Рей Аянами
The design and personality traits of the character Rei Ayanami were reused for many anime and manga characters of the late 1990s, such as Ruri Hoshino of "Nadesico", Ruriko Tsukushima ("The Droplet"), Miharu ("Gasaraki"), Anthy Himemiya ("Revolutionary Girl Utena"), and Lain Iwakura ("Serial Experiments Lain"). The character of Asuka was parodied by Excel ("Excel Saga"), and some of her traits were used to create the character of Mai in "Gunparade March". According to Italian critic Guido Tavassi, "Evangelion"'s mecha design, characterized by a greater resemblance to the human figure, and the abstract designs of the Angels, also had a significant impact on the designs of future anime productions. Nobuhiro Watsuki designed several characters for "Rurouni Kenshin" based on characters from "Neon Genesis Evangelion", namely Uonuma Usui, Honjō Kamatari and Fuji. Anime director Makoto Shinkai declared that the genre of anime owes a cinematographic debt to "Evangelion". In the aftermath of "Evangelion", Anno reused stylistic conceits from the series in the live-action "Love &amp; Pop" and the anime romance "Kare Kano". "Neon Genesis Evangelion" also influenced music artists, such as the UK band Fightstar and its debut album, "Grand Unification", and the Japanese band Rey, which derived its name from the character of Rei Ayanami.