Gendo Ikari, the leader of NERV, was not just a man of science and strategy—he was a man driven by an insatiable desire. While the world believed he worked for humanity’s salvation, his true goal was far more personal. His life’s mission was not merely to advance the Human Instrumentality Project but to reshape reality itself, bending it to his will.
Gendo’s ultimate plan was born from grief. The loss of his wife, Yui, shattered him, setting him on a path of cold calculation and relentless ambition. To reunite with her, he embraced the dark secrets of the Evangelions, wielding NERV as a tool to manipulate the course of human evolution. Yet, beneath his composed exterior lurked a deeper desire—one that extended beyond Yui’s return.
More Than Just Love
While his devotion to Yui was undeniable, Gendo’s motives were not entirely selfless. He justified his actions by convincing himself that Instrumentality would unite all souls, erasing suffering and loneliness. But in truth, his ambitions reached beyond reunion—he sought absolute power. By orchestrating Instrumentality, he aimed to transcend human limitations, positioning himself as the one who controlled humanity’s future.
To pursue his goal, Gendo made a cruel choice—he abandoned his son, Shinji. When Shinji was five, Gendo severed their bond, prioritizing his work over his own child. Years later, he only called Shinji back when he needed him to pilot Eva-01, viewing him as nothing more than a tool. Their relationship remained distant, but beneath Gendo’s cold exterior, a flicker of emotion still remained.
NERV was never just about fighting the Angels. While the world believed it was humanity’s last line of defense, Gendo and the Human Instrumentality Committee had other plans. Every battle, every sacrifice, was another step toward reshaping existence itself. The Evangelions were not mere weapons—they were keys to unlocking the next stage of human evolution, paving the way for Instrumentality.
Gendo’s ultimate ambition was not just to bring Yui back—it was to surpass mortality. By seizing control of Instrumentality, he sought to rewrite existence on his terms. He manipulated allies, sacrificed lives, and risked the fate of the world for his vision. But in the end, his own arrogance became his downfall, proving that even those who seek godhood cannot escape their own humanity.
