WARNING: Disclosure for the original Evangelion anime as an animated mecha series, MissionaryThe EVAs are a central part of the series and their uniqueness means that they also play an important role in the plot. Each EVA is quite unique, with its own problems and features, to the point where they can essentially only be controlled by a specific person. Below is a list of EVA units in their range, functions, and how they are manufactured.
Evangelion (EVA) is a biomechanical robot, not a robot – essentially a giant in controllable armor. This happened several times when the armor was damaged, exposing the human hand with the nails underneath. Therefore, each EVA has a human soul inside and the EVAs are designed after the first angel Adam, which means they are connected to the angel they must fight. The armor that covered the EVA was not only for defense, but it was also an EVA restraint to keep them in check and prevent the public from discovering that they were more than just robots. Unlike most mechs, Evangelion’s EVA can only run independently of batteries for short periods of time and often fights when connected to an external power source via the umbilical cable on the back.
unit 00
Unit 00, also known as the Prototype Unit, is an orange (original) EVA piloted by Rei Ayanami. As a prototype, this is clearly the first Evangelion ready to go and therefore has some very different features from the other versions. It cannot use certain equipment, such as the Magma Diver suit seen in the episode of the same name, making it less useful than other units overall. Unit 00’s signature weapon is the sniper rifle, it’s simply an EVA-sized sniper rifle that can attack from great distances.
When confronted with Fifth Angel Ramir, Unit 00 was severely wounded and brought in for upgrades and repairs. When 00 returns, its armor is now blue and comes with new abilities like rockets. The identity of the soul in Unit 00 has never been made clear, but many fans believe it to be an original copy of Rei Ayanami.
Unit 01
Unit 01, sometimes called unit testing, was developed by Evangelion’s The main character, Ikari Shinji. Unit 01 is called the “experimental” type because it is created differently than Unit 00, using the second angel, Lilith, as the base, instead of the first angel, Adam. Unit 01 seems to be the strongest of the EVA units, but also the hardest to control. Unit EVA 01 went on a rampage several times, escaping and viciously attacking the enemy with its teeth and claws. At one point, Unit 01 even swallowed the Fourteenth Angel Zerul, resulting in a significant power boost. Unit 01 also uses the most equipment MissionarySome prominent examples are the Progressive Knife and the Pallet Rifle, an assault weapon-style gun replicated for use by EVA that cuts through high-energy vibrations. The soul of Unit 01 is said to be the spirit of Shinji’s mother, Yui Ikari; Rei can partially control Unit 01 because she is a clone based on Yui.
Unit 02
Unit 02, EVA’s production model, is a red and orange EVA piloted by Asuka Langley Soryu. Like Unit 00 (and all EVAs except Unit 01), Unit 02 is based on Adam. The Unit 02 was specifically designed to solve the problems its predecessor had, so overall it’s a more reliable EVA of the two, although its pilot is less reliable. Unit 02 has access to a wide variety of gear, including the Magma Diver suit, and many of its weapons are upgraded versions of those used by Units 00 and Unit 01, such as the Progressive Knife. As the series progresses, Unit 02 is used less and less due to Asuka’s ability to synchronize with it diminish, so it doesn’t have much of an impact in later confrontations. The end of evangelismThe sequel to the original series, Unit 02 came out in glory, seemingly beating many “production EVAs” before they stood their ground again. In the end, Unit 02 was torn apart and destroyed. The soul inside Unit 02 is the spirit of Asuka’s mother, who committed suicide when Asuka was a child. Asuka’s troubled relationship with her mother may be part of the reason she has trouble syncing up with her mother, although this has never been confirmed.
Units 03 and 04
Unit 03 only appeared in two episodes and the driver of the black EVA was Suzuhara Toji, Shinji’s friend. Units 03 and 04 are twin units built in the United States. Unit 04 was destroyed off-screen during a failed test, forcing Unit 03 to be transported to Japan. During the delivery, the Thirteenth Angel Badir was infected with EVA and awaiting ambush. When Evangelion is activated inside Toji, the Angels take control and EVA goes missing. The frenzied Unit 01 eventually tore the Angel-03 hybrid to pieces, killing the enemy while severely wounding the pilot trapped inside. Toji lost a leg, but barely survived and didn’t fly the EVA anymore for the rest of the series. Unit 03’s soul is never mentioned and it is unknown if it has any connection to Toji, or if it is.
Mass production of EVA
The mass-produced EVA is very different from other units both in appearance and performance. They do not appear to be human, with a long snout, eyesless face, and no obvious neck. Every EVA produced has a set of wings that allow it to fly, and they are not limited by the umbilical cord or even the needs of the pilot. The production EVAs are also equipped with clones of the Lance of Longinus, giving them the devastating ability to cross AT domains. SEELE unleashes these Evangelion units to destroy NERV headquarters, and Asuka from Unit 02 fights them, but ultimately fails. It is unclear which spirits (if any) reside in these units.