Hoshino, Hachirouta

星野八郎太

Hachirouta Hoshino serves as the series' protagonist. People generally refer to him as "Hachi" (Japanese for "eight" or "eighth") or "Hachimaki" ([ハチマキ,], due to the headband he wears while piloting his EVAs). He has always dreamed of owning a personal spaceship, yet the high cost of acquisition and his low-wage, seemingly stagnant job make it difficult for him to even decide whether to chase that dream. Hachi's father is a famous engineer, a fact that generates significant ambivalence in Hachimaki. Much of Hachi's motivation can be summarized by the phrase "bigger, faster, and further." Nevertheless, this drive creates conflict regarding his personal relationship with space. Being loud and brash, Hachi struggles to express himself properly, particularly in romantic situations.
It is worth noting that the anime portrays Hachirouta's backstory slightly differently than the manga does.