Evangelion Units and Pilots
Evangelion Units are huge, humanoid biological weapons that were created to defeat Angels. Since they are completely covered in armor plates, they are often mistaken for robots, but when this armor breaks off or cut through, organic tissue and blood can be clearly seen. Most Evangelion Units are derived from the body of the First Angel Adam and, as such, share a number of characteristics with other Angels. Unlike Angels, however, Evangelion Units usually require a pilot to function.
Creation
All Evangelion Units are living creatures that have a number of electronic and mechanical modifications done to them to essentially keeps them from going berserk and allows their pilot to control them. As clones, Evangelion Units are born without a “soul”, so one must be given to it to make it function properly. While not every person who donated a soul to an Evangelion Unit is known, there are two that have been confirmed: Yui Ikari’s soul is in Evangelion Unit 01 and Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu’s soul is in Evangelion Unit 02. This trend suggests that the soul of Toji’s mother is within Evangelion Unit 03, but this is not explicitly confirmed.
Evangelion Units and Angels
Cores
Evangelion Units have a solid, red core, just like an Angel’s. While an Angel’s core can be in a variety of different locations, and Evangelion’s core is generally located in its chest. They appear to be the same shade of red, but there are some distinct differences between the two. All Angel cores have what is referred to as an S2 engine. While called an “engine”, an S2 engine is an organ that acts as a near-infinite source of energy for an Angel. According to the Confidential Files in the PS2 game Neon Genesis Evangelion 2, the S2 engine is another term to describe the “Fruit of Life” carried by Adam.
A.T. Field
A.T. fields are said to be generated by all living beings, but Angel’s are capable of producing fields strong enough to block nearly any type of projectile and physical attack. Because of this incredible defense, Evangelion Units have to create a similarly powerful A.T. field to counteract the Angel’s and make it susceptible to attacks. While they are generally used for defense, some Angels are seen using them to levitate, such as Sachiel and Tabris. In rare cases, A.T. fields are used offensively, as seen with the Angel Sahaquiel.
Individual Units and Their Pilots
Evangelion Unit 00
Evangelion Unit 00 is a prototype model Evangelion Unit that is piloted by Rei Ayanami. This Evangelion Unit was not originally intended for combat, but was later upgraded to help fight Angels. It was originally colored orange but was changed to blue after it was heavily damaged in the fight with Ramiel. The person who gave their soul to this unit is unknown.
Evangelion Unit 01
Evangelion Unit 01 is a test model Evangelion that is piloted by Shinji Ikari. Unlike the other Evangelion Units, Evangelion Unit 01 is said to be created from Lilith, rather than Adam. It received its soul from Shinji’s mother, Yui Ikari. The design for Evangelion Unit 01 uses purple and green as its main colors. It is the only Evangelion in the original series (excluding the Mass Production Eva units) to obtain an S2 engine, which it does by consuming Zeruel’s core.
Evangelion Unit 02
Evangelion Unit 02 is the first production model of Evangelion and is piloted by Asuka Langley Soryu (and later Kaworu Nagisa). It received its soul from Asuka’s mother, Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu, and is designed with a bright red color. As the first “production” model, Evangelion Unit 02 can use specialized equipment that the other units can’t, like the D-Type suit used to retrieve the embryonic Sandalphon. Evangelion Unit 02 also uses equipment that is unavailable to the other units, like needles that can be fired out of its shoulder.
Evangelion Unit 03
Evangelion Unit 03 is the second production model of Evangelion that was supposed to be piloted by Toji Suzuhaha. Before this unit could be properly tested, Bardiel took control of it and it was reclassified as the Thirteenth Angel. As such, many of its unique capabilities were left unshown. Its design uses a dark purple color with a white accent. While not stated outright, it is believed that Toji’s mother was the donor soul for this unit.
Evangelion Unit 04
Evangelion Unit 04 is the third production model of Evangelion that attempted to use an experimental S2 engine in it to eliminate the need for batteries or external power. The experiment failed, however, and the unit was destroyed in an explosion that also took a US branch of NERV along with it. A pilot was not assigned to this unit and it is unknown who the donor soul belongs to.
Mass Production Evangelion Units
Mass Production Eva Units is a term that refers to nine units (Eva-05 to Eva-13) used in The End of Evangelion. These units are equipped with S2 engines and Dummy Plugs, eliminating the need for a pilot.
Other Eva Units
Evangelion Unit 05 (from 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance)): A green unit with two arms and four legs that is piloted by Mari Illustrious Makinami. It is sacrificed to destroy the movie’s version of the Third Angel.
Evangelion Unit 08 (from 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo): A pink unit with numerous eyes that is often used by Mari to support Asuka from a distance.
Evangelion Unit 13 (from 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo): A unique dual-pilot unit that seems to be strongly based on Evangelion Unit 01’s appearance. It is piloted by both Shinji and Kaworu to retrieve the two Spears of Longinus at the bottom of the NERV ruins.
Eva-08+02 (from the preview of 3.0+1.0 at the end of 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo and assumed to be in 3.0+1.0): A unit that seems like a half-and-half combination of Evangelion Unit 08 and Evangelion Unit 02, at least in design.