Evangelion

CONTENTS

THE ORIGINS

THE FIRST IMPACT

SEELE AND ITS ANCESTORS

THE SECOND IMPACT

PROJECT E

SERIES SUMMARY

THE END OF EVANGELION

THE ORIGINS

Inspired by the Seraphim of the Bible, the First Ancestral Race (Dai'ichi Shiso Minzoku, 第一始祖民族) is a humanoid alien species with technological capabilities far beyond those of humans. Their civilization was responsible for creating the progenitors that brought life to Earth in Evangelion’s mythology. In the distant past, the FAR became aware of the imminent demise of their world and embarked on a long journey across the universe in search of seven planets that could host their heirs.

The Hebrew term Nahash (נָחָשׁ) refers to the serpent in the Bible. It first appears as the creature in Genesis responsible for the fall of Adam and Eve, thus becoming the symbol of sin and temptation. However, the figure of the serpent takes on other meanings throughout Scripture. In the Book of Numbers (21:4–9), God sends “fiery serpents” — identified with the Seraphim — to punish the people of Israel. Following this, God instructs Moses to make a bronze serpent (Nehash Nehoshet, נְחַשׁ נְחֹשֶׁת) and place it on a standard in the shape of a cross: “if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.” In other words, the Seraphim are responsible for human suffering, but also constitute the key to their deliverance.

Depiction of the Seraphim in the Neon Genesis Evangelion series

In the Gospel of John (3:14), the serpent becomes a figure of redemption by being compared to Jesus Christ: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Ultimately, the Bible assigns the serpent a profoundly ambivalent role: both an agent of perdition and an instrument of salvation, which Jesus overcomes “by becoming sin” in order to defeat Satan.

The "Progenitor" Angels (Seimei no Tane, 生命の種) refer to the Archangels in monotheistic religions, and designate hermaphroditic beings capable of generating different forms of life depending on the environment they encounter. Sent in a group of seven to the habitable zone of the Milky Way, they carry the disembodied souls of the First Ancestral Race aboard their vessels (celestial bodies). The Progenitor Angels exist in two distinct varieties that determine their respective descent:

The lineage of immortals nourished by the Fruit of Life (Seimei no Mi, 生命の実), who possess immense physical strength.
The lineage of mortals nourished by the Fruit of Knowlegde (Chi Megumi no Mi, 知恵の実), who are capable of developing scientific knowledge and social skills.

According to the Book of Genesis (Old Testament), the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (from which the Fruit of Knowledge is formed) was planted in the middle of the Garden of Eden, near the Tree of Life. God created man in His image, then created woman from man's flesh, and granted them permission to eat the fruits of the garden, except for the Fruit of Knowledge. Tempted by the Devil, who took the form of a serpent, Adam (in Hebrew: Adam HaRishon, אדם הראשון ➔ "he first man") and Eve (the first woman) ate the "forbidden fruit" and lost their innocence. By disobeying God, they were cast out of Paradise. This act is known as the "Original Sin" — that of humanity — which burdens Adam and Eve, as well as their children (mankind), who are destined to inherit it.

KEY ELEMENTS OF THE STORY:

The Spear of Longinus (Longinus no Yari, ロンギヌスの槍), also known as the "Holy Lance," is an alien artifact possessing its own will, primarily used to pierce the A.T. Field of a Progenitor Angel who has strayed from their mission, in order to seal the energy contained within their Core. It serves as a "safety mechanism" built into all of the FAR's vessels. The Spear of Longinus has the ability to neutralize the soul of any being in the universe and plays a crucial role in regulating lower bloodlines.

The Gospel of John tells the story of a Roman soldier named "Longinus" who took part in Christ’s final suffering. Armed with his spear, he pierced the right side of Jesus, from which blood and water flowed. Christian tradition holds that the spear’s tip has never stopped bleeding. Over the centuries, it has become a revered relic and an object of veneration for many believers.

Spear of Longinus

The Dead Sea Scrolls (Shikaimonjo, 死海文書) are a collection of sacred texts based on the divine plan of the FAR. They describe the nature and characteristics of the Progenitor Angels, as well as their role in Genesis. They also contain a prophecy detailing the order and timing of the appearance of Adam’s offspring.

Fragment from the Dead Sea Scrolls

4.5 BILLION YEARS BP

The First Progenitor Angel — Adam — was sent to Earth to spread life across the planet. His mission is to infuse souls from the White Moon (Shiroki Tsuki, 白き月) into his descendants when Earth’s conditions become suitable for their survival. The Children of Adam are the Angels (Shito, 使徒 / literally "Apostles") mentioned in the Dead Sea Scrolls. They remain dormant until the Second Impact.

Note: The White Moon refers to Adam’s vessel (sometimes called the “Egg of Adam”), which ended up at the South Pole due to tectonic plate movement.

According to Kabbalah, the soul of Adam HaRishon (the First Man) was the supreme essence of humanity — it contained all the souls he would later bring into existence.

THE FIRST IMPACT

4 BILLION YEARS BP

The Black Moon (Kuroki Tsuki, 黒き月), which contains the Second Progenitor Angel — Lilith — crashes violently into Earth, which lay in its path. The collision ejects a vast amount of debris into Earth’s orbit (partly from the vessel’s outer mineral layer) which will form the Moon over several centuries, under the effect of gravity. During this cataclysmic event, the Spear of Longinus belonging to the Black Moon was completely lost due to the impact.

The myth of Lilith echoes the biblical account of creation, in which Lilith is said to be Adam’s first wife, and their union gave birth to demons. Thus, in Neon Genesis Evangelion, human beings (the children of darkness) are by nature opposed to the Angels (the children of light), and must fight them in order to remain the rightful heirs of the FAR. According to the Genesis of the Talmud, Lilith (in Hebrew: לילית) — Spirit of the Night — is directly associated with the serpent that corrupted Eve (the materialistic representation of humankind) in the Bible.

In 1918, the astrologer Sepharial, a Kabbalist philosopher, theorized the existence of the Black Moon, which he named “Lilith,” believing it to be Earth’s second satellite. The astrological interpretation of the Black Moon relates to souls that learn from their past mistakes through successive incarnations (the theme of Rei Ayanami and humanity).

Black Moon – Vessel of Lilith / "Egg of Lilith"

According to the will of the FAR, the Progenitor Angels were never meant to coexist on the same planet. The Forbidden Fusion (Kinji rareta yūgō, 禁じられた融合) describes the emergence of a entity resulting from the transgressive union between an Angel and a human, endowed with both the Fruit of Life and the Fruit of Knowledge. Such a convergence would give birth to the equal of a God capable of challenging the FAR. As a consequence, the last functioning spear contained within the White Moon activated on its own to neutralize Adam's activity. The souls of the Lilins (humans) and the Lilits (animals), all born from the Black Moon, thus claimed the promised Earth in place of the soulless Angels.

Note: The Black Moon will be found in Hakone, Japan.

Among the Hebrews, the name "Lilin" refers to the night demons who are related to Lilith. In the series, the Lilin refer to Homo sapiens as an angelic species.

Lilith opened the Chamber of Guf (Gafu no Heya, ガフの部屋) by inflicting the stigmata of the crucifixion upon herself, then released life from her vessel. According to the writings of the Kabbalah, Guf (Gafu, ガフ) is the place where unborn souls reside, which “fall” from the Tree of Life. At each birth, a soul leaves the dimension of Guf (within the Black Moon) to incarnate in a newborn. Thus, Lilith spread the “primordial ocean” across the planet — her own blood — from which terrestrial life evolved over billions of years. Having fulfilled her mission, Lilith closed the Gates of Guf (Gafu no Tobira, ガフの扉) and became dormant, while still maintaining a powerful A.T. Field that would draw Adam’s offspring in the year 2015.

The crucifixion represents the atoning (and Eucharistic) sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which embodies God’s love for mankind. As the victim of an injustice, Christ gave his life by accepting humanity in its Otherness.

ESSENTIAL DEFINITIONS:

The A.T. Field (A.T. Fīrudo, A.T. フィールド / short for "Absolute Terror Field") refers to an invisible barrier erected by living beings to protect themselves from others and preserve their individuality. All organisms have a soul that conditions them under the effect of their own A.T. Field. Thus, humans each have a psychological A.T. Field that represents the border between the ego and the outside world — the "wall of the heart." In protecting themselves from the proximity of others to avoid pain (jealousy, betrayal, resentment, etc.), mankind live through inequality, wars, and discrimination. The A.T. Fields of the Angels are much more powerful than those of LCL-based lifeforms, and they also grant telekinetic properties (force fields, levitation, shapeshifting, etc.).

A.T. Field of Sachiel

LCL (short for "Link Connect Liquid") — Lilith’s blood — is the primordial source of life (a translucent orange liquid composed of oxygen) that contains all the organic materials necessary for the creation of Lilin bodies. All life forms made of LCL originate from Lilith and maintain their individual appearance thanks to their A.T. Field.

Note: During the Third Impact, Lilith's Anti A.T. Field neutralizes the A.T. Fields of her creations and returns them all to their original form (see The End of Evangelion).

Dissolution of the human body

The Core (Koa, コア) is the main energy source of Adam’s lineage. It refers to the heart of the Angels, located at their solar plexus, which contains their soul and the S² Organ.
The S² Organ, meaning Super Solenoid Organ (S² Kikan, S²機関), consists of inexhaustible kinetic energy that grants semi-divine beings abilities such as self-regeneration and metamorphosis. It draws its infinite energy from its helical shape (a spiral structure in perpetual motion) similar to that of DNA. The Dead Sea Scrolls mention that the S² Organ represents the Fruit of Life.

Core of EVA Unit-01

SEELE AND ITS ANCESTORS

ANTIQUITY

Since ancient times, a religious group, regarded as the guardians of the "New Covenant" (an event described in the Manual of Discipline under the name Yahad), established itself in Mesopotamia to preserve the Essene secrets. Over the ages, their spiritual leadership steadily gained influence worldwide, eventually exerting control over humanity’s highest institutions.

MIDDLE AGES

SEELE emblem

The Lamb of God, Saint-Clément de Taüll

A secret society named "SEELE" (Zēre, ゼーレ — meaning "soul" in German) emerged during the dark periods of the Middle Ages. Originally, it was an esoteric religious order tasked with preserving the ancestral beliefs of its predecessors. Slowly but surely, SEELE extended its influence in the shadows, sweeping away the last opposing forces by the mid-20th century, establishing itself as a latent power capable of controlling human society.

The seven eyes in the emblem refer to the "Lamb of God" in the Apocalypse, which represents Christ as the "atoning sacrifice" (interpreted by Lilith in the series), whose blessings (the Seven Spirits of God) reach the spirit of humanity throughout the world.

The seven blessings of the Apocalypse of John:

Revelation 1:3 - "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."
Revelation 14:13 - "Then I heard a voice from heaven say, 'Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.'"
Revelation 16:15 - “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps their clothes with them, so that they may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Revelation 19:9 - "Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God.'"
Revelation 20:6 - "Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years."
Revelation 22:7 - "Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll."
Revelation 22:14 - "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city."

1947 - 1956

The SEELE, with vast financial resources, presents itself as a patron foundation invested in the fields of art and research, as well as in funding archaeological excavations targeting relics related to its own faith. These operations allow SEELE to recover the Secret Dead Sea Scrolls (or the Qumran manuscripts), which contain the prophecy announcing the Second Impact, the Third Impact, and the coming of the Angels (the children of light). The FAR initially wrote a manual describing the use of its artifacts, but it was later transcribed by the guardians of the New Covenant and adapted according to their own doctrines, giving rise to the Dead Sea Scrolls. Members of SEELE view humanity as the false heirs of the Earth but aspire to eliminate the children of Adam in exchange for Lilith’s submission (a demonic pact). They hope to offer the Lilins the opportunity to renounce their sapience to atone for the Original Sin that was assigned to them (the retribution of souls).

In the Manual of Discipline, the members of the Qumran sect dedicated their lives to preparing the way for the imminent advent of the kingdom of God and the judgment day. Indications of a final war between the children of light and the children of darkness appear in one of the manuscripts. The similarities between the beliefs and practices described in this sacred scroll and those attributed to the Essenes by Philo of Alexandria and the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus have led many scholars to believe that the Qumran sect was connected to them. This identification is further supported by the works of the Roman writer Pliny the Elder, who reported that the Essenes lived in the Khirbet Qumran region in his time.

1957 - 1998

APRIL 09, 1957: Birthdate of Kōzō Fuyutsuki

APRIL 29, 1967: Birthdate of Gendō Rokubungi

1974: Birth year of Kyōko Sōryū Zeppelin

EPISODE 22

1977: Birth year of Yui Ikari, daughter of an influential member of SEELE

EPISODE 21

JUNE 17, 1985: Birthdate of Ryōji Kaji

NOVEMBER 21, 1985: Birthdate of Ritsuko Akagi, daughter of Naoko Akagi and an unknown father.

DECEMBER 08, 1986: Birthdate of Misato Katsuragi, daughter of Dr. Katsuragi and a mother who died during childbirth.

Keel Lorenz becomes the head of GEHIRN (Gehirun, ゲヒルン — meaning "brain" in German), the secret UN division specialized in scientific research.
Dr. Katsuragi develops a theory about the existence of the Super Solenoid (infinite energy). Her work is funded by GEHIRN within the Artificial Evolution Laboratory, which pioneered human cloning.

1999

Kōzō Fuyutsuki, a genetics professor at Kyoto University, and Naoko Akagi, a renowned scientist in artificial intelligence, jointly laid the foundations of the fundamental theory of bioinformatics.
At the request of a colleague, Fuyutsuki meets Yui Ikari and then hires her into the 1st biotechnology research unit. Later, the female scientist’s friend — Gendō Rokubungi — is arrested by the police after a bar fight and asks to be released into Fuyutsuki’s custody. The professor agrees to the request, allowing Gendō to meet him at the Kyōto Prefectural Police Station; Gendō hopes to join SEELE and sees an opportunity to get closer to Yui because of her connections with the organization.

THE SECOND IMPACT

Beneath Mount Markham in Antarctica, a group of scientists gains access to the interior of the White Moon by drilling into the ice cap. The discovery is reported to the United Nations.

Note: The underground area that was not buried within the vessel constitutes the GeoFront (Jiofuronto, ジオフロント).

EPISODE 21

Keel Lorenz makes arrangements with the UN for GEHIRN to take charge of all secret operations concerning the White Moon. He assembles the Katsuragi Expedition team at the South Pole. Leading the Japanese division, Dr. Katsuragi seeks to further develop his theory on the Super Solenoid through the study of Adam’s Core composition.
Gendō marries Yui and takes her surname. By relinquishing part of his identity, Gendō Ikari becomes a member of SEELE and takes over the Artificial Evolution Laboratory alongside Yui. He also joins Dr. Katsuragi’s research team.

Adam is dormant. The United Nations decides to extract the Spear of Longinus from his abdomen and relocate it to the Dead Sea region. GEHIRN initiates a new project aimed at establishing contact with Adam, in hopes of persuading the Progenitor Angel not to annihilate humanity and replace it with a new life form (the 15 Angels) as foretold in the Dead Sea Scrolls. In the event that Adam rejects this appeal, SEELE plans to detonate an N² (Non-Nuclear) bomb to destroy him.
As head of the expedition, Dr. Katsuragi brings his daughter — Misato Katsuragi — to the research site during summer vacation. He hopes to help her understand that his work is vital for the future of humanity.

AUGUST 15, 2000: The Spear of Longinus is sent back to Antarctica. The members of the Katsuragi Expedition conduct an experiment to contact Adam by transmitting a signal at the threshold of his ego. Their goal is to extract the energy source of the S² Organ upon its awakening.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2000: All attempts at contact end in failure. In light of their setbacks, part of the team (including Gendō Ikari) returns to Kyōto with biological tissue samples from Adam.

EPISODE 7

SEPTEMBER 13, 2000: THE SECOND IMPACT

The scientists on site initiate the Physical Contact Experiment (Sesshoku Jikken, 接触実験), which involves implanting human DNA (unknown donor) into Adam’s Core. The genetic fusion awakens the subject and destabilizes its body. Despite emergency protocols, the research team fails to restrain the Giant of Light using the Spear of Longinus. As Adam opens the Gates of Guf, he releases an Anti-A.T. Field around himself, and at that precise moment, transfers the souls of the White Moon to his descendants: the Angels. However, his artificially restored S² Organ becomes unstable and triggers a global cataclysm by releasing all of its contained energy. Before dying, Dr. Katsuragi seals Misato inside a survival capsule.
Adam undergoes a biological reversion under the effect of the Spear of Longinus. In other words, his body returns to an embryonic state — the "original body" of the soul.
The spread of the Anti-A.T. Field caused the disappearance of all life forms in the Southern Ocean (including microorganisms), as well as a change in local atmospheric conditions. Two billion people perished in the southern hemisphere due to natural disasters and rising waters. The energy from the explosion displaced the Earth from its axis and altered the planet’s climate on a large scale: Japan became a land of perpetual summer. Many countries experienced abnormal temperature fluctuations, floods, and volcanic eruptions. Later, the United Nations would report that the Second Impact was caused by the collision of a massive meteor.

Note: Due to the explosion of the S² Organ, SEELE missed the chance to recover the source of infinite energy. However, without this incident, the UN artillery would not have succeeded in defeating Adam.

Antarctic GeoFront detected at the epicenter of the explosion

2001

SEPTEMBER 15, 2000: At the border between India and Pakistan, the conflict among refugees leads to military clashes on a global scale.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2000: Destruction of Tōkyō by an N² bomb (casualties: 5,000 dead).

Economic crises and civil wars break out in countries worldwide.

The provisional government of Japan abandons the restoration of the city and decides to transfer the capital to Matsumoto.
Construction of Tōkyō-2 begins.

EPISODE 7

FEBRUARY 14, 2001: The "Saint Valentine's Peace Treaty" officially ends the war; however, numerous conflicts continue around the world.

JUNE 06, 2001: Birthdate of Shinji Ikari, son of Yui Ikari and Gendō Ikari

SEPTEMBER 12, 2001: Birthdate of Kensuke Aida (his mother died during an EVA activation test.)

EPISODE 3

DECEMBER 04, 2001: Birthdate of Asuka Sōryū Langley, daughter of Kyōko Sōryū Zeppelin and an American father in Germany.

DECEMBER 16, 2001: Birthdate of Tōji Suzuhara (his mother will die during an EVA activation test / his father and grandfather work at the research center. )

2002

The GEHIRN discovers the Black Moon beneath the city of Hakone (future Tōkyō-3) in Japan. The Artificial Evolution Research Laboratory sets up its facilities on the discovery site to conceal the underground work.
Construction begins on the artificial vault of the GeoFront.

EPISODE 23

Discovery of Lilith
Keel Lorenz reveals the prophecies of the Dead Sea Scrolls to the UN. As the holder of this “knowledge,” he unofficially takes control of the UN and secures funding for his projects aimed at humanity’s preservation.
SEELE's intention is to create a specific Angel called “Evangelion,” which they could control with a human mind to confront the Children of Adam.

PROJECT E

An Evangelion (Evu~angerion, エヴァンゲリオン), more commonly called “EVA” (a reference to Eve in Genesis), is a versatile combat weapon officially designed to protect humanity against the assault of the Angels. Not all EVAs are born with an S² Organ and must be powered by an electrical cable or an internal battery. Piloting an EVA during activation takes place inside the Entry Plug (Entorī Puragu, エントリープラグ), once it is inserted into the spinal canal. The different depths of the plug determine the pilot's immersion level relative to the EVA’s Core. During the synchronization phase, the Entry Plug’s cockpit is completely filled with LCL to allow the EVA to connect with its pilot.

Entry Plug of EVA-01

__________________________________________________

The Project E (or Evangelion Project) consists of:

Cloning a human being with the DNA of the Progenitor Angels
Cloning a Progenitor Angel with human DNA; creating an EVA
Uploading the human mind into an organic computer (the "ghost")
Performing a personality transfer into a human clone
Performing a personality transfer into an EVA
Fighting the Angels with an EVA powered by an electrical supply

Lilith / EVA-01

Yui’s talents enabled GEHIRN to develop clones of Adam using human DNA. The operation resulted in the creation of EVA Unit-00 PROTOTYPE, the base model for all EVAs designed to fight Angels of the same nature.

They also produced an EVA derived from Lilith in case GEHIRN were forced to destroy the 2nd Progenitor Angel. This project gave rise to EVA Unit-01 TEST TYPE.

Note: The lower half of Lilith’s body was used to create EVA-01.

The Core, also called "Unit" in the GEHIRN laboratory, is used to eliminate any divergence between the EVA — the body of a God — and the pilot’s human soul. Due to the difficulties encountered during the development of Unit-00, which showed instability during activation, subsequent EVAs incorporate the pilot’s mother’s soul within their Core, acting as an intermediary and allowing proper synchronization.

EPISODE 23

Recruited by Gendō, Naoko Akagi prepares the design of the first Supercomputer based on the principle of personality transfer, the MAGI System (Majikku shisutemu, マジックシステム). This is an opportunity for her to finalize the fundamental theory of bioinformatics and to grow closer to Gendō.
GEHIRN plans to use the same technology as the MAGI System to activate Unit-00.

EPISODE 21

Fuyutsuki works as a general practitioner in Aichi Prefecture. He is invited to take part in the investigation committee on the Katsuragi Expedition, which aims to determine the causes of the Second Impact. He realizes that all members of SEELE are behind the operation and that the investigation's findings will be manipulated by the organization. Fuyutsuki meets the sole survivor of the expedition: Misato Katsuragi

2003

Tōkyō-2 (formerly Matsumoto) officially becomes the new capital of Japan.

EPISODE 7

In the Spratly Islands archipelago, the military clash between China and Vietnam leads to the founding of Japanese Strategic Self-Defense Force (Jieitai, 自衛隊, lit. “Self-Defense Force”), more commonly known as the “JSSDF.”

EPISODE 21

In his pursuit of the truth, Fuyutsuki accompanies Gendō to the United Nations' Artificial Evolution Laboratory. Gendō shows him the GeoFront and takes him to Naoko, who is developing the Supercomputer. There, she reveals to him the true version of the Second Impact. Under SEELE’s threats, Fuyutsuki agrees to work for the organization and joins the GEHIRN’s leadership.
In order to accelerate the mass production of the EVAs, GEHIRN builds laboratories in multiple countries: USA - Massachusetts; Nevada / China - Beijing / Japan - Matsushiro / Germany - Berlin; Hamburg

2004

During the initial activation of the EVA control system, Yui completely fuses with the Core of EVA-01 and disappears from the physical world — before the eyes of her son. Gendō knows that his wife's soul still resides within the Evangelion. He asks Naoko to recover Yui’s body, but the salvage operation ends in failure.
A week after his wife’s “official death,” Gendō emerges from seclusion and decides to follow SEELE’s master plan. He entrusts his son to a guardian and begins an intimate relationship with Naoko to ensure her cooperation in his objectives. Shinji Ikari will grow up at the New Atsugi base, located 50 kilometers from Tōkyō-3.
The urban development plan for Tōkyō-3 includes the construction of a fortress city, beneath which the GEHIRN will be established, intended to serve as a defensive bulwark against the Angels.

According to the instructions found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Human Instrumentality Project (Jinrui Hokan Keikaku, 人類補完計画) is an event centered around the awakening of Lilith. Its modus operandi is to lead the human race toward immortality so that all earthly souls become a single, accomplished being. In this way, humankind — long ruled by materialism and greed — would complete its evolution and ascend to a spiritual realm called “Adam Kadmon,” a place governed by absolute love. To achieve this, SEELE plans to eliminate all A.T. Fields on Earth, thereby reducing the Lilin to their original form (LCL), and then gather each of their souls into the Black Moon.

The mission of the Essenes is to give birth to a new civilization of light, by awakening the global consciousness of humanity and by educating in the divine mysteries.

In order for the human race to be delivered from Original Sin and finally attain God's Salvation, Lilith (the mother of humanity) will become the Christ who, in place of mankind, will endure the punishment that was meant for them so that they will no longer be exposed to eternal damnation, but instead may obtain mercy in her Name and receive “eternal Life.”

The stakeholders of SEELE’s project must carry out the following operations:

Neutralize an Angel and recover its Core, which will serve as a model for the fabrication of new S² Organs.
Retrieve the Spear of Longinus from the South Pole and duplicate the artifact to reproduce the sacred stigmata required to open the Chamber of Guf.
Design the Dummy Plugs (Damī Puragu, ダミープラグ), that will be used to control the EVAs autonomously.
Rapidly produce a series of nine Evangelions (known as the “EVA Series,” エヴァシリーズ), intended to battle the original Evangelions. These units will be developed by the G7 member states, Russia, and China.

The nine simplified EVAs of the organization (numbered 05 to 13) will have the mission of capturing Lilith and embodying the “energy spheres” of the multidimensional Sephiroth system to thus reform the Tree of Life before the disappearance of all human A.T. Fields.

Note: SEELE will capture EVA-01 instead of Lilith to initiate the plan.

The ten Sephiroth (Sefirosu, セフィロス / meaning in Hebrew: "numbers") of the spiritual world represent the nine angelic choirs of the Bible, as well as the Kingdom of Malkuth. They transform cosmic energy into various divine attributes that determine the stages of the "Path of Awakening" for man and the "Path of Creation" for God. Each Sephirah interprets a level of consciousness according to its rank within the Tree of Life. Human souls must thus reach the highest degree of the "Celestial Order" to merge together.

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Tree of Life, 1617 by Robert Fludd

The Supreme triad:

I/ The Seraphim — associated with Kether (the Crown) — are the Angels of the First Hierarchy who stand close to the Almighty and offer Him unparalleled worship (a “burning” relationship of love). The Sephirah Kether corresponds to Superconsciousness and the realm of “supra-humans” who, by merging with the divine, are the source of all blessings. The term “Crown” refers both to the top of a tree trunk and to the power of dominion.
II/ The Cherubim — associated with Chokmah (Wisdom) — are the Angels of illumination symbolizing the love of values and abstract ideas. Chokmah is the world of heavenly laws.
III/ The Thrones — linked to Binah (Intelligence) — are considered the “bearers of the world” upon whom God rests. Just and rigorous, they embody the organization of the physical universe and enforce Karma. Binah represents the world of principles and material laws.

The Intermediate Triad:

IV/ The Dominions — linked to Chesed (Kindness) — are the dispensers of grace, blessings, and benefits that come from God.
V/ The Powers — associated with Geburah (Strength) — are tasked with removing obstacles to the transmission of divine commandments destined for the lower hierarchies, thus combating the influences of evil forces.

VI/ The Virtues — associated with Tiphereth (Beauty) — are the Angels who transmit to humans the energy allowing them to discover their true identity, cultivate it, and defend it. They harmonize human desires and spiritual needs, and bring about awareness. Located at the heart of the Tree of Life, the Sephirah Tiphereth corresponds to the power of unification and symbolizes the solar plexus (seat of the subconscious) and Christ in the Holy Trinity.

The Lower Triad:

VII/ The Principalities — linked to Netzach (Victory) — are the Angels of the legions who protect the divine secret and ensure its proper use. They guide the Archangels and ordinary Angels in their missions.
VIII/ The Archangels — associated with Hod (Glory) — represent the leaders of the Angels and intervene in significant life changes within the Kingdom of Malkuth.
IX/ The Angels — linked to Yesod (the Foundation) — are the ordinary messengers of God who interact with humans. They govern the sphere of Yesod, where the higher Sephiroth converge and from which the material world is connected.

The last Sephirah:

X/ The Souls — Malkuth (the Kingdom) — are the “embryonic forms” of mortals. Malkuth represents the way creation is materialized in the world; the final stage of the “Word made flesh,” where creation becomes objective, tangible, and permanent. Malkuth is the result of the nine higher Sephiroth and contains them all.

In Kabbalah, Adam Kadmon (“Primordial Man,” also called Adam Ila'a, אדם עילאה “Supreme Man”) is a vast humanoid form composed of hypostases emanating from divine light, representing the creation of Man (and the Universe) in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). Adam Kadmon is not Adam, the first man (Adam Ha-Rishon in the Bible) whom God created from dust. The spiritual realm of Adam Kadmon corresponds to the divine attributes (sephiroth). He embodies the divine will and the blueprint of Creation. The initial ray of light (the right side) and the ten sefiroth (the spheres) reorganized themselves into the shape of a man and his limbs, forming Adam Kadmon, the Primordial Man.

In the sefiroth system, Adam Kadmon corresponds to Kether (the Crown), the divine will at the origin of creation. The lights of the sefiroth combine to form names whose latent powers become active. These names, bearing both divine light and speech, inhabit the head of Man, who will in turn diffuse them. Reorganized within the symbolic body of Adam Kadmon, the ten sefiroth (the ten primordial lights) establish connections that greatly increase the luminous intensity of the vessels that contain them.

The anthropomorphic name Adam Kadmon reflects its dual meaning: both the ultimate divine project of creation, that is, Man, and the embodiment of the divine attributes (sefiroth). Adam Kadmon is paradoxically both human and divine.

Adam Kadmon

Philo was the first to use the expression "Original Man" or "Heavenly Man" (γενικός, or οὐράνιος ἄνθρωπος), describing him as "born in the image of God and not composed of any trace of earthly and corruptible matter, whereas the earthly man is made of a soft material, called a piece of clay." The Heavenly Man, the perfect image of the Logos, is neither male nor female but a pure idea, a disembodied intelligence. The earthly man, created later by God, is perceptible to the senses and shares earthly qualities. Philo obviously combines the philosophy of the Midrash, that of Plato, and that of the rabbis. He establishes a dual version of the biblical account of Adam, who was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and the first man whose body was formed from the earth (Genesis 2:7), combining this with the Platonic doctrine of ideas, taking the primordial Adam as the idea and the man created of flesh and blood as the image.

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Gendō Ikari hopes to join his wife in the supreme reality of Guf. But over the years, he realizes that he cannot make contact with Yui (inside Unit-01) by entering the superconsciousness of Adam Kadmon. Therefore, he develops a Secret Plan with Kozo Fuyutsuki to create his own scenario for the Third Impact. Using Lilith’s biological tissues, Gendō creates human clones from Yui’s genetics and brings about the birth of Rei Ayanami (called “Rei I” in the GEHIRN laboratory). Lilith’s soul is now reincarnated within one of her human receptacles. However, after eating the “Fruit of Knowledge” (i.e., human cognition), Lilith suffers a side effect that causes memory loss (this phenomenon repeats when she reincarnates as Rei II, then Rei III).

Unlike his son, Gendō is unable to synchronize with the Evangelion. To achieve his goals, he plans to fuse with Rei/Lilith through Adam’s original body (the Forbidden Fusion), so that his soul can directly reach Unit-01 on a transcendent level. Since his objective is to be alone with Yui, without being united with the rest of humanity, Gendō must finalize the Secret Plan he devised before the implementation of the Human Instrumentality Project. Adam Kadmon will take on the appearance of Rei (embodied by Lilith and Adam) and will legitimately become Yui’s new body.

In the GEHIRN laboratory at Matsushiro (Japan), SEELE reuses Yui’s methods of human cloning and creates by their own means several copies of Kaworu Nagisa, whose original being results from Adam’s Contact Experiment in Antarctica. SEELE thus manages to recover Adam’s disembodied soul through Kaworu Nagisa. His birthdate corresponds to that of the Second Impact.

Under the cover of 108 fictitious companies and with the SEELE’s help, Gendō Ikari creates the Marduk Institute (Marudukku Kikan, マルドゥック機関), to officially select EVA pilots independently. This ruse allows him to personally choose the candidates recruited by NERV. He designates the first chosen one — Rei Ayanami — who is compatible with all EVA prototypes (including Unit-00), based on Naoko’s ghost. Later, Gendō will rearrange the order of the chosen pilots to protect his son and keep him away from the EVAs. He hopes Rei can fight the Angels with Unit-01 in place of Shinji.

2005 - 2007

EPISODE 22

In the German branch of GEHIRN, Kyōko Sōryū Zeppelin served as a test subject for a Contact Experiment with the EVA-02 PRODUCTION MODEL. Part of her soul became trapped in the Evangelion’s Core.
Traumatized by the contact with the EVA, Kyōko developed a mental illness (breakdown of reason) and had to be hospitalized in a psychiatric facility. She became unable to recognize her daughter — Asuka Sōryu Langley — and confused her with a doll. Asuka’s father began a romantic relationship with the German psychiatrist who was caring for his wife; Kyōko committed suicide after being betrayed. Despite Kyōko’s physical death, her maternal spirit continues to survive within Unit-02.

Misato Katsuragi, Ritsuko Akagi, and Ryōji Kaji meet at the elite university of Tōkyō-2 in Nagano.
The construction of Tōkyō-3 begins thanks to the second plan for transferring the capital.

2008 - 2009

The MAGI System is now operational; it consists of three independent AIs (Melchior-1, Balthasar-2, and Casper-3) into which Naoko encoded three aspects of her personality: the scientist, the mother, and the woman. In doing so, she created the first personality transfer system; the process involves copying an individual's personality into a seventh-generation organic computer.

In the Christian religion, the Magi (from the Latin "Magi") — Melchior, Balthazar, and Gaspar (or Casper, גזבר meaning "keeper of the treasure") — were eminently wealthy and powerful figures who came from the East to worship Jesus shortly after his birth. As good astronomers, they observed the stars and spotted one that shone brighter than the others. They interpreted this as a very important omen: the birth of the King of the Jews. The Magi followed the movement of this particular star and were led to the stable where Jesus had just been born.

EPISODE 21

Ritsuko, Misato and Ryōji are hired by GEHIRN.
Upon realizing that Ryōji’s personality is similar to that of her late father, Misato decides to leave him in order to avoid reliving her trauma. Since then, she has been driven by a spirit of vengeance that fuels her determination to exterminate all the Angels. Her integration into GEHIRN, and later into NERV, brings her closer to that goal.
Misato is sent to GEHIRN’s Third Branch in Germany (Hamburg) to become Asuka’s guardian.

2010 - 2011

The GEHIRN commander meets Naoko and Ritsuko at the GeoFront construction site and introduces Rei I to them as the daughter of one of his friends. After the completion of the MAGI System, Naoko now knows the identity of Yui’s clone, but she learns from the child that she was emotionally abused by Gendō Ikari. Blinded by hatred and jealousy, the scientist coldly murders Rei I. Realizing the gravity of her actions, she ends her own life by throwing herself from the top of the Supercomputer.
SEELE dissolves GEHIRN and establishes in its place the new United Nations Special Missions Institute called “NERV” (Nerufu, ネルフ — meaning “nerve” in German). Its emblem features a half fig leaf surmounting the motto “God’s in his heaven. All’s right with the world."

NERV emblem

According to the Bible, after eating the Fruit of Knowledge, the two progenitors of the human race felt a sense of shame upon realizing their nakedness and used fig leaves to cover their genitals.

The Human Instrumentality Committee is composed of members of SEELE and oversees NERV’s operations under United Nations supervision.
Rei II is born; Gendō begins an intimate relationship with Ritsuko.

2012 - 2014

2012: Gendō and Shinji pay their respects at Yui’s grave.

2013: Rei II enters middle school as a first-year student.

2014: Rei II begins training with Unit-00, then Unit-01.

2015

Ryōji becomes Asuka's guardian.

EPISODE 5

JULY 5: During an activation test at the Experimental Quarter, Rei loses control of the EVA-00 she is piloting. The Evangelion, inhabited by Naoko’s ghost, attempts to kill Gendō because of his relationship with Ritsuko. The Entry Plug is ejected from the EVA, which ultimately deactivates after draining its internal battery. Rei is left in a fragile state; however, Gendō rescues her by forcing open the hatch, which was burning hot. This unexpected event forces him to call on his son to fight the Third Angel, although he would have preferred to keep him away from the EVAs. Since that day, Gendō wears gloves to hide the scars on his hands.

EVA-00 is immobilized in Bakelite (a material whose property allows it to neutralize an Evangelion by rapidly changing from a liquid to a solid state).

Bakelite is the trademark name of a material belonging to the phenol formaldehyde class, whose official chemical nomenclature is polyoxybenzylmethylenglycol anhydride. It was the first synthetic polymer plastic made from benzene under solvents. It was developed between 1907 and 1909 by the Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland.

Misato leaves NERV Germany to join NERV Japan (Tōkyō-3).
Gendō summons his son to the fortress city on the day of the Third Angel’s arrival (in accordance with the Dead Sea Scrolls). The commander cannot officially dismiss a pilot, but the pilot may declare abandonment of their post. However, Gendō hopes to obtain proof that Yui’s soul still resides within Unit-01 after its activation.

SERIES SUMMARY

EPISODE 1

JULY 6: Sachiel appears at 12:30 PM and approaches Tōkyō-3, while the Self-Defense Force tanks wait along the shores. Its goal is to merge with the progenitor of its species to destroy the Chamber of Guf, the origin of humanity (Third Impact), and create a life form in its image. The Angel is drawn to Lilith’s A.T. Field, which is identical to Adam’s.

All the Angels mentioned in the series originate from an ancient text — the Book of Enoch (or חֲנוֹךְ, Enoch, son of Adam and Eve) — which was discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls.

In the guise of Rei dressed as a schoolgirl, Lilith’s soul watches over Shinji, who is about to form new relationships with others. She embodies the hope that remains in the heart of every Lilin.
The JSSDF’s defense line proves ineffective against the Third Angel. All the generals thus give NERV free rein to intervene and continue the offensive.
Shinji rejects his father’s proposal, but as soon as he meets Rei — who is forced to pilot EVA-01 while covered in blood — the young boy decides to take her place.

EPISODE 2

EVA-01 confronts Sachiel, but the power cable breaks during the duel, causing the EVA to deactivate. As Shinji finds himself in a precarious situation, his EVA becomes bestial and destroys Sachiel’s Core. Gendō faintly smiles as he observes the emergence of his wife’s will in the battle.

JULY 7: Shinji wakes up and is discharged from the hospital in the afternoon. His father keeps his distance from him (visiting Rei instead) and wants the boy to return to his guardian. That same evening, Shinji moves in with Misato and crosses her threshold, saying, “I mustn’t run away.” This new experience marks a decisive turning point in his life.

EPISODE 3

JULY 20: Two weeks after starting school, Shinji meets Kensuke Aida and Tōji Suzuhara. Tōji is tormented by the condition of his younger sister, who was injured during the Third Angel’s attack, and since then harbors hatred toward the pilot of EVA-01, whom he holds responsible. After school, Tōji punches Shinji in the face upon learning that he is the Third Children.

Shamshel appears near territorial waters and confronts EVA-01. In order to evaluate Misato’s ability to manage NERV’s operations against the Angels on her own, Gendō deliberately absents himself on the very day the Fourth Angel’s appearance is predicted, in accordance with the Dead Sea Scrolls’ prophecies.

Note: The MAGI computer displays “4th Angel.” No member of NERV questions the existence of a Second Angel that appeared between 2000 and 2015.

During the battle, Shinji brings Kensuke and Tōji into the Entry Plug to protect them from danger. By disobeying Misato’s order to retreat, he ultimately manages to kill Shamshel at the very last moment. Shinji is disciplined for insubordination and does not immediately return to school.

JULY 23: Three days after the death of the Fourth Angel, Tōji becomes worried about Shinji’s absence from class.

EPISODE 4

JULY 25–26: Shinji spends the day riding the circular train in Tōkyō-3. Once night falls, he stays at a movie theater in the city for several hours, then heads into the countryside until early morning, where he encounters Kensuke.

JULY 27: Section 3 of NERV arrests the Third Children and brings him back to Headquarters. After refusing once again to pilot the EVA, Gendō’s son is dismissed from the institute and taken to the station to return to New Atsugi. Before the train arrives, Shinji’s friends meet him in front of the platform entrance to see him off. Meanwhile, Misato realizes that Shinji has been protecting himself by hiding his feelings from others (the hedgehog’s dilemma), and decides to rush to the station to join him. On the platform, the middle school student chooses to continue his new life.

JULY 28: EVA-00 is released from the Bakelite.

EPISODE 5

JULY 28–30: Misato, Shinji, and Ritsuko visit the site where Shamshel’s body lies. The Angel’s S² Organ will be sent to the GEHIRN laboratory in Nevada (USA). Gendō and Fuyutsuki hope to find a way to complete Dr. Katsuragi’s theory in order to duplicate the S² Organ and implant its copies into new EVAs. That same day, Ritsuko tells Shinji about Rei’s accident and explains how Gendō came to her rescue.

JULY 31: Shinji goes to Rei’s place to deliver her new access card.

Ramiel appears and flies over Tōnosawa. While fighting the Fifth Angel with the EVA Unit-01, Shinji is quickly evacuated due to severe injuries.

EPISODE 6

Misato devises Operation “Yashima,” which consists of channeling all of Japan’s energy into a precision weapon (a positron rifle) adapted for EVA-01. The latter is protected by Rei thanks to the EVA-00's shield.

AUGUST 01: After two shots, Ramiel is destroyed.

EPISODE 7

Following Ramiel’s appearance, the Japanese government orders a classified report on the Angels and the Human Instrumentality Project. Ryōji provides them with a censored document containing numerous falsified data. The young man turns out to be an undercover agent working for various international organizations.
Ryōji calls Gendō after stealing Adam’s embryo from German NERV. Given his own sources of information, Gendō assures Ryōji that he will be able to travel through Japanese territory without interference from the government. Meanwhile, Misato goes to school for Shinji’s guidance meeting.
During a business trip, Gendō meets with a Chinese informant who tells him that the budget for Unit-06 has been approved by the UN. The man hopes that Unit-08 will be built in his own country.

Note: China becomes capable of producing EVAs by possessing one of the MAGI System’s supercomputers installed in Beijing.

Ritsuko explains the truth about the Second Impact to Shinji. This event brings back painful memories for Misato, who looks away.
Japan Heavy Chemical Industries unveils a new giant robot: “Jet Alone.” In the middle of budget renegotiations with Japanese officials over the organizations fighting the Angels, NERV sees JHCI as a serious competitor. Gendō then decides to sabotage their demonstration by reprogramming the robot (without endangering the public). The designers lose control of Jet Alone during its inaugural test. Misato, assisted by Shinji piloting Unit-01, is forced to intervene to handle the situation. The robot shuts down by itself at the last second... Ritsuko and a special agent report the success of their sabotage to Gendō.
On his way to school, Shinji realizes that he has formed a family with Misato.

EPISODE 8

Adam’s Embryo

AUGUST 23: A new Angel threatens to attack the Pacific fleet ship transporting Unit-02 and Adam’s embryo (being carried by Ryōji) from American NERV. To prepare for any possibility, Gendō keeps Unit-00 and Unit-01 (reconfigured for Rei) nearby to guard the GeoFront. He therefore sends Shinji as backup in case of an attack on the sea expedition. Although the Second Children — Asuka Sōryū Langley — is participating in the transport, she has no actual combat experience against Angels. Gagiel (the Sixth Angel) emerges from the depths of the ocean and attacks the convoy’s ships. Asuka, with Shinji’s help, fights together against Gagiel and destroys it.

Ryōji entrusts the embryo to Gendō.

AUGUST 29-31: Asuka enrolls in Class 1.

EPISODE 9

SEPTEMBER 4: Around 12:00 PM, Israfel appears in the bay of the Wakayama Peninsula.
3:42 PM: EVA-01 and -02 are disabled by the Angel. An N² bomb is launched at Israfel to temporarily halt its advance.

SEPTEMBER 8: Shinji and Asuka begin their training.

SEPTEMBER 11: Decisive battle against Israfel (enemy annihilated).

EPISODE 10

SEPTEMBER 13: Asuka goes shopping with Ryōji in search of a swimsuit for the school trip to the hot springs of Okinawa. That evening, Misato informs Shinji and Asuka that they will not be going on the trip with their classmates, so they remain in Tōkyō-3 in case of an alert.

SEPTEMBER 14: Sandalphon (the 8th Angel) is discovered as an embryo in the crater of Mount Asama. EVA-02 (piloted by Asuka) captures Sandalphon. The Angel develops, hatches, and attacks the EVA. It is destroyed during the battle.

EPISODE 11

SEPTEMBER 19: After discovering their robot was sabotaged, JHCI decides to take revenge on NERV by cutting the power supply to Tōkyō-3 and the GeoFront on the day of the 9th Angel’s appearance (as predicted by the Dead Sea Scrolls). They hope the UN will call on the Jet Alone, now repaired, to destroy the Angel inside the GeoFront, which would redirect funding back to their productions. JHCI enlists Ryōji to get information about the HQ’s electrical systems. He agrees and takes the opportunity to access secret areas within NERV. He also ends up trapped in an elevator with Misato.

Mataraiel (the 9th Angel) appears in the Atami region. A total blackout hits Tōkyō-3. Rei, Shinji, and Asuka fight and destroy Matarael.

EPISODE 12

Dead Sea of Antarctica

Misato is promoted to major, allowing for the simultaneous absence of NERV’s leaders. Gendō and Fuyutsuki travel to the former UN laboratory at the South Pole to retrieve the Spear of Longinus. This operation aims to prepare the Instrumentality Plan and neutralize Lilith’s A.T. Field, which attracts the Angels.

Note: Lilith’s size is reduced (see Episode 14).

The appearance of salt pillars attests to the high salt concentration of the Dead Sea, making life impossible within it. This depiction references the story of Lot’s wife in Genesis, who was turned into a pillar of salt after she looked back at Sodom (a city punished by God and located near the Dead Sea).

OCTOBER 2: The 10th Angel — Sahaquiel — is detected in orbit above the Indian Ocean, preparing to collide with Earth and devastate the region. The three EVAs launch around Tōkyō-3, reach the impact point, and eliminate Sahaquiel.

EPISODE 13

OCTOBER 14: Ireul, a microscopic Angel, manages to infiltrate the NERV HQ after contaminating the "87th protein barrier" (a wall panel designed to repel infectious germs) recently installed in the Sigma Unit (the sterile zone of the Central Dogma). Inside the "Pribnow Box" (a testing room at the center of the Sigma Unit), Shinji, Rei, and Asuka participate in a test on the harmonics of the human body. Their task is to activate EVA imitations without wearing Plug Suits (Puragusūtsu, プラグスーツ), then simulate their movements (Mogitai, 模擬体, “body imitation”). The goal of the test is to finalize research on the creation of Dummy Plugs. However, the experiment is interrupted by the 11th Angel, which infects the simulators in the Pribnow Box and part of the MAGI System (Melchior-1 and Balthasar-2), triggering the GeoFront's self-destruction. To prevent the Angel from making contact with Yui’s soul, Unit-01 is immediately sent to the surface by Gendō’s order. Ritsuko resets MAGI and destroys Ireul using a program that accelerates its premature evolution.

The Dummy System (Damī Shisutemu, ダミーシステム) is an artificial piloting system designed by NERV to autonomously control Evangelions and generate their own A.T. Fields. It can take control of an EVA regardless of the pilot or completely replace them via a Dummy Plug.

Gendō decides not to inform SEELE or the Japanese government about the invasion. He also destroys the information recorded by the Supercomputer.

EPISODE 14

Thanks to a spy report, the members of SEELE learn that NERV was attacked by Ireul. The committee holds an extraordinary session to question Gendō about the incident; however, he denies the facts.
At the HQ, a mutual compatibility test between the pilots and the different EVAs is underway.
Inside Unit-01, Rei reflects on the meaning of life and her own existence:
- “A woman who does not bleed” — a reference to Lilith, preserved from Original Sin: she gives birth without suffering and does not bleed. The blood of Lilith that formed the planet’s oceans is not from postpartum bleeding.
- “A human made of Red Earth” — a reference to Adam (in Hebrew: Adama אדמה — “red earth”).
Inside Unit-00, Shinji thinks about Rei and awakens the ghost of Naoko, who tries to penetrate his mind. He loses control of the EVA, striking the glass behind which Rei is located.
After Unit-00 is reset, Rei goes to the Terminal Dogma (Tāminaru Doguma, ターミナルドグマ) and pierces Lilith’s original body at the abdomen with the Spear of Longinus. SEELE’s intention is to slow Lilith’s growth until Adam’s children are completely eradicated. Nevertheless, the Angels continue to be drawn to Lilith. The Terminal Dogma is the deepest level of NERV HQ beneath Tōkyō-3. It contains Lilith’s chamber and the Dummy System Factory, where inactive substitutes of Rei Ayanami are stored.

EPISODE 15

OCTOBER 19: Ryōji, working for the UN, investigates the Marduk Institute. Misato catches him forcing his way into the Terminal Dogma, where together they discover the existence of Lilith.

While Rei had believed herself to be devoid of all feelings, she begins to fall in love with Shinji.
Gendō uses Rei to finalize tests on the Dummy Plug. SEELE will produce identical Plugs for the EVA Series based on the thought patterns of Kaworu Nagisa.

EPISODE 16

OCTOBER 20: Leriel (the 12th Angel) appears. Shinji attacks the Angel with EVA-01 but becomes trapped inside it in a parallel dimension (the “Dirac Sea”). He communicates with his mother, who resides within the Evangelion, and loses hope of being rescued. Shinji falls unconscious; the EVA awakens and frees itself from the Dirac Sea by destroying Leriel.

EPISODE 17

Misato is questioned by SEELE about the offensive against Leriel. The organization has lost trust in Gendō, who has been creating false reports on NERV’s operations.

OCTOBER 28: The second NERV branch (located on the American continent), which was researching the S² Organ and constructing Unit-04, has vanished. The UN leadership is unable to explain the reasons for this new disaster. Under these circumstances, the Americans decide to urgently transfer Unit-03 to Japan. The school principal informs Tōji that he has been selected as the Fourth Children.

EPISODE 18

OCTOBER 29–31: EVA Unit-03 is transported by a long-range aircraft ("EVA Transport Aircraft", EVA長距離輸送機) headed for NERV’s secondary facility in Matsuhiro. As the convoy crosses a cumulonimbus cloud over the Pacific Ocean, Bardiel (the 13th Angel) infiltrates and merges with the EVA inside the cloud. Meanwhile, Misato and Ritsuko are transferred to the test site to witness Unit-03’s activation trial. The next day, during the second phase of synchronization, EVA-03/Bardiel activates its S² Organ and causes an explosion at the Matsuhiro facility. The Angel escapes the underground cage and advances toward Tokyo-3. Given the emergency and Misato’s unavailability, Gendō takes control of operations. The EVA is now considered a hostile target to be eliminated. After neutralizing EVA-00 and EVA-02 at Nobeyama, Bardiel violently attacks EVA-01, which is controlled by the Dummy System.

Faced with Shinji’s refusal to fight, the commander calls the tactical operations division to connect the synchronization circuits to the Dummy Plug, overriding the pilot. Bardiel is finally neutralized after being disemboweled by EVA-01. Shinji is relieved to learn the pilot of the infected EVA is still alive — but on discovering the identity of the Fourth Children, he becomes enraged at his father and threatens to destroy half of NERV HQ. Unmoved, Gendō orders the operators to increase the LCL pressure in the Plug to force Shinji’s ejection from the EVA. Shinji loses consciousness and is transferred to the hospital.

EPISODE 19

NOVEMBER 02: Two days after Bardiel’s defeat, Shinji is discharged from the hospital and dismissed from duty after a cold meeting with his father. As he prepares to leave Tokyo-3, an alarm sounds throughout the city. Zeruel (the 14th Angel) appears along the Komagatake defense line.

Gendō orders Unit-01 to be reconfigured for Rei and sends her into battle. However, the EVA refuses to activate, rejecting both the pilot and later the Dummy Plug during a restart attempt. Yui’s soul within EVA-01 resists Gendō’s command because of the harm he caused to Shinji.
Zeruel decapitates EVA-02 inside the GeoFront. The EVA’s head crashes into block 6 of HQ, where Shinji has taken shelter. While evacuating, Shinji meets Ryōji tending a watermelon farm to reconnect with nature. Ryōji no longer works for NERV after being exposed as a spy for the Japanese government. Amid the chaos, Rei attacks the Angel in EVA-00 and detonates an N² bomb nearby.
Listening closely to Ryōji’s words, Shinji realizes he must act according to what he believes is right. He returns to face his father and resolves to fight Zeruel himself. After a fierce struggle, EVA-01 runs out of power and loses the armor plate protecting its core. To keep her son from further danger, Yui triggers EVA-01’s awakening, absorbing Shinji with a synchronization rate of 400%. The Evangelion rushes toward the Angel, devours its S² Organ, and frees itself from NERV’s external power control by breaking its armor seals.

EPISODE 20

Since the recent events, SEELE has grown wary of Unit-01’s emancipation and is now aware of Gendō’s true intentions.

NOVEMBER 04: After fusing with EVA-01’s Core, Shinji’s physical body has lost its consistency. According to the Technical Division (NERV’s scientific branch), the chemical components of the LCL inside the EVA reveal that the boy’s organic substances have been preserved in the Entry Plug in a quantum state. Meanwhile, NERV observes heavy losses of its paramilitary equipment and decides to move the MAGI System to the secondary backup control center.

DECEMBER 05: Ritsuko launches the Salvage Operation to try to recover Shinji’s physical appearance. The plan involves transferring genetic information into Unit-01 using electromagnetic signals to reconstruct the teenager’s corporeal shell (i.e., the border of his ego), through which his soul will be able to dwell. The original plan was developed in 2004 as a project to save Yui, but its implementation was a failure according to Naoko Akagi's records. Its new implementation will not succeed due to the EVA's rejection. Each wave sent to it is retained in a dimension curved in on itself, forming an infinite loop: this is the “Klein Space” (Kurain no kūkan, クラインの空間), in which it is no longer possible to define an existing “inside” or “outside.” Later, Shinji finally regains his mental balance; Yui then decides to free her son by ejecting him from EVA-01’s Core; Shinji is reborn in body and soul.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Based on the data displayed on NERV’s psychographic analysis monitors, the Libido refers to a psychic energy that derives from the “Life Drive” (Eros). It essentially represents the mechanism behind the creation of a living being, especially when it takes form out of “nothing” under extreme conditions. In the context of Evangelion, this suggests that an individual’s A.T. Field emerges through this Libido. It is an act by which the soul gain a body to “relish” carnal freedom, and at the same time, to feel what others can offer it. This term, borrowed from Freudian psychology, is opposed to Destrudo, associated with the “Death Drive.”

Psychography of Shinji's Soul

DECEMBER 07: Two days after Shinji’s rescue, the Committee intends to place EVA-01 in cryogenic freeze. Meanwhile, Misato sleeps with Ryōji and uses the opportunity to question him about NERV’s true objectives. The young man remains silent and gives her a capsule containing the access codes to Terminal Dogma.

EPISODE 21

By order of SEELE, Ryōji kidnaps the NERV deputy commander and quickly realizes that this act will cost him his own death sentence. The organization interrogates Kōzō Fuyutsuki about the awakening of Unit-01. But a few hours later, Ryōji returns to free Fuyutsuki and enlightens him about his personal motivations. He is aware that his life is gravely threatened and fears that SEELE has discovered he stole Adam’s embryo. Due to her relationship with the infiltration agent, Misato is placed in solitary confinement by NERV. Ryōji is executed by one of Gendō’s henchmen.

In the video game "Secret of Evangelion", the story reveals that Ryōji is killed by his old friend — Kyōya Kenzaki (29 years old) — who works as an investigator for NERV.

Late in the afternoon, the Intelligence Division releases the female head of tactical operations following Fuyutsuki’s return. When Misato arrives at her apartment, she listens to Ryōji’s last message on the answering machine.

EPISODE 22

DECEMBER 10: The construction of the EVA Series begins at multiple facilities, while EVA-01 is placed in cryogenic storage in Tōkyō-3. Thus, humanity's defense rests solely on Asuka and Rei. However, as tests on harmonics progress, Asuka’s synchronization rate declines due to the deterioration of her psychological state.

DECEMBER 12: Arael (the 15th Angel) appears in Earth’s geostationary orbit. Aboard EVA-02, Asuka takes the initiative to go frontline and target the Angel with a positron rifle. But Arael seizes the opportunity to penetrate the Second Children's mind remotely. Its psychic attack affects Asuka's heart and successfully shuts down Unit-02. Under the commander’s directive, Rei retrieves the Spear of Longinus from the Terminal Dogma and sends it toward Arael, which is annihilated.

Note: Lilith is the origin of the LCL lake surrounding her / The Spear of Longinus heads toward lunar orbit and will end its course on the Moon (see The End of Evangelion).

EPISODE 23

DECEMBER 13-14: Asuka has not returned to Misato’s apartment and has been skipping classes for several days, staying at Hikari Horaki’s place (the class 2-A representative). The next day, the SEELE members once again demand answers from Gendō, who knowingly used the Spear of Longinus without their approval. They also know he implanted Adam’s embryo into himself and plan to send Kaworu Nagisa (the Angel who looks like a Lilin) to NERV in order to hasten their project before the commander’s plan can come to fruition.

DECEMBER 15: Armisael (the 16th Angel) flies over the Owaku valley, rotating around a fixed point. Suddenly, it lunges at EVA-00 and penetrates its organic parts. The Angel’s goal disorients the entire NERV headquarters by trying to establish a level 1 contact with the Evangelion. Misato sends Unit-02 as reinforcement, but Asuka’s synchronization rate (below 10%) is insufficient to move the EVA. At the same time, Armisael manages to merge with Rei, who breaks down in tears, realizing their mutual loneliness. Affected by the girl’s heart, Armisael then attempts to resurrect all the previously dead Angels using the Core of EVA-00 that it absorbed (see image opposite). Facing the gravity of the situation, Gendō cancels the freezing order for EVA-01 and sends it to assist Rei on the surface. The Angel detects the presence of the other EVA and rushes toward it. Fearing for Shinji’s survival, Rei reverses her A.T. Field to trap Armisael within its own Core and activates the Entry Plug’s self-destruct mode. The contaminated EVA takes on Rei’s appearance under the Angel’s control, then explodes, devastating part of Tōkyō-3.

The survivors of the N² bomb evacuate the fortress city. All the water from the nearby lake flows into the crater left by the destruction of Unit-00.

Form called "Angel Tower"

Rei III is sent to the hospital to fake the survival of her former replica. Later, she is confronted by Shinji outside the radiology office, who realizes that his teammate has no memory of saving his life. The soul of Lilith, which has reincarnated into a new human clone, gradually recovers the memories of Rei II at her home. She is about to crush Gendō’s glasses, which she had retrieved during his accident in July, but her tears stop her, revealing the affection she still holds for Shinji’s father.

Note: Rei wears her bandages the same way as in episode 1.

DECEMBER 22: Gendō sends Ritsuko to face accusations of the SEELE. Exposed before the Committee, the scientist feels she is Rei’s equal (just like her mother before), and realizes that her lover has been manipulating her. Late in the day, Ritsuko calls Shinji and asks him to come to NERV. She is caught by Misato at the entrance of the Terminal Dogma. Misato had previously managed to change the sector access code using information from Ryōji. Under Shinji’s watchful eye, Misato points her gun at her former friend and orders her to lead them to NERV’s secret areas. Ritsuko shows them the hospital room where Rei III was born, as well as the old EVA Control System where the very first failed prototypes of Project E are stored (the place where Shinji’s mother died). She finally reveals the Dummy System Factory and destroys the Rei substitutes to take revenge on Gendō.

EPISODE 24

DECEMBER 24: Upon learning of Ryōji’s death, Asuka runs away from Misato’s apartment and attempts suicide by slitting her wrists in the bathtub of a ruined house. NERV intelligence agents find the Second Children in time and quickly transfer her to the HQ hospital, where she is placed in room 303.

Ritsuko has been arrested after destroying the Dummy System.
Shinji is still tormented by the revelations made to him a few days earlier. Under the sunlight, he finds himself alone by the new artificial lake formed after the explosion of Unit-00. Next to him, he notices the Fifth Children and begins to get to know him. Night falls, and Rei, still amnesiac about her true identity, gradually understands on her own that her soul has been reincarnated into a new body.
Shinji feels a deep sympathy for Kaworu and decides to spend the night at his place.
Misato considers entrusting Pen Pen to Hikari’s family.

DECEMBER 25: On the very day of Christ’s birth, SEELE urges Kaworu (the “last messenger”) to trigger the Third Impact. Kaworu takes control of Unit-02 telepathically, then travels to the Terminal Dogma with the mission to return to Adam. His offensive is detected by the Tactical Operations Division. Filled with resentment, Shinji pursues the 17th Angel aboard EVA-01 and fiercely battles EVA-02 in the shaft leading to the Black Moon’s center. In the heat of the fight, Kaworu wonders why the Lilin consent to use copies of Adam to ensure their survival, when the original entity is responsible for their suffering on Earth. He reveals to Shinji that he could merge with the EVAs if they were not endowed with souls. After destroying the last barrier of Central Dogma, Kaworu abandons the Third Children, who is still fighting, and moves toward the Progenitor Angel. Meanwhile, Rei III watches her counterpart from a distance after having released Lilith’s power. Kaworu feels sadness at the thought of reuniting with Adam, at the cost of humanity’s destruction. But as he approaches his goal, he realizes that the Terminal Dogma contained Lilith, not Adam as he had believed. The boy understands that SEELE orchestrated his death to accelerate the Human Instrumentality Project's timeline, and comprehends that the fate of the Lilins essentially depends on their progenitor’s will.

Note: According to MAGI System data, Rei and Kaworu possess the most powerful A.T. Fields ever recorded since Sachiel’s appearance.

EVA-01 arrives in Lilith’s Chamber after defeating Asuka’s EVA, then grabs the target to be killed in its hand. Kaworu tells Shinji that Angels (including himself) cannot act against their own nature. He explains that only one of the two life forms on Earth can escape extinction. His final wish is to die by the hand of his friend, so that humanity can continue to live in peace. With great hesitation, Shinji resolves to give death to the Fifth Children.

THE END OF EVANGELION

EPISODE 25

The SEELE Committee informs the Prime Minister of Japan (one of the leaders of the UN) about the exact nature of the Human Instrumentality Project, and persuades him that Gendō Ikari is the one orchestrating the project in Tōkyō-3.

DECEMBER 30, 2015: Shinji is completely disoriented under the sun and meditates at the place where he first met Kaworu Nagisa. Later, Shinji visits Asuka at the hospital, and unintentionally exposes the teenage girl’s chest while shaking her in bed. He closes the door and masturbates over his beloved, who is still unconscious: "I disgust myself," Shinji murmurs.

Note: Asuka’s intravenous drip administers LCL to her.

3:49 PM: The NERV staff wonder what will become of the institute after the death of the Angels. The Committee members warn Gendō that they no longer intend to follow the original project scenario. They now plan to use EVA-01 (a direct descendant of Lilith) as a Christ-like figure. Surprised, Fuyutsuki had no idea that the EVAs were designed to trigger the Human Instrumentality Project.

DECEMBER 31: Rei wakes up at night under the full moon and senses that the time of the Third Impact is near. She breaks Gendō’s old glasses upon realizing that her love for him is an illusion, then heads to NERV. As for Shinji, nothing happens (his Walkman's batteries are dead).

5:30 AM: Misato accesses the MAGI database to learn the truth about the events of the Second Impact.
6:00 AM: The MAGI System of Tōkyō-3 suffers a cyberattack from the five other UN MAGI (USA - Massachusetts / China - Beijing / Japan - Matsushiro / Germany - Berlin, Hamburg). Balthasar-1 and Melchior-2 are hacked; Ritsuko is released from prison so she can reinforce the protections of the supercomputer. Once she has retreated into the conduit leading to Casper-3, she sets up the “Type-B Danang” defense program (Firewall 666), which suspends the hacking attempt and protects the MAGI System for 62 hours.
7:20 AM: The JSSDF attack begins — the generals’ objective is to seize control of the EVAs and kill the pilots so they will not have to fight them. Misato protects Asuka by placing her in EVA-02, which will be hidden at the bottom of the Black Moon’s lake.
7:23:23 AM: Shinji has gotten lost inside NERV headquarters and cannot reach EVA-01. Misato decides to retrieve him before he is executed. On the way, she is shot, but manages to lead Shinji to an elevator going to the EVA platform. After giving him his first “kiss of love,” Misato offers him the cross from her father's necklace as a token of faith. She dies of her wound moments later; the spirit of Lilith (appearing in Rei’s form), symbolizing hope and happiness, welcomes Misato into the afterlife.
The JSSDF drops an N² bomb on Tōkyō-3. The city is completely destroyed, and the GeoFront is now open to the sky.

Rei purifies her mind in an LCL tank to free herself from Yui’s genetics. Once she has become the full reincarnation of Lilith, she goes to the cloning laboratory and observes her mutilated clones.

Note: The Dummy System factory tanks are arranged in the same pattern as the Sephiroth in the Tree of Life. At the position of Malkuth (the seat of all souls), the part of Lilith inside Rei regains its memory.

The Self-Defense Army troops discover the location of Unit-02 and deploy mines in the GeoFront’s lake to destroy it. Asuka wakes up in despair and makes contact with the motherly spirit of her mother, who manifests in Unit-02 to comfort her daughter. By regaining harmony with herself, Asuka finally synchronizes with the EVA and fiercely attacks the JSSDF’s armored vehicles. In response, SEELE takes the initiative and sends the EVA Series to stop her. Under the rays of the sun, a disoriented Asuka is killed by the replica Spears of Longinus wielded by the nine EVAs.

Gendō finds Rei in the cloning laboratory. They enter Lilith’s Chamber and meet Ritsuko. While setting up the protection systems, Ritsuko had tampered with the Terminal Dogma’s self-destruct program. She intends to destroy all of Gendō’s preparations to prevent him from realizing his plan. However, the Casper module (the feminine side of the MAGI System, linked to Naoko’s personality) denies her access to the command and betrays the will of her own daughter. Ritsuko is shot by Gendō, then is welcomed by the spirit of Lilith (dressed as a schoolgirl).

EPISODE 26

Yui convinces Shinji to board EVA-01 to protect him, then awakens the Evangelion through the S² Organ, which upon activation pulverizes the pyramid-shaped headquarters building (a symbol of human ascension). The powerful A.T. Field of the Evangelion attracts the Spear of Longinus, which was located on the Moon.

Note: The Wings of Light (Hikari no Tsubasa, 光の翼) of EVA-01 transform into a cross as soon as the EVA frees itself from its armor.

Sephirothic System of the Tree of Life

The Human Instrumentality Project is about to begin. To subjugate EVA-01, SEELE’s nine EVAs administer the stigmata of Christ on its hands. They then reproduce the inverted Sephirotic System (the path of Awakening) by each activating their own S² Organ. This process triggers the Third Impact, which frees the Black Moon from the Earth. EVA-01 occupies the position of the Sephirah “Tiphereth,” referring to the solar plexus (the location of the EVA’s Core) and to the crucifixion of Christ.

Meanwhile, Gendō initiates the Forbidden Fusion of Adam and Lilith. He inserts his right hand into Rei’s human body, whose A.T. Field was waning (humanity within Rei is disappearing). However, Lilith’s soul refuses to obey him. She severs Gendō’s hand to absorb Adam’s embryo, then returns to her original body. Finally revived, Lilith frees herself from the sacred stigmata and prepares to become Adam Kadmon.

Note: The anime’s director, Hideaki Anno, presents his visual interpretation of the Apocalypse of John, which draws on these verses:

Revelation 12 :1 - "Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars."

Revelation 12:3 - "And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads."
Revelation 12:3 - "Then another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 12:4 – His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 12:5 – She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron*. 12:6 – And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days."
*: to rule with a rod of iron = to destroy instead of ruling with severity.
Revelation 17:1 - "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters. 17:2 – With whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 17:3 – So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 17:5 – And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
Revelation 17:15 - "Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.”

Concerned about Shinji’s ordeal, Rei (Lilith) comes to his aid. Meanwhile, the EVA Series form the sacred geometry of the Ein Sof (their A.T. Fields “resonate”), generating the resurrection of Adam by merging with Lilith.

Tree of Life (fusion of the Spear of Longinus with the Core of EVA-01)

By embodying Kaworu Nagisa, Adam’s spirit soothes Shinji’s ego to erase the A.T. Field of Unit-01. The Spear of Longinus transforms upon contact with the EVA Core and restores the Tree of Life (Inochi no Ki, 命の木), the source of all souls.

Rei (Lilith) inherits Shinji’s memories and stages the boy’s childhood, through which he escapes into entertainment to forget the love of his mother that he has lost. Shinji, now the spectator of his own past, builds a sand pyramid (a symbol of social and spiritual elevation) and then destroys his creation upon realizing that no one bothers to give him attention.

Note: The playground and the hills represent his mother’s womb and breasts.

Later, Shinji is confronted with the opposite sex (Rei reveals to him the part of Misato and Asuka that resides in his heart). He discovers Misato’s intimate sphere but feels deep discomfort toward the young woman who indulges in adult pleasures. Moments later, Asuka’s thoughts overwhelm him. The teenage girl was hurt by Shinji’s selfishness and remained misunderstood by the one she loved (justifying the recurring nickname “Shinji idiot” throughout the series). However, Shinji still does not understand the feelings of those close to him despite Rei’s attempts to communicate the message. He continues to withdraw into himself and ends up strangles Asuka (embodied by Rei) to cease existing from others’ perspective, and even less so to those who resemble him. Shinji's act echoes the strangulation Naoko Akagi inflicted on Rei I.

The Gates of Guf shaped like vulvas

The Third Eye of Enlightenment

Anti-A.T. Field of Lilith

Ultimately, Shinji chooses to remain aloof from others and condemn humanity to disappear, so that suffering may cease to exist. Lilith opens the Gates of Guf, which take the form of genital vulvas in the palms of her hands (stigmata of the crucifixion), and initiates the “Red Earth Purification Ceremony” by spreading an Anti-A.T. Field throughout the entire planet. At the same time, the EVA Series crucify themselves in the name of divine complementarity to concentrate human life within the Black Moon (the reverse process of what Lilith accomplished 4 billion years ago). All the souls of the Lilin are gathered within Rei’s body — the new chamber of Guf — and now represent the red blood cells composing the giantess. The Third Eye of Enlightenment, surrounded by a genital vulva, appears on Lilith’s forehead and absorbs the Tree of Life to complete humanity’s “deification.”

Lilith is associated with the Babylonian goddess named Ishtar, whose connotations are linked to prostitution and sexual rituals. Ishtar’s vulva thus represents a symbol of fertility for the Sumerians.

The Red Earth Purification Ceremony refers to Misogi, a Shinto purification ritual using water to wash away impurities and restore the original state of the soul. The practitioners of this religious ceremony, guided by a leader, elevate their spirit through sacred chants, both to awaken their inner potential and to unite with the divine spirits (the kami). In The End of Evangelion, purified water is symbolized by the LCL that covers the Earth.

Triangular Trinity (Triquetra): Adam - Lilith - Lilin

Lilith’s Wings of Light

The Crown of Adam Kadmon (the 10 Sephiroth)

Gendō, who was already at the center of the Black Moon (within Terminal Dogma), was able to interact with his wife, who is directly connected to the Adam Kadmon through Rei. He would ultimately be reunited with Yui, but will join the rest of humanity by losing his individual entity (Gendō is devoured before the eyes of Rei I, Rei II, and Rei III). The entirety of human souls was separated from their corporeal shells under the effect of the Anti A.T. Field — characterized by a multitude of Rei clones — thus causing the death of all the Lilin on Earth. A parade of subliminal images passes through Shinji’s mind. Among the images that remain on screen the longest, we can observe: an emergency exit; the threshold of Misato’s apartment; Rei’s nightstand, where a glass of water and painkillers lie to soothe her suffering; Shinji’s cassette player (a means of escaping reality).

To comfort Shinji, Rei gives him a sensation of erotic pleasure by connecting her body with him. However, the teenager’s negative thoughts resurface, forcing him to break away from the universe to which he belongs. Through his imagination, he manages to reverse fiction and reality.

In this “live” sequence, it is important to understand that the world of Evangelion is an alternate reality to the real world (a meta-reference). Hideaki Anno aims to show animation fans (otakus) that they must stop escaping reality by taking refuge in a virtual world. For these views, Hideaki Anno was heavily criticized by both fans and animation professionals.

Rei, Asuka, and Misato remain motionless in a moving crowd, as these three girls stand out from the strangers in Shinji’s heart. Moments later, viewers inside a movie theater watch themselves as the film is shown (during the release of The End of Evangelion in 1997 in Japan), then reflect on their identity and become aware of their place among others, their peers.

Rei, Asuka, and Misato in Shinji’s “fictional world.”

Shinji accepts reality and regains his senses in the Guf dimension, which contains the Earth’s “ocean of LCL” (a reference to the “Ocean of Love” in the hymns of the Coptic Church). It is a world without A.T. Fields where individual entities do not exist. In other words, all human spirits have become One. Shinji keeps Dr. Katsuragi’s cross pendant (he has regained faith in humanity) and thus chooses to reject the existence of his ideal world. Rei and Kaworu explain to him that hope lies not in dreams, but in becoming, so that one day human wisdom may surpass that of the Gods.

Ocean of LCL - On the left, the Black Moon (symbol of Lilith); on the right, the Sun (symbol of Adam); above, the Moon (symbol of Rei); below, the Earth (symbol of Shinji); at the center, Shinji and Rei. The situation lies at the convergence of all possibilities.

The "Blood of Christ" (the blood of humanity) gushes from Rei’s neck and projects toward the Moon. Since the divine being no longer has a place in this world, Adam (in Hebrew: אדם / composed of דם – "Dam," meaning "Blood") separates from Lilith. The Moon and the Earth, sealed by the Blood of Christ, now belong to the human race; EVA-01 (Yui) detaches from Lilith to take charge of the fate of the Lilin (the Babylonians).

The Black Moon releases the Blood of Christ, which pours over Rei’s abdomen, then explodes, covering the Earth with all the souls of the Lilin. Thus, all humans can be reborn with an individual A.T. Field. Rei’s body falls to pieces, revealing the bones and flesh that compose her (a symbol of kinship with mankind in the Bible); Yui extracts the Spear of Longinus from EVA-01 and closes the Gates of Guf. She had planned for years to be enclosed within the EVA’s body, to become living proof that humanity has existed for all eternity. She explains to her son that everyone has the power to be brought back to life (a return to reality), and that paradise can be found anywhere as long as there is a will to keep living. Lilith’s soul approaches the EVA (God made in man’s image) and separates it from Shinji. The young boy says goodbye to his mother and returns to Earth of his own will (under the Moon’s protection), placing his trust in Rei (Lilith).

Human souls in the shape of red blood cells

Rei’s Bones and Flesh

For Christians, the Blood of Christ shed at his crucifixion is the blood required for the Covenant between God and man. It represents the ongoing relationship between Christians and God himself, which will be fulfilled and brought to an end after the Second Coming of Christ, that is, the “Return of the Messiah.” After his coming, the realization of this New Covenant will be established in a New World to come. The link between the Blood of Christ and the New Covenant is seen in the New Testament through the following quotation: “this cup that is poured out for you is the New and Eternal Covenant in my blood.” Redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer being God made man (John 10:30; 14:9).

The petrified EVA Series form the relics of the Redeemer Christ, descending from heaven to redeem the Lilin from their sin. God, out of love (sealed by the Covenant), thus grants humanity the right of redemption and promises his return to the Promised Land through the Messiah.

2016

Shinji is reborn in the Dead Sea.

On the red Earth (a world purged of original sin), Shinji finds himself lying near Asuka on a white salt beach where the waves of the sterilized Sea break. Lilith’s spirit (now Rei) has brought the two lovers side by side. The boy still cannot distinguish between dream and reality. He remains afraid of rejection by his soulmate and thus tries to kill his Love before experiencing pain once again. Asuka, disoriented, forgives Shinji and gently strokes his left cheek to comfort him. This gesture of affection gives rise to a feeling of guilt in Shinji, revealing the selfishness of his actions in the face of the selfless love being offered to him. He stops strangling the one who loves him and begins to cry (he feels her existence and his own). Asuka stays pensive for a moment, then reacts as she observes Shinji’s posture: “that’s disgusting” (kimochi warui, 気持ち悪い). Their A.T. Field has truly returned.

According to Evangelion Chronicle magazine, the presence of the Destrudo within Shinji’s mind is necessary to initiate Instrumentality. Several scenes in the film have been interpreted as expressions of Shinji’s sexual instincts, notably those where he observes Asuka on her hospital bed or when he partially merges with Rei in the LCL Ocean. Other passages rather illustrate the representation of his death drive, such as the destruction of his sand pyramid or the strangling of Asuka, followed by childlike drawings depicting dead animals. The lyrics of the two songs in the film, “Thanatos” and “Komm, süsser Tod,” highlight the significance of this dialectic of drives in the protagonist’s path, opposing Libido (Eros) to Destrudo (Thanatos). In the final scenes of The End of Evangelion, Shinji rejects Instrumentality, and Yui reminds him that all living beings possess the capacity to regain their human form as well as the desire to continue living (the life drive).

Sources:

https://esseniens.org/qui-sont-les-esseniens/nos-missions/

https://institutfrancaisdepsychanalyse.com/larbre-de-la-connaissance-du-bien-et-du-mal-ii/

https://www.kabbale.eu/la-kabbale-du-sang/

https://don-et-compassion.com/kabbale-royaume-malkuth-roue-samsara-moi/

https://ia801006.us.archive.org/14/items/ADictionaryOfAngels/A%20Dictionary%20of%20Angels.pdf

http://chezxavier.free.fr/evangelion.htm

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