Gendo Ikari is a central character in the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. He serves as the commander of NERV, an organization tasked with defending Earth from mysterious beings known as Angels. Gendo is depicted as a cold, calculating, and often emotionally distant figure, primarily driven by his own secretive agenda. His complicated relationships, particularly with his son Shinji Ikari and his late wife Yui, form a critical part of the series’ narrative. Gendo's actions and motivations are pivotal in the unfolding events, contributing significantly to the series' complex themes of identity, responsibility, and human connection.