Recaps

Huang Zhetian woke in the NERV hospital after the Angel battle and learned that Asuka had cooked for him. At school, Shinji met transfer student Mana Kirishima, while Gendo Ikari and Fuyutsuki discussed the operation and its implications for their plans.

• Huang Zhetian regained consciousness at NERV Headquarters, and a nurse confirmed that his condition was stable.
• Misato brought Huang Zhetian lunch made by Asuka and Shinji, then told him that the new transfer student was Mana Kirishima.
• At school, Shinji was teased by Asuka, Toji, and Kensuke for spending time with Mana, until Hikari stopped them.
• Asuka and Shinji received Huang Zhetian’s message saying he felt better and would cook for them that evening.
• Fuyutsuki told Gendo Ikari that SEELE and the United Nations criticized the risky Angel operation, while Gendo said Huang Zhetian’s actions advanced their scenario.

Huang Zhetian heard Asuka and Shinji describe a huge experimental military machine and Shinji’s new classmate, Mana Kirishima, whom he recognized from a PSP game. At NERV, Gendo Ikari left the machine to the Military and told Fuyutsuki to leave the Military personnel alone unless they threatened NERV’s interests.

• Asuka told Huang Zhetian that she and Shinji had seen a gigantic flying machine and its heavy footprints after it battled the Military.
• Shinji described transfer student Mana Kirishima, prompting Asuka to attack him for admiring another girl.
• Huang Zhetian recognized Mana’s name from the game My Iron Girlfriend and proposed meeting her, but Asuka kicked him and sent him and Shinji to make dinner.
• Misato reported that the Military’s experimental machine could attack on land, at sea, and in the air, and Gendo Ikari ordered NERV to leave it to the Military.
• Fuyutsuki told Gendo that the machine’s pilot had arrived at NERV and two others were missing, but Gendo said to leave them alone unless they interfered with NERV.

Huang Zhetian and Shinji made lunches before Huang and Asuka found a massive footprint on their way to school, which Huang suspected came from a military weapon. At school, Mana Kirishima invited Shinji on a weekend outing and then asked Huang to join; Asuka claimed Huang already had a date with her and dragged him away.

• Huang Zhetian and Shinji packed lunches for five, including one for Kaji, while Asuka teased them in the kitchen.
• Huang Zhetian and Asuka discovered a huge footprint inside a cordoned-off area, and Huang suspected it belonged to a humanoid military weapon from a game he remembered.
• Huang Zhetian introduced himself to Mana Kirishima and teased Shinji about calling her cute, making Shinji blush and deny it.
• Mana invited Shinji to go out with her that weekend, and Shinji eagerly agreed.
• Mana also invited Huang Zhetian to join them, but Asuka said she already had a date with him and dragged him out of the classroom.

Huang Zhetian learned that Asuka had agreed to go on a weekend date with him and bought outfits for them through the system. He prepared dinner for Asuka, excited about the date ahead.

• Asuka confirmed that she would go on a date with Huang Zhetian and ordered him to accompany her to the mall that night.
• Huang Zhetian decided to help Asuka outshine Mana and spent over 4,000 Practice Points on a qipao for her.
• Huang Zhetian bought a plain men's robe for himself, preserving some Practice Points for later.
• Huang Zhetian put away his photos of Asuka and cooked dinner while eagerly anticipating their date.
• Asuka saw Huang Zhetian cooking, briefly smiled, then asked him to hurry up and make her fresh, chilled orange juice.

Shinji worried over what he had seen Mana doing with Musashi and struggled to decide whether to trust her or confront her. Huang Zhetian gave Asuka an antique Qipao for their date the next day, and Shinji regained some confidence by remembering his own date with Mana.

• At dinner, Asuka and Huang Zhetian urged Shinji to stop apologizing and form opinions of his own, while he kept worrying about Mana.
• Huang Zhetian mentioned Shinji's date with Mana the next day, and Asuka punched him for bringing her up.
• Huang Zhetian revealed an embroidered Qipao and an Oil-Paper Umbrella he had brought from China.
• Huang Zhetian gave Asuka the Qipao as a gift for their date, and she happily asked where they would go.
• Asuka looked forward to the date as she admired the Qipao in her room, while Shinji's confidence returned when he remembered his date with Mana.

Shinji left to meet Mana while Huang Zhetian and Asuka prepared to go on a date. Asuka and Huang Zhetian set out together, holding hands beneath an umbrella.

• Misato and Huang Zhetian reacted to Shinji's greasy hairstyle, and Misato fixed his hair and makeup.
• Shinji left to meet Mana, and Misato departed for work after wishing Asuka and Huang Zhetian a good date.
• Asuka changed into a qipao and white stockings, while Huang Zhetian dressed in a Republican-era-style robe.
• Asuka planned to visit an amusement park, watch a movie, and go to the hot springs with Huang Zhetian.
• Asuka linked arms with Huang Zhetian, rested her head on his shoulder, and set off on their date beneath his umbrella.

Huang Zhetian and Asuka spent a happy day together at an amusement park, and Asuka told him he made her feel safe. As her gentle smile deepened his feelings, Shinji’s dinner with Mana was also growing more intimate.

• Huang Zhetian and Asuka entered the amusement park together, and he worried that SEELE or Gendo Ikari might exploit his closeness to her.
• Asuka scolded Huang Zhetian for zoning out during their date, and he led her into the Ferris wheel cabin.
• Asuka asked Huang Zhetian if he would leave her and called him her best friend, saying he was the second man to make her feel safe after Kaji.
• Huang Zhetian invited Asuka to visit China with him after they defeated all the Angels, and her smile made him realize his love for her was real.
• Shinji sat with Mana at a dining table aboard a ship as their interaction grew more intimate.

Shinji and Mana shared a kiss during their date, while Asuka and Huang Zhetian kissed after Asuka felt jealous and apologized. The couples planned to visit the hot springs, and Asuka and Huang Zhetian continued their date at the amusement park.

• Shinji and Mana kissed on a boat, and Asuka and Huang Zhetian saw them.
• Asuka apologized to Huang Zhetian and then kissed him passionately.
• Mana invited Asuka and Huang Zhetian to join them at the hot springs, and Shinji offered to book their reservations.
• After lunch, Asuka thanked Huang Zhetian for making her happy, and they headed back to the amusement park to ride the Ferris wheel.

After bathing, Huang Zhetian spent the evening with Asuka, Shinji, and Mana beneath the stars, performing music and a supernatural-looking display with grass and flower petals. The night ended with Asuka taking him to a room to ask questions, while he kept the true nature of his power secret.

• Huang Zhetian, Asuka, Shinji, and Mana watched the stars and discussed humanity and the changes caused by the Impact.
• Huang Zhetian played "Thoughts Across Time and Space" on a blade of grass, earning praise from Mana and the others.
• Huang Zhetian used Mythic Technology to make grass and flower petals rise and form a heart, then claimed it was a martial arts technique.
• Asuka followed Huang Zhetian to a room, and a scream soon came from inside as Shinji and Mana commented on their relationship.

Huang Zhetian and the others watched the military seize Mana, while Shinji rushed to NERV to seek help. As the convoy carried Mana away, a Giant Machine emerged from beneath the lake and attacked the military vehicles.

• Misato warned Huang Zhetian that NERV could not intervene in the military's jurisdiction and urged him to get Mana out of there.
• Huang Zhetian told Shinji to escort Mana away while he and Asuka tried to buy time, but soldiers ambushed them and arrested Mana.
• Shinji tried to stop the soldiers, but the squad leader threatened him and took Mana down the mountain in an armored vehicle.
• Shinji hurried back to NERV to seek help from his father, while Huang Zhetian and Asuka remained behind with Misato.
• A Giant Machine burst through the road beneath the military convoy, swept vehicles into the lake, and destroyed helicopters before targeting Mana's armored vehicle.

Shinji struggled to accept NERV’s order to destroy the Giant Machine, whose pilot was tied to Mana, while Kaji urged him to face the coming fight. Huang Zhetian and the others launched to intercept the machine, and Huang received a system mission to save both Musashi and Mana.

• Gendo Ikari refused to help Shinji and told him to grow up, leaving Shinji and Asuka dejected.
• Huang Zhetian sent Shinji and Asuka to Kaji, who urged Shinji to recognize his ability to act before an alarm called them back to NERV.
• Dr. Akagi briefed the pilots that they had to destroy the Giant Machine in a populated area, and Gendo approved Huang Zhetian’s use of his unit’s new Greatsword.
• Shinji revealed that the Giant Machine’s pilot was Mana’s teammate, and the pilots agreed to try to subdue it despite the threat of an N² missile.
• The three Evas launched toward the marketplace, and Huang Zhetian received a system mission to save Musashi and Mana in exchange for a Sword God Descends Card.

The three Evas pursued Musashi’s Giant Machine to rescue Mana, but Gendo ordered Rei to shoot the hostage. Huang Zhetian secretly saved Mana, and after Musashi surrendered, the group faced an uncertain return to NERV as Mana and Shinji said goodbye.

• Shinji, Asuka, and Huang Zhetian pursued Musashi’s Giant Machine, while Shinji warned that their Evas had only five minutes of power.
• Musashi attacked Rei Ayanami’s Unit-00 and headed toward her position, but the pursuing Evas closed in while trying not to endanger Mana.
• Gendo Ikari ordered Rei Ayanami to shoot Mana and told the pilots to destroy the Giant Machine, causing Shinji to attack it in a rage.
• Huang Zhetian revealed that he had severed the Giant Machine’s hand and caught Mana safely, prompting Musashi to surrender.
• Gendo ordered the prisoners brought back alive, while Misato instructed the Evas to take them to NERV instead of handing them to the Military.
• Mana told Shinji they could not stay together, then Huang Zhetian spoke with Musashi, who said he and Mana wanted to live; Huang Zhetian drew his Tai Chi sword.

Huang Zhetian killed Musashi and another pilot to spare them further suffering, then used the Taiji Sword to revive them and arranged their escape with Mana. Shinji said goodbye to Mana as she and Musashi boarded a train, while he returned with Huang Zhetian, Asuka, and Kaji, ready to begin again.

• A military colonel found the two detained pilots dead, but Huang Zhetian and Asuka insisted they had kept NERV's agreement; the colonel checked the bodies with gunfire and left.
• After the military departed, Huang Zhetian used the Taiji Sword to revive the two pilots, then admitted to Misato that he had killed them and accepted suspension from piloting duties.
• Misato agreed to help bury the pilots near water as Mana had requested, and Kaji arrived with clothes and new identities for Mana and Musashi.
• Huang Zhetian explained the sword's suspended-animation effect to Shinji and Asuka, then drove with them and the revived pair to the subway station.
• Shinji and Mana tearfully said farewell, and Huang Zhetian played a flute tune as Mana and Musashi boarded the departing train.
• Huang Zhetian, Shinji, Asuka, and Kaji left together, and Shinji felt comforted by the people who remained with him.

After dinner with Kaji, Huang Zhetian, Shinji, and Asuka discussed how NERV would handle questions about the rescued Giant Machine pilots. At NERV headquarters, Gendo decided to keep the incident secret and prepare for SEELE's incoming pilot and Eva.

• Kaji visited Misato's home, and his teasing helped ease the awkwardness between Misato and Huang Zhetian.
• Asuka warned Huang Zhetian and Shinji that Commander Ikari might uncover their plan, but Huang said NERV would stay silent unless questioned.
• Shinji refused to destroy his keepsakes from Mana, despite Asuka's suggestion that he forget the past.
• Gendo and Fuyutsuki agreed not to pursue the rescued pilots' case and planned to delay or destroy SEELE's new Eva.
• Gendo ordered Kaji to go to Unit Four's base in the United States and prepare to destroy the Eva if necessary.

A power failure struck NERV during Unit-00’s experiment, leaving the facility’s backup power disconnected. As Shinji and the others searched for a way into the underground base, Huang Zhetian learned that a Rain Angel was attacking and received a mission to defeat it.

• Akagi, Ibuki, and Aoba Shigeru ran Unit-00’s experiment while Fuyutsuki discussed the Magi and NERV’s work with them on the train.
• Shinji called Gendo Ikari about a school meeting, but Gendo told him to leave such matters to Misato and stop bothering him.
• The power failed during Akagi’s experiment, and Fuyutsuki ordered the remaining electricity diverted to the Magi and Central Dogma despite the impact on life support.
• Shinji, Asuka, Rei Ayanami, and Huang Zhetian found that their cards could not operate the entrance because the power was out, so Huang Zhetian led them to seek another way in.
• Huang Zhetian received a mission to defeat the Rain Angel for 1,000 points and a Crystal Necklace.

With NERV’s power cut and the Eighth Angel approaching Tokyo-3, Huang Zhetian led Asuka, Rei Ayanami, and Shinji through emergency routes to the underground headquarters. They arrived as Gendo Ikari prepared the Evas for a manual launch, and the chapter ended with the four units launching to confront the Angel.

• NERV’s main, secondary, and backup power systems failed while the Eighth Angel made landfall near Old Atami.
• Huang Zhetian used an emergency handbook to guide Asuka, Rei Ayanami, and Shinji through Passage Seven toward the underground headquarters.
• As they crawled through a ventilation duct, Huang Zhetian revealed that the Angels and Evas were connected to humanity’s origins and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
• Asuka opened a door onto the surface and saw the enormous Angel, while Hyuga used a campaign van to reach NERV and warn the staff.
• Gendo Ikari and the staff prepared the Evas using manual labor and auxiliary engines, and the four pilots reached the command center.
• Akagi ordered the four Evas to launch as the Angel attacked the surface with corrosive liquid.

Huang Zhetian defeated the Rain Angel with a sword strike, then spent the evening with the pilots and gave Asuka a magical necklace. The chapter ended with Kaji preparing to leave on an assignment and Huang Zhetian and Asuka growing closer.

• Asuka, Rei Ayanami, Shinji, and Huang Zhetian retreated into the ventilation duct after acid from the Rain Angel damaged their Evas and cut their power connections.
• Asuka proposed a plan to defend one Eva while Shinji attacked, but Huang Zhetian jumped down and cleaved the Rain Angel in half with a sword strike infused with his A.T. Field.
• Misato and Kaji fell together as the elevator doors opened, and Akagi, Ibuki, and Hyuga caught them in an embarrassing position.
• Huang Zhetian spoke with Kaji about contacting the Chinese embassy during his trip to the United States, then gave Asuka a necklace that glowed and fastened itself around her neck after she put a drop of blood on it.
• Asuka kissed Huang Zhetian, and later she and the other pilots watched the city lights while Misato and Kaji discussed his upcoming assignment.

Huang Zhetian and Asuka spent a day shopping and boating, where Asuka realized she loved him and they promised to stay together. Asuka fell asleep in Huang Zhetian’s arms as he watched a leaf drift away and wondered if he, too, might disappear someday.

• Asuka woke Huang Zhetian and took him shopping, where they bought matching orange flip phones and left a restaurant because they preferred his cooking.
• Asuka asked Huang Zhetian to rent a small boat, and he teased her before rowing them out onto the lake.
• Asuka realized she loved Huang Zhetian, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and asked him to play his flute.
• Huang Zhetian played Splendid Weiyang as the fishermen listened, then he and Asuka shared orange juice and promised not to abandon each other.
• Asuka fell asleep against Huang Zhetian, who held the Oil-Paper Umbrella over them and wondered whether he would one day drift away like a leaf.

Misato brought Shinji, Asuka, and Huang Zhetian to NERV for mental resonance testing, where Shinji's results improved, though he remained unhappy about piloting Eva. On the drive home, Huang Zhetian encouraged Shinji to stop doubting himself, and Misato reflected on how hard it was to face the truth.

• Asuka returned to Misato's apartment while Toji and Kensuke were sheltering there, and Misato arrived in her work uniform to announce that the pilots had a mental resonance experiment that evening.
• Kensuke noticed Misato's new major insignia, and Huang Zhetian sent Toji and Kensuke to buy ingredients so they could celebrate her promotion.
• At NERV, Akagi tested the four pilots and reported that Shinji's mental resonance value had risen eight points, while Huang Zhetian maintained his strong results.
• Asuka dismissed Shinji's and Huang Zhetian's praise and left the testing area alone despite Huang Zhetian asking if she wanted to go home together.
• On the drive home, Misato told Shinji not to let other people's reactions define his feelings, and Huang Zhetian urged him to believe in himself and face reality.
• Shinji cheered up and agreed to do the dishes, while Misato listened to their conversation and wondered when she would be able to face things bravely.

Huang Zhetian hosted a celebration for Misato’s promotion, where Shinji asked why she had joined NERV and Kaji and Akagi arrived. In Antarctica, Gendo and Fuyutsuki discussed using Huang Zhetian before NERV reported an Angel in satellite orbit above the Indian Ocean.

• Huang Zhetian cooked eight dishes for Misato’s promotion celebration, and everyone toasted her while Rei stayed away.
• Shinji asked Misato why she had joined NERV, but she said she had long since forgotten her reason.
• Kaji arrived with Akagi, and Huang Zhetian stepped out onto the balcony as Asuka continued talking with the guests.
• In Antarctica, Gendo Ikari and Fuyutsuki discussed the Spear of Longinus and planned to use Huang Zhetian after a few more Angel battles.
• A staff member reported that an Angel had been detected in satellite orbit above the Indian Ocean, and Gendo said they had nothing to fear with Huang Zhetian there.

A massive Space Angel attacked from orbit, forcing Misato to evacuate Tokyo-3 and plan a desperate attempt to catch its falling body with the Evas. The pilots agreed to face the operation together, and the chapter ended as they prepared to stop the Angel.

• The Space Angel destroyed NERV's monitoring satellites and dropped a duplicate toward Earth, correcting its aim after the first impact missed.
• Misato ordered a civilian evacuation after NERV determined the Angel could destroy Tokyo-3, and she took command while communications with Commander Ikari remained blocked.
• Misato revealed a plan for the Evas to catch the falling Angel with their A.T. Fields, despite the extremely low odds of success.
• Asuka, Rei Ayanami, Shinji, and Huang Zhetian declined to write last words, and Huang Zhetian abandoned his own after his friends encouraged him.
• Asuka learned that Huang Zhetian had sent Rei Ayanami food and angrily promised to confront him after the operation.

Misato positioned the four Evas to intercept the descending Space Angel, and the pilots destroyed it after Shinji and Huang Zhetian struggled to hold it back. After Gendo praised Shinji, the group celebrated over ramen, while a shooting star hinted that something would be lost.

• Misato deployed the Evas around the predicted impact zone based on her intuition, and Huang Zhetian urged the pilots to believe they could overcome fate.
• Asuka, Shinji, Rei Ayanami, and Huang Zhetian shared why they piloted Evas, while Misato told Shinji and Huang Zhetian about her father and her reasons for joining NERV.
• The four Evas sprinted toward the Space Angel, and Unit-01 and Special Unit combined their A.T. Fields to hold it back as it descended.
• Rei Ayanami cut through the Angel's A.T. Field, and Asuka stabbed its S² Engine, destroying it in a massive explosion.
• Misato apologized to Gendo Ikari for the damage, and Gendo praised Shinji for his actions.
• The pilots and Misato celebrated over ramen, where Shinji said he had realized he piloted Eva hoping for his father's praise, and Huang Zhetian raised his orange juice in a toast.

Huang Zhetian learned that his actions could lead to Asuka's death, so he secretly linked her necklace to himself to transfer her injuries to him. As Asuka treasured the necklace and planned a gift for him, Huang Zhetian went to sleep unaware that it had already begun protecting her.

• Huang Zhetian activated the incomplete Sword God Domain and gained limited divine power, then learned that its powerful abilities came with only two chances to use them.
• The system's prediction showed Asuka dying because of Huang Zhetian's actions, leaving him shaken and determined to prevent it.
• Huang Zhetian discovered that Asuka's legendary Transfer Chain could redirect harm to a second person, so he added his blood to the necklace while she was in his room.
• Misato and Shinji barged into the room after overhearing Asuka scream, interrupting the awkward scene before Asuka returned to her room with the now-red necklace.
• Asuka found that a cut on her hand healed and cherished the necklace, while Huang Zhetian later received the transferred injury and went to sleep.

Akagi’s MAGI autopilot test began smoothly, but corrosion spread through NERV Headquarters and caused Rei’s simulation body to move on its own. The contamination was identified as an Angel, and the chapter ended with the test area flooded behind sealed doors while Huang Zhetian prepared to have someone else kill it.

• Akagi and Ibuki completed MAGI’s self-diagnostic checks and began the autopilot test with Rei Ayanami, Shinji, and Asuka inside the entry plugs.
• Akagi, Misato, and Huang Zhetian noticed conflicting MAGI components as staff reported corrosion in the 87th Protein Wall.
• Akagi ordered the test aborted and the affected pipes sealed, but the corrosion spread into Unit-00’s simulation body.
• Huang Zhetian sensed an Angel as Rei’s test body twisted, and Akagi ejected all three entry plugs before the test body’s A.T. Field deflected the lasers.
• Akagi identified the intruder as an Angel, and Fuyutsuki ordered Central Dogma and the Sigma Unit sealed off.
• Misato pulled Akagi away as the observation glass shattered and water flooded the area, while Huang Zhetian decided he would use someone else to kill the Angel.

NERV faced an Angel that contaminated the facility, evolved in response to ozone, and infiltrated MAGI. Huang Zhetian proposed forcing the Angel’s evolution toward extinction, while Akagi’s team held off the intrusion; he also received an Infinity Gauntlet and considered returning to Guangdong.

• Gendo Ikari concealed the contamination report, ordered Unit-01 launched without its pilot, and prioritized it over the other Evas.
• Akagi and Misato’s team tried to stop the Angel with ozone, but it absorbed the gas, evolved, and resumed spreading.
• The Angel infiltrated MAGI, and Huang Zhetian urged Akagi’s team to exploit its evolution until it destroyed itself.
• Akagi changed MAGI’s logic mode to slow the intrusion, buying the team roughly two hours to act.
• Huang Zhetian received an Infinity Gauntlet with all six stones and decided to consider leaving Japan for Guangdong.