Character Profile: Naoko Akagi

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Naoko Akagi was one of the original three scientists who were working for SEELE's Gehirn Project, the predecessor to NERV. Her work was dedicated to developing the three supercomputers that would control the work of the other two scientists, Yui and Gendo Ikari, which were the Evangelions. She had named her project "Magi" after the three wise men.

Using a process for which incorporates aspects of her own personality, (which was later duplicated in developing the EVAs) Naoko had placed her three distinct personalities in each of the Magi computers. Her personality as a scientist was placed in Melchior, herself as a mother in Balthizar, and herself as a woman was placed in Caspar. She had revealed this fact to her daughter Ritsuko, who had joined Gehirn a year earlier.

After Ritsuko had left for the evening. Naoko was surprised by the appearance of a very young Rei Ayanami. Some days earlier, Gendo had introduced Rei to Naoko and Ritsuko. Naoko was struck with the realization that she had recognized Rei from somewhere. However, when she tried to find any information on her, she found the databanks erased.

At some time, Naoko had entered into a romantic relationship with the newly-widowed Gendo; Yui being killed in an activation experiment with an EVA prototype. When she offered to escort the young Rei home, Rei answered "That will not be necessary, Old Hag."

Feeling offended, Naoko threatened to tell Gendo about Rei's misbehavings. But then Rei added that it was Gendo that referred to her as an "old hag." She further told Naoko that Gendo also said that "the old hag was worthless, that there was no use for her."

During this, Naoko finally saw that Rei had a distinct resemblance to Yui Ikari, and imagined that it was actually Yui that was talking, not Rei. Going into a blind rage, Naoko strangled the young Rei to death. When she came to her senses, Naoko became horrified at what she did and flung herself off the loft, killing herself when her head slammed into Balthizar.

Sometime after Naoko Akagi's death, SEELE disbanded the Gehirn Project and integrated the personnel in the newly formed NERV.