RitsuMaya

RitsuMaya is the femslash ship between Ritsuko Akagi and Maya Ibuki from the Neon Genesis Evangelion fandom.

Canon
Ritsuko and Maya are co-workers. However Ritsuko has a higher position and Maya works directly under her. Maya is a minor character but she is shown to be close Ritsuko still. She often calls Ritsuko senpai. Ritsuko admires Maya's work skills and efficiency. She complemented her saying "Ah, Maya, fast as ever."

In End of Evangelion Maya sees Ritsuko, who is her transition guide. Transition guides take the form of someone who you care or love for, which suggests Maya cared deeply for Ritsuko. Ritsuko, as her transition guide, puts her hands over Maya's and types on her computer. Maya smiles at this time, happy to see Ritsuko. Ritsuko then hugs her and Maya cries out "Senpai" until she turns into LCL. It is revealed that Ritsuko typed "I NEED YOU" onto her computer.

In the Rebuild movies they have similar interactions like they had in NGE, mostly discussing work and standing close to each other. Their relationship doesn't seem to change much in these movies. Throughout the whole franchise Maya is usually seen next to Ritsuko.

Fanon
RitsuMaya is a relatively unpopular ship. It rivals MisaRitsu, which is a little less popular. This ship is the most popular for both characters. Despite its relative unpopularity and that of Maya in general there is a decent amount of fanworks. Some people speculate Maya has an unrequited crush on Ritsuko. Another theory is that Maya is a lesbian, her admiration of Ritsuko is part of the evidence presented. Detractors point out to Maya's evident immaturity and Ritsuko's confirmed years-long relationship with Gendo, though its explicitly negative nature is even used to further support RitsuMaya.

For the Rebuild continuity, some fans argue that they already have a relationship, sometimes during the timeskip, as Ritsuko has broken her own relationship with Gendo over a decade earlier. Detractors point out that Ritsuko still feels strongly about Gendo, however. OT3s with Kaji or Misato are also explored by some fans. Like most other Evangelion ships, it also has licensed artwork and merch, though not in as great quantities. Like most ships, it also gets significantly more space in some games and spin-offs that tease such relationships further.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

Trivia

 * Ritsuko and Maya are six years apart in age.