How Yoshiyuki Sadamoto Changed the World of Character Design Ever since anime took over the world, different countries have had their favorite characters. While Japan may treasure Doraemon for his cutesy and comedic personality, other countries might see Vegeta as more iconic, or even Sasuke Uchiha. Though we can have decade-long debates about who’s the best character in the world of manga and anime, it is undeniable that the personages that Yoshiyuki Sadamoto created are anything less than quintessential. Most know of him for his iconic work in anime: he was in charge of designing the characters of Neon Genesis Evangelion, as well as other works like The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars and Wolf Children. His career was immensely fruitful, and he is judged to be among the most prolific manga illustrators. The anime Neon Genesis Evangelion was released in 1995, and its success still resonates today. The story revolves around an apocalyptic neo-Tokyo, discerned by huge robots, alien forces, government corruption, and deep introspection. It is said that this anime set the tone for the rest of the industry with the main character Shinji Ikari. Sci-fi and shonen-type content were usually distinguished by heroic and vivacious characters, so the meek, fragile, and indecisive Shinji Ikari was a first. Though he wasn’t dauntless, he was human, and many people related to him. Shinji was in charge of saving the world but he had a complicated relationship with his father as well as troubles with girls, resonating with the audience, who also felt as if they had the weight of the world on their shoulders. The talented hand of Yoshiyuki Sadamoto brought to life a normal yet relatable teenage boy, who stood out from the world of anime for his humanity. Beyond that, Sadamoto created many other iconic characters, notably Rei Ayanami, who was genuinely relatable to a certain demographic, as well as more surreal characters such as Makoto Kanno. His art is something that transpires in many works today, as Sadamoto faultlessly inspired the next generation of illustrators, thanks to his sci-fi touches, color storytelling, and expressive eyes. #sabukaruonline