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Rebuild of Evangelion 1.0 reveals that the firing range training simulator uses a simulation body, as opposed to the anime or manga which show Unit 01 directly attached to simulation equipment. This simulation body appears to consist of portions of the skeleton and nervous system of an Evangelion, but without any means of actual movement.
Rebuild of Evangelion 1.0 reveals that the firing range training simulator uses a simulation body, as opposed to the anime or manga which show Unit 01 directly attached to simulation equipment. This simulation body appears to consist of portions of the skeleton and nervous system of an Evangelion, but without any means of actual movement.


==={{anchor|EVA00}}Evangelion Unit 00 (Zerogōki: 零号機)===
==={{anchor|EVA00}}Evangelion Unit 00 ===

Unit 00<ref name="ADV"/> is the Prototype, the first successful Evangelion, and is piloted by the First Child, Rei Ayanami. The head design is similar to that of the previous failed attempts, but with only one eye. Unit 00 is the only one of the original Evas that is never seen without its armor (Unit 02 was revealed in ''End of Evangelion'', and Unit 01 on multiple occasions) or opening its mouth; thus the appearance of its organic body is unknown.
{{nihongo|Unit 00|Zerogōki: 零号機}},<ref name="ADV"/> is the Prototype, the first successful Evangelion, and is piloted by the First Child, Rei Ayanami. The head design is similar to that of the previous failed attempts, but with only one eye. Unit 00 is the only one of the original Evas that is never seen without its armor (Unit 02 was revealed in ''End of Evangelion'', and Unit 01 on multiple occasions) or opening its mouth; thus the appearance of its organic body is unknown.


Unit 00 was initially colored orange like the previous prototypes, but its armor was damaged beyond repair by the Angel [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Ramiel|Ramiel's]] particle beam. The subsequent repairs and upgrades included blue armor plating in addition to other alterations made in order to make it more suitable for combat conditions. Shoulder "blades" are added to the Unit's armor; though similar in appearance to the ones on Units 01 and 02, they are used to hold retro-rockets, as seen in the fight with the ninth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Matariel|Matariel]]. Because it is only the prototype, Unit 00 cannot be fitted with [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#D-type Equipment|D-type equipment]]. The true nature of the soul inside Unit 00 is never specified, but it is implied to be directly connected to Rei in some fashion. Unit 00 was self-destructed by Rei in order to destroy the sixteenth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Armisael|Armisael]].
Unit 00 was initially colored orange like the previous prototypes, but its armor was damaged beyond repair by the Angel [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Ramiel|Ramiel's]] particle beam. The subsequent repairs and upgrades included blue armor plating in addition to other alterations made in order to make it more suitable for combat conditions. Shoulder "blades" are added to the Unit's armor; though similar in appearance to the ones on Units 01 and 02, they are used to hold retro-rockets, as seen in the fight with the ninth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Matariel|Matariel]]. Because it is only the prototype, Unit 00 cannot be fitted with [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#D-type Equipment|D-type equipment]]. The true nature of the soul inside Unit 00 is never specified, but it is implied to be directly connected to Rei in some fashion. Unit 00 was self-destructed by Rei in order to destroy the sixteenth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Armisael|Armisael]].
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"Zerogōki" does not follow the naming system used for the succeeding Evas. Under that system Unit 00 would have been enunciated as "Reigōki" in the series, giving both mecha and pilot (Rei Ayanami) practically the same name.
"Zerogōki" does not follow the naming system used for the succeeding Evas. Under that system Unit 00 would have been enunciated as "Reigōki" in the series, giving both mecha and pilot (Rei Ayanami) practically the same name.


==={{anchor|EVA01}}Evangelion Unit 01 (Shogōki: 初号機)===
==={{anchor|EVA01}}EVA Unit 01===

Created in the Third Annex of [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#Gehirn|Gehirn's]] Artificial Evolution Laboratory in [[Hakone]] is piloted by Shinji Ikari (with Rei or a Rei Dummy Plug as backup pilots), and has the best battle record of all the Evangelions. It frequently acts independently, without the instructions of a pilot and without any apparent power source. The Eva will also take action to protect its pilot while sometimes servicing other interests. The Eva's resident soul, [[Yui Ikari]] (Shinji's mother), appears to be responsible for such events. Unit 01 is called the "Test Type,". Although Unit 01 seems to be an Adam-derived cybernetic organism like all other Evangelions, it is the sole Eva to have been born from Lilith.
{{nihongo|Unit 01|Shogōki: 初号機}} was created in the Third Annex of [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#Gehirn|Gehirn's]] Artificial Evolution Laboratory in [[Hakone]] and is piloted by Shinji Ikari (with Rei or a Rei Dummy Plug as backup pilots). It has the best battle record of all the Evangelions. It frequently acts independently, without the instructions of a pilot and without any apparent power source. The Eva will also take action to protect its pilot while sometimes servicing other interests. The Eva's resident soul, [[Yui Ikari]] (Shinji's mother), appears to be responsible for such events. Unit 01 is called the "Test Type,". Although Unit 01 seems to be an Adam-derived cybernetic organism like all other Evangelions, it is the sole Eva to have been born from Lilith.


Upon savagely disfiguring the fourteenth angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Zeruel|Zeruel]], it proceeded to devour the Angel and assimilated its S² Engine, making Unit 01 the first physically complete Evangelion prior to the construction of the Mass Production units. The S² Engine seems to be used only at Unit 01's discretion; after acquiring it, the Eva is still sent into battle with an umbilical cable. Just before Unit 01 absorbed the S² Engine, it used one of Zeruel's arms to regenerate its severed left arm, demonstrating the Angelic ability of regeneration. The Mass Production models were also equipped with Nerv-developed S² Engines but cannot regenerate.
Upon savagely disfiguring the fourteenth angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Zeruel|Zeruel]], it proceeded to devour the Angel and assimilated its S² Engine, making Unit 01 the first physically complete Evangelion prior to the construction of the Mass Production units. The S² Engine seems to be used only at Unit 01's discretion; after acquiring it, the Eva is still sent into battle with an umbilical cable. Just before Unit 01 absorbed the S² Engine, it used one of Zeruel's arms to regenerate its severed left arm, demonstrating the Angelic ability of regeneration. The Mass Production models were also equipped with Nerv-developed S² Engines but cannot regenerate.
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Production Model Eva Units have varying numbers of eyes. Unit 02 has four, Units 03 and 04 have two, and Units 05 through 13 have no visible eyes at all.
Production Model Eva Units have varying numbers of eyes. Unit 02 has four, Units 03 and 04 have two, and Units 05 through 13 have no visible eyes at all.


==={{anchor|EVA02}}Evangelion Unit 02 (Nigōki: 弐号機)===
==={{anchor|EVA02}}EVA Unit 02===

Evangelion Unit 02<ref name="ADV"/>, built by Nerv Germany, is the first Production Model Eva. It is piloted by Asuka Langley Soryu and is the first Evangelion built specifically for combat. Unlike Unit 01, it only goes ''truly'' "berserk" once, just before its destruction. It has achieved an unusually high sync ratio with its pilot(s). The Eva's armor is primarily red with yellow and white on the arms and head. As a result of being constructed by Nerv Germany, and also as an accommodation for its three-quarters-[[German people|German]] pilot, its default language setting is [[German language|German]]. It is known to contain the maternal part of the soul of [[List of characters in Neon Genesis Evangelion#Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu|Asuka's mother]]. Unit 02 features a different progressive knife from earlier Eva units as well as an internal weapon rack in the right shoulder binder which fires dart-like weapons. It has brown skin and four orange eyes, first seen when the [[#Mass Production (MP) Evangelions (Units 05 - 13)|MP Evas]] tear it apart.
{{nihongo|Unit 02|Nigōki: 弐号機}}<ref name="ADV"/>, built by Nerv Germany, is the first Production Model Eva. It is piloted by Asuka Langley Soryu and is the first Evangelion built specifically for combat. Unlike Unit 01, it only goes ''truly'' "berserk" once, just before its destruction. It has achieved an unusually high sync ratio with its pilot(s). The Eva's armor is primarily red with yellow and white on the arms and head. As a result of being constructed by Nerv Germany, and also as an accommodation for its three-quarters-[[German people|German]] pilot, its default language setting is [[German language|German]]. It is known to contain the maternal part of the soul of [[List of characters in Neon Genesis Evangelion#Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu|Asuka's mother]]. Unit 02 features a different progressive knife from earlier Eva units as well as an internal weapon rack in the right shoulder binder which fires dart-like weapons. It has brown skin and four orange eyes, first seen when the [[#Mass Production (MP) Evangelions (Units 05 - 13)|MP Evas]] tear it apart.


Unit 02 is damaged and incapacitated several times over the course of the series, and is finally destroyed in ''The End of Evangelion'' by the mass-produced Evas. Asuka was still highly synchronized with Unit 02 as it was destroyed, thus practically suffering every wound (the frames after the [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#Lance of Longinus|Lance of Longinus]] is plunged just above the Eva's left eye show her bleeding profusely from above her eye, as well as a rapidly spreading bloodstain on her lower torso when the Eva is literally gutted.
Unit 02 is damaged and incapacitated several times over the course of the series, and is finally destroyed in ''The End of Evangelion'' by the mass-produced Evas. Asuka was still highly synchronized with Unit 02 as it was destroyed, thus practically suffering every wound (the frames after the [[Neon Genesis Evangelion glossary#Lance of Longinus|Lance of Longinus]] is plunged just above the Eva's left eye show her bleeding profusely from above her eye, as well as a rapidly spreading bloodstain on her lower torso when the Eva is literally gutted.
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In the newly released trailer for the [[Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance]] film, it is shown that Unit 02's helmet is redesigned to have what look like [[Oni (folklore)|oni]] horns, and that its shoulder pylons are equipped with a pair of bladed weapons. It also sports more white in several places on its body. Later in the film, Unit 02 is placed into storage in accordance with The Vatican Treaty- a law stating that no nation can have more than 3 Active Evas- and with Unit 03 arriving from America Gendo decided Unit 02 would be the dismantled Unit (reasons for why Unit 02 and not Unit 00 may be revealed in the future films).
In the newly released trailer for the [[Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance]] film, it is shown that Unit 02's helmet is redesigned to have what look like [[Oni (folklore)|oni]] horns, and that its shoulder pylons are equipped with a pair of bladed weapons. It also sports more white in several places on its body. Later in the film, Unit 02 is placed into storage in accordance with The Vatican Treaty- a law stating that no nation can have more than 3 Active Evas- and with Unit 03 arriving from America Gendo decided Unit 02 would be the dismantled Unit (reasons for why Unit 02 and not Unit 00 may be revealed in the future films).


==={{anchor|EVA03}}Evangelion Unit 03 (Sangōki: 参号機)===
==={{anchor|EVA03}}EVA Unit 03===

Built in the United States by Nerv Second Branch in Massachusetts, USA, Evangelion Unit 03<ref name="ADV"/> is one of two Units built with the Second Production Model design. It is the brother Unit of Unit 04 (Unit 3 and Unit 4 were the only Evangelion who were addressed as males during the series). The United States government insisted on having the rights to build Unit 03 and Unit 04. A few minor changes were made between the first and second Production Models. Unit 03's color was unique, with much darker plates than any other Eva.
{{nihongo|Unit 03|Sangōki: 参号機}}was built in the United States by Nerv Second Branch in Massachusetts, USA, Evangelion Unit 03<ref name="ADV"/> is one of two Units built with the Second Production Model design. It is the brother Unit of Unit 04 (Unit 3 and Unit 4 were the only Evangelion who were addressed as males during the series). The United States government insisted on having the rights to build Unit 03 and Unit 04. A few minor changes were made between the first and second Production Models. Unit 03's color was unique, with much darker plates than any other Eva.
The pilot assigned to it was [[Toji Suzuhara]], but in transit to Japan, it was possessed by the thirteenth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Bardiel|Bardiel]], which appeared as a cloud. As Bardiel, it was savagely torn apart by Unit 01, after the control of Unit 01 was switched from Shinji to the Dummy Plug system, designed to simulate Rei Ayanami as the pilot. Toji, the pilot, is severely injured in the anime, but in the manga he dies.
The pilot assigned to it was [[Toji Suzuhara]], but in transit to Japan, it was possessed by the thirteenth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Bardiel|Bardiel]], which appeared as a cloud. As Bardiel, it was savagely torn apart by Unit 01, after the control of Unit 01 was switched from Shinji to the Dummy Plug system, designed to simulate Rei Ayanami as the pilot. Toji, the pilot, is severely injured in the anime, but in the manga he dies.


Unit-03 is also shown in the movie ''Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance'', with [[Asuka Langley Soryu|Asuka Langley Shikinami]] as the test pilot.
Unit-03 is also shown in the movie ''Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance'', with [[Asuka Langley Soryu|Asuka Langley Shikinami]] as the test pilot.


===Evangelion Unit 04 (Yongōki: 四号機)===
===EVA Unit 04===
While Evangelion Unit 04<ref>[http://www.absoluteanime.com/eva/unit_04.htm Unit 04] Information and image</ref> never actually appears in the series, it still serves a function in the story. Unit 04 was constructed at the Second Branch of Nerv, a desert site in [[Nevada]], [[USA]], acting primarily as a test subject for S² Engine (provided by the Third Branch of Germany) experimentation. Unit 04 was destroyed along with the entire Second Branch and all facilities within an 89&nbsp;km radius. The cause of the accident remains unknown. Nerv determined that the incident occurred when the S² Engine was being installed in the unit, and that there were numerous factors that could have led to the accident. The very nature of the destruction itself is unknown as well. One theory behind Unit 04's destruction, suggested by [[Ritsuko Akagi]], is that the S² Engine had opened up a [[Dirac sea]] similar to the one that was believed to comprise the twelfth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Leliel|Leliel]]. Unit 04's design is virtually identical to that of Unit 03. According to [[Gainax]] material, this unit is silver in color, with black and red detail. While Unit 04 doesn't appear on-screen in the series, it does make appearances in the continuities of various ''Evangelion'' spin-offs and games. The pilot of Eva 04 is never specified in the series. In some spin-offs, Unit 04 is piloted by Kensuke Aida.
While EVA {{nihongo|Unit 04|Yongōki: 四号機}}<ref>[http://www.absoluteanime.com/eva/unit_04.htm Unit 04] Information and image</ref> never actually appears in the series, it still serves a function in the story. Unit 04 was constructed at the Second Branch of Nerv, a desert site in [[Nevada]], [[USA]], acting primarily as a test subject for S² Engine (provided by the Third Branch of Germany) experimentation. Unit 04 was destroyed along with the entire Second Branch and all facilities within an 89&nbsp;km radius. The cause of the accident remains unknown. Nerv determined that the incident occurred when the S² Engine was being installed in the unit, and that there were numerous factors that could have led to the accident. The very nature of the destruction itself is unknown as well. One theory behind Unit 04's destruction, suggested by [[Ritsuko Akagi]], is that the S² Engine had opened up a [[Dirac sea]] similar to the one that was believed to comprise the twelfth Angel, [[Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)#Leliel|Leliel]]. Unit 04's design is virtually identical to that of Unit 03. According to [[Gainax]] material, this unit is silver in color, with black and red detail. While Unit 04 doesn't appear on-screen in the series, it does make appearances in the continuities of various ''Evangelion'' spin-offs and games. The pilot of Eva 04 is never specified in the series. In some spin-offs, Unit 04 is piloted by Kensuke Aida.


*In an official ''Evangelion'' [[pachinko]] machine in Japan (based specifically on the 2008 film "''[[Evangelion 1.0|Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone]]''"), once you reach a certain level, there is a short animation featuring Unit-04.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBTFGD8BjkI] amateur YouTube.com video of Unit-04 in action on a pachinko machine</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU3OMFAro88] isolated video of Unit-04 in action on YouTube, music enhanced by the user</ref> The scene shows the [[Angel_(Neon_Genesis_Evangelion)#Ramiel|6th Angel Ramiel]] during an attack on Tokyo-3 (the footage is spliced in from the film). When it destroys some missile launching sites, Unit-04 suddenly appears floating over a hill, with [[Kaworu_Nagisa#Rebuild_of_Evangelion|Kaworu Nagisa]] controlling it by floating in front of its head. Ramiel fires, but Kaworu's [[AT Field]] protects Unit-04. The EVA then charges forward with the [[AT_Field#Lance_of_Longinus|Lance of Longinus]]. Ramiel reshapes itself & fires again, but Unit-04 blocks the attack with a scaled-up [[riot shield|riot-control shield]] (previously seen only in merchandise, never-onscreen because of its impracticality in favor of AT Fields). After Ramiel stops its attack, Unit-04 hurls the Lance of Longinus at the Angel, which penetrates its own Field, and destroys it in this single shot. Kaworu and Unit-04 are seen casually [[walking on water|standing on top of a lake]] at the end of the video.
*In an official ''Evangelion'' [[pachinko]] machine in Japan (based specifically on the 2008 film "''[[Evangelion 1.0|Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone]]''"), once you reach a certain level, there is a short animation featuring Unit-04.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBTFGD8BjkI] amateur YouTube.com video of Unit-04 in action on a pachinko machine</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU3OMFAro88] isolated video of Unit-04 in action on YouTube, music enhanced by the user</ref> The scene shows the [[Angel_(Neon_Genesis_Evangelion)#Ramiel|6th Angel Ramiel]] during an attack on Tokyo-3 (the footage is spliced in from the film). When it destroys some missile launching sites, Unit-04 suddenly appears floating over a hill, with [[Kaworu_Nagisa#Rebuild_of_Evangelion|Kaworu Nagisa]] controlling it by floating in front of its head. Ramiel fires, but Kaworu's [[AT Field]] protects Unit-04. The EVA then charges forward with the [[AT_Field#Lance_of_Longinus|Lance of Longinus]]. Ramiel reshapes itself & fires again, but Unit-04 blocks the attack with a scaled-up [[riot shield|riot-control shield]] (previously seen only in merchandise, never-onscreen because of its impracticality in favor of AT Fields). After Ramiel stops its attack, Unit-04 hurls the Lance of Longinus at the Angel, which penetrates its own Field, and destroys it in this single shot. Kaworu and Unit-04 are seen casually [[walking on water|standing on top of a lake]] at the end of the video.
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In the alternate universe game ''[[Girlfriend of Steel 2]]'', Kaworu Nagisa pilots Eva Unit 05, which is otherwise the same as the Mass Production units, except that the Dummy Plug is replaced by a standard entry plug.
In the alternate universe game ''[[Girlfriend of Steel 2]]'', Kaworu Nagisa pilots Eva Unit 05, which is otherwise the same as the Mass Production units, except that the Dummy Plug is replaced by a standard entry plug.


==={{anchor|EVA05}}Evangelion Provisional Unit-05 (Kasetsu Gogōki: 仮説5号機)===
==={{anchor|EVA05}}EVA Provisional Unit-05===
This Eva, piloted by Mari Illustrious Makinami, features in the opening of [[Evangelion: 2.0|the second film]] in the ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion]]'' tetralogy and is held at the joint U.S./Russian Nerv Bethany Base. Unit 05 is less humanoid than the previous Eva with a design that includes having shorter arms that end in a pincer and a lance respectively, and instead of legs has four limbs that end in wheel like mechanisms. The Eva's torso is predominantly white with orange and grey areas; its limbs are a shade of green. Because of the inhuman design of the Eva the pilot requires special tubes to help aid in movement. Rocket boosters and drills also feature in the design to help aid this speedy Eva once in action. It appears to lack an umbilical cord and might gather energy from cables imbedded in the base itself (like a streetcar). The odd build is most likely due to its provisional status as moving on various terrains might be difficult. The Eva is solely sent into action against the previously captured Third Angel which attempts to escape. The melee results in the utter destruction of both the Third Angel and Evangelion Unit 05. Its designation as "Provisional" may be a reference to the EVA being launched despite Bethany base still waiting on several components for installation.
Thw EVA {{nihongo|Provisional Unit-05|Kasetsu Gogōki: 仮説5号機}}, piloted by Mari Illustrious Makinami, features in the opening of [[Evangelion: 2.0|the second film]] in the ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion]]'' tetralogy and is held at the joint U.S./Russian Nerv Bethany Base. Unit 05 is less humanoid than the previous Eva with a design that includes having shorter arms that end in a pincer and a lance respectively, and instead of legs has four limbs that end in wheel like mechanisms. The Eva's torso is predominantly white with orange and grey areas; its limbs are a shade of green. Because of the inhuman design of the Eva the pilot requires special tubes to help aid in movement. Rocket boosters and drills also feature in the design to help aid this speedy Eva once in action. It appears to lack an umbilical cord and might gather energy from cables imbedded in the base itself (like a streetcar). The odd build is most likely due to its provisional status as moving on various terrains might be difficult. The Eva is solely sent into action against the previously captured Third Angel which attempts to escape. The melee results in the utter destruction of both the Third Angel and Evangelion Unit 05. Its designation as "Provisional" may be a reference to the EVA being launched despite Bethany base still waiting on several components for installation.


==={{anchor|EVA06}}Evangelion Mark.06===
==={{anchor|EVA06}}Evangelion Mark.06===

Revision as of 18:05, 14 May 2010

In the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise, Evangelions, or most commonly known as Evas, are the fictional mechas piloted by the Children chosen by The Marduk Institute (a front company of Seele). The Evas were created by Nerv. There purpose is defending Tokyo-3 from the threat of the Angels. The Evas were designed by Ikuto Yamashita and series director Hideaki Anno.

Details

File:EVA01 in Tokyo.jpg
Unit 01 runs through Tokyo-3; the buildings in the background give a frame of reference for the size of the Eva.

Although they appear to be giant humanoid robots, the Evas are actually cyborgs, integrating a mostly biological being with a substantial mechanical infrastructure and flexible polymer sheathing and armor plating. But like the Angels, their real defense is the Absolute Terror Field (AT Field for short). AT Fields are almost invulnerable to conventional weaponry, but can be neutralized by deploying an opposing AT Field, allowing the Evas to fight the Angels with greater effectiveness than the conventional army. All the Evas but one are actually derived from the first Angel, Adam (in the Book of Genesis, Eve is created from one of Adam's ribs). Unit 01 is unique in having been born from the second Angel, Lilith. With these revelations, the true purpose of their armor is also revealed - it is actually to constrain and control their movements.

Their monstrous appearance is no accident:

"There's a monster in Japan called the Oni; it has two horns sticking out of its head and the overall image of the Eva is based on that. I also wanted to give the impression that beneath this 'robot monster' image is not so much a robot, but a giant human."[1]

Despite their enormous size, they are capable of superhuman movement, able to easily leap their own height and jump hundreds of meters from one spot to another. To power their massive frames through these actions, they use internal batteries, an umbilical cable, or an S² engine (for Unit 01 and the Mass Production units). Officially, their internal batteries' charge vary. Auxiliary batteries can be attached to extend an Eva's unplugged endurance.

The Evas are controlled by a combination of hand controls in the entry plug and direct nerve impulses from the pilot through the plug suit and A10 nerve clips. The pilots also receive feedback through this connection, even experiencing the pain of damage inflicted on the Evangelion. This pain is correlated with their "synchronization" ratio in the Evangelion; damage with excessively high values actually injure the pilot, as seen in the abovementioned fight with the MP Evas where both Unit 02 and Asuka had their right arm split in two at the exact same time. Despite the usual fine control provided by direct nerve impulses, there are also many instances in the series of Evas going "berserk". In this state, the Eva moves on its own, ignoring power requirements and with capabilities surpassing those of the pilot; its behavior becomes more feral and savage as well. The pilots are shown undergoing multiple synchronization tests, which are implied to be part of their work routine. As the series progresses, it is revealed that the pilots are synchronizing with human souls bonded within the Evas during "contact experiments" conducted by Nerv and its predecessor, Gehirn, though only the souls within Units 01 and 02 are explicitly identified. These souls are needed to bridge the gap between the pilots and the Evas. The Evas can also be controlled by an autopilot system, the Dummy Plugs, which are based on the thought patterns of either Rei Ayanami or Kaworu Nagisa. It is implied that the dummy plugs also contain clones of their bodies, but this is not confirmed in the series.

The Evangelions are named in the format of "Unit n" starting from Unit 00 in ascending order, as translated by ADV Films, and which is used in this and other Evangelion-related articles. However, the English format used in the original Japanese version is "EVA n".

Prototype/Test Type Evangelion Units

Evangelions pre-Unit 00

Nerv has made numerous failed attempts to create a working Eva. The remains of these failed Evas are hidden in one of the lowest levels of the Nerv headquarters. They all have orange armor. Most of these failed Evas' organic structures have rotted away, leaving little more than an armored head connected to a backbone, often with an incomplete number of limbs. Many of the skeletons are badly warped. They have the word "reject" painted on their heads in large red letters.[2] In the original version, the failed Eva prototypes were laid out on a massive empty floor, with what remained of their limbs carefully matched up with their spines and other body parts, and then circled by chalk marks. When Shinji says that it must be some type of "graveyard" for Eva units, Ritsuko says that it is actually nothing that complicated, and little more than a "dumping ground" for the wasted prototypes. The New Production Cut shows this "dumping ground" with remaining body parts of dozens of failed Evas are thrown into a series of waste pits in the ground.[3]

Some Eva rejects can also be seen in The End of Evangelion, suspended vertically by the heads. The heads themselves show variation in facial layout, with some looking almost like human skulls. Labels identifying the vertebrae (such as CV-3rd) can be seen in other shots.

Simulation bodies

Three incomplete Evangelion units are kept in the Pribnow Box in Nerv headquarters. They are unarmored, have no legs or cores, and have numerous cables exiting the neck instead of actual heads.[4] These units are eventually infected by the eleventh Angel, Iruel[5].

Rebuild of Evangelion 1.0 reveals that the firing range training simulator uses a simulation body, as opposed to the anime or manga which show Unit 01 directly attached to simulation equipment. This simulation body appears to consist of portions of the skeleton and nervous system of an Evangelion, but without any means of actual movement.

Evangelion Unit 00

Unit 00 (Zerogōki: 零号機),[5] is the Prototype, the first successful Evangelion, and is piloted by the First Child, Rei Ayanami. The head design is similar to that of the previous failed attempts, but with only one eye. Unit 00 is the only one of the original Evas that is never seen without its armor (Unit 02 was revealed in End of Evangelion, and Unit 01 on multiple occasions) or opening its mouth; thus the appearance of its organic body is unknown.

Unit 00 was initially colored orange like the previous prototypes, but its armor was damaged beyond repair by the Angel Ramiel's particle beam. The subsequent repairs and upgrades included blue armor plating in addition to other alterations made in order to make it more suitable for combat conditions. Shoulder "blades" are added to the Unit's armor; though similar in appearance to the ones on Units 01 and 02, they are used to hold retro-rockets, as seen in the fight with the ninth Angel, Matariel. Because it is only the prototype, Unit 00 cannot be fitted with D-type equipment. The true nature of the soul inside Unit 00 is never specified, but it is implied to be directly connected to Rei in some fashion. Unit 00 was self-destructed by Rei in order to destroy the sixteenth Angel, Armisael.

In the Rebuild of Evangelion series, Unit 00 sports more white and gray but is otherwise unchanged and does not get repainted. Remaining yellow for the entire series. In the second movie, Unit 00 was the Eva SEELE recommended be dismantled upon the arrival of Unit 03, however Gendo Ikari chose to dismantle Unit 02 instead. Against the 10th Angel, Unit 00 was assimilated after the point blank detonation of an N2 Missile and its identification code was used by the Angel to disable Central Dogma's defences.

Note "Zerogōki" does not follow the naming system used for the succeeding Evas. Under that system Unit 00 would have been enunciated as "Reigōki" in the series, giving both mecha and pilot (Rei Ayanami) practically the same name.

EVA Unit 01

Unit 01 (Shogōki: 初号機) was created in the Third Annex of Gehirn's Artificial Evolution Laboratory in Hakone and is piloted by Shinji Ikari (with Rei or a Rei Dummy Plug as backup pilots). It has the best battle record of all the Evangelions. It frequently acts independently, without the instructions of a pilot and without any apparent power source. The Eva will also take action to protect its pilot while sometimes servicing other interests. The Eva's resident soul, Yui Ikari (Shinji's mother), appears to be responsible for such events. Unit 01 is called the "Test Type,". Although Unit 01 seems to be an Adam-derived cybernetic organism like all other Evangelions, it is the sole Eva to have been born from Lilith.

Upon savagely disfiguring the fourteenth angel, Zeruel, it proceeded to devour the Angel and assimilated its S² Engine, making Unit 01 the first physically complete Evangelion prior to the construction of the Mass Production units. The S² Engine seems to be used only at Unit 01's discretion; after acquiring it, the Eva is still sent into battle with an umbilical cable. Just before Unit 01 absorbed the S² Engine, it used one of Zeruel's arms to regenerate its severed left arm, demonstrating the Angelic ability of regeneration. The Mass Production models were also equipped with Nerv-developed S² Engines but cannot regenerate.

Unit 01's armor is primarily purple; some components are colored neon green, light blue, orange, and black. The pectoral plates are different from those seen on any other Eva. The humanoid entity beneath the armor has light brown skin, two emerald-green eyes, four small nostrils positioned, and red blood.

As a result of Third Impact, at the conclusion of The End of Evangelion, Unit 01 is left floating adrift in space, fossilized and still containing the soul of Yui Ikari, where it will outlast the sun and moon, as an eternal testament that the human race existed.

In the Rebuild of Evangelion series, Unit 01 sports more neon green highlights on the head, chest, abdomen, and arms. The knife and its storage mechanism are also redesigned, but most of the armor has not changed. During its fight with Sachiel an onscreen graphic notes that Sachiel has blood type Blue 04 (since it is the fourth Angel) and Unit 01 has blood type Blue A*, likely a reference to the Eva units being derived from Angels. Shamshel and Ramiel are identified as having blood types Blue 05 and Blue 06, respectively. During its fight with Shamshel, the skin of the humanoid entity beneath the armor is revealed to a lighter color than in the series.

Production Model Evangelion Units

Production Model Eva Units have varying numbers of eyes. Unit 02 has four, Units 03 and 04 have two, and Units 05 through 13 have no visible eyes at all.

EVA Unit 02

Unit 02 (Nigōki: 弐号機)[5], built by Nerv Germany, is the first Production Model Eva. It is piloted by Asuka Langley Soryu and is the first Evangelion built specifically for combat. Unlike Unit 01, it only goes truly "berserk" once, just before its destruction. It has achieved an unusually high sync ratio with its pilot(s). The Eva's armor is primarily red with yellow and white on the arms and head. As a result of being constructed by Nerv Germany, and also as an accommodation for its three-quarters-German pilot, its default language setting is German. It is known to contain the maternal part of the soul of Asuka's mother. Unit 02 features a different progressive knife from earlier Eva units as well as an internal weapon rack in the right shoulder binder which fires dart-like weapons. It has brown skin and four orange eyes, first seen when the MP Evas tear it apart.

Unit 02 is damaged and incapacitated several times over the course of the series, and is finally destroyed in The End of Evangelion by the mass-produced Evas. Asuka was still highly synchronized with Unit 02 as it was destroyed, thus practically suffering every wound (the frames after the Lance of Longinus is plunged just above the Eva's left eye show her bleeding profusely from above her eye, as well as a rapidly spreading bloodstain on her lower torso when the Eva is literally gutted. In the manga, Kaworu Nagisa, piloted Unit 02 against Armisael since Asuka was left comatose after the battle with Arael. The weapon he used in the battle was a double-bladed chainsaw. Armisael partially merged with Unit 02 while it was still fusing with Unit 00 and Rei. In the newly released trailer for the Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance film, it is shown that Unit 02's helmet is redesigned to have what look like oni horns, and that its shoulder pylons are equipped with a pair of bladed weapons. It also sports more white in several places on its body. Later in the film, Unit 02 is placed into storage in accordance with The Vatican Treaty- a law stating that no nation can have more than 3 Active Evas- and with Unit 03 arriving from America Gendo decided Unit 02 would be the dismantled Unit (reasons for why Unit 02 and not Unit 00 may be revealed in the future films).

EVA Unit 03

Unit 03 (Sangōki: 参号機)was built in the United States by Nerv Second Branch in Massachusetts, USA, Evangelion Unit 03[5] is one of two Units built with the Second Production Model design. It is the brother Unit of Unit 04 (Unit 3 and Unit 4 were the only Evangelion who were addressed as males during the series). The United States government insisted on having the rights to build Unit 03 and Unit 04. A few minor changes were made between the first and second Production Models. Unit 03's color was unique, with much darker plates than any other Eva. The pilot assigned to it was Toji Suzuhara, but in transit to Japan, it was possessed by the thirteenth Angel, Bardiel, which appeared as a cloud. As Bardiel, it was savagely torn apart by Unit 01, after the control of Unit 01 was switched from Shinji to the Dummy Plug system, designed to simulate Rei Ayanami as the pilot. Toji, the pilot, is severely injured in the anime, but in the manga he dies.

Unit-03 is also shown in the movie Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance, with Asuka Langley Shikinami as the test pilot.

EVA Unit 04

While EVA Unit 04 (Yongōki: 四号機)[6] never actually appears in the series, it still serves a function in the story. Unit 04 was constructed at the Second Branch of Nerv, a desert site in Nevada, USA, acting primarily as a test subject for S² Engine (provided by the Third Branch of Germany) experimentation. Unit 04 was destroyed along with the entire Second Branch and all facilities within an 89 km radius. The cause of the accident remains unknown. Nerv determined that the incident occurred when the S² Engine was being installed in the unit, and that there were numerous factors that could have led to the accident. The very nature of the destruction itself is unknown as well. One theory behind Unit 04's destruction, suggested by Ritsuko Akagi, is that the S² Engine had opened up a Dirac sea similar to the one that was believed to comprise the twelfth Angel, Leliel. Unit 04's design is virtually identical to that of Unit 03. According to Gainax material, this unit is silver in color, with black and red detail. While Unit 04 doesn't appear on-screen in the series, it does make appearances in the continuities of various Evangelion spin-offs and games. The pilot of Eva 04 is never specified in the series. In some spin-offs, Unit 04 is piloted by Kensuke Aida.

  • In an official Evangelion pachinko machine in Japan (based specifically on the 2008 film "Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone"), once you reach a certain level, there is a short animation featuring Unit-04.[7][8] The scene shows the 6th Angel Ramiel during an attack on Tokyo-3 (the footage is spliced in from the film). When it destroys some missile launching sites, Unit-04 suddenly appears floating over a hill, with Kaworu Nagisa controlling it by floating in front of its head. Ramiel fires, but Kaworu's AT Field protects Unit-04. The EVA then charges forward with the Lance of Longinus. Ramiel reshapes itself & fires again, but Unit-04 blocks the attack with a scaled-up riot-control shield (previously seen only in merchandise, never-onscreen because of its impracticality in favor of AT Fields). After Ramiel stops its attack, Unit-04 hurls the Lance of Longinus at the Angel, which penetrates its own Field, and destroys it in this single shot. Kaworu and Unit-04 are seen casually standing on top of a lake at the end of the video.
    • This video seems to be the only known officially-licensed appearance of Evangelion Unit-04, but does confirm, in a way, that its appearance is based on Evangelion Unit-03, and that its coloring is silver with black and red. (This video also establishes Unit-04 in the coloring scheme of the Rebuild films, and shares similar decorations.)

Other Production Units

According to Misato, Unit 05 and Unit 06 were originally planned to be more or less a continuation of the production model design used for Units 02-04. However, when Seele began construction of the mass production model Eva Units 05-13, these plans were scrapped. The unfinished original Units 05 and 06 were scrapped for spare parts used to repair Units 00 and 02 after their fight with the Angel Zeruel.

Mass Production (MP) Evangelions (Units 05 - 13)

These Evas appear in The End of Evangelion and were produced at seven different Nerv branches around the world, probably Germany (Third Branch), the United States (First Branch, Massachusetts), Japan (Matsushiro), the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. Units 05 and 06 were made in Germany; Unit 08 was produced in China. Seele had them produced as part of their backup plan for initiating Instrumentality, but only nine out of an envisioned twelve were completed. They are controlled directly by Seele via Dummy Plugs based on Kaworu Nagisa.

Their physical build is different from previous Evas, being narrower in the chest and shoulders and wider in the hips, and apparently covered by the same reinforced plastic that coats the arms. The long jaws have red muscular lips, metal-plated teeth, a large grey tongue, and produce large quantities of saliva. They have no apparent eyes.[9] They are equipped with large, mechanical, avian-style wings that enable them to fly, and which can be fully retracted into the back. They also lack the shoulder-mounted armor "blades" which were characteristic of previous Evas. Their primary weapons are the double-bladed Heavy Lances, which eventually transform into their true form, dark gray replicas of the Lance of Longinus. Additionally, the MP Evas consistently behave in an animal-like manner; they show formidable savagery, and circle the fallen Unit 02 in the air in a manner similar to vultures before descending to tear the Eva apart.

Each MP Eva contains an internal S² Engine, which grants them complete mobility (being freed from the umbilical cable) and no operational time limit. Although two Evangelions were maimed by Unit 02, one severed in two at the waist and another with a severed leg, were not drawn this way for the rest of the movie, generating similar confusion as to the ability of regeneration in the MP EVAs.

In the alternate universe game Girlfriend of Steel 2, Kaworu Nagisa pilots Eva Unit 05, which is otherwise the same as the Mass Production units, except that the Dummy Plug is replaced by a standard entry plug.

EVA Provisional Unit-05

Thw EVA Provisional Unit-05 (Kasetsu Gogōki: 仮説5号機), piloted by Mari Illustrious Makinami, features in the opening of the second film in the Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy and is held at the joint U.S./Russian Nerv Bethany Base. Unit 05 is less humanoid than the previous Eva with a design that includes having shorter arms that end in a pincer and a lance respectively, and instead of legs has four limbs that end in wheel like mechanisms. The Eva's torso is predominantly white with orange and grey areas; its limbs are a shade of green. Because of the inhuman design of the Eva the pilot requires special tubes to help aid in movement. Rocket boosters and drills also feature in the design to help aid this speedy Eva once in action. It appears to lack an umbilical cord and might gather energy from cables imbedded in the base itself (like a streetcar). The odd build is most likely due to its provisional status as moving on various terrains might be difficult. The Eva is solely sent into action against the previously captured Third Angel which attempts to escape. The melee results in the utter destruction of both the Third Angel and Evangelion Unit 05. Its designation as "Provisional" may be a reference to the EVA being launched despite Bethany base still waiting on several components for installation.

Evangelion Mark.06

In the first trailer for Evangelion 2.0, Mark.06 (previously known as Unit 06) briefly appears. It is blue in color, and has a red visor in place of its eyes. Its head design is similar to Unit 01, with an upward-curving horn and projections from the side as well. In the 1.01 DVD release, Mark.06 has a glowing white halo. The narration states that it and its pilot "come down from the Moon." (The conclusion of Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone shows Kaworu Nagisa and Seele meeting upon the Moon.) Mark.06 appears to be have the capabilities for flight and . In Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance it is revealed that this Eva is of SEELE'S design and that Gendo and Fuyutsuki had no hand in its creation. Kaworu Nagisa is the pilot.

Evangelion Unit 08

In the teaser trailer for "Evangelion 3.0" attached at the end of the 2nd Rebuild film, Evangelion Unit 08 was shown and its pilot taking part in the film although only his upper body is shown. The Unit seems similar to previous units, but the pylons are slightly different, and it appears to have thrusters on it. The head design is similar to the helmet of a suit of armor, with a protruding horn.

Other

Various different EVA units have originated in spin-off games and other various media.

In Battle Orchestra game two new EVA units are introduced. EVA Unit-Alpha (Kōgōki: 甲号機) is a green colored EVA with distance-controlled gun barrels mounted on its shoulders (possibly inspired by the Psycommu System from the Gundam franchise). EVA Unit-Beta (Otsugōki: 乙号機), piloted by Kaworu Nagisa, is gold in color with wings and a katana. EVA Unit 04 appears as well, painted a different shade of silver and piloted by Kensuke Aida.

References

  1. ^ Hideaki Anno, as quoted in Wong, Amos (1996). "Interview with Hideaki Anno, director of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'". Aerial Magazine. Archived from the original on 2007-06-31. Retrieved 2007-05-04. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ^ Eva graveyard (accessed via the Internet Archive) Concept sketch of Evangelion "graveyard", taken from one of the Groundwork of Evangelion artbooks
  3. ^ The "new" Eva graveyard (accessed via the Internet Archive) The Evangelion graveyard, as depicted in the "Director's Cut" version of episode 23
  4. ^ See here and here for production sketches (taken from the Internet Archive) of the simulation bodies.
  5. ^ a b c d ADV Evangelion site Official ADV site for Neon Genesis Evangelion; Eva images and information are under the Artwork section (requires Adobe Flash)
  6. ^ Unit 04 Information and image
  7. ^ [1] amateur YouTube.com video of Unit-04 in action on a pachinko machine
  8. ^ [2] isolated video of Unit-04 in action on YouTube, music enhanced by the user
  9. ^ MP Evas Concept sketch of the mass-production Evas; taken from NEWTYPE 100% COLLECTION: NEON GENESIS EVANGELION. 1997 Kadokawashoten. ISBN 4-04-852700-2.

See also

  • Jet Alone, a fully automated competitor built by the Japanese government
  • Country Crawler/Trident is, in the Girlfriend of Steel alternate universe, the government's other mechanical competitor; it is crewed by 14-year olds