Eva Pseudo-Evolution
Eva Pseudo-Evolution (エヴァ疑似シン化, Eva giji shinka) refers to the change into a god-like being that Evangelion Unit-01 undergoes during Near Third Impact in Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance. It also refers to the change that takes place in Evangelion Unit-13 during Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo.
Contents
1st Phase
As observed in Unit-01
The Initial Arousal Phase (第１覚醒形態, dai 1 kakusei keitai) involves the Eva's innate powers being unleashed. The eyes, mouth, and any luminescent armor sections glow red; the A.T. Field's defensive capacities increase and it also becomes a potent offensive weapon; the ability to project energy using the eyes develops; and a halo manifests. The pilot's plug depth approaches the "Great Beyond Depth", exceeding a value of 180, and he starts to transform into an energy being at risk of being unable to return to normal.
When Shinji Ikari resolves to save Rei Ayanami, whose soul is trapped inside the core of the 10th Angel, the Eva undergoes further changes in order to, ostensibly, satisfy this wish. The halo develops into a black hole-like vortex and energy wings start to manifest from the Eva's core. The pilot gains the ability to bridge from the entry plug to the Angel's core through the Eva's palms. According to Ritsuko Akagi, the Eva is "regaining its original form", "transforming itself into a divine entity close to God", and becoming an "energy condensate".[1]
Eventually, the Eva's major blood vessels become visible through the armor, and the heart begins to emit a radiant light.[2]
| Eva Pseudo-Evolution 1st Phase | |||
As observed in Unit-13
(Coming soon)
2nd Phase
As observed in Unit-01
2nd Phase (The Radiant Giant) -- 第２形態（通称 光の巨人）, dai 2 keitai (tsuujou hikari no kyojin) -- fully manifests itself after a giant Rei (created by the 10th Angel's remains fusing with Eva-00's core[3]) merges into Eva-01. Immediately, a glowing, cross-shaped incision forms over the Geofront, with the vortex expanding overhead and pulling the ground toward it. Eva-01 is now a glowing giant with three red eyes, a dark "Angel" face, two cores, and giant Adams-like wings extending up toward the vortex: "energy condensed in the form of light, becoming a form of life no longer human". [4] Dark chakras go down the torso and limbs, and light pours from between the two cores.
| Eva Pseudo-Evolution 2nd Phase | |||
As observed in Unit-13
(Coming Soon)
Analysis
The pseudo-evolved Eva-01 bears a strong resemblance to the Adams, which are similarly winged, red-eyed "radiant giants" -- one of whom possesses a third eye, as well. Ritsuko says that Eva-01 is "regaining its original form", which falls in line with "pseudo-evolution"; that is, Eva-01 is not moving forward, but going backwards. Third Impact is also said to be a continuation of the Second, and Misato directly compares Eva-01's wings to the ones she saw fifteen years before. One potential implication is that Eva-01 is one of the Adams.
It is unclear precisely why Eva-01 becomes an agent of the world's destruction in response to Shinji's wish, although earlier in the film Rei said that "Eva is a mirror that reflects your heart." Further elaboration may also be found in Gendo's statement as he and Fuyutsuki look upon the devastated South Pole, "there are also those who desired this disastrous outcome. A world untainted by original sin that no man may enter." (Emphasis added.) What might be gleaned from this is that Third Impact did not simply initiate by chance; the desire for it existed in Shinji's heart, and Eva-01 set it in motion, similar to how Second Impact is said to be a result of human desire. However, 3.0's confirmation that Yui is indeed the soul within EVA-01 in the Rebuild continuity has cast this assumption into doubt.
The music piece that plays during Eva-01's awakening is entitled "Sin From Genesis"[5], inviting comparison with Gendo's words about the South Pole being "a world untainted by original sin".
Eva-01's color change from purple and green to purple and red may be an allusion to the Whore of Babylon from the Biblical Book of Revelation, who "was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour".[Source needed]
Notes & References
- Official terms from Evangelion 2.0 Complete Records Collection. English translation provided in the book for 2nd phase only.
- ↑ Evangelion 2.22 subtitles. Translations by squall.leonhart, et al.
- ↑ The heart itself is difficult to see outside of production drawings, but comparing them to the final, one can see that the heart is the source of light.
- ↑ Evangelion 2.22 script. Cut 1825.
- ↑ Eva 2.22 script. Cut 1847:
- 光の形状に凝縮したエネルギー
- ヒトではない生命の形に変化していく初号機 ＰＡＮ
- 光の形状に凝縮したエネルギー
- ↑ OST
