Recaps

The Seventh Angel dragged Asuka and Unit-02 to the seabed, where the EVA was buried and shut down. Shinji appeared in the cockpit, restarted Unit-02 with a 99.99% synchronization rate, and took the pilot’s seat as the Angel charged back toward them.

• The Seventh Angel knocked Unit-02 off the aircraft carrier Beyond the Rainbow and dragged Asuka into the sea.
• The Angel battered Unit-02 across a submerged city and buried it beneath rubble, causing the EVA to shut down.
• Asuka struggled in the dark cockpit, but Shinji appeared beside her and helped restart Unit-02.
• Shinji and Asuka saw that Unit-02’s synchronization rate had reached 99.99%.
• The Seventh Angel sensed Unit-02’s renewed AT Field and charged toward it, so Shinji picked Asuka up and took the pilot’s seat.

Shinji Ikari took control of Unit-02 and destroyed the Seventh Angel with overwhelming power while Asuka rode with him. Afterward, Asuka questioned Shinji about how he felt, and Unit-02 returned to the Beyond the Rainbow.

• Shinji Ikari's synchronization with Unit-02 exceeded two hundred percent, leaving Asuka unable to interfere with his control.
• Unit-02 rose from the rubble, parted the crimson sea with its rainbow barrier, and drove the Seventh Angel onto the exposed seabed.
• Shinji Ikari used Unit-02 to seize the Seventh Angel and destroy its core with a powerful strike.
• Asuka asked Shinji Ikari how he felt about the Angels, but he avoided answering and she rested silently in his arms.
• Misato Katsuragi and the Major General watched the sea from the Beyond the Rainbow as the parted waters closed and Unit-02 leaped back aboard.

Shinji Ikari and Asuka reunited with Unit-02 at New Yokosuka Port, where Asuka kissed him and Rei Ayanami watched angrily. Ryoji Kaji arrived with a secure case and headed for NERV headquarters, while Ritsuko Akagi revealed that Misato Katsuragi had once left her friends after delivering a line she thought sounded cool.

• Shinji Ikari and Asuka watched Unit-02 being unloaded and saw the damage to its armor.
• Asuka kissed Shinji Ikari, then insisted it was only a thank-you, while Rei Ayanami watched them from behind.
• Ryoji Kaji introduced himself as Asuka's temporary guardian and explained that he had come to deliver her to NERV.
• Ritsuko Akagi recognized Ryoji Kaji as Misato Katsuragi's college friend, and he departed with a handcuffed green case.
• Misato Katsuragi teased Shinji Ikari about Ryoji Kaji before Ritsuko Akagi explained that Misato had once left her friends after saying a line she thought sounded cool.

After the battle with Gaghiel, NERV recorded Shinji’s latest achievements while Kaji delivered the Key of Nebuchadnezzar to Gendo. Ritsuko warned Shinji that piloting Unit-01 was changing his body, and he left after urging her to smoke less.

• Ritsuko reported that Gaghiel’s data and Unit-02’s memory card had been uploaded to MAGI, and Asuka complained that Shinji had taken the Angel’s defeat from her.
• Misato grumbled that NERV had not promoted her, while Ritsuko praised Shinji’s high synchronization rates and combat record.
• Kaji told Gendo and Fuyutsuki that the Third Angel and Unit-05 had been disposed of as an accident, then handed Gendo the Key of Nebuchadnezzar.
• Gendo identified the object as the key to Human Instrumentality and smiled with delight.
• Ritsuko warned Shinji that his high synchronization was making his body more like an EVA, but Shinji treated the changes as a good thing.
• Shinji invited Ritsuko to dinner, asked whether she disliked Ayanami, and advised her to smoke less before leaving.

Asuka moved into the dormitory next to Misato Katsuragi’s apartment and reluctantly agreed to attend school with Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami. Late that night, Rei, unable to sleep in her unfamiliar room, went to Shinji’s bedroom and entered when he invited her in.

• Asuka complained about her small new apartment and about having to live apart from Misato Katsuragi.
• Misato Katsuragi told Asuka that Headquarters and the Marduk Institute had arranged for her to attend school with Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami, and Asuka reluctantly agreed.
• After dinner, Asuka praised Shinji Ikari’s cooking and returned to her apartment with Misato Katsuragi, who helped her unpack before falling asleep exhausted.
• Rei Ayanami woke near eleven, unsettled by her unfamiliar bedroom and unable to fall asleep.
• Rei walked to Shinji Ikari’s bedroom, where he was reading NERV reports, and entered after he invited her in.

Rei Ayanami kissed Shinji Ikari and spent the night sleeping beside him, while Asuka Langley Shikinami arrived at school as a new transfer student. Shinji’s conversation with Toji Suzuhara was interrupted by a MAGI alert announcing level-one combat readiness.

• Rei Ayanami kissed Shinji Ikari, then asked to sleep with him, and he agreed.
• Shinji woke beside Rei, said their relationship was extremely close, and watched her get dressed before they went to class.
• Asuka Langley Shikinami introduced herself to Class 2-A, and a boy who approached her was kicked in the face.
• Toji Suzuhara offered to punish Asuka for disrespecting Shinji, but Shinji told him to let go of his hostility and asked about Sakura’s recovery.
• Shinji received a MAGI message declaring level-one combat readiness.

A new Angel, Israfel, approached Tokyo-3 while its defenses remained badly damaged, so Misato Katsuragi sent Unit-01 and Unit-02 to intercept it at Suruga Bay. The EVAs landed and connected to portable power cables, and Misato ordered Shinji Ikari and Asuka to attack in coordination.

• The command room identified a new Angel off the Kii Peninsula as the Music Angel, later named Israfel.
• Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi decided to deploy the combat-ready Unit-01 and Unit-02 because Tokyo-3's defenses were only 26% restored.
• Asuka declared she would prove herself in Unit-02, while Rei Ayanami urged Shinji Ikari to be careful before the sortie.
• Misato Katsuragi chose to intercept Israfel at Suruga Bay before it could reach Tokyo-3.
• Unit-01 and Unit-02 landed at Suruga Bay, connected portable umbilical cables, and received orders to alternate close-range attacks and coordinate.

Asuka attacked the Eighth Angel, Israfel, and seemed to destroy it with a single strike, but it split into two forms and overwhelmed Unit-02. Shinji rescued her, and the white Angel vanished as the fight continued.

• Asuka charged Israfel with Unit-02 and split the Angel in two, destroying its core.
• Israfel's body burst apart, producing orange-yellow and white Angels that attacked Unit-02.
• Asuka destroyed the white Angel's core, but it regenerated and pinned Unit-02 with particle beams while the orange-yellow Angel closed in.
• Shinji arrived with Unit-01 and cut down the orange-yellow Angel before its claws could strike Unit-02.
• Asuka blushed at Shinji's reassurance, and Shinji turned toward the battlefield as the white Angel disappeared.

NERV analyzed the Eighth Angel, Israfel, and decided that Shinji Ikari and Asuka would fight it together because its two cores had to be destroyed at once. Shinji agreed to train Asuka, leaving Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi reflecting on how he judged humans and beasts.

• Misato Katsuragi reported that the Eighth Angel had fled and returned to waters near the Kii Peninsula.
• Ritsuko Akagi explained that Israfel could split into two independently operating forms and likely required both cores to be destroyed simultaneously.
• Rei Ayanami and Asuka argued over who should accompany Shinji, but Misato assigned the mission to Asuka because Unit-00 was still being repaired.
• Shinji told Misato he could defeat Israfel alone, then agreed to help train Asuka after Misato asked him to look after her.
• Shinji declared that God showed no partiality, and Ritsuko explained that he treated everyone equally while judging who was human or beast.

NERV discussed choosing Shinji Ikari and Asuka for the next operation while Ryoji Kaji revealed his fascination with Shinji. After Rei Ayanami asked to replace Asuka as pilot, Asuka woke from a nightmare and sought out Shinji, ending up beside him in bed.

• Ritsuko Akagi said Shinji Ikari had to pilot in the next operation and that Asuka would remain the second pilot because Europe controlled Unit-02.
• Ryoji Kaji told Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi that he belonged to the Child of God Worship Society and wanted to meet Shinji.
• Headquarters workers broke through the wall between the Katsuragi and Shikinami apartments to connect them.
• Rei Ayanami criticized Asuka's performance during the operation and told Shinji Ikari she should be the next pilot.
• Asuka woke from a nightmare and, unable to sleep, went into Shinji's room and lay beside him.

Asuka stayed the night at Shinji Ikari’s home and revealed her fear that asking for help would make people abandon her. The next morning, Rei Ayanami also emerged from Shinji’s bed, kissed him, and asked to kiss him again before he left to find Misato Katsuragi.

• Asuka told Shinji she could not ask for help because she feared being abandoned if she failed to defeat the Angels.
• Shinji reassured Asuka that she would not disappear, and they traded teasing remarks before going to sleep.
• Asuka woke to find Shinji undressed and hurried out, unaware Rei was also under the blanket.
• Rei asked whether she had done something wrong by coming to Shinji’s room, and Shinji reassured her.
• Rei asked to kiss Shinji, then requested another kiss after their first one.
• Shinji left the room and found Misato exhausted on the sofa beside her unfinished meal and beer cans.

Misato tried to prepare Shinji and Asuka for a coordinated attack, but the two were already comfortable together. Half a month later, NERV engaged the Eighth Angel, whose split forms faced Units-01 and -02 as they began their attack.

• Misato proposed dance and matching clothes to build rapport between Shinji and Asuka, but they rejected the training plan.
• Shinji and Asuka argued over who was accommodating whom while sharing food, and Misato realized their relationship had improved overnight.
• Half a month later, the Eighth Angel reached Tokyo-3’s Gora Absolute Defense Line, and Misato ordered NERV to engage it inland so it could not escape.
• The Eighth Angel split into orange and white forms when Units-01 and -02 descended, and both forms prepared to fight rather than flee.
• Unit-01 cut through the White Music Angel, while Unit-02 charged the Orange Music Angel and drove its Sonic Glaive forward.

Shinji Ikari and Asuka destroyed both Music Angel cores at the same time, then walked away from the Angels’ explosive deaths behind Unit-01’s AT Field. Their return to NERV was met with worshipful praise for Shinji, while Ritsuko reminded Misato to return the dance machine and clothes bought with public funds.

• Shinji Ikari restrained the White Music Angel and pinned the Orange Music Angel down while Asuka prepared her attack.
• Asuka shattered the Orange Music Angel’s core with the Sonic Glaive as Unit-01 destroyed the White Music Angel’s core with a particle beam.
• Shinji Ikari and Asuka walked away as the Angels exploded, protected from the blast by Unit-01’s AT Field.
• Asuka admired Shinji’s dramatic exit, then hurried Unit-02 after Unit-01 while doubting her own sense that he looked like a god.
• Members of the Child of God Worship Society praised Shinji in NERV’s command room, and Ritsuko explained the spread of religious fervor to Misato.
• Ritsuko told Misato that logistics wanted the publicly funded dance machine and clothes returned.

After the Eighth Angel’s defeat, Asuka lay awake thinking about Shinji while Misato invited him to visit a marine research institute with friends. Shinji agreed to bring Asuka, Rei, and Pianpian, and Misato joined them; the chapter ended with Misato comparing Asuka to a hedgehog who wanted closeness but feared being hurt.

• Asuka returned to her dorm room after the celebration and lay awake thinking about Shinji and the dinner he had cooked.
• Misato washed with Shinji and told him that Ryoji Kaji had invited him to the marine research institute.
• Shinji said he would bring Rei, Asuka, and Pianpian to see the facility and its marine life.
• Misato asked to come too, and Shinji agreed despite knowing that enclosed water reminded her of the Second Impact.
• Misato asked why Shinji had invited Asuka, then described the Hedgehog’s Dilemma and said that people needed to find a safe distance as they drew closer.

Gendo Ikari and Kozo Fuyutsuki saw a mysterious white-haired boy on the unfinished Unit-06 at Tabgha Base, raising questions about SEELE’s plans. A week later, Shinji Ikari took Asuka, Misato, Rei Ayanami, Ryoji Kaji, and Pianpian to a marine research institute, where Misato grew uneasy as they toured the exhibits.

• Kozo Fuyutsuki and Gendo Ikari observed the unfinished Unit-06 and discussed SEELE’s secret plans and their own opposition to them.
• Gendo Ikari and Kozo Fuyutsuki spotted a white-haired boy sitting unprotected on Unit-06’s fingertip, and the boy looked back at them with crimson eyes.
• Shinji Ikari visited the marine research institute with Asuka, Misato Katsuragi, Rei Ayanami, Ryoji Kaji, and Pianpian a week later.
• Pianpian excitedly addressed the penguins in a glass chamber, while Misato Katsuragi trembled as she watched the exhibits.
• Shinji Ikari took Misato Katsuragi’s hand, helping her calm down.

Shinji Ikari and his companions toured a marine research institute, where he comforted Rei Ayanami and later learned from Ryoji Kaji that the Human Instrumentality Project had a hidden purpose. After hearing about the Key of Nebuchadnezzar, Shinji called Kaji a Righteous Person and challenged him to prove how far he would go for his ideals.

• Shinji Ikari toured the institute with Misato Katsuragi, Rei Ayanami, Asuka, and Ryoji Kaji, and Rei said the creatures in the tanks could only survive there, like her.
• Shinji told Rei that the institute aimed to restore the red sea to blue oceans, and Rei smiled at him as Asuka watched them from a distance.
• At lunch, Ryoji Kaji told Shinji that the Human Instrumentality Project had an undisclosed objective beyond defending humanity from the Angels.
• Kaji revealed that his classified mission had recovered the Key of Nebuchadnezzar from Bethany Base, a device described as a key to Human Instrumentality.
• Shinji called Kaji a Righteous Person and told him he wanted to see how far Kaji would go for his righteousness.

Shinji Ikari and Ritsuko Akagi discussed capturing the embryonic Ninth Angel, Sandalphon, to study its S2 Engine and potentially improve Unit-01. Misato Katsuragi announced that the capture operation would begin that night, and Shinji and Ritsuko welcomed the decision.

• Ritsuko Akagi told Shinji Ikari that an embryonic Angel had appeared at Mount Asama and that Headquarters was deciding whether to capture or destroy it.
• Ritsuko Akagi proposed studying the Angel’s S2 Engine to improve Unit-01’s power system, and Shinji Ikari agreed that they should try.
• Shinji Ikari and Ritsuko Akagi flirted in her office until Misato Katsuragi arrived and interrupted them.
• Misato Katsuragi reported that the Ninth Angel had been named Sandalphon and that the operation to capture it would begin that night.
• Misato Katsuragi expressed frustration that Headquarters had chosen capture, while Shinji Ikari and Ritsuko Akagi smiled at the decision.

Shinji Ikari deployed Unit-01 into Mount Asama to retrieve the Womb Angel, Sandalphon, from the magma. Unit-01 calmed the hatching embryo and carried it toward the surface for sealing.

• Fuyutsuki approved Shinji Ikari's mission to retrieve the Womb Angel from Mount Asama.
• Shinji sent Unit-01 speeding to the volcano and plunged into the magma behind its AT Field.
• Unit-01 located Sandalphon's embryo and approached it as it began to hatch.
• Shinji touched the embryo with Unit-01, stopping its hatching and calming its cries.
• Unit-01 enclosed Sandalphon in its AT Field and carried it upward as Fuyutsuki ordered the sealing program prepared.

Ritsuko Akagi examined Shinji Ikari and warned him that synchronization rates of 400% or higher could dissolve him into LCL, while the Human Instrumentality Committee planned to pressure NERV over the Ninth Angel. Shinji insisted he knew who he was, as the Committee threatened to destroy NERV if Gendo Ikari defied them.

• Kozo Fuyutsuki told Ritsuko Akagi to handle Shinji Ikari's examinations and keep the Ninth Angel at NERV Headquarters, promising that he and Gendo Ikari would deal with the Committee.
• Kozo Fuyutsuki looked at a photograph of Yui Ikari holding Shinji Ikari beside Maki.
• The Human Instrumentality Committee discussed Gendo Ikari's refusal to hand over the Ninth Angel and considered how to pressure NERV, warning that they would destroy Headquarters if he continued to defy them.
• Ritsuko Akagi reviewed Shinji Ikari's examination and explained that his 300% synchronization rate caused deep fusion, while 400% or higher could dissolve his individuality and turn him into LCL.
• Shinji Ikari reassured Ritsuko Akagi that he had never forgotten who he was.

Half a month after the synchronization grading system was established, Ritsuko Akagi trained Shinji Ikari separately to control his growing AT Field and synchronization rate. His power had advanced enough to block heavy weapons, and he concluded that piloting Unit-01 more was necessary.

• Maya Ibuki delivered the Eligibles’ physical examination reports, and Ritsuko Akagi sent Rei Ayanami and Asuka to simulation training while taking Shinji Ikari to a private session.
• Asuka questioned why Shinji received special training, and Ritsuko explained that her methods were for pilots whose synchronization rates exceeded one hundred percent; Asuka’s rate was 85%.
• Ritsuko and Shinji tested his AT Field against a rocket launcher and an anti-materiel rifle, confirming that it could block both and project energy.
• Ritsuko described Shinji’s unusual power as a soul’s strength emerging through his fragile body, while Shinji concluded that he needed to pilot Unit-01 more.
• Ritsuko continued training Shinji to sustain and precisely control his AT Field, hoping to reinforce his sense of self.

Shinji Ikari told Ritsuko Akagi that EVA Unit-04’s new power source was an artificial S2 Engine derived from Dr. Katsuragi’s super-solenoid theory, and asked her to obtain one for him. Their elevator stopped during a power failure, which spread across NERV Headquarters as Kozo Fuyutsuki ordered the remaining power redirected to the MAGI and Central Dogma.

• Ritsuko Akagi explained that NERV had found the Womb Angel’s S2 Engine but could not yet reproduce it.
• Shinji Ikari recounted Dr. Katsuragi’s theory and revealed that EVA Unit-04 used an artificial S2 Engine secretly made by NERV’s German branch under SEELE’s direction.
• Shinji Ikari asked Ritsuko Akagi for an S2 Engine, and she agreed to look into obtaining one after his physical.
• The elevator carrying Shinji Ikari and Ritsuko Akagi abruptly stopped, and Ritsuko Akagi realized Headquarters had lost power.
• Shigeru Aoba and Maya Ibuki reported widespread power failure to Kozo Fuyutsuki, who ordered remaining power diverted to the MAGI and Central Dogma.

With Tokyo-3 unresponsive during Matarael’s attack, Fuchu’s generals decided to confront the Angel themselves while SEELE watched events from Germany. Trapped in an elevator with Ritsuko Akagi, Shinji Ikari suggested they simply open the doors and leave.

• Fuchu’s generals learned that the Angel had landed and was advancing, then decided to stop it while sending someone to Tokyo-3.
• SEELE members discussed guiding Matarael to Japan, using the attack to test contingency measures and potentially take control from NERV.
• Ritsuko Akagi confirmed that the elevator itself was not broken, while Shinji Ikari sheltered her inside his AT Field.
• Ritsuko reflected on Shinji’s fierce nature and the dangerous work she had secretly undertaken for him.
• Shinji asked Ritsuko whether they could open the elevator doors and get out.

During a blackout at NERV Headquarters, Gendo Ikari and Kozo Fuyutsuki suspected that humans had sabotaged the facility to map its layout. Shinji Ikari and Ritsuko Akagi navigated the dark passages toward a console, where they learned an Angel was already above the base.

• Gendo Ikari and Kozo Fuyutsuki discussed the power failure and suspected that someone had deliberately cut power to investigate Headquarters.
• Kozo Fuyutsuki sent Dr. Akagi an encrypted message so she could send false information through MAGI.
• Shinji Ikari and Ritsuko Akagi climbed through maintenance passages after their elevator became stuck between floors.
• Ritsuko Akagi restored contact with MAGI and learned that an Angel had appeared above Headquarters.
• Ritsuko Akagi told Shinji Ikari that the Angel was already right above them.

Matarael attacked Tokyo-3 with corrosive acid while NERV lost power, forcing Gendo Ikari to prepare the EVAs manually. Shinji Ikari arrived with Ritsuko Akagi and launched Unit-01, which attacked Matarael as the Angel reached NERV Headquarters.

• Matarael entered Tokyo-3 and sprayed acid that rapidly dissolved the city’s defensive layers.
• Gendo Ikari ordered the EVAs prepared for launch by hand, while Misato Katsuragi and the others waited for Shinji Ikari.
• Asuka and Rei Ayanami argued while NERV staff hauled the Entry Plugs into position.
• Shinji Ikari and Ritsuko Akagi fell out of a ventilation duct, and Shinji accidentally stomped on Hasegawa.
• Shinji entered Unit-01, which launched through the powerless transport system and emerged atop NERV Headquarters.
• Unit-01 fired purple-white beams through Matarael’s eye and body.

After Shinji Ikari destroyed Matarael and returned to Headquarters, Misato Katsuragi waited anxiously for his unusually long physical examination to end. Ritsuko Akagi confirmed he was well and privately revealed that their relationship had advanced, while Shinji asked about the Womb Angel and Ritsuko thanked him for his help with the super electromagnetic ring theory.

• Shinji Ikari destroyed Matarael in two seconds, and Headquarters restored power while crews began repairing Tokyo-3.
• Ritsuko Akagi led the post-battle cleanup and examined Shinji while Misato Katsuragi helped manage Headquarters in the Deputy Commander's absence.
• Misato Katsuragi went to the Medical Center when Shinji's physical examination lasted unusually long and waited outside until he emerged with Ritsuko Akagi.
• Ritsuko Akagi told Misato Katsuragi that Shinji was well, and Shinji credited Unit-01's care for his safety.
• Shinji Ikari asked whether the Womb Angel was secure, and Ritsuko Akagi said its containment had independent power and thanked him for helping with the super electromagnetic ring theory.