Berserk

Berserk (暴走, bousou -- literally "out of control") is a state in which an Evangelion has gone beyond Nerv's ability to control it.

During these incidents, the Eva's resident soul appears to bypass restraint mechanisms and wield her own body, although it's arguable how much "conscious control" she has over the Eva's actions. (The discrepancy between the behavior of Yui Ikari, before she "died", and her Evangelion incarnation is often cited to this effect.) In most cases, a berserk Evangelion can, inexplicably, continue to function even after her internal batteries have been drained, i.e., remain operational beyond the established time limit.

Eva-00 has two incidents (in Episode 05 and Episode 14), both occuring when a pilot attempts to synchronize with her for the first time. During her activation test with Rei Ayanami, the entry plug is auto-ejected (apparently by the Eva herself) and Eva-00 continues to move until her power runs out, undeterred. The second incident, involving Shinji Ikari, is extremely similar, except the Eva rejects the auto-eject signal. This prompts a cryptic comment from Ritsuko, "Is it going to try to absorb Shinji?"

Eva-01 is the most notorious "berserker": when fighting Sachiel, Leliel (with absolutely no internal power), Bardiel, and Zeruel (with no internal power).

Eva-02 briefly goes berserk in Episode 25' and moves without any power supply, after her body is ravaged by the Mass Production Evangelions. This instance is unusual, in that Asuka is shown piloting, rather than control being clearly deferred to the resident soul (Kyoko), the only one who should (according to the precedent established with Eva-01) be able to access that type of "advanced" Evangelion ability.

Notes

• Bousou literally means "out of control". "Berserk(er)", however, is the official English rendition, as indicated by the document Shiro Tokita displays in Episode 07.

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