from tvtropes page for rei ayanami expys:
i love characters like this, their perfect waifus tbh.
i hate how this trope is mostly dead in manga and anime now.
The Rei Ayanami Expy is a character archetype common in Japanese Media, started, or at least codified, by Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion
Common characteristics of the archetype include:
Rei Ayanami herself exhibits every characteristic, and many other characters have been created as variations on her. However, the popularity of this archetype has also led many of the variations to spawn Expies of their own.
- Love Interest (usually female).
- Mysterious and/or otherworldly origins.
- Dark and Troubled Past
- Age 10-20, at least apparent.
- Pale skin.
- Short, usually bobbed hair.
- Unnatural hair color, often in cold tones like blue, purple, green, silver, grey or white (also occasionally pink).
- Unnatural eye color, often red, blue, yellow, or even purple, usually in a Tsurime Eyes style.
- Appears emotionless, quiet, stoic, or otherwise odd.
- A tendency towards talking in Spock Speak, Monotone, Robo Speak, or a combination thereof.
- Might lack knowledge and/or interest in social mores, including nudity and sexuality.
- Is not quite human, such as an Artificial Human, Transhuman, clone, alien or robot, explaining their odd behavior.
- Suffers a major injury or illness, or at least is frequently hospitalized.
- Occasionally has a strong connection to a parental figure, boss and/or antagonist, and may even display Undying Loyalty to them. The protagonist might replace him after enough development.
- Eventually becomes more emotional, such as by Becoming A Real Girl or turning out to have a Sugar-and-Ice Personality.
A Sub-Trope of Fountain of Expies and Shy Blue-Haired Girl. Compare to Phlebotinum Girl. See also Sugar-and-Ice Personality, Emotionless Girl and Stoic Woobie.
i love characters like this, their perfect waifus tbh.
i hate how this trope is mostly dead in manga and anime now.
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