Statistics

Surname: Kaji
Age: 31
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Birthday: June 17
Blood type: A
Education: University of Tokyo II
Occupation: Spy

General Info

Intelligent, cunning, confident, insightful, without regret, and an incurable flirt, this scruffy, yet gorgeous, secret agent lives only for himself (well, and Misato). With his sassy attitude he remains calm and playful in the most intimidating environments. And while his unkempt appearance may brand him as being aloof and a slacker, it’s only to hide the skillful and patient tactician that lies inside.

Kaji’s role in Evangelion is to uncover the truth behind the Evas, the Angels, and every organization he works for. But he’s also instrumental to Shinji, and probably to the director as well, in teaching him what it means to live and cope with reality; to accept himself for who he is and the way that others see him. In this way, Kaji’s words are the key to finding happiness in Evangelion.

Professional

Occupation: Spy
When you work for everyone you end up working for no-one… except yourself.

A double agent is simple someone that spies for both sides. Often times they have no loyalties whatsoever and will share any information if the price is right. There are others that are truly loyal to one side and will only share small, insignificant information with the other. So what would you call someone that worked for three different organizations. All three hiding things from the other and yet that person is slightly more loyal to one than the others?

Kaji Ryouji. Kaji works (or has worked) for just about every major “peace” organization since his graduation from college. In the present, he’s under orders from the Japan’s Department of Interior, SEELE, and the Special Investigations Branch of NERV, not to mention he’s 5th in command there as well. All of that means he has access to lots of information and there’s a lot of people trusting his word. And each one of these organizations think he’s spying solely for them. But he doesn’t really care about any of them. I think, if he was most loyal to any of the three, it would probably be NERV. Perhaps just because Misato works there. On several occasions he’s bailed them out of sticky situations or provided excuses to those that are in control of NERV’s very existence, i.e. SEELE and the UN. Of course, NERV is also the one holding all the cards and to really learn anything you have to protect the one that will provide information.

However, Kaji is truly loyal to one thing… finding the truth. Unlike a double agent who’s motivated by greed or is more fond of one side than the other, Ryouji’s only objective is spying on all these organizations to discover the real purpose behind SEELE and NERV. For the most part, Kaji’s involvement with the Interior is to protect both of these organizations. So in the end, Kaji serves only himself? No, he’s trying to protect humanity.

Although, he protects NERV from the UN and from SEELE, he also tries to bring them down by exposing their real agenda. Unfortunately, the UN doesn’t take his findings seriously.

The Father

Kaji’s most important role in Evangelion isn’t uncovering the secrets that NERV keeps, but rather to be a father figure to Shinji and even towards Misato. Of course, if you believe the main point of the story is that Angels are attacking the Earth to merge with Lilith then his main role IS to uncover the truth. But I think Shinji’s struggle to find himself is the real purpose of the story. So we’ll go with that.

So why is Kaji so important and what makes him a father? I think everyone will agree that Kaji’s role as a spy is vital to the series. For one it gives him a reason to exist as a character, but it also reveals a greater, more detailed story line than just Angels attacking for no reason. More important though is the advice, and lessons that he teaches Shinji. Hence what makes him a father figure.

Kaji teaches Shinji about what it means to have purpose and direction. He shares his understanding of life and people with Shinji who is able to learn from Kaji’s experience and wisdom. And although he likes to play the fool, Kaji – along with Kaoru – is one of the wisest characters in the series.

Shinji – “Are you asleep yet, Kaji?”
Kaji – “No, not yet.”
Shinji – “What’s my father like?”
Kaji – “Well, there’s a surprise question. I thought you’d ask about Katsuragi.”
Shinji -”It seems like you’re always with my father.”
Kaji – “Vice-Commander Fuyutsuki is the one who’s always with him. Have you been asking about your father?”
Shinji – “I haven’t been around him much.”
Kaji – “So you don’t really know him.”
Shinji – “But I’ve learned a lot about him lately. About his work, about my mother, so…”
Kaji – “No, you’re wrong. You only believe that you’ve learned. The fact is that people really don’t understand themselves, much less each other. Understanding one hundred percent of anything is impossible. That’s why we spend so much time trying to understand our own motivations and those of others. That’s what makes life so interesting.”

With one conversation Kaji addresses one of Shinji’s biggest problems – his own motivations.

Someone else said that Kaji gets the characters he encounters to think. That couldn’t be more true. Shinji gets to see a side of Kaji that he never reveals to anyone else. Maybe not even Misato. And each time Kaji shares that side with Shinji, Shinji is forced to think. Not just about anything, but about life, and specifically his own life.

Astrology

These signs were all based on the idea that in the year 2015, Kaji would be 31 years of age. I’ve heard thoughts that put his age at 29 because of a conversation with Asuka regarding his 8th grade class trip. But his astrological chart seems to match pretty well and for a series that had a purpose for just about everything, I’m more inclined to believe they simply decided to overlook this minor flaw for the sake of quickly moving the scene along.

Astrological Sign: Gemini

Positive (extrovert)
Ruling planet: Mercury
Element: air (intellectual ability)
Quality: mutable (flexible by nature)

The main fear of that lurks in the depths of nearly every Gemini is that of boredom; so Geminians do a very great deal, consciously or unconsciously, to make sure they keep boredom at bay. The sign’s duality underlines the fact that it is not natural for a Geminian to do only one thing at a time.

Gemini has the reputation of being the most youthful of the 12 signs, both in mind and body. The quick pace of the Geminian lifestyle is greatly responsible for this.

Gemini is one of the most friendly signs of the Zodiac, and they will not find it difficult to make new friends, who will be numerous and have a great variety of interests. Friends will also come from many different ages and social groups. This will be because Geminians need a great deal of variety in their life and like to be able to be with different types of people according to their prevailing mood.

Rising Sign: unknown

Sun Sign: Gemini

Moon Sign: Aquarius

Traditional astrology asserts that the characteristics of the Moon-sign are those that we inherit from our parents; but equally, the Moon-sign will show the way in which one instinctively responds to situations in life – one’s reactions to them.

There is real glamour and dynamic power of attraction, and those coming into contact with a Moon-in-Aquarius type will at once get the impression of someone who is different in some way that they probably cannot quite pin down. This gives such people an intriguing appeal. The expression of emotion is filtered, in the first instance, and it may take awhile for the full expression of the individual’s Sun-sign to emerge.

The unpredictability of the sign will make it’s presence felt in the need to take immediate action, especially at times of decision-making. With experience it will work well for them, but they may have had to learn from a whole cluster of stupid mistakes along the way.

Warmth, passion, and the expression of true feelings will have to be taken care of by other planets. They are not, on the whole, strong features of the Moon in Aquarius; though those of this sign can be surprisingly romantic and sentimental in an interesting way when they let their hair down.

Mercury Sign: Gemini

Mercury rules Gemini so when it is placed in this sign its influence is increased greatly. They will think very quickly and have a certain brightness which will help them through tricky situations. Here, too, are people who love to move around, spending an above average amount of time traveling.

Venus Sign: Gemini

Here is Venus in lively, lighthearted and flirtatious mood. Those who have this placing get considerable pleasure and sheer fun from their emotional relationships, and need, as well as a varied sex-life, plenty of friendship and good intellectual rapport with their partner. Sometimes the duality of Gemini will make it’s presence felt, with the individual having more than one relationship at a time. Usually they cope with this potentially tricky situation very well, and eventually decide which is the most rewarding partner.

Mars Sign: Scorpio

Mars and the sign it falls in represent our energy and the way we use it, and also our sex drive. It represents the masculine element in both sexes and is also related to aggression and heat – both physical heat and the heat of anger.

By tradition, Mars rules Scorpio, so the planet’s influence when placed in this sign is extremely powerful. There is a terrific sense of purpose and determination in those who have this as their Mars-sign, and Scorpio’s intensity and intuition are also present to a certain extent. The forces of Mars in this sign need a rewarding and fulfilling sex-life, and considerable demands may be made on partners.

Jupiter Sign: Capricorn

Jupiter has an influence on our outlook on life and on the way we approach challenge. The planet also influences our intellectual capacity and potential. Expansion is a Jupiter keyword, and so the sign in which it falls at the moment of our birth will reflect the way in which we cope with demanding situations and with new possibilities that are likely to lead to an improved status in the future. The planet also influences the expansion of the mind through travel and study. Higher education is also a Jupiter concern.

Here Jupiter’s influence is rather sober, but it will help those with this placing to achieve their objectives, and denotes considerable ambition. The need for challenge will be strong and will be directed towards the career or improvement of the lifestyle. Although the individual’s outlook will be somewhat serious the sense of humor will be especially interesting and offbeat, with a jovial sense of fun combined with Capricorn dourness. Those with this placing will have methodical minds, and the ability to calculate every move will be an asset.

Saturn Sign: Scorpio

The sign in which Saturn falls has bearing on our sense of purpose and direction in life. It’s influence is basically a very serious one, and it is, in many ways, linked to one’s destiny.

The emotional intensity of Scorpio is present, but it may well be difficult for the individual to express his or her feelings. A tendency not to discuss problems is very common. But some extremely powerful resources attend this placing – toughness and determination, ambition and the will to succeed. These resources need positive expression, perhaps through the acceptance of challenge. A preoccupation with the unknown – generally or in the form of introspection – is also a strong possibility.

Uranus Sign: Sagittarius

Unless that sign is also occupied by the Sun, Moon, or Rising-sign of the individual, the characteristics of the Uranus sign are merely supportive factors. Uranus will also increase originality, if this is indicated elsewhere.

The fire, enthusiasm and challenging needs of this sign are present to a certain extent, and if the individual is intellectually inclined the planet will add the ability to evolve new concepts. The humanitarian aspects of Uranus are likely to emerge, as is additional originality. All those born with it in this sign can make good use of it’s positive, enthusiastic, forward-thinking traits.

Neptune Sign: Sagittarius

Here is Neptune at it’s most inspirational. Many will develop a truly philosophical attitude and outlook. There should be the ability to express a very natural sense of social justice, and those who lead this particular generation should be able to do much for mankind.

Pluto Sign: Libra (unknown influence)

Malice

Who killed Kaji?
What seems to be the popular opinion is that Misato did it. She receives her gun back from Special Investigations right before he is shot and the scene immediately after is her apartment door with her name shown. She also previously stuck a gun to his head when she caught him in the midst of his “part-time job.” Is there a motive? No. Unless she was upset that he was hitting on Ritsuko. There’s no probable cause and, except for those three reasons, there’s really no reason to believe it was her. So then who did? My theory: NERV acting as a puppet for SEELE.

At the beginning of Kaji’s last episode, “The Birth of Nerv,” Kaji receives what he believes may be his last assignment, then looks at his NERV security card and comments that the coloring looks like blood. Ok. so he knows he’s going to die. His death is even blatantly said or referred to just about every time we see him in that episode. To me, his comment about his security card suggests that his assassination was carried out by someone in NERV. Well, that alone doesn’t rule out Misato since she was the Operations Chief but it doesn’t pin her down either. The next scene is of Special Investigations informing Misato that Fuyutsuki has been abducted and them taking her into custody. So now it seems that Kaji was the one that kidnapped The Vice Commander. If that’s true, it would mean that Kaji’s “final assignment” came from SEELE and that the entire mission was a setup. Something that Kaji undoubtedly knew and knew he would pay the price for. Interestingly enough, like Fuyutsuki, Kaji is also in SEELE’s custody and is the one who escapes and frees Kouzou. Kaji also makes no mention of the kidnapping or does he apologize to Kouzou when he rescues him. Which only reveals another problem: apparently, Fuyutsuki’s capture was kinda rough, it’s unlikely that Kaji, and Fuyutsuki, would’ve completely ignored what had happened if he were involved. So was it really Kaji that kidnapped him? Or, was it set up to look like he did?

It’s hard to ignore that “final assignment” evidence. Chances are, Kaji did kidnap Fuyutsuki. It’s also likely that Kouzou didn’t know that it was Kaji that captured him. Kaji’s excuse that the “guards were sleeping” could merely be a cover up to return Kouzou to NERV.

Ok, so NERV and SEELE are both aware of what Kaji really is and that he knows too much. Both organizations want him dead. There’s motive. SEELE provides the excuse for his demise by setting him up to kidnap Fuyutsuki. Someone that they had every reason to talk to. They just couldn’t bring attention to themselves getting him. Besides, what better way to bring someone out than through someone on the inside. Now NERV can charge Kaji with kidnapping and order his “removal.”

Before Kaji is shot he recognizes his killer and knows what’s coming. If it were Misato I don’t think he would have been expecting to die. Also when Misato’s sidearm is returned to her it’s said that everything’s been sorted out and taken care of. Only Special Investigations would have known that.

So who killed Kaji? Specifically, probably a coworker in the Special Investigations branch of NERV, as set up by SEELE.

About

This site is a dedication to the Shin Seiki Evangelion character, Kaji Ryouji. This is only a fan site and is in no way affliated with GAINAX, TAS, TV Tokyo, or AD Vision. I claim no ownership over any aspect of the series or it’s characters. All edited images, graphics, and text are considered intellectual property and are not to be used anywhere else without permission.

The name, “You Only Live Twice” is based on the James Bond film of the same name which is based on the words of the seventeenth-century Japanese poet, Bassho. It’s full context appears on the first page of this site.

Although I tend to make sites in greyscale quite often, there was a very specific reason behind this site. Grey denotes solemnity, secrecy, calm, age, and mature judgement. White is symbolic of integrity, truth, and peace. All these words seem to describe Kaji’s role in Evangelion.

Much of the text in the Astrological section of this site was paraphrased from Julia Parker’s book, The Astologer’s Handbook, ISBN 0-916360-59-8.

You Only Live Twice is a part of 030.