Movie
Description
In the first film of the Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy, Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone, Kaworu Nagisa makes a brief but enigmatic appearance that establishes his mysterious nature and connection to the central events of the story. He is a pale-skinned young man with silver-white hair and red eyes, and his arrival is unlike that of any other character. He is first seen awakening from what appears to be a coffin-like container, situated on the surface of the Moon in the vacuum of space, demonstrating an ability to survive and speak in an environment devoid of air. This scene takes place near a colossal, shrouded figure, which is later revealed to be Evangelion Mark.06 under construction.

His background is shrouded in secrecy, though his dialogue reveals that he is not an ordinary human. He is affiliated with the secret organization SEELE, whose leaders communicate with him through monoliths. In this early scene, he speaks to the chairman, Keel Lorenz, agreeing that a certain "child"—presumably the pilot Shinji Ikari—is progressing according to a predetermined scenario known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. His motivations at this stage are cryptic, but he expresses a personal interest in Shinji. Looking down at the distant Earth, he remarks that the "Third" (referring to Shinji, the Third Child) has not changed and states that he looks forward to meeting him. This foreknowledge of Shinji and his fate suggests Kaworu possesses a degree of awareness of future events or the cyclical nature of the world.

His role in Evangelion: 1.0 is limited to this single, pivotal post-credits scene. Rather than a participant in the immediate battles against the Angels, he is positioned as a long-term observer and a future player in the overarching plan. This introduction serves as a promise to the audience, confirming Kaworu as a key figure who will become directly involved in Shinji's life in subsequent films. The strangeness of his awakening on the moon, combined with his calm and assured demeanor, identifies him as an anomaly with immense power and knowledge, hinting at his true nature as the First Angel in the Rebuild continuity.

His personality is immediately established as calm, detached, yet warmly anticipatory. Unlike the more volatile human characters, Kaworu speaks with tranquil assurance and a sense of purpose. His statement that he hopes to meet Shinji frames their future relationship as something predetermined and deeply significant to him. There is no character development for Kaworu within this specific film, as his appearance is a brief teaser. However, his notable abilities are prominently displayed: he is capable of surviving in the vacuum of space without protective gear, he can communicate telepathically or through unknown means with SEELE, and he is shown in close proximity to a new Evangelion unit, implying his role as its designated pilot. These abilities, combined with his cryptic dialogue, solidify his status as a being that transcends normal human limitations from the moment he is introduced.