Ryoji Kaji

Ryoji Kaji
加持 リョウジ
Age	30
Birthday	1985/06/17
Seiyū	Koichi Yamadera

Kaji is a triple agent, working for Nerv, Seele, and the Japanese Government. He was lovers with Misato Katsuragi when they were in college, and some time after their breakup, Kaji then began working for Nerv in Germany, where he met Asuka Langley Soryu. Although a triple agent, he has been said to have his own agenda, to "search for the truth". Since returning to Japan, he has tried to get close to Misato once again.

Profile

At first glance, Ryoji Kaji (usually addressed by his family name) appears to be one of the more well-balanced characters in the series, with an amicable, teasing manner and a wry smirk. While there’s little that could truly refute that, Kaji keeps guarded enough about his own past and motivations that one is left unsure about a lot of things.

He has a philosophical side, one that leans towards pessimism about human interaction, but also of support for the individual capacity to take action. In Kaji's view, people can’t really understand themselves, perhaps not even each other, and completely understanding people is impossible. This might relate to the bleaker themes of the series, though Kaji himself presents it with a slight smile.

Kaji also is negative about the relationships between the sexes, stating that there is a river dividing men and women, one deeper than the ocean. Though some might read this particular belief as an accurate observation of human nature, it still fits with the rest of Kaji’s rather downbeat views of human interaction in general.

But Kaji also tells ex-pilot Shinji, during the attack by Zeruel that only Shinji can pilot, and he must make that choice for himself, consider everything so he will have no regrets, and this helps encourage Shinji to return. Kaji also tries to get Misato accept the decisions she made in her past, but is less successful.

Kaji, shortly after he and Misato began dating

His relationship with Misato may have been more distant than it appeared, as Kaji’s final words to her (in an answering machine recording) were, “If I ever get to see you again, I'll say the words I wasn't able to say eight years ago”. They also rarely call each other by their first names.

Misato originally broke up with Kaji after realizing how much like her father he was. But Misato’s descriptions of her father as an emotionally weak workaholic seem to be the opposite of Kaji’s personality. Perhaps there was a hidden side to Kaji, or to Dr. Katsuragi.

Kaji often flirted with Misato before they got back together, and also with Maya Ibuki and Ritsuko Akagi, both of whom weren’t interested. It might have been more to make Misato jealous or to joke around, than having any real interest in them. Kaji also ignores Asuka’s infatuation with him, believing that Asuka is too young.

Kaji has a melon patch which he enjoys taking care of, remarking on how much can be learned from nurturing something, and that it was a place where he’d like to be when he died.

When he took Shinji to visit him at the melon patch, Kaji said that knowing pain made it easier to be kind to others, which was different from being weak.

Kaji was killed at the end of Episode 21 by an unseen shooter. Presumably a Seele agent. The Manga gets into more detail about this.

Notes

• "Kaji" literally means "Rudder", fitting with the nautical theme naming of the series.

• "Ryoji" is derived from the given name of Ryoji Sadawa, the hero of Minako Narita’s manga Aitsu.

Characters

Main characters: Shinji Ikari | Rei Ayanami | Asuka Langley Soryu

Nerv staff: Misato Katsuragi | Gendo Ikari | Ritsuko Akagi | Kozo Fuyutsuki | Ryoji Kaji | Maya Ibuki | Makoto Hyuga | Shigeru Aoba

Classmates: Toji Suzuhara | Kensuke Aida | Hikari Horaki

Other characters: Kaworu Nagisa | Yui Ikari | Naoko Akagi | Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu | Dr. Katsuragi | Mr. Langley | Keel Lorenz | Pen Pen

Rebuild of Evangelion: Asuka Shikinami Langley | Mari Makinami Illustrious | Sakura Suzuhara | Ryoji Kaji (Jr)

Miscellaneous: Minor Characters | Minor Characters (Rebuild) | Extracanonical Characters

Theory and Analysis: Name Origins (Warships) | Designs | Relationships | Profiles

Resources: 2015: The Last Year of Ryohji Kaji