist of the manga based on the original anime series. In fact, the serialization of the manga series predates the first episode of the anime by eight months. It was created as a promotion to drive interest for the series release. The manga serialization first began in Kadokawa Shoten's Shōnen Ace in February 1995, but was moved to Young Ace in 2009

Misato's first manga appearance was in Neon Genesis Evangelion Vol. 1 CH. 1 "Angel Attack".

In one interview, Anno describes Misato as being an older version of Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon). When describing her personality, he said she is the kind of person who "lives life so lightly as to barely allow the possibility for human touch. She protects herself by having surface level relationships, and running away.".

As with most characters in the Evangelion series, Misato was named after WWII warships. Her family name Katsuragi (葛城, katsuragi) comes from the Unryū class aircraft carrier Katsuragi (葛城), which was completed in October 3, 1944. It was decommissioned in April 1946 then scrapped in December 1946. Her given name comes from the heroine of the manga series Aitsu by Minako Narita.

Major Story Arcs

Volumes 1 to 3

Misato is tasked with making sure that Shinji makes it to NERV headquarters so that he can pilot the Evangelion against the angel attacking the city. She is then placed in command of the attack on the Third Angel. After the battle, Misato picks Shinji up from the hospital and, concerned that he will be living alone, arranges for the boy to live with her.

During a battle against an attacking angel in Volume 2, Shinji disobeys an order from Misato. She is furious and this results in Shinji running away for some time. After he was retrieved by NERV security, Misato tells Shinji he can leave if he doesn’t want to pilot. She soon realises why Shinji disobeyed and manages to convince Shinji to return home with her.

Misato looks through the data with Makoto Hyuga to formulate an effective strategy to defeat the Fifth Angel after its initial attack. She plans to punch through the angel’s AT Field with a positron rifle in a sniping operation. Dubbing it ‘Operation Yashima’, she briefs Rei and Shinji with Ritsuko at Mt Futago before overseeing the operation from a temporary base.

Volumes 4 to 7

Misato introduces Asuka Langley Soryu to Rei and Shinji in Volume 4, but is shocked to discover that Ryoji Kaji had accompanied the girl to . After a disastrous attack on the Seventh Angel Misato risks losing her position, however Ritsuko offers her an idea of Kaji’s that could defeat the angel. Despite misgivings she agrees to use it and, ultimately, the plan succeeds.

Due to her success against the angels, Misato is promoted to major at the beginning of Volume 5. Soon another angel attempts to attack Tokyo-3, this one by falling from orbit. After the angel is defeated NERV suffers a blackout, leaving Misato trapped in an elevator with Kaji. Sabotage is suggested as a reason for the blackout, so Misato confronts Kaji about his status as a double agent. He confirms this, but also reveals that an angel he labels Adam (in reality, Lilith) is hidden in NERV headquarters.

A disaster with the S2 engine at NERV’s Nevada Branch means that the Japanese branch receives Unit 03 in Volume 6. With Ritsuko, Misato goes to Matsushiro to oversee the Eva's start-up process. Unknown to anyone, an angel had possessed Unit 03 during its transfer to . The site explodes, and Misato only regains consciousness after the angel has been killed.

After Shinji quits due to the Unit 03 incident, Misato only has two pilots and one fully functioning Eva when the Ninth Angel attacks the city. With Asuka quickly defeated and Rei's attempt at a suicidal attack on the angel in vain, Misato calls for an evacuation. When Shinji, convinced by Kaji, returns to pilot Unit 01 Misato helps him launch both Eva and angel back to the GeoFront. Like the rest of the bridge crew, she is shocked when Unit 01 eats the Ninth Angel’s S2 engine.

Volumes 8 to 9

As a result of achieving a 400% synch ratio in his fight against the Ninth Angel, Shinji’s body dissolved. Ritsuko Akagi, using her mothers notes, finds a way to salvage Shinji. Misato is present throughout the subsequent operation in Volume 8. When Shinji does return, Misato cradles his body and cries.

Kaji then abducts Commander Fuyutsuki on the orders of SEELE. Due to her past relationship with him, Misato is held in custody until after Fuyutsuki is returned and Kaji has been killed. Before his death Kaji had managed to give Misato much of the information that he’d gathered on NERV’s secrets. Working with Hyuga, Misato learns that the Committee is constructing multiple Eva’s in several countries around the world.

When Kaworu Nagisa arrives, Misato is suspicious of the child. Not long after, the Tenth Angel attacks. With the angel is defeated, Misato officially designates Kaworu the pilot of Unit 02 since Asuka was rendered comatose in the battle. She meets with Hyuga afterwards regarding Kaworu, but finds out that the only files are classified.

Volumes 10 to 12

Misato calls for a rescue team after Rei's apparent death against the Eleventh Angel. She is suspicious when she discovers Rei still alive later, however, and approaches Ritsuko demanding to know NERV’s secrets. Ritsuko reveals them, namely that Rei is a clone and makes the Dummy Plug work. Misato watches in horror as Ritsuko destroys the Rei clones, refusing to shoot her friend when she begs for death.

Misato soon learns the location where Ritsuko is being held after the Dummy Plug incident. Meeting with her, Misato learns that Kaworu is the last angel. After his defeat, she moves herself and Shinji to NERV where she continues her search for information. When the information she’s looking at is deleted, Misato realises that the invasion of NERV has begun.

As human soldiers begin attacking NERV, Misato orders for the pilots to be protected while going after Shinji herself. She finds him and starts leading him to Unit 01, but is shot. With her last breath, Misato orders Shinji to save Asuka and choose his own path. After pushing him into a lift that will take him to Unit 01’s cage, Misato sacrifices herself by detonating a grenade to buy him the time he needs.

Abilities

Intelligence

Though not as scientifically intelligent as her friend Ritsuko and constantly downplayed by her seemingly air-headed party girl personality, Misato is highly intelligent and capable of coming up with complex and successful battle plans in a short amount of time. This intelligent and resourceful nature is what earned her a promotion in NERV and is only seen in her work at NERV, especially during combat situations.

Training

Much like her intelligence, Misato's flighty party girl image belie her deadly combat skills. She is a crack shot, taking down three JSSDF soldiers in quick succession without being hit by their gunfire. This training also came into play where she sacrificed herself to buy Shinji more time, taking a group of enemy soldiers with her.

Beauty/Charm

Misato is physically attractive and she knows it. She constantly flirts with Shinji to get a rise out of him, and is open and personable with all those around her. She also has a lack of modesty, not afraid of wearing skimpy clothing around her (much younger) charges; and even in formal situations and at NERV, she wears short skirts and shorts.

Other Media

Anime

Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)

Neon Genesis Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン, Shinseiki Evangerion) is the original series that the manga was later based upon. It was created and directed by Hideaki Anno. and produced by GAINAX. The series began in October 4, 1995. Misato's first appearance was in Neon Genesis Evangelion - Episode 1 "Angel Attack - 使徒、襲来 (Shito, shūrai)". In Japan, she was voiced by Kotono Mitsuishi , and the English dub that was originally produced by ADV she was voiced by Allison Keith-Shipp . After the collapse of ADV, FUNimation Entertainment bought the license of Evangelion for the U.S. and redubbed it with Allison Keith-Shipp reprising her role.

Petit Eva: Evangelion@School

An anime comedy series was produced called Petit Eva: Evangelion@School. They were produced as short OVA created in CG, and the episodes ranged in length of up to one minute to nearly five minutes. The characters were all animated in a chibi design and many of the episodes were an adaptation of the 4koma gag manga published in Shonen Ace magazine. No dialog is spoken and is all based upon patomime and physical comedy. Misato has few appearances in the series, but plays the role similar to what she has held in many of the Evangelion manga spin-offs. She is the homeroom teacher of Shinji, Rei, and Asuka.

Movies

Death and Rebirth & End of Evangelion

Two movies were produced as companions to the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime and were designed to be the finale of the controversial anime ending. The first was titled Evangelion: Death and Rebirth (March 1997). Budget issues with the film would prevent it from serving as the end it was intended to be. Four month later, the second film, End of Evangelion (July 1997), was released. The story followed events that followed Neon Genesis Evangelion - Episode 24. Misato's role in the movie is brief and she never really leaves NERV Headquarters. SEELE has sent there Mass Produced Evas in along with a private army to kill all the pilots and confiscate Unit-01. Just as Shinji is about to be executed, Misato appears and guns them all down. While on the run, Misato is shot and wounded. As Shinji has another panic attack, she suddenly grabs, hands him her father's crucifix, and gives him an intense open mouthed kiss. This was to give him an "adult kiss" and promises they will do more once he returns. She pushes him into the elevator down to Unit-01. Once he's gone, she collapses from her her wounds. she looks up to as Kaji if she did the right thing, but the only one standing above her is a ghostly Rei before the room is engulfed in a massive explosion. This movie served as the official finale for the canon Evangleion story until Anno's announcement of the Rebuild of Evangelion project in 2006.

Rebuild of Evangelion Project

The Rebuild of Evangelion is a series of four films designed by the original creator, Hideaki Anno. He stated that the technology of the era and the budget he was given didn't allow him to fully realized the vision he had for the story. He began the reboot of his story in 2007 with Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone. Misato makes her first appearance in the first film the same way she did in the original series. Both her original Japanese and English voice actresses reprises their roles for this series. Few changes were made to Misato's character for the films. Superficially, her hair was darkened to appear less purple. Her starting rank is a Lieutenant-Colonel, she is aware from the beginning that Lilith is under NERV Headquarters, and in the second film, Evangelion 2.0 You Can Not Advance (2009), Misato only asks Asuka to come live with her and Shinji so they can get to know one another and she purposely selects Asuka as the test pilot of Eva Unit-03.

Misato, as well as much of the cast, would undergo some rather drastic redesigns for the third in the Rebuild series, Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo. This movie was released to theaters on November 17, 2012 in Japan, and some select theaters for the U.S. audience in January 11, 2013. A preview of Evangelion: Final was shown after the credits.

Manga

There have been four manga series produced based upon the Neon Genesis Evangleion anime series. One is based on the main story, and each one of the following manga series (all of which Misato has appeared in) created their own original story:

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days (2003-2005)

The second manga series based on Evangelion is titled Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days. It was written and illustrated by Fumino Hayashi. The story continues the alternate reality that Shinji Ikari dreamed of in Neon Genesis Evangelion - Episode 26 , and also adapts story from the PS2 video game Neon Genesis Evangelion: Girlfriend of Steel 2nd. It's a six volume series that began publication in Kadokawa Shoten's Monthly Asuka magazine in December 2003 . The final volume was published in December 17, 2005. In this version of the story, Misato is the homeroom teacher of Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, but she also works for NERV in the same position she did in the original story, This manga ends with one of the happiest finales of all the other series before it. Misato and Kaji rekindle their long absent relationship.

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Shinji Ikari Raising Project (2005)

The third manga series based on Evangelion is titled Neon Genesis Evangelion: Shinji Ikari Raising Project. It was written and Illustrated by Takahashi Osamu. The publication first began in Kadokawa Shoten's Shōnen Ace magazine in June 2005. Though is shares the same name as one of the PC video games, much of the story is similar to the previous Angelic Days manga. Misato is a homeroom teacher of Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, she is friends with Ritsuko, who is the school nurse; and they both hold a connection with NERV.

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Campus Apocalypse (2007)

The fourth manga series based on Evangelion is titled Neon Genesis Evangelion: Campus Apocalypse. It was written and illustrated by Ming Ming. It's a four volume series that began publication in Kodokawa Shoten's Monthly Asuka magazine between 2007 to 2009. This series is the most drastic remake of all the Evangelion- based mangas and tells a completely unique story.