Evangelion Unit-00
| Evangelion Unit-00 | |
| |
| {{{japanese}}} | |
| Model Type | Prototype |
|---|---|
| Pilot(s) | Rei Ayanami |
| Soul(s) | Probably Rei 1 |
| First Sortie | Episode 06 |
Creation
Eva-00 is the first Evangelion completed, and although originally intended as a prototype, due to budget constraints she was upgraded for combat-readiness and she was forced into battle against the Angels.
As is the case for all Evangelions except Eva-01, the method of construction for Eva-00 is not known. Being the last prototype (In effect, the first working prototype out of a very long line of failed Evas), Eva-00 might have been created as a perfection of the process used to create the failed prototypes, or by a wholly new process entirely, but this is purely conjectural.
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 (Albeit with a cluster of five cameras in the center instead of a single eye/camera as in the working Eva).
Purpose
Ostensibly, like all the Evangelions, Eva-00's stated purpose is to defend Tokyo-3 and the whole world from the Angel threat. Whether or not Eva-00, like the Test Type Eva-01 had any planned role in Third Impact is not known, and her loss makes it a moot point.
Armor Design
Eva Unit 00, the Prototype, originally had orange armor which was different from the Production Model version. While it still had five V-shaped armor plates, essentially the smallest top segment had been moved to below the largest chest segment. Instead of having two small recessed cavities near its shoulders, it had two large white bulging armor sections. The largest segment of chest armor was more compact and bulky as it was physically higher on Eva 00's chest. These altered top two segments do not extend directly to the shoulder, but instead to the white armor bulge which itself touched the shoulder. After Eva 00 was heavily damaged in its first battle, against the Angel Ramiel, it had to be heavily repaired and partially rebuilt, and it was outfitted with new blue armor which is identical to the armor used by the Production Model Evas in all aspects (save for the head).
Abilities
In addition to incredible size and strength, Eva-00, like all Evangelions, possesses the ability to generate an A.T. Field. Eva-00 does not possess an S² Engine, and relies on electrical power supplied via her Umbilical Cable, and internal batteries. Eva-00 is also seen to possess retro-rockets in her shoulder pylons in Episode 10. Eva-00's Progressive Knife is only seen once, briefly during Episode 12, and it appears to be identical to the one used by Eva Unit 01.
Soul
It was never directly stated what the identity of the soul contained in Eva-00 is, and this remains as one of the major mysteries of the series. Analysis of various clues and hints dropped through the series reveals that it was probably the soul of Rei 1, the first Rei Ayanami clone, though there are some outside theories that it was Naoko Akagi.
- For more in-depth analysis, see "The Soul in Evangelion Unit-00"
Operational History
Evangelion Unit-00, as the prototype, has seen less action than the Test Type Eva-01 and the Production Model Eva-02, and largely in an auxilliary role until the end. The Eva is occasionally used for transporting critical equipment- it carries 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 went berserk during an activation test not long before the Third Angel, Sachiel, arrived. During the incident, the entry plug was ejected (Possibly by the Eva itself), resulting in serious injuries to the pilot, Rei Ayanami.
Following a successful activation test, Eva-00 went into battle against the Angel Ramiel in a critical support role, using a heat shield from an SSTO spacecraft to shield Eva-01 from the Angel's deadly particle beam. The Eva suffered severe thermal damage and had to undergo extensive repairs including a complete replacement of the armor. Eva-00's new armor fit is identical to those used on Production Model Evangelions, including pylons.
Eva-00 saw combat again with the Ninth Angel, Matarael, although as a backup player. It again went into combat against the Tenth Angel, Sahaquiel, stopping it from overwhelming Eva-01 and opening its A.T. Field for Eva-02 to strike the fatal blow. The battle against the Angel Bardiel resulted in the loss of an arm and it lost its other arm and suffered critical skull damage during the battle against the Angel Zeruel.
The Eva finally got center stage during the battle against the orbital Angel Arael, throwing the original Spear of Longinus to destroy the Angel. It is lost in the battle with the Angel Armisael, during which it is self-destructed to destroy the Angel.
This article bears the unpleasant designation of "Stub." This is a Bad Thing. Provide a great service to NGE fan-geeks everywhere by making it awesomer!
| Evangelions |
| Evangelions (general) |
| Failed Evangelion Prototypes | Simulation Bodies |
| Eva-00 | Eva-01 | Eva-02 | Eva-03 | Eva-04 | Mass Production Evangelions (Evas 05~13) |
| Rebuild of Evangelion: Mark.04 | Eva-05 | Mark.06 | Eva-08 | Mark.09 | Eva-13 |
| Eva 8+2 | Mass Production Evangelions | Failures of Infinity |
| Other: Extracanonical Evas |
