Every Neon Genesis Evangelion Pilot Ranked From Weakest to Strongest

Neon Genesis Evangelion isn’t your typical shonen franchise, with very little focus on actually becoming more skilled and powerful. Still, fans sometimes can’t help but wonder: who is the best EVA pilot of them all?

Evangelion has different EVA pilots across its different continuities–the main anime series from the 1990s, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and its 2010s-era movie reboot, Rebuild of Evangelion. Both continuities feature pilot characters who don’t appear in the other, which can make comparing them a little difficult. This list will attempt to reconcile the two continuities and create a single ranking of all the EVA pilots ever seen in anime form, as ranked by their skill and strength at piloting an EVA unit.

6

Toji Never Got a Chance to Shine

First Appearance: Neon Genesis Evangelion, episode 3

Toji Suzuhara is introduced as just a classmate of Shinji’s, one who has a grudge against the young EVA pilot due to his sister being hurt by collateral damage during a battle with an Angel. However, in episode 17, it’s revealed that Toji is actually the Fourth Child, set to pilot EVA Unit-03, which is being sent to Japan from the US. Unit 03 is defeated before it ever sees battle, being infected by the Angel Bardiel while still in transit. Toji gets into the EVA and is nearly lost when it goes on a rampage. Toji barely survives after Unit 01 defeats Unit 03.

As a pilot, Toji never gets to do anything, since the EVA is immediately hijacked when he enters it, so his skills at piloting are basically unknown. Toji’s personality seems like a better fit for an EVA pilot than Shinji, so it’s possible he could’ve been quite talented at it. In other continuities, like Super Robot Wars, Toji is sometimes given the chance to pilot and does prove to have some skill, so it’s a shame his canon version never gets the chance.

5

Shinji’s Piloting Skill Never Really Grows

First Appearance: Neon Genesis Evangelion, episode 1

Shinji Ikari is, of course, the protagonist of Evangelion, which in most series would mean he’s among the most talented there is. However, while Shinji often performs well on tests and exercises, his performance in actual battle often leaves much to be desired. Shinji is dominated by fear and anxiety which make it difficult for him to perform under pressure, and there’s no more tense situation than an Angel attack. While Shinji does improve over the course of the series, and even shows some moments of bravery, he doesn’t fully get past his psychological hang-ups.

Shinji in Rebuild is arguably a better pilot than his original counterpart, although not by enough to put him ahead of the other pilots. Shinji does pilot some more complicated EVAs in Rebuild, like the dual-pilot Unit 13, which seems to provide some evidence of his increased skill in that continuity.

4

Kaworu’s Synchronization is Almost Beyond Compare

First Appearance: Neon Genesis Evangelion, episode 24

Kaworu Nagisa is the Fifth Child and the last EVA pilot introduced in the original series. Kaworu also happens to be an Angel, although exactly which Angel varies between continuities. Kaworu is able to achieve some very impressive synchronization numbers with Unit 02 as a result of his true nature, even able to control the EVA from outside the Entry Plug. In the original series, Kaworu hijacks Unit 02 and infiltrates Terminal Dogma, only to be disappointed by what he finds, and allows himself to be killed by Shinji.

In Rebuild, Kaworu plays a similar role, befriending Shinji and piloting an EVA of his own, Mark 06. He’s able to use the Spear of Cassius with extraordinary precision, putting a stop to Unit 01’s transformation and ending the Near-Third Impact. Kaworu also goes on to be the second pilot in the dual-pilot Unit 13, and even ends up controlling the EVA after his death. While Kaworu’s effortless control is impressive, he doesn’t put it to as much use as some of the other pilots, who have greater deeds to their name.

3

Rei is the Original EVA Pilot

First Appearance: Neon Genesis Evangelion, episode 1

Rei is the First Child, or in other words, the first person to pilot an EVA. Having been at it the longest, Rei has the most experience of any EVA pilot by a solid margin. Rei is capable of fighting even under extreme circumstances, stoically battling on after sustaining injuries. Rei sees herself as eminently replaceable, partially explaining her boldness in battle. Rei is aware of her nature as a clone, and expects that if she dies, she’ll simply be replaced by another, identical Rei.

In Rebuild, Rei is just as experienced and skilled as her original continuity counterpart. She not only pilots Unit 00, but another version is later shown piloting the Mark 9 as well. The version that pilots the Mark 9 is even more experienced, having spent some of the 14-year timeskip piloting the EVA against WILLE. Rei’s skillful attacks allow her to take Shinji away from WILLE, earning his trust. She was also able to fight off Asuka in Unit 02, although eventually abandoned the Mark 9 when it began to act on its own.

2

Asuka’s Peak Skill Made Her One of the Best

First Appearance: Neon Genesis Evangelion, episode 8

Asuka is the Second Child and pilot of Unit 02 in the original series. She’s recognized as the most skilled among the original three pilots, something which gives her a bit of a haughty attitude. She battles with an aggressive and fearless style, confident in her abilities. However, as the series continues, Asuka’s mental state deteriorates, and with it, her ability to pilot an EVA. By the end of the series, Asuka is almost completely catatonic. She makes an impressive final stand in End of Evangelion, seemingly defeating many Mass Production EVAs before they get back up and attack.

In Rebuild, Asuka is just as skilled, but doesn’t have such a stark deterioration in her mental state. Instead of Toji, it’s Asuka who gets contaminated by an Angel in Unit 03, and as a result Asuka winds up with the eyepatch that’s become iconic of this version of the character. Asuka is active as a pilot during the 14-year timeskip, and becomes very embittered as a result. Still, it gives her a lot of experience and raises her skill even higher than ever.

1

Mari is Evangelion’s Best EVA Pilot

First Appearance: Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance

Mari Makinami Illustrious is a character introduced in the Rebuild films, not appearing in the original series. Mari is an agent of a mysterious third party, not working with NERV or SEELE when she first appears. Mari makes it clear that she truly enjoys piloting an EVA, putting her at odds with the other EVA pilots who have various reasons to despise EVAs. She has an impressive battle with the Third Angel in Evangelion 2.0 which results in the destruction of Unit 05 and the Third Angel.

Mari also pilots Unit 02, able to activate its “Beast Mode,” aggressively attacking using the berserk state. Mari later pilots Unit 08 as well, battling Rei’s Mark 9 and eventually rescuing Shinji from Unit 13. She even fuses multiple EVA units together at one point in a desperate effort to stop an attacking fleet of Mark 7s, and even sacrifices it in an attempt to stop Instrumentality from occurring. All of this comes together to make Mari the unquestioned strongest EVA pilot in Neon Genesis Evangelion.

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