Episode 03

Episode Information
Episode #03
Title 1: {{{japanese_title_k}}} {{{japanese_title_r}}} {{{japanese_title_e}}} Title 2: {{{english_title}}}
Written By	{{{written_by}}}
Directed By	{{{directed_by}}}
First Aired	10-18-1995
Video Release Date	{{{video_release}}}
Angel Appearances	Shamshel
Episode chronology
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Events Synopsis

Three weeks have passed since Ep. 1. Shinji tries to adjust to his new life in Tokyo-3, but has little enthusiasm for piloting, and his relations with Misato are still distant. As the episode opens he is lethargically going through the motions of training. The next morning he attempts to awaken Misato, while a chirpy female radio announcer talks about scuba diving and tells the audience that the Earth no longer has seasons, but instead has consistent weather year-round. Shinji then departs for school. Ritsuko then calls Misato to check on Shinji and is told that Shinji seems to have made no friends at school.

At school, we are introduced to Shinji's classmates Kensuke Aida, Toji Suzuhara, and Hikari Horaki, the class rep. We also meet their sensei, who seems to teach nothing but Second Impact. Rei is there too, her eye and arm still bandaged. Kensuke is a military nut who seems to be the only one enjoying the fact that Earth seems to suddenly be at war. Toji has only just returned to class for the first time since the battle, explaining that as his father and grandfather are at work all day he is the only one who can stay at the hospital with his sister, who was injured in the battle with Sachiel. When his identity as a pilot is discoved by his classmates, Toji, who blames Shinji for his sister's injuries, gives Shinji a beating in retalitation. Shinji's protestations that he was piloting involuntarily only make Toji angrier.

Rei then arrives to tell Shinji that there is an emergency call. Shamshel, the 4th Angel, is attacking Tokyo-3 and Shinji is mobilized in Unit-01 to defend the city. Kensuke convinces Toji to sneak out of their shelter to watch the battle from nearby. The battle goes poorly for Nerv, when Shinji loses his nerve to fight and is tossed into the air by Shamshel, almost killing Toji and Kensuke as he lands. This also severs Unit-01's Umbilical Cable, leaving her with just 5 minutes of reserve power.

Shinji then begins fighting a defensive battle, attempting to protect Toji and Kensuke rather than defeat the Angel. To protect them from the battle, Misato orders Toji and Kensuke to take refuge in the the Evangelion's entry plug. Inside, Toji sees Shinji's great anguish and pain as he fights the Angel, and is beset by remorse. Misato orders to Shinji to retreat, but he loses it and charges Shamshel with his Progressive Knife, defeating the Angel just as his power runs out. Days later, Kensuke gives Toji the number of Shinji's phone so he can apologize. Toji attempts to ring, but stops, and the episode ends.

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