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An '''S²''' ('''Super Solenoid''') '''Engine''' (S²機関, ''S² Kikan'') is an organ located within the [[core]] of an [[Angels|Angel]]<ref>While never stated directly, the location of the S² Engine is strongly intimated in [[Episode 05]] during Shamshel's autopsy, and careful observation shows that Eva-01 is targeting Zeruel's core while "taking the S² Engine into itself".</ref> which grants it a limitless source of energy. [[Evangelions]] are not born with S² Engines<ref>No reason is provided, although  numerous speculations exist.</ref>, and are thus (normally) dependent upon energy supplied via [[Evangelion Power Sources|power cable]] or [[Evangelion Power Sources|internal battery]].  
An '''S²''' ('''Super Solenoid''') '''Engine''' (S²機関, ''S² Kikan'') is an organ located within the [[core]] of an [[Angels|Angel]]<ref>While never stated directly, the location of the S² Engine is strongly intimated in [[Episode 05]] during Shamshel's autopsy, and careful observation shows that Eva-01 is targeting Zeruel's core while "taking the S² Engine into itself".</ref> which grants it a limitless source of energy. [[Evangelions]] are not born with S² Engines<ref>No reason is provided, although  numerous speculations exist.</ref>, and are thus (normally) dependent upon energy supplied via [[Evangelion Power Sources|power cable]] or [[Evangelion Power Sources|internal battery]].  


A mostly-intact S² Engine is obtained from the corpse of [[Shamshel]] and sent to [[Germany]] for further study by the [[Nerv#Third Branch|Third Branch's]] Energy Analysis Unit<ref>''Neon Genesis Evangelion''. [[Episode 05]].</ref>. After the S² Engine is restored, [[Nerv#Second Branch|Nerv's Second Branch]] in Nevada undertakes an experiment to install it into [[Evangelion Unit-04|Eva-04]], which results in the disappearance of the Eva, related facilities, and everything else within an 89 kilometer radius, swallowed by a [[Dirac Sea|Sea of Dirac]]<ref>''Neon Genesis Evangelion''. [[Episode 17]].</ref>, which implies a connection between the Super Solenoid and the Dirac Sea.
A mostly-intact S² Engine is obtained from the corpse of [[Shamshel]] and sent to [[Germany]] for further study by the [[Nerv#Third Branch|Third Branch's]] Energy Analysis Unit.<ref>''Neon Genesis Evangelion''. [[Episode 05]].</ref> After the S² Engine is restored, [[Nerv#Second Branch|Nerv's Second Branch]] in Nevada undertakes an experiment to install it into [[Evangelion Unit-04|Eva-04]], which results in the disappearance of the Eva, related facilities, and everything else within an 89 kilometer radius, swallowed by a [[Dirac Sea|Sea of Dirac]]<ref>''Neon Genesis Evangelion''. [[Episode 17]].</ref>, which implies a connection between the Super Solenoid and the Dirac Sea.


Despite the loss of the restored organ, the research data is preserved in Germany. The project continues, ultimately producing nine [[Mass Production Evangelions]] outfitted with S² Engines<ref>''[[End of Evangelion]]''. [[Episode 25']].</ref>.
Despite the loss of the restored organ, the research data is preserved in Germany. The project continues, ultimately producing nine [[Mass Production Evangelions]] outfitted with S² Engines.<ref>''[[The End of Evangelion]]''. [[Episode 25']].</ref>


A [[berserk]] [[Evangelion Unit-01|Eva-01]] is eventually able to obtain an S² Engine from the Angel [[Zeruel]] by physically devouring the organ and assimilating it as its own. According to [[Seele]], this acquisition makes Eva-01 an "absolute being" and the living embodiment of a [[god]].<ref>''Neon Genesis Evangelion''. [[Episode 20]].</ref> The S² Engine is said to be the only thing (aside from, presumably, a [[soul]]) required to "complete" an Eva and bring it to a level of existence equal to [[Adam]]'s<ref name=ci>''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion 2]]''. [[Classified Information (Translation)|Classified Information]]. S² Engine.</ref>.
A [[berserk]] [[Evangelion Unit-01|Eva-01]] is eventually able to obtain an S² Engine from the Angel [[Zeruel]] by physically devouring the organ and assimilating it as its own.<ref name=e19>''Neon Genesis Evangelion''. [[Episode 19]].</ref>  According to [[Seele]], this acquisition makes Eva-01 an "absolute being" and the living embodiment of a [[god]].<ref>''Neon Genesis Evangelion''. [[Episode 21]].</ref> The S² Engine is said to be the only thing (aside from, presumably, a [[soul]]) required to "complete" an Eva and bring it to a level of existence equal to [[Adam]]'s.<ref name=ci>''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion 2]]''. [[Classified Information (Translation)#S² Engine|Classified Information. S² Engine.]]</ref>


An intact S² Engine is never seen in the show, although it is known to be double-helical in structure, much like DNA.<ref name=ci/> (Regular solenoids are shaped like spirals.)  
An intact S² Engine is never seen in the show, although it is known to be double-helical in structure, much like DNA.<ref name=ci/> (Regular solenoids are shaped like spirals.)  
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==Name==
==Name==


The name comes from [[Dr. Katsuragi]]'s "Super Solenoid Theory", which he published in 1999.<ref name=chronicle>''[[Evangelion Chronicle]]''.</ref> He had intended to create an actual device ("S² Engine") based on the principles established with his theory and verified with Adam's power source, but this never came to be.<ref name=ci/><ref name=chronicle/>
The name comes from [[Dr. Katsuragi]]'s '''Super Solenoid Theory'''.<ref>''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''. [[Episode 21]]'.</ref> He had intended to create an actual device ("S² Engine") based on the principles established with his theory and verified with Adam's power source, but this never came to be.<ref name=ci/><ref name=chronicle>''[[Evangelion Chronicle]]''.</ref>


Why the name "engine" was applied to what is unarguably a flesh and blood organ (as seen in [[Episode 19]]) is never stated. It appears consistent with the show's tendency to disguise the inherently biological with terms of mechanical connotation. Incidentally, written with different kanji, 器官, "''kikan''" does mean "organ", providing a bit of wordplay that doesn't translate into English.  
Why the name "engine" was applied to what is unarguably a flesh and blood organ<ref name=e19/> is never stated. It appears consistent with the show's tendency to disguise the inherently biological with terms of mechanical connotation. Incidentally, written with different kanji, 器官, "''kikan''" does mean "organ", providing a bit of wordplay that doesn't translate into English.  


==Fruit of Life==
==Fruit of Life==


"[[Fruit of Life]]" is considered an alternate term for "S² Engine"<ref name=ci/>, and exists in contrast with [[Fruit of Knowledge]]. In [[Episode 26']], [[Kozo Fuyutsuki|Fuyutsuki]] says that Eva-01 had attained power equal to that of a god's upon acquiring both the Fruit of Life and the Fruit of Knowledge<ref>''[[End of Evangelion]]. [[Episode 26']].</ref>. The Fruit of Life is a reference to [[Tree of Life]] of ''Genesis'', the fruit of which was said to bestow immortal life.  
"[[Fruit of Life]]" is considered an alternate term for "S² Engine"<ref name=ci/>, and exists in contrast with [[Fruit of Knowledge]]. According to [[Kozo Fuyutsuki|Fuyutsuki]], Eva-01 had attained power equal to that of a god's upon acquiring both Fruits.<ref>''[[End of Evangelion]]. [[Episode 26']].</ref> The Fruit of Life is a reference to [[Tree of Life]] of ''Genesis'', the fruit of which was said to bestow immortal life.  


==Notes & References==
==Notes & References==

Latest revision as of 16:10, 20 July 2015

Eva-01 devouring Zeruel's S² Engine.

An (Super Solenoid) Engine (S²機関, S² Kikan) is an organ located within the core of an Angel[1] which grants it a limitless source of energy. Evangelions are not born with S² Engines[2], and are thus (normally) dependent upon energy supplied via power cable or internal battery.

A mostly-intact S² Engine is obtained from the corpse of Shamshel and sent to Germany for further study by the Third Branch's Energy Analysis Unit.[3] After the S² Engine is restored, Nerv's Second Branch in Nevada undertakes an experiment to install it into Eva-04, which results in the disappearance of the Eva, related facilities, and everything else within an 89 kilometer radius, swallowed by a Sea of Dirac[4], which implies a connection between the Super Solenoid and the Dirac Sea.

Despite the loss of the restored organ, the research data is preserved in Germany. The project continues, ultimately producing nine Mass Production Evangelions outfitted with S² Engines.[5]

A berserk Eva-01 is eventually able to obtain an S² Engine from the Angel Zeruel by physically devouring the organ and assimilating it as its own.[6] According to Seele, this acquisition makes Eva-01 an "absolute being" and the living embodiment of a god.[7] The S² Engine is said to be the only thing (aside from, presumably, a soul) required to "complete" an Eva and bring it to a level of existence equal to Adam's.[8]

An intact S² Engine is never seen in the show, although it is known to be double-helical in structure, much like DNA.[8] (Regular solenoids are shaped like spirals.)

Name

The name comes from Dr. Katsuragi's Super Solenoid Theory.[9] He had intended to create an actual device ("S² Engine") based on the principles established with his theory and verified with Adam's power source, but this never came to be.[8][10]

Why the name "engine" was applied to what is unarguably a flesh and blood organ[6] is never stated. It appears consistent with the show's tendency to disguise the inherently biological with terms of mechanical connotation. Incidentally, written with different kanji, 器官, "kikan" does mean "organ", providing a bit of wordplay that doesn't translate into English.

Fruit of Life

"Fruit of Life" is considered an alternate term for "S² Engine"[8], and exists in contrast with Fruit of Knowledge. According to Fuyutsuki, Eva-01 had attained power equal to that of a god's upon acquiring both Fruits.[11] The Fruit of Life is a reference to Tree of Life of Genesis, the fruit of which was said to bestow immortal life.

Notes & References

  1. While never stated directly, the location of the S² Engine is strongly intimated in Episode 05 during Shamshel's autopsy, and careful observation shows that Eva-01 is targeting Zeruel's core while "taking the S² Engine into itself".
  2. No reason is provided, although numerous speculations exist.
  3. Neon Genesis Evangelion. Episode 05.
  4. Neon Genesis Evangelion. Episode 17.
  5. The End of Evangelion. Episode 25'.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Neon Genesis Evangelion. Episode 19.
  7. Neon Genesis Evangelion. Episode 21.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Neon Genesis Evangelion 2. Classified Information. S² Engine.
  9. Neon Genesis Evangelion. Episode 21'.
  10. Evangelion Chronicle.
  11. End of Evangelion. Episode 26'.


See Also: