It’s been 30 years since Neon Genesis Evangelion introduced anime fans to a new world of psychological trauma and mecha action. Hideaki Anno’s groundbreaking series is a foundational work that proved anime could tell complex philosophical and religious stories. NGE would go on to shape dozens of series to come, in both tone and character design. To honor Neon Genesis Evangelion’s 30th anniversary on October 4, we’re celebrating with cosplay of NERV’s hottest angel-busting baddies!
From the prototypical redhead tsundere, Asuka, to the mature Misato of your dreams, J-List Blog has you covered with all the best ero cosplay from Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Asuka Cosplay: Tsundere Unit-01
It’s easy to underestimate the profound impact of Neon Genesis Evangelion, not just on anime but on character design as a whole. Asuka Langley Sohryu is the quintessential tsundere, characterized by a brash personality, fiery hair that matches her actions, and the allure of mixed heritage.
NGE goes deeper than most, though. Asuka’s tsundere qualities aren’t there to fill the harem quota. Her childhood trauma — including her mother’s suicide and her father’s abandonment — compounds further after Angel Arael’s attack. This leads to a severe mental breakdown that most anime would shy away from, and that’s to say nothing about The End of Evangelion’s notorious, uh, “hospital scene.”
Neon Genesis Evangelion cosplay brings Asuka’s mixed heritage beauty to life by focusing on her inherent sexuality. With a series that explores much about puberty and adolescence, Asuka’s ero cosplays are more about her potential sexual charm — and showcase exactly why Shinji developed feelings for this complicated girl.
(Right) Asuka’s swimsuit is a teenage dream, thanks to Miakanayuri!
(Right) Shirogane-sama shows us Asuka’s perfect curves.
Rei Ayanami Neon Genesis Evangelion Cosplay
If Asuka is the prototypical tsundere, then Rei Ayanami laid the groundwork for the “cold and aloof” character. Of course, just like Asuka, there’s so much more to Rei’s character — including cloning, growth manipulation, and a biological background that we won’t risk spoiling even 30 years later.
Rei Ayanami’s upbringing — designed to pilot the EVA mechs even if she dies doing so — would go on to inspire numerous other equally tortured characters. Nobuhiro Watsuki of Rurouni Kenshin explicitly says Rei inspired Tomoe, and without Rei, would we have Sakura Matou in Fate/stay night?
Rei’s Neon Genesis Evangelion cosplay showcases the more sensual side of her personality, which becomes increasingly prominent as the series progresses, as she becomes more capable of expressing her emotions. We also love seeing her in that distinctive “pinafore” middle-school uniform!
(Right) Nyukix showcases Rei’s ass in this demure cosplay.
(Right) KittyHoneyCos’s cleavage makes us blush!
Get in the MILF, Shinji
Putting the “M” in “MILF” since 1995, Misato Katsuragi serves as NERV’s field commander and guardian for young pilots Asuka and Shinji. As with every character in the series, Misato’s trauma haunts her, which she treats with barely disguised alcoholism. Her overly-familiar behavior with Shinji blurs the line between being a motherly figure and a lover, making up for a devastating loss of her own.
Although Misato isn’t the first MILF character, she embodies the trope best. Her influences are evident in many guardian-style women in anime, most notably in Himeno from Chainsaw Man, who also copes by drinking and taking an interest in younger men.
As you might expect, Misato’s Neon Genesis Evangelion cosplay is the perfect chance for mature, bustier cosplayers to let loose. Misato is the perfect NGE character for ero cosplay, and an absolute must-have for all MILF lovers!
(Right) AlinaBecker’s Misato is MILF perfection in the bathtub.
(Right) Floradaria wants to know what you’re staring at…
Bonus Round: In Your Dreams, Shinji!
In any anime series with multiple gorgeous girls, the ero cosplayers that we know and love are sure to make some excellent collaborations. Fulfilling our teenage dreams better than anything Shinji could imagine, these cosplays are yuri fantasy, rivaling any of the best lesbian anime couples.
Show your NGE love with J-List’s range of Neon Genesis Evangelion products, including this writer’s personal favorite, the Rebuild of Evangelion Rei Ayanami 1/7 Figure.
(Right) Alex Saya and Kalinka Fox solve the love triangle with this stunning Rei x Asuka ero cosplay!
(Right) AsamiGate and Ksana_Syn are ready to swim in their Rei x Asuka swimsuit collab.
Thank you so much for reading this article about Neon Genesis Evangelion cosplay. Who’s your favorite girl from NGE? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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