Evangelion Unit-01: Difference between revisions

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<span style="font-size:200%"><code>'''NGE'''</code> <code>[[Evangelion Unit-01 (NTE)|NTE]]</code> <code>[[Evangelion Unit-01 (Anima)|Anima]]</code> <code>[[Evangelion Unit-01 (Other)|Other]]</code></span>
{{Evangelion Infobox
{{Evangelion Infobox
| name          = Evangelion Unit-01
| name          = Evangelion Unit-01
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==Profile==
==Profile==


Eva-01 was produced by the Hakone branch of [[Gehirn]] as the Evangelion Test Type model. Unlike the other Evas, its body was generated directly from the body of [[Lilith]], and is consequently referred to as Lilith's "offspring" or "clone."<ref> ''Ririsu no bunshin'' (リリスの分身) is the original Japanese phrase used to describe Eva's relationship with Lilith.</ref> On a physical level, Eva-01 has the same characteristics as an [[Adam]]-based (i.e., any other) Evangelion, so the exact nature of its relationship to Lilith remains a subject of debate.<ref>For more, see: ''[[Theory and Analysis: Eva-01 and Lilith]]''</ref> Eva-01 received its soul as a result of the [[Contact Experiment]] with Yui Ikari in 2004, but was not "finished" until 2014.<ref>It is unknown whether this is because it had not been successfully activated prior to Shinji's arrival, or if its physical body was incomplete until this time.</ref>
Eva-01 was produced by the Hakone branch of [[Gehirn]] as the Evangelion Test Type model. Unlike the other Evas, its body was generated directly from the body of [[Lilith]], and is consequently referred to as Lilith's "offspring" or "clone."<ref> ''Ririsu no bunshin'' (リリスの分身) is the original Japanese phrase used to describe Eva's relationship with Lilith.</ref> On a physical level, Eva-01 has the same characteristics as an [[Adam]]-based (i.e., any other) Evangelion, so the exact nature of its relationship to Lilith remains a subject of debate.<ref>For more, see: ''[[Theory and Analysis: Eva-01 and Lilith]]''</ref> Eva-01 received its soul as a result of the [[Contact Experiment]] with Yui Ikari in 2004, but was not "finished" until 2014.<ref>It is unknown whether this is because it had not been successfully activated prior to Shinji's arrival, or if its physical body was incomplete until this time.</ref> In [[Episode 01]] Ritsuko tells Misato that the odds of Eva Unit 01 activating are "0.000000009%. "O9 System" seems like a fitting thing to call it". This is a pun in Japanese, so the English dub inserted an extra line clarifying this, with Ritsuko explaining that "O-Nine" is a pun on "Oni", the Japanese word for "demon". Eva-01 is also designed with a traditional "Oni" as an inspiration.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070613125248/http://www.aoianime.hu/evangelion/index.php?page=interanno Interview with Hideaki Anno, Aerial Magazine]</ref><ref>[https://www.evamonkey.com/writings/yamashita-ikuto-the-design-concept-is-enormous-power-restained.php Ikuto Yamashita, ''The design concept is "Enormous Power Restained"'']</ref>


As with the rest of the Eva Series, it was ostensibly created as a weapon to be used against the Angels, and was the first Evangelion to face actual combat (against the Third Angel [[Sachiel]]). Eva-01 is infamous for going [[berserk]] and moving without any power supply (prior to the acquisition of the [[S² Engine]] from the Angel [[Zeruel]]). While Eva-00 has gone out of control before and Eva-02 goes berserk immediately before being destroyed, Eva-01 is the only Eva that has gone berserk in direct combat, to deadly effect.
As with the rest of the Eva Series, it was ostensibly created as a weapon to be used against the Angels, and was the first Evangelion to face actual combat (against the Third Angel [[Sachiel]]). Eva-01 is infamous for going [[berserk]] and moving without any power supply (prior to the acquisition of the [[S² Engine]] from the Angel [[Zeruel]]). While Eva-00 has gone out of control before and Eva-02 goes berserk immediately before being destroyed, Eva-01 is the only Eva that has gone berserk in direct combat, to deadly effect.


Eva-01 is treated by the higher-ups at Nerv HQ, namely [[Gendo Ikari]], with a suspicious favoritism. Once all of the Angels are destroyed, Eva-01 becomes the key to both Gendo and [[Seele]]'s scenarios for [[Third Impact]], in which the former intends to use it as an "ark to save humanity from the nothingness of Third Impact," and the latter as a "medium" to Lilith, who has been rendered unusable by the loss of the original [[Spear of Longinus]]. The implication is that, by its unique creation, Eva-01 was intended as a "backup" for Lilith all along.
Eva-01 is treated by the higher-ups at Nerv HQ, namely [[Gendo Ikari]], with suspicious favoritism. Once all of the Angels are destroyed, Eva-01 becomes the key to both Gendo and [[Seele]]'s scenarios for [[Third Impact]], in which the former intends to use it as an "ark to save humanity from the nothingness of Third Impact," and the latter as a "medium" to Lilith, who has been rendered unusable by the loss of the original [[Spear of Longinus]]. The implication is that, by its unique creation, Eva-01 was intended as a "backup" for Lilith all along.


==Physical Features==
==Physical Features==
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==Soul==
==Soul==


Eva-01's soul is that of [[Yui Ikari]]. For this reason her son, [[Shinji Ikari]], was chosen as Eva-01's pilot. Yui's exact motivations for becoming the resident soul of Eva-01 are not completely understood, but it is known that she was against [[Seele]]'s interests, and may have been in danger of being eliminated by them. Being inside the Evangelion allowed her to influence events far more than she ever could have as a normal person. Another possibility is that Yui may have foreseen the importance of Eva-01's role to combat the Angels, and chose to become the resident soul of the Eva in order to protect Shinji.
''See also: [[Theory and Analysis:Yui's Agenda]]''


==In Rebuild of Evangelion==
Eva-01's soul is that of [[Yui Ikari]]. For this reason, her son, [[Shinji Ikari]], was chosen as Eva-01's pilot. Yui's exact motivations for becoming the resident soul of Eva-01 are not completely understood, but it is known that she was against [[Seele]]'s interests, and may have been in danger of being eliminated by them. Being inside the Evangelion allowed her to influence events far more than she ever could have as a normal person. Another possibility is that Yui may have foreseen the importance of Eva-01's role to combat the Angels, and chose to become the resident soul of the Eva in order to protect Shinji.
{{Rebuildcontentstart}}
{{expand}}
Of course, Eva-01 again plays the central role as the Eva piloted by protagonist Shinji Ikari. In [[Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone]], which covers up through [[Episode 06]] of [[Neon Genesis Evangelion]], Eva-01's role is nearly identical that of the the original. The scene in which the Eva shields Shinji from the falling lights is absent, and we are not shown its exposed face this time. However, we learn of Yui's presence in the Eva much earlier, and Eva-01's face is briefly revealed in an easily-missed shot while it is being outfitted with the [[Evangelion equipment|G-Type Sniping Equipment]].  


Eva-01's return in [[Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance]] advances its role even further, and raises new questions about its nature. As in the original, Eva-01 takes part in the [[Sahaquiel]] operation and attacks Eva-03, but this time it displays a considerably greater strength and ferocity under the control of the Dummy System. In the battle against Zeruel, it demonstrates totally new abilities as it appears to shift into an almost godlike state above and beyond the usual "berserk" mode: manifesting a halo, regenerating limbs, manipulating its AT field, and shooting powerful beams from its eyes. Eva-01 destroys Zeruel with its eye beams, and as it absorbs the Angel's core it begins to metamorphose, but is stopped by [[Eva-06]]. For more information, see [[Eva Pseudo-Evolution]].
Eva-01 is barely seen in [[Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo]], except for one shot in a monitor on the interrogation room in the [[AAA Wunder]], serving as the vessel's power source. Shinji has been recovered from the Eva's entry plug and reconstituted, but Yui and Rei remain absorbed. The Eva does not play any active role and remains inside the Wunder at the end of the movie.
As with the other Evas, Eva-01's design has been modified for [[Rebuild of Evangelion]]. Its proportions are more humanlike and less exaggerated, and the pylons are greatly reduced in size. The color scheme has been altered, using a concept created by [[Ikuto Yamashita]] (see below) that had been considered for the original series, with luminous green added to the helmet, chest, and waist, along with a blue "pelvic boot" and modified shoulder decals. Judging from the scene during the Shamshel battle where Eva-01's hand coverings are burnt off, its skin is now a significantly lighter tone.
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|title  = Evangelion Unit-01 in Rebuild
|colour  =
|image1  = [[Image:Yamashita_eva01_prelim.jpg|thumb|60px|Yamashita's old color concept]]
|image2  = [[Image:Rebuild_eva01_design.png|thumb|200px|3D CG Model]]
|image3  = [[Image:Eva1-0 trailer1 C46.jpg|thumb|200px|Eva-01 emerges from Sachiel's suicide explosion]]
|image4  = [[Image:Eva1-01 C0809 01-hand.jpg|thumb|200px|Eva-01's exposed hand]]
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{{Rebuildcontentend}}


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Evangelions]]
[[Category:Evangelions]]
[[Category:Rebuild of Evangelion]]

Latest revision as of 02:28, 24 September 2021

NGE NTE Anima Other

Evangelion Unit-01
Eva-01
エヴァンゲリオン初号機
Model Type Test Type
Pilot(s) Shinji Ikari
Soul(s) Yui Ikari
First Sortie Episode 01


Evangelion Unit-01[1] (エヴァンゲリオン初号機, Evangerion Shogouki, or Eva-01 for short) is the flagship mecha of the Evangelion saga. Eva-01 is piloted by the series' protagonist Shinji Ikari and inhabited by the soul of his mother, Yui Ikari.

Profile

Eva-01 was produced by the Hakone branch of Gehirn as the Evangelion Test Type model. Unlike the other Evas, its body was generated directly from the body of Lilith, and is consequently referred to as Lilith's "offspring" or "clone."[2] On a physical level, Eva-01 has the same characteristics as an Adam-based (i.e., any other) Evangelion, so the exact nature of its relationship to Lilith remains a subject of debate.[3] Eva-01 received its soul as a result of the Contact Experiment with Yui Ikari in 2004, but was not "finished" until 2014.[4] In Episode 01 Ritsuko tells Misato that the odds of Eva Unit 01 activating are "0.000000009%. "O9 System" seems like a fitting thing to call it". This is a pun in Japanese, so the English dub inserted an extra line clarifying this, with Ritsuko explaining that "O-Nine" is a pun on "Oni", the Japanese word for "demon". Eva-01 is also designed with a traditional "Oni" as an inspiration.[5][6]

As with the rest of the Eva Series, it was ostensibly created as a weapon to be used against the Angels, and was the first Evangelion to face actual combat (against the Third Angel Sachiel). Eva-01 is infamous for going berserk and moving without any power supply (prior to the acquisition of the S² Engine from the Angel Zeruel). While Eva-00 has gone out of control before and Eva-02 goes berserk immediately before being destroyed, Eva-01 is the only Eva that has gone berserk in direct combat, to deadly effect.

Eva-01 is treated by the higher-ups at Nerv HQ, namely Gendo Ikari, with suspicious favoritism. Once all of the Angels are destroyed, Eva-01 becomes the key to both Gendo and Seele's scenarios for Third Impact, in which the former intends to use it as an "ark to save humanity from the nothingness of Third Impact," and the latter as a "medium" to Lilith, who has been rendered unusable by the loss of the original Spear of Longinus. The implication is that, by its unique creation, Eva-01 was intended as a "backup" for Lilith all along.

Physical Features

Eva-01 has a distinctive chest plate that resembles pectoral muscles, as opposed to the V-shaped chest plate seen on other Evangelions, and its pylons have a unique configuration as well. The reason for the differences in design has never been explained. The Eva's distinctive helmet visually evokes the horn and frill of a ceratopsian dinosaur.

Biologically, Eva-01 possesses two completely green eyes, with four nostrils situated between them. Its skin is dark brown (although much lighter on the arm regenerated from Zeruel's). Its forehead possesses an "Angel face" marking, from which concentric patches of gradually darkening color emanate. Its neck is depicted with rows of curious slits evocative of gills.

At the end of End of Evangelion, Eva-01 is seen to have hair, though Evas don't seem to have any to start with.

Chrome Eva-01 in the Proposal

Operational History

Eva-01's operational history is the longest of any Evangelion. It is the first Eva to see combat, deployed when the Third Angel, Sachiel, attacks. It exhibits the infamous tendency to go berserk from the very beginning, first when it moves its arm to shield its pilot, Shinji Ikari, from falling ceiling lights, and again in battle with Sachiel, attacking the Angel until it dies. It sustains moderate damage during Sachiel's suicide explosion.

Eva-01 suffers damage again at the hands of the Fourth Angel, Shamshel, which it defeats, and it takes down the Angel Ramiel with a shot from a positron rifle while being shielded by Evangelion Unit-00. The Eva takes part in stopping the out of control robot Jet Alone and in the defeat of Matarael and Sahaquiel.

In the same vein, Eva-01 brutally puts the Angels Leliel, Bardiel, and Zeruel to death. Then, after being sucked into Leliel for over sixteen hours, the resident soul of the Eva, Yui, makes contact with the pilot and the Eva goes berserk, moving without a power source and ripping open the Angel from the inside. Under the control of the Dummy Plug, Eva-01 rips apart the Angel Bardiel-infected Eva-03, and goes berserk again in the battle against Zeruel, killing it and eating the Angel's S² organ. Eva-01 remains grounded during the battle against Arael and sorties against Armisael to rescue Eva-00, but to no avail.

In End of Evangelion, Eva-01 sets off a cruciform explosion and is completely under the control of its resident soul from that point forward. It plays a critical role in Third Impact and Instrumentality, eventually floating off into space as a memorial for all mankind.

Soul

See also: Theory and Analysis:Yui's Agenda

Eva-01's soul is that of Yui Ikari. For this reason, her son, Shinji Ikari, was chosen as Eva-01's pilot. Yui's exact motivations for becoming the resident soul of Eva-01 are not completely understood, but it is known that she was against Seele's interests, and may have been in danger of being eliminated by them. Being inside the Evangelion allowed her to influence events far more than she ever could have as a normal person. Another possibility is that Yui may have foreseen the importance of Eva-01's role to combat the Angels, and chose to become the resident soul of the Eva in order to protect Shinji.


References

  1. Evangelion is from Greek, roughly tranlating to "Good News". Although this doesn't make sense with regards to the Evangelion Units, it is of thematic importance.
  2. Ririsu no bunshin (リリスの分身) is the original Japanese phrase used to describe Eva's relationship with Lilith.
  3. For more, see: Theory and Analysis: Eva-01 and Lilith
  4. It is unknown whether this is because it had not been successfully activated prior to Shinji's arrival, or if its physical body was incomplete until this time.
  5. Interview with Hideaki Anno, Aerial Magazine
  6. Ikuto Yamashita, The design concept is "Enormous Power Restained"

See Also

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