Theory and Analysis:Ritsuko and Gendo

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This page is intended to present the complex relationship between Ritsuko Akagi and Gendo Ikari. Currently under construction.

Nature of the Relationship

Ostensibly, Dr. Akagi and Commander Ikari are simply senior members of Nerv, with Ritsuko responsible for the technical operations of Nerv and reporting directly to Gendo. However over the course of the series it emerges that their relationship is far more than strictly professional and that the pair have been having a secret affair, probably for some time. Moreover, Ritsuko is privy to most if not all of Nerv and Gendo's secrets and frequently acts as his right hand in the most critical and clandestine of tasks.

The fact that Gendo and Ritsuko were in a sexual relationship is—like many other key facts in Evangelion—never explicitly stated. However, indirect evidence exists which makes this conclusion inescapable. The key piece of evidence comes from episode #24, during the first prison scene.

Gendo questions Ritsuko the prison.

“

Ritsuko: Commander Ikari... The cat died. The one I'd left in my grandmother's care. I hadn't paid any attention to her for so long, but now, suddenly, I'll never see her again. Ikari: Why did you destroy the dummy system? Ritsuko: Not the dummy system, what I destroyed was Rei. Ikari: I will only ask you this once. Why? Ritsuko: Because I am no longer happy, even when you make love to me. Why don't you just have your way with my body?! Like you did that time! Ikari: I'm disappointed in you. Ritsuko: Disappointed?! You never hoped or expected anything from me to begin with! Nothing from me! Not anything! Nothing! Exit Ikari Ritsuko: What am I supposed to do, Mother?

„

Ritsuko's declaration that she is no longer happy "even when you make love to me" is a frank statement of the nature of their relationship up to this point. Coming as it does soon after Ritsuko's Interrogation and in this context, the manner of the revelation of their affair tends to colour perceptions somewhat. Most will conclude—not entirely incorrectly—that Ritsuko has simply been cruelly used; personally, professionally and sexuality by a ruthless and manipulative Gendo. However the situation is not quite so straightforward and their relationship has deeper aspects and origins than those seen at first glance.

Origins

TBA: Parrallels to Naoko. Naoko's relationship to Gendo. Ritsuko's "schoolgirl crush"

Hints in Series

TBA: Various hints in the series pointing to the relationship.

Ritsuko Role

TBA: Ritsuko's role as Gendo's right hand.