Ritsuko Akagi  

, 赤木リツコ

Ritsuko Akagi serves as the head scientist of NERV and plays a significant role in maintaining Tokyo-3's defense mechanisms against the Angels, particularly the Evas. She is Naoko Akagi's daughter, who was responsible for developing the MAGI supercomputer system that controls Nerv. Despite her admiration for her mother, Ritsuko also harbors resentment towards her. Her mother had been working on the Evangelion project before her death, and Ritsuko continues this work while also advancing the development of the Magi supercomputer system. In flashbacks, it's revealed that Ritsuko has a natural brunette coloring like her mother. She is highly intelligent with a strong commitment to her job, but she often exhibits a detached and stoic attitude, which frequently clashes with Misato Katsuragis impulsive nature during Eva combat. Her jabs at Misato provide comic relief in the series. Ritsuko loves cats and has been chided by Misato for prioritizing her feline companions over human relationships. Additionally, she is a heavy smoker, as evidenced by an ashtray on her desk filled with cigarette butts stained with her lipstick.