I have to let you guys know in general Halifax drivers are better drivers than any other city in the countryI honestly don ' t know where you ' ve been driving but this is the exact opposite experience I ' ve had here in Halifax as both a driver and a cyclist having been on many roads in many cities and provinces . <| sep |> While you may have perceived Asuka as the underdog , I ' d argue that most people didn ' t . Shinji and Rei as parts of the pilot trio would come off as far more disadvantagedThe underdog factor is cancelled out by many of the factors you mention in Asuka ' s case . Not learning from one ' s mistakes , bossing other people around , blaming others for one ' s own mistakes and being presented with the best equipment would rather disqualify for that role . It ' s not enough to simply lose or underperform as Asuka does to be the underdog . Take this scene 0 dKmgPMDnCIt 0 m 57 s from the classic underdog tale of Rocky Balboa . He ' s up against someone with a far better pedigree , and his words here embody the basic underdog act of heroism being able to stand up despite getting knocked down . Consider Shinji ' s introduction he knows nothing of the EVA , is clearly depressed and has issues with his father , and now he ' s thrust into a situation he can ' t be reasonably expected to do more than just sit in . Ritsuko ' s words . He ' s afraid , but still tries . Consider Rei ' s introduction bloody , beat down and in no condition to fight . Yet , she still gets up to fight . Further she has a malfunctioning Evangelion , and a disturbing tendency to turn the other cheek at everything . Not the picture of mental or physical heatlh . Consider Asuka ' s introduction she ' s presented as a top trained pilot since she was a small child , and proudly pronounces her superiority as the best . She slaps the first of the children she meets for something that isn ' t their fault , she has the most modern Evangelion unit , and on a meta level she ' s even the director ' s favorite . When we mix these together , we also see who is who . When cooperating with Shinji , Asuka blames Shinji for their lack of cooperation since Shinji can ' t keep up with Asuka despite trying . Rei on the other hand , adapts herself to Shinji ' s level . Similarly , when Asuka and Shinji fail earlier in the episode , Asuka is quick to blame everyone else but herself since she ' s obviously the best . In a later episode , Rei works hard to find the way through NERV while Asuka bullies both Shinji and Rei . This isn ' t how one generates sympathy for oneself and certainly she appears as no underdog , even if she eventually succumbs and is defeated . For most , there is perhaps more humanity and sympathy , even relatability to those who work hard , struggle and aren ' t rewarded for their efforts . While you characterized Rei as perfect or flawless , Rei ' s rewards for that is simply passiveaggressive remarks , nicknames and general ungratitude , the standard world salary . Shinji , Misato , Asuka and also Rei make plenty of mistakes during the story . It ' s what type of mistakes they make that matters . I think people saw more than a trope in these characters , particularly in Rei ' s case whose archetype wasn ' t very strongly established at that point . If she doesn ' t ever make mistakes , and also doesn ' t behave like any human I ' ve ever met , why should I be invested in her ? A counterpoint If you met someone who is unlike any other person you ' d ever met , why wouldn ' t that be interesting ? It ' s a fundamental way of appealing to people , presenting them with something they didn ' t expect or are unfamiliar with . To create mystery is to create interest , and what isn ' t Rei if not a mystery ?