View source for Evangelion Unit-00

<span style="font-size:200%"><code>'''NGE'''</code> <code>[[Evangelion Unit-00 (NTE)|NTE]]</code> <code>[[Evangelion Unit-00 (Anima)|Anima]]</code> <code>[[Evangelion Unit-00 (Other)|Other]]</code></span>
{{Evangelion Infobox
| name          = Evangelion Unit-00
| image         = [[Image:22 C259D zero.jpg|260px|Eva-00]]
| japanese      = 零号機
| model_type    = Prototype
| pilots        = [[Rei Ayanami]]
| soul          = [[Rei Ayanami|Rei 1]][[Eva-00's soul| (Go ''here'' for why.)]] 
| first_sortie  = [[Episode 06]]
}}


'''Eva-00''' was the first operational [[Evangelions|Evangelion]].  Being a prototype, it was not originally equipped for combat, but was later upgraded and brought into battle against the Angels.

==Profile==

As is the case for all the Evangelions, except [[Eva-01]], the method of Eva-00's creation is not known. It is known, however, that it was the first working prototype after many failures.  Whether the creation process was perfected with Eva-00, or  if something new was tried, would be pure conjecture. 

What ''is'' known is that the original design for the prototype Eva had been created a long time ago; Fuyutsuki sees a mockup of Eva-00 in 2003, with the same orange and white color combination and the same head design.  We also learn here that Eva-00 would have had a cluster of five cameras beneath its single eye lens.

Eva-00 is the most unstable of the Evangelions, going wildly berserk on two occasions:  once during its activation experiment with [[Rei]], and again during its interchangeability experiment with [[Shinji]]. Despite these incidents, Rei retains good control over the Eva once it is operational, using it successfully in quite sensitive tasks such as handling the [[Lance of Longinus]] on two occasions, and both fetching and firing the SDF's positron cannon.

==Physical Features==
{{MontageBox
|float   =right
|columns =2
|title   =Eva-00 Before/After Refitting
|colour  =
|image1  =[[Image:Unit-00 activation test.jpg|200px]]
|image2  =[[Image:Unit-00 unit-01 mountain.jpg|195px]]
|image3  =[[Image:Unit-00_interchangeability_test.jpg|200px]]
|image4  =[[Image:Unit-00 waiting.jpg|200px]]
|caption =''By column, from left to right, starting top left:''
{{Multi-column numbered list
|
|Original plating
<li>Refit Plating
|2
|<li>Original without pylons
<li>Refit, with pylons
}}

}}

[[Image:Proposal_15_nerv-layout.jpg|100px|thumb|left|Eva-00(left) in the [[Neon Genesis Evangelion Proposal|Proposal]]]].

The Eva's face has never been revealed on-screen, being covered by the helmet and faceplate at all times. Unique to Eva-00 is the large optical lens on its faceplate.  In addition, the faceplate lacks nostril holes or a proper jawline. Monitor readouts of the Evangelion's internal organs reveal that it actually has two eyes as well as nostrils and a jawline. The design of the helmet suggests that Eva-00's skull might be somewhat narrower than those of other Evangelions.

Eva-00 originally had orange armor and a different arrangement of plates than Eva-01 and the Production Model Evangelions, and when first seen did not have shoulder pylons attached. After sustaining severe damage from the Angel [[Ramiel]], Eva-00 was refitted with the same armor design as the Production Model Evangelions: shoulder pylons were added, the armor plating was altered, and the color scheme was changed from the original orange to blue. The repaired Eva-00 is also seen to possess retro-rockets in her shoulder pylons in [[Episode 11]], as well as a [[Progressive Knife]], seen in [[Episode 12]].

An early Eva-00 design seen in the Proposal has a head design identical to that used in the show. In addition, the blue color scheme is very similar to that used in the repaired Eva-00.

==Soul==

The identity of the soul contained in Eva-00 is never ''directly'' stated, but analysis of various clues and hints dropped through the series points to it being the soul of Rei 1, the first Rei Ayanami clone (or a part thereof).
:''For more in-depth analysis, see "[[Eva-00's soul]]".''

==Operational History==
Evangelion Unit-00 has seen less action than the Test Type Eva-01 and the Production Model [[Eva-02]], usually playing an auxiliary role. This Eva was occasionally used to transport critical equipment, such as when it carried parts for the [[positron rifle]] in Episode 05 and the [[Spear of Longinus]] at the end of [[Episode 14]].

Although Eva-00 was the first working Evangelion out of a very long line of failed prototypes, it was not the first Evangelion to engage in combat with an Angel.  That honor belongs to Eva-01. Eva-00 had gone berserk during an activation test 21 days before the Third Angel, [[Sachiel]], arrived. During the incident the entry plug was ejected, possibly by the Eva itself, causing serious injuries to the pilot, Rei Ayanami.

Following a successful activation test, Eva-00 played a critical support role in the battle against [[Ramiel]], using a heat shield from an SSTO spacecraft to shield Eva-01 from the Angel's deadly particle beam. During this battle, it suffered severe thermal damage, and as a result had to undergo extensive repairs, which included a complete replacement of the original orange armor with a new set of blue armor. Eva-00's new armor fit is identical to those used in the Production Model Evangelions, including pylons.

Eva-00 participated in the battle against the Ninth Angel, [[Matarael]], again as a backup player. It fought against the Tenth Angel, [[Sahaquiel]], stopping it from overwhelming Eva-01 and opening its AT Field for Eva-02 to strike the fatal blow. It lost its left arm in the battle against [[Bardiel]], and suffered critical skull damage in the battle against [[Zeruel]].

Eva-00 finally got to take center stage during the battle against the orbital Angel [[Arael]], throwing the original Spear of Longinus to defeat the Angel. It was lost in the battle with [[Armisael]], when it self-destructed to destroy the Angel.


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