l a i n

Rei—Lilith's vessel, the "virgin mother" and creator (and also destroyer) of humanity—is this impassive, emotionless girl at first glance. Disconnected from reality to the point that she gives the impression of being a robot, programmed to follow orders. A somewhat cynical person who doesn't give room for emotional issues, but gets straight to the point, thinking about what needs to be done even at the cost of self-sacrifice.

Kaworu—Adam's vessel, the first angel, the embodiment of "male authority"—is this altruistic and empathetic boy, always smiling and putting everyone else before himself. A boy who would sacrifice himself without batting an eyelid to save someone else and would always be there to comfort them, someone that represents unconditional love.

I think it's interesting because, in a way, Kaworu is everything society would expect from a traumatized woman, while Rei is everything society would expect from a traumatized man.

As a woman, society expects her to smile, to put everyone first, and to be ready to love unconditionally and always forgive.

As a man, however, society expects him to be impassive and show no emotion, to be practical and not burden others, but rather to be 'strong.'

Each is what the other "should be," ultimately.