Girlfriend of Steel is a videogame/episode for the anime/manga series Neon Genesis Evangelion, released officially only in Japan. It is also called Iron Maiden. The reason why some consider it as a videogame and an additional episode is that whilst it was interactive to a small degree, it really just played out like another segment in the story, supposedly fitting in just before the mood of the series started to get darker (probably just before or after the 12th Angel, Leliel). It is unknown whether this game's story fits in the anime/manga chronology.

History

Roughly, the story goes that a new female character, Mana, starts at Shinji's school and immediately admits to find him cute. Slowly, a relationship unfolds and they end up going on a date where they kiss. It turns out, however, that she is the pilot of a new competitor to the Evangelions, similar to Jet Alone, thus the name Girlfriend of Steel. Eventually, the other robot goes berserk and the Evas are sent to take it out. After this, Mana leaves Tokyo-3 and says a teary goodbye to Shinji who had won her heart. Throughout the game, Asuka is constantly jealous of Shinji and Mana, perhaps realizing what she was missing. Right at the end of the game, the player is rewarded with a scene where Asuka hugs Shinji in a way that is hardly seen on the anime or manga series.