Rei Ayanami
Also known as: First Child, Ayanami
The enigmatic First Child, a clone bound to Lilith and raised as Gendo's instrument, who learns across three iterations what it means to want anything at all. The original 'mysterious quiet girl' archetype — and its most deliberate critique.
Popular Rei Ayanami Ships
Other Evangelion Characters
Shinji Ikari
9k works
A fourteen-year-old summoned by his estranged father to pilot a bio-mecha against the Angels, whose 'I mustn't run away' became shorthand for an entire genre's deconstruction. His depression, his cello, and his need to be wanted are the series itself.
Asuka Langley Soryu
6k works
The fiery Second Child, a college-graduate prodigy whose bravado armors a childhood destroyed by her mother's madness and death. Her unraveling against Arael and her beach scene with Shinji bookend anime's most famous study of pride as a survival mechanism.
Kaworu Nagisa
6k works
The Fifth Child and final Angel, who appeared for a single episode, told Shinji he was worthy of love, and asked to die by his hand. Decades of fic, every Rebuild film, and the phrase 'I was born to meet you' all orbit that one impossible kindness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fanfics feature Rei Ayanami?
Rei Ayanami appears in 5k+ works on AO3, making them one of the most popular characters in the Evangelion fandom. You can browse all Rei Ayanami fanfiction using the Fanfict Reader app.
What are the most popular Rei Ayanami ships?
The most popular Rei Ayanami ships include Rei Ayanami/Asuka Langley Soryu. These pairings feature prominently in AO3 fanfiction.
What tropes are common in Rei Ayanami fanfiction?
Rei Ayanami fanfiction spans many genres and tropes. Use Fanfict Reader to browse and filter stories by your preferred tags.
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