This completed SSR figure presents EVA-08 in a poised action stance, capturing the balance between biomechanical design and anime heroine charm. The figure stands around 230 mm tall, with careful shading across the unit's armor panels and Mari's characteristic plugsuit details. The sculpt highlights articulated joints and subtle texture, from the glossy finish on the helmet and armor plates to the matte fabric-like surface of the plugsuit. Fine paintwork emphasizes panel lines, wiring, and insignia, while transparent effects simulate energy augmentations near the EVA's core. The display base evokes a mission briefing backdrop, providing context while keeping the focus on dynamic silhouette and character personality.

Makinami Mari Illustrious is introduced as a confident, improvisational pilot whose cheerful bravado masks a calculated, intuitive approach to combat. In Shin Gekijouban: Q, she pilots EVA-08 during pivotal confrontations, bringing an unorthodox fighting style that blends agile melee moves with precise, high-energy blasts. She forms a surprisingly relaxed rapport with the unit's quirks while facing the evolving threats of Seele and the EVA lineup. Her arrival shakes the dynamics among the pilots and adds a restless optimism to the mission, highlighting themes of trust, identity, and resilience as she adapts to the bounds of a mysterious New World order.