Naoko Akagi is a fictional character from the popular anime and manga series Neon Genesis Evangelion. She serves as the head of the Neon Genesis Evangelion project and is known for her intelligence and dedication to her work. Naoko is also the mother of Ritsuko Akagi, another key character in the series. In the story, Naoko's research focuses on the development of the Evangelion units, which are giant bio-mechanical robots used to combat mysterious beings known as Angels. Her character plays a significant role in exploring themes of science, ethics, and the complexities of human relationships within the narrative.