Sahaquiel

Sahaquiel
サハクィエル
Number	Series: 10th Rebuild: 8th
Symbol	Sky
Appearance(s)	Episode 12
Defeated by	Eva-02, with assistance from Eva-00 and Eva-01
Design	Series: Hideaki Anno Rebuild: Yoshitoh Asari & Takeshi Honda

Sahaquiel (katakana: サハクィエル; Hebrew: סהקיאל) is the Tenth Angel, which attacks from orbit.

Profile

Sahaquiel is one of two Angels that appear in Earth orbit (the other being Arael). This Angel is truly enormous, even when compared to the other Angels: the radius of the "pupil" of its central eye alone is roughly equal to the height of an Evangelion. Sahaquiel's body is characterized by its vaguely amoeba-like shape, and the giant eye marking in its middle.

Sahaquiel is capable of using its body as a massive bomb, or of dropping pieces of itself from orbit, causing massive explosions on the ground as a reference to home in on its target. It has a very strong A.T. Field, strong enough and expansive enough to withstand over a dozen N² aerial bomb detonations almost without effect, and which can be put to offensive use as well. The A.T. Field works in conjunction with kinetic energy to enhance Sahaquiel's explosive power. In addition, the Angel can jam satellite communications and tracking systems.

Pre-Production

Sahaquiel vs. Eva-01, from the Proposal.

The Sahaquiel presented in the Proposal is radically different from the finalized design used in the anime, comprised of little more than two long cutting ribbons attached to a disembodied core. The former design element was probably recycled into Zeruel's arms.

The "explosive" nature of the final Sahaquiel may have been co-opted from the unused "Apostolo" Turel.

Battle

Eva-01 halting Sahaquiel's descent

After appearing in high earth orbit, the Angel is initially attacked by over a dozen N² mines, but to absolutely no effect. Two reconnaissance satellites are sent to scan it, but are crushed by the angel's offensive AT field deployment. Sahaquiel proceeds by detaching parts of itself and dropping them onto the earth. Each subsequent part lands closer to the Geofront's location as it refines it's aim Nerv believes its ultimate goal is to finally descend with its entire mass in order penetrate the Geofront and recover Adam.

Misato's plan to stop the Angel has a very slim chance of success, so all the civilian population of Tokyo-3 evacuates along with the Geofront's non-essential personnel. The three Evangelions are deployed at different points to cover as much as possible of the area in which Sahaquiel may land, with orders to "catch" the Angel with their A.T. Field before destroying it.

Eva-01 reaches the Angel first, almost halting the Angel with it's A.T. Field alone. Eva-00 and Eva-02 arrive shortly afterwards, opening a hole in the Angel's A.T. Field and penetrating it's core respectively, killing the Angel. Although all three Evangelions were at ground zero of the subsequent explosion, the pilots were unharmed.

Notes

• Sahaquiel is fittingly named for the Archangel of the Sky, considering its expansive size and its appearance in orbit. The name "Sahaquiel" means "Ingenuity of God," which is perfectly fitting considering the Angel's unique abilities: its offensive A.T. Field and its ability to jam communications.
• The "eyes" on Sahaquiel, as well as those on Matarael resemble the emblem of the Neo-Atlantean forces from Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (directed by Hideaki Anno).

References

Angels

Angels (general)

First and Second Angels (Seeds of Life): Adam | Lilith

Third to Seventeenth Angels (Adam's Children):

Sachiel | Shamshel | Ramiel | Gaghiel | Israfel | Sandalphon | Matarael | Sahaquiel

Ireul | Leliel | Bardiel | Zeruel | Arael | Armisael | Tabris

Eighteenth Angel: Lilin

Rebuild of Evangelion: ?Adams? | Lilith | 3rd Angel | 4th Angel | 5th Angel | 6th Angel | 7th Angel | 8th Angel | 9th Angel | 10th Angel | 11th Angel | 12th Angel | 1st/13th Angel

Other: Extracanonical Angels