For an Evangelion desk setup, choosing a keyboard often starts with a favorite character. It also means choosing the keys and controls you’ll use for work, messages, and games.
The three MelGeek Evangelion keyboards offer different ways to build that setup. The EVA-01 MADE68 Ultra+ has the smallest footprint, Asuka’s CENTAURI60 adds a knob to a compact layout, and Rei’s CENTAURI80 includes a function row and an OLED screen. Here’s how their designs and controls compare.
Three EVA Keyboards at a Glance
| Feature |
 EVA-01 MADE68 Ultra+
|
 Asuka CENTAURI60
|
 Rei CENTAURI80
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Keys / layout | 68 keys; compact | 66 keys; compact | 83 keys; 80% |
| Dedicated F-key row | No | No | Yes |
| Rotary knob | No | Rose-gold aluminum knob | Cool-silver aluminum knob |
| Built-in screen | No | No | 1.78-inch OLED touchscreen; 368 × 448 pixels; approx. 325 PPI |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 319 × 117 × 40 mm | 351 × 126 × 43 mm | 375 × 150 × 45 mm |
| Best fit | Compact FPS setups for fans of Unit-01’s purple-and-green design | Compact gaming setups with a control knob and bold Asuka styling | Work and gaming with direct F-key access and a personalized display |
All three have dedicated arrow keys and a wired USB-C connection. None has a number pad. Dimensions are approximate.
Layout and Desk Space: 68, 66, or 83 Keys?
If you use F-keys for work shortcuts or game bindings, start with the layout. EVA-01 and Asuka put those functions on a shortcut layer or custom mapping. Rei gives them their own row, so you can reach them directly.
Key count alone can be misleading. The 68-key EVA-01 is 319 mm wide, about 32 mm (1.3 inches) narrower than the 66-key Asuka. Rei adds another 24 mm (0.9 inches) over Asuka. Those measurements are useful if you keep your mouse close to the keyboard or need room for broad movements.
Measure your current keyboard before choosing, with your mouse in its usual position. If you regularly enter long columns of numbers, allow space for a separate number pad too.
EVA-01 MADE68 Ultra+: Purple, Green, and a Smaller Footprint
Purple letter keys and bright green modifiers make the Unit-01 palette easy to recognize. The close-up shows orange accents, a NERV mark on the Esc key, and small EVA markings across the transparent caps. Lighting shines through the keycaps and the green strip along the top edge, so the theme is visible across the whole board.
The side view reveals angular case panels and exposed screws around the green trim. Together with the illuminated keys, they give this edition the look of a small piece of EVA hardware.
A dark desk mat gives the purple and green a plain background. Keep other lighting subdued if you want the keycap details to stand out; there is already plenty of color here. Of the three keyboards, this one also leaves the most room beside it for a mouse or figure.
Asuka CENTAURI60: EVA-02 Details and a Control Knob
Asuka’s red case surrounds a mix of red, dark, and orange keycaps. The orange Enter key reads “THE SECOND GIRL,” and EVA-02 markings run along the side. The metal control area on the right adds a different texture beside the transparent keys.
Turn the keyboard over and the character details continue. A signature-style Asuka Shikinami Langley nameplate sits above an engraved portrait on the underside. The detail is easy to miss in a front view, but worth a look if you enjoy the collectible side of the collaboration.
The knob and adjacent action key are useful reasons to choose Asuka beyond the red finish. MelGeek HIVE lets you configure this control area for functions such as volume, media, and lighting. If you often adjust music while working or gaming, that puts a familiar control beside your typing area.
Rei CENTAURI80: A Fuller Layout and a Customizable Screen
Rei’s white case, clear keycaps, and blue accents work well with a light desk mat or pale wood desktop. The blue Enter key carries “THE FIRST GIRL,” while the back panel pairs a Rei portrait engraving with her name and a line from the series. These details carry the theme across both sides of the keyboard.
The 1.78-inch OLED touchscreen sits beside the silver knob. Through MelGeek HIVE, you can upload an image or GIF, keeping Rei on screen or matching it to your desktop wallpaper. This is the only one of the three with a display you can personalize.
The 83-key layout is useful for a desk that handles work as well as games. It is also the largest and heaviest option here, at about 1.84 kg (4.06 lb). If you regularly move your keyboard between desks, that weight is worth factoring in.
Magnetic Switches, Rapid Trigger, and 8,000 Hz Polling
All three use Hall Effect switches, which sense key movement magnetically. Adjustable actuation lets you choose how far to press before an input registers. Rapid Trigger allows a key to reset as you release it, rather than requiring it to pass a fixed reset point. You can tune these settings in MelGeek HIVE.
| Full specifications |
EVA-01 MADE68 Ultra+
|
Asuka CENTAURI60
|
Rei CENTAURI80
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Switch model | TTC RGB Magnetic Purple Core | Flip King magnetic white | Flip King magnetic white |
| USB polling rate | Up to 8,000 Hz | Up to 8,000 Hz | Up to 8,000 Hz |
| Adjustable actuation | Adjustable through HIVE | Adjustable through HIVE | Adjustable through HIVE |
| Rapid Trigger | Supported; adjustable through HIVE | Supported; 0.01–2.5 mm RT adjustment | Supported; 0.01–2.5 mm RT adjustment |
| Lighting | RGB with side lighting / light-box details | RGB with underglow | RGB with underglow |
| Configuration software | MelGeek HIVE; web and desktop | MelGeek HIVE; web and desktop | MelGeek HIVE; web and desktop |
| Operating systems | Windows / macOS / Linux | Windows / macOS / Linux | Windows / macOS / Linux |
| Dedicated arrow keys | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard weight | Approx. 1.20 kg / 2.65 lb | Approx. 1.32 kg / 2.91 lb | Approx. 1.84 kg / 4.06 lb |
| Case | Aluminum alloy | Aluminum alloy | Aluminum alloy |
| Keycaps | Transparent PC with EVA-01 detailing | Transparent PC with Asuka detailing | Transparent PC with Rei detailing |
| Mounting | Gasket structure | Leaf-spring gasket structure | Leaf-spring gasket structure |
| Connection | Wired USB-C | Wired USB-C | Wired USB-C |
All three list a maximum USB polling rate of 8,000 Hz. That describes how often the keyboard reports to the computer, so it does little to separate these models. It also should not be read as the total delay between a keypress and an action on screen.
For setup, start with comfortable typing settings and adjust your game keys from there. A shallow actuation point responds to a lighter press; a deeper one gives you more travel before the input registers. Use HIVE to check the adjustment range available on your keyboard.
Weights above are approximate and refer to the keyboards without packaging.
Which MelGeek EVA Keyboard Should You Choose?
For the smallest setup, choose the EVA-01 MADE68 Ultra+. Its purple-and-green design is the obvious match for a Unit-01 collection, and it takes up the least width of the three.
For a compact board with physical controls, choose the Asuka CENTAURI60. It adds the knob and action key while keeping the smaller key layout. Allow a little more desk width than you would for EVA-01.
For frequent F-key use and a screen to customize, choose the Rei CENTAURI80. The extra row is the practical reason to make room for it; the display is the part you can make your own.
Complete your EVA setup
Once you've chosen your keyboard, the matching HORUS mouse is a simple way to carry its character across the rest of the desk. Unit-01's purple and green, Asuka's red, or Rei's white and blue can connect the two pieces without making the whole setup feel busy. If you're choosing both together, each bundle below pairs the keyboard with its corresponding EVA mouse.
For other pieces to pair with your keyboard, explore the Evangelion collection.
FAQ
Are these three keyboards just different colors of the same model?
No. EVA-01 uses the MADE68 Ultra+ platform, Asuka uses CENTAURI60, and Rei uses CENTAURI80. Their layouts and controls differ, and only Rei includes an OLED screen. Check the exact EVA edition when comparing specifications or reviews; similarly named standard models are not always identical.
Are these keyboards worth considering if I don't play competitive games?
Yes, if the design and layout suit your everyday use. You can use these keyboards for typing, work, and casual games without tuning every magnetic-switch setting. For office use, start by checking the keys you need and the space available on your desk.
Does the Asuka CENTAURI60 have arrow keys?
Yes. Asuka has dedicated arrow keys within its compact 66-key layout. It does not have a separate F-key row, so those functions rely on shortcuts or remapping.
Can I use any of these keyboards wirelessly?
No. These three EVA editions use a wired USB-C connection. They do not support Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless use, so plan for a cable between the keyboard and your computer.
Can I put my own images or GIFs on Rei's screen?
Yes. The Rei CENTAURI80 supports JPG, PNG, and GIF uploads through MelGeek HIVE. You can replace the supplied portrait with your own wallpaper or animation. EVA-01 and Asuka do not have a screen.
Do they work with Mac and Linux?
Yes. All three list Windows, macOS, and Linux compatibility for wired use. For customization, check the browser or desktop requirements of the HIVE version provided for your model.
Do I need to install software to customize the keyboard?
Not necessarily. Open MelGeek HIVE in your browser to configure key mapping, lighting, actuation, and Rapid Trigger settings. Select the version for your keyboard. Asuka and Rei save settings onboard, so HIVE does not need to stay open during play.
Can I use my own USB-C cable?
The included cable is the safest starting point; MelGeek recommends it for the CENTAURI EVA editions. For a replacement, check both data-transfer support and the plug’s fit in the recessed socket. The USB-C connection type alone does not tell you whether the connector housing will fit.