Kouzou Fuyutsuki serves as the deputy commander of NERV and the right-hand man to Gendo Ikari in Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone. He is a calm, analytical presence in the command center, frequently standing beside Gendo during Angel attacks and providing measured, informed commentary. When Gendo is absent, Fuyutsuki takes operational command and also handles routine administrative duties, such as paperwork and council meetings. In this initial Rebuild film, he appears less as a distant subordinate and more as a confidant and co-conspirator, quietly involved in the hidden layers of Gendo’s plans rather than simply executing orders.

Before joining NERV, Fuyutsuki was a professor of metaphysical biology at Kyoto University, where he became the academic mentor and close associate of Yui Ikari. He held deep personal admiration for Yui, both for her brilliance and her optimistic view of humanity. This connection colored his later decisions. After the Second Impact, his investigation into the truth behind the disaster brought him into contact with Gendo and the secretive organization Seele. Presented with the scale of the Evangelion project and under pressure from Seele, he accepted a position within Gehirn and later rose to vice commander of NERV. His motivation is largely anchored to his memory of Yui; he shares a desire to see her again and aligns more with her ideals than with the schemes of Seele.

In the film, Fuyutsuki maintains a professional distance from the Evangelion pilots, rarely interacting directly with them. His key relationships center on Gendo, with whom he has a pragmatic, businesslike alliance built on shared secrets, and Yui, whose legacy continues to influence his loyalty and choices. His notable abilities lie in his scientific background, his strategic oversight of NERV’s operations, and his intimate knowledge of the Evangelion units and the larger clandestine projects that drive the organization.