Asuka Langley

Lore & Background

The game *Neon Genesis Evangelion 2* contains 24 topics named "Classified Information" which expand upon the backstory of the *Evangelion* universe. This information states that Adam and Lilith are "Seeds of Life," settlers sent to Earth by a "First Ancestral Race," along with the Spears of Longinus. The various Angels seek out the Black Moon of Lilith because they are seeking Lilith, or Adam. While this information seems to have been based on extensive interviews with franchise creator Hideaki Anno, the canonicity of this information has never been officially stated. Gainax continuously states that all necessary information has been provided in the series and films.

In Their Own Story

In *Neon Genesis Evangelion 2*, the player can follow Asuka Langley Soryu through multiple versions of the main plot of the anime. The game includes several "Scenarios," including those of comedic value, that disregard canon. Only Scenario 01, one of Shinji's scenarios, follows the series' own storyline relatively closely. The developers stated in a production log that they wanted to create their own "world of Evangelion."

Reader's Guide

Asuka Langley Soryu is one of the characters the player can choose to follow in *Neon Genesis Evangelion 2*. The game has role-playing video game and world-controlling elements. The player controls an Eva walking around a large map until they run into an enemy. The player is then given a list of action commands to attack the enemy. Once chosen, a CGI sequence depicting the attack is shown. This was one of the most praised elements of the game. The game also has story arcs where the player has a list of playable characters to choose from. Asuka is available from the start, and more characters are unlocked as various game events are triggered.

Did You Know?

• Asuka Langley Soryu is one of three main characters available from the start in *Neon Genesis Evangelion 2*, alongside Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami.
• The game *Neon Genesis Evangelion 2* sold 111,787 copies in its first week of release.
• The game contains 24 topics of 'Classified Information' that expand on the backstory, including details about Adam and Lilith being 'Seeds of Life' sent by a 'First Ancestral Race'.
• A PlayStation Portable port of the game was released in 2006 under the title *Neon Genesis Evangelion 2 -Another Cases-*.
• The game's developers stated they wanted to create their own 'world of Evangelion' through an 'autonomous' simulation.

Asuka's Trauma and Reawakening

In the harrowing narrative of *The End of Evangelion*, Asuka Langley Soryu finds herself in a state of profound vulnerability, lying comatose in a hospital bed while Shinji Ikari attempts to rouse her. This scene marks a tragic low point where she is completely unaware of her surroundings or the chaos unfolding outside. However, her character arc takes a dramatic turn when Misato Katsuragi orders her transfer into Evangelion Unit-02 at the bottom of a lake, a desperate measure to preserve the mecha and its pilot against invading military forces. The catalyst for Asuka's resurgence is the revelation that the soul of her deceased mother resides within the very machine she pilots. This discovery allows her to overcome her deep-seated trauma and psychological paralysis. Upon reactivating Unit-02, she demonstrates immense combat prowess, single-handedly destroying the Japanese military forces and Seele's mass-produced Evangelion units. Her battle is fierce but ultimately tragic; once her battery depletes, the enemy units reanimate and brutally disembowel her mecha, leaving her mutilated remains to be carried away by the very machines she fought.

The Crucifixion and Third Impact

Asuka's fate becomes inextricably linked with the apocalyptic ritual known as the Third Impact. After Shinji pilots Unit-01 into the sky, he witnesses a horrifying sight: Seele's mass-produced Evangelions carrying the mutilated remains of Asuka's Unit-02. This visual triggers a scream from Shinji that echoes his despair and helplessness. The narrative then shifts to a surreal, dreamlike sequence where Lilith, now merged with Rei Ayanami, makes contact with Shinji. In this psychological landscape, Asuka appears again, rejecting Shinji's pleas for connection, which leads him to strangle her in a fit of anguish before concluding that everyone should die. This rejection facilitates the initiation of the Third Impact by Lilith, dissolving all human bodies into the primordial fluid LCL and merging individual souls into a single consciousness. Asuka's physical form is lost in this dissolution, representing the ultimate erasure of her individuality as humanity is forced to confront its collective existence.

The Shoreline Confrontation

Following the rejection of the unified consciousness by Shinji, reality begins to reform, and the souls of humanity are given the chance to return to their physical bodies. The film concludes with a stark, ambiguous scene on a shoreline in a ruined city where Shinji and Asuka lie together. This moment serves as the final interaction between the two pilots after the cataclysmic events that destroyed the world as they knew it. Shinji initially attempts to strangle Asuka again, driven by his lingering pain and confusion, but he stops when she caresses his face. In this quiet aftermath, Shinji breaks down in tears while Asuka voices her disgust at him. This final exchange encapsulates the complex, often painful dynamic between them, highlighting that despite the end of the world, their relationship remains fraught with unresolved tension and emotional barriers. The scene leaves their future uncertain, grounded only in the immediate reality of their coexistence amidst the ruins.

Critical Reception and Legacy

*The End of Evangelion*, featuring Asuka's pivotal role in its climax, was a monumental success both commercially and critically upon its release. Grossing ¥2.47 billion at the box office, the film received widespread acclaim for its direction, editing, emotional power, and script. It earned prestigious honors including awards from the Japanese Academy, Animation Kobe, and the 1997 Animage Anime Grand Prix. While some reviewers criticized the film's oblique religious symbolism and abstract nature, it has since been cited as one of the greatest animated films of all time. The production history reveals that the film was created partly to address viewer dissatisfaction with the original television series' ending, which suffered from schedule delays and director Hideaki Anno's personal indecision. By providing a more action-oriented conclusion alongside its psychological depth, the film solidified Asuka's journey as a defining element of the *Evangelion* legacy, ensuring her character remains central to discussions about the franchise's impact on anime history.

Asuka's Role in Gameplay

In *Neon Genesis Evangelion 2*, Asuka Langley Soryu is a playable character available from the start of the game. The game allows the player to follow her through multiple versions of the main plot of the anime *Neon Genesis Evangelion*. The game contains several "Scenarios," including comedic ones that disregard canon. The developers created an "autonomous" simulation, enabling the player to create numerous scenarios for characters, battles, and relationships involving Asuka.

Classified Information Context

The game *Neon Genesis Evangelion 2* includes 24 topics named "Classified Information" which expand upon the backstory. This information states that Adam and Lilith are "Seeds of Life" sent by a "First Ancestral Race" with the Spears of Longinus. The Angels seek the Black Moon of Lilith because they are seeking Lilith or Adam. While based on interviews with Hideaki Anno, the canonicity of this information has never been officially stated. Gainax states all necessary information is in the series and films.

Game Features and Additions

Besides the Classified Information, *Neon Genesis Evangelion 2* introduced additions like F-type Equipment and the final products of the Jet Alone project. In some storylines, the eighth episode does not end in the cancellation of the Jet Alone project. The game includes several "Scenarios" of comedic value that disregard canon. Only Scenario 01, one of Shinji's scenarios, follows the series' storyline closely. The developers wanted to create their own "world of Evangelion" through an "autonomous" simulation.

Reception and Sales

The game *Neon Genesis Evangelion 2* sold 111,787 copies the week of its release. The PlayStation Portable port was released in 2006 as *Neon Genesis Evangelion 2 -Another Cases-*. The CGI sequences depicting attacks were one of the most praised elements of the game.

Playable Characters

In the story mode of *Neon Genesis Evangelion 2*, the player has a list of playable characters to choose from. The three main characters Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami, and Asuka Langley Soryu are available from the start. More characters are unlocked as various game events are triggered.