Misato

Misato is a feminine given name of Japanese origin. It is commonly written with the kanji 美里, which combines the characters for "beauty" (美) and "village" or "countryside" (里). As a place name, Misato appears in several localities across Japan, where the same sound is rendered with different kanji spellings. The name carries positive connotations related to beauty and homeland.

Geographically, there are towns and districts named Misato in various prefectures, reflecting the common practice of using everyday words to form place names in Japan. As a given name, Misato is widely used for women, and there are real people with this name, including athletes, artists, and scholars.

In popular culture, Misato Katsuragi is the best-known instance of the name. She is a central figure in the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, serving as a senior officer of the fictional organization NERV. In the early arcs of the story, she plays a key role in guiding younger protagonists and handling command responsibilities. The character has had a lasting impact on anime fandom and has been featured in various media and adaptations.