According to culture critic Hiroki Azuma, as Rei Ayanami became a more prominent character among fans, she "changed the rules" governing what people regarded as moe-inspiring.
Menurut Hiroki Azuma, Rei Ayanami menjadi karakter yang menonjol di kalangan penggemar, dia "mengubah aturan" tentang dari segi mana seseorang menganggap tokoh menjadi sumber moe.