Akagi, Naoko

赤木ナオコ

Naoko Akagi was Ritsuko's mother. She created the MAGI system and served as the former head technician at Gehirn. While working there, Naoko was in a romantic relationship with the recently widowed Gendo Ikari. However, after Rei I called her an "old hag" and revealed that Gendo frequently used that term for her, Naoko realized he had only been exploiting her affections to ensure her performance. In a fit of rage, Naoko strangled Rei to death and then either committed suicide or was murdered by an unknown assailant. Shortly afterward, Gehirn was disbanded and replaced by the organization Nerv. In volume 10 of the manga, Naoko is depicted committing suicide after killing Rei I. Ritsuko witnesses both Rei's murder and Naoko's suicide.