A Few Reasons Why I Love Misato Katsuragi

It's no secret that Neon Genesis Evangelion is my favorite anime series of all time. It even made my number 1 on my 25 Essential Anime Shows You Must Watch List. One thing that made me really love Neon Genesis is the character Misato Katsuragi. Misato is a character I consider to be the backbone of the series. She is one of the few female anime characters that really depict a realistic human approach. While a lot of anime usually has the female characters as fan service, damsel in the distress, alien girl who falls for human boy etc. Neon Genesis took a more serious approach to their female characters. The female characters on the show were fun, but serious they had real human problems, emotions and actually showcase things a woman might go through. Today I wanted to share my reasons why I love Miasto Katsuragi as a character.

1. Misato Is Flawed
As someone who favorite genre in manga is slice of life, I can appreciate anime that includes it. Misato when we are first introduced appears to be this happy go lucky character. She flirts with Shingi, plays games with his head and lives a total slob. She drinks alcohol in the morning, dresses in a way to make any young boy feel uncomfortable. However through all that show and games you find out Misato is wearing a mask. Misato is holding a lot of pain in her heart. A bad relationship with her dad, unresolved feelings for an ex boyfriend and very stressful job. As the series progresses you see the mask come off as Misato like Shingi battles her demons. Can she resolved her relationship with her ex boyfriend? Can she handle the wait and responsibility of a stressful job? Can she comfort her demons from her past with the third impact? These situations made Misato not just a supporting character in Shingi life, but it gave her own personal arc which was explore throughout the series. Her being flawed with not just human issues but women issues made her more appealing. 

2. Misato Is A Strong Female Character
With all the flaws Misato has about her, one thing I loved is that she conqueror it. She had missteps, she had roadblocks but she perserve. I like that through everything Misato has been through she came out better. She showed progress and face it head on and that takes strength. She also not your typical female character. She's not waiting for a guy to save her, she not depicted in a way like other female anime characters. She does tease fan service but it's all in good fun. She can be sexy and sensual at the same time, while other shows overdue it with the fan service Misato kept it classy. 

3. Misato Is A Boss
Finally I love Misato becomes she is in a position of power. It's refreshing to see a woman running things in an anime. While she is in charge of certain duties at NERV, she shows that she can be responisble and a respectable leader.