Asuka Langley Soryu (惣流・アスカ・ラングレー, Sōryū Asuka Rangurē, IPA: [soːɾʲɯː asɯ̥ka ɾaŋɡɯɾeː]) is a fictional character from the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, created by Gainax. Within the series, she is designated as the Second Child and the pilot of a giant mecha named Evangelion Unit 02, to fight against enemies known as Angels for the agency Nerv. Due to childhood trauma, she has developed a competitive and outgoing character, in an attempt to get noticed by other people and affirm herself. Asuka is voiced by Yūko Miyamura in Japanese in all animated appearances and merchandise while in English she is voiced by Tiffany Grant in the ADV Films dub and by Stephanie McKeon in the Netflix dub. She appears in the franchise's animated feature films and related media, video games, the original net animation Petit Eva: Evangelion@School, the Rebuild of Evangelion films, and the manga adaptation by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. In the Rebuild of Evangelion films, her Japanese surname is changed to Shikinami (式波).
Hideaki Anno, director of the animated series, originally conceived her as the main protagonist of the series. Character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto asked the director to include a male main character instead, downgrading her to the role of co-protagonist with Shinji Ikari. Anno based her psychology on his personality, bringing his moods into the character, acting instinctively and without having thought about how the character would evolve. During the first broadcast of the series, he changed his plans, creating an evolutionary parable in which the character becomes more dramatic and suffering, intentionally going against the fans' expectations. Japanese voice actress Miyamura was also influential, deciding some details and lines of Asuka.
Asuka maintained a high ranking in every popularity poll of the series and has also appeared in polls to decide the most popular anime characters in Japan. Merchandising based on her has also been released, particularly action figures, which became highly popular. Some critics blamed her hubris and her personality, judged as tiresome and arrogant; others appreciated its realism and complex psychological introspection. Asuka is also considered one of the most successful and influential examples of the tsundere stereotype, helping to define its characteristics.
