Chapter Summaries

Shinji Ikari, Ritsuko Akagi, and Misato Katsuragi attended the Jet Alone unveiling, where Ritsuko challenged the company’s claims about the robot’s built-in reactor and lost the technical debate. After the representative disparaged human will in the fight against Angels, Misato and Shinji became furious, while Ritsuko calmly burned the JA brochure.

• Shinji Ikari learned from Ritsuko Akagi that nuclear reactors were unsuitable for EVA combat and that EVAs consumed enormous amounts of energy.
• Ritsuko Akagi, Misato Katsuragi, and Shinji Ikari arrived at the JA product unveiling and noticed they had been singled out with an empty table.
• Ritsuko Akagi questioned the Japan Heavy Chemical Industries representative about JA’s internal reactor and debated its safety and combat advantages.
• Ritsuko Akagi lost the technical argument, and the representative claimed unmanned machines were superior to human will in fighting Angels.
• Misato Katsuragi angrily complained, Shinji Ikari suggested burying the representative, and Ritsuko Akagi burned the JA brochure.

Ritsuko Akagi explained that JA was secretly human-controlled as its public trial run went disastrously wrong, and she arranged for Shinji Ikari to stop it with Unit-01. Shinji headed toward the rogue machine, aware that Ritsuko wanted him to destroy it before the world could see it threaten NERV’s position.

• Misato Katsuragi asked how the Heavy Industries Community learned about AT Fields, and Ritsuko Akagi suggested the information had been leaked.
• The JA trial began, and Ritsuko told Shinji Ikari that the supposedly unmanned machine used an invasive brain-computer interface.
• JA ignored its operators’ orders, advanced on the control room, and smashed through the roof where Misato Katsuragi had just been standing.
• Ritsuko Akagi told Shinji to prepare to pilot Unit-01, and Shinji demanded that she sign something before agreeing to help.
• Hyuga Kou piloted a transport carrying Shinji and Ritsuko toward JA, which was advancing on Atsugi City; Ritsuko warned Shinji about its nuclear reactor and urged him to crush it.

Shinji Ikari destroyed JA during its disastrous public demonstration, while the aftermath cleared the way for Rei Ayanami to move into Misato Katsuragi’s home. As Shinji and Misato went to pick Rei up, Ritsuko Akagi learned that Maya Ibuki had joined the Child of God Worship Society.

• Shinji Ikari piloted Unit-01 to disable JA and destroy its head and limbs after it ran amok in Atsugi City.
• The media reported EVA’s victory, JA’s production was halted, and Japan Heavy Chemical Industries faced bankruptcy.
• Maya Ibuki gave Shinji Ikari the approved application to transfer Rei Ayanami to Misato Katsuragi’s home.
• Shinji Ikari and Misato Katsuragi left to pick up Rei, while Shinji reminded Ritsuko Akagi about their agreement and her offering.
• Ritsuko Akagi learned that Maya Ibuki had joined the Child of God Worship Society, which Maya described as a headquarters fan club for Shinji.

Shinji Ikari brought Rei Ayanami from her damaged frontline dormitory to live with Misato Katsuragi, then joined them and Ritsuko Akagi for a private dinner. The gathering ended with Misato wondering whether Ritsuko and Rei had a strained relationship, while Shinji admitted he knew little about either of them.

• Shinji Ikari told Rei Ayanami that her move had been approved and helped her pack her belongings.
• Shinji Ikari and Misato Katsuragi drove Rei Ayanami to the senior staff dormitory, where she moved into Misato's apartment.
• Shinji Ikari, Misato Katsuragi, Ritsuko Akagi, and Rei Ayanami shared dinner, and Misato and Ritsuko bantered about their friendship and Shinji's cooking.
• Misato Katsuragi noticed that Ritsuko Akagi had gone quiet around Rei Ayanami and asked Shinji whether they disliked each other.
• Misato Katsuragi told Shinji Ikari that she had recently learned Ritsuko Akagi's mother had died.

Rei Ayanami woke feeling unusually safe in Shinji Ikari’s room, while Shinji sensed someone’s attention and learned that the Second Child would arrive the next day. Ritsuko Akagi also told Shinji and Misato Katsuragi that Mari Makinami Illustrious had destroyed the Third Angel at the cost of the Bethany Branch, leaving the story with Shinji claiming the role of humanity’s savior.

• Rei Ayanami lingered in Shinji Ikari’s bed, felt her usual unease fade, and whispered his name.
• Shinji Ikari woke beside Misato Katsuragi with a feeling that someone was watching or coveting him, then found Rei washing his blanket.
• Shinji Ikari made breakfast for himself, Misato Katsuragi, and Rei Ayanami, eating Rei’s portion of meat for her.
• Ritsuko Akagi told Shinji Ikari and Misato Katsuragi that the Second Child and Unit-02 would arrive the next day, escorted by the United Nations Pacific Fleet.
• Ritsuko Akagi explained that Mari Makinami Illustrious had destroyed the Third Angel in Provisional Unit-05, while the Bethany Branch and Unit-05 were destroyed.
• Shinji Ikari accepted Ritsuko Akagi’s praise as Headquarters’ ace and declared that a god became humanity’s savior to dispel despair.

Misato Katsuragi, Shinji Ikari, and Rei Ayanami arrived aboard a United Nations carrier to meet Asuka Langley Shikinami, the pilot of EVA Unit-02. Asuka challenged Shinji over being chosen to pilot Unit-01, and his cryptic reply revealed that he and Gendo Ikari were not close.

• Misato Katsuragi and Shinji Ikari flew to the United Nations escort fleet, while a transport carried equipment intended to protect them from trouble.
• The United Nations officers dismissed NERV’s pilots and their equipment as children’s toys.
• Misato Katsuragi introduced Asuka Langley Shikinami to Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami on the carrier deck.
• Asuka Langley Shikinami took an immediate dislike to Rei Ayanami and challenged Shinji Ikari over being chosen because of his father.
• Shinji Ikari replied that God would never walk with the devil, and Misato Katsuragi explained that he meant himself and Gendo Ikari.

Misato Katsuragi argued with a Pacific Fleet major general over NERV's authority and the handling of EVA Unit-02. As Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami watched the sea, Asuka tried to justify her achievements to Shinji but lost her composure.

• Misato Katsuragi gave the major general EVA Unit-02's emergency power manual and asked him to sign a document, but he refused and insisted that the fleet retained authority until docking at New Yokosuka.
• Misato Katsuragi left the command room, kicked the elevator in frustration, and told Rei Ayanami that adults acted differently in public and private.
• Shinji Ikari told Rei Ayanami not to remember Misato Katsuragi's advice, while Asuka followed them across the deck and watched their closeness.
• Asuka criticized Shinji Ikari for staring at the sea, and Shinji replied that doing something meaningless was harmless.
• Asuka began listing her accomplishments to Shinji Ikari, then realized that his indifference had unsettled her and left her unable to finish.

Asuka struggled to make a good impression on Shinji, then showed him Unit-02 aboard its transport ship. Their conversation was interrupted by a massive explosion at sea, and they watched a huge shape moving beneath the waves.

• Asuka fell silent after trying to explain what made her existence worthwhile, and Shinji listened while Misato and Rei watched.
• Misato teased Shinji about Asuka, then Asuka hid on the transport ship and worried about her awkward first meeting with him.
• Shinji found Asuka, and she took him to see Unit-02, boasting that it was the first production-model Evangelion built for combat.
• An underwater shock wave shook the ship, and Shinji and Asuka ran onto the deck as a warship exploded and towering waves rose nearby.
• Shinji and Asuka watched an enormous shape flicker beneath the waves, wondering whether an Angel had appeared.

Asuka prepared to pilot Unit-02 against the Angel attacking the Pacific Fleet, while Shinji revealed his own AT Field was stirring. The fleet’s commander resisted NERV’s intervention, and the chapter ended as Unit-02 activated aboard the transport ship.

• Shinji Ikari caught Asuka as a shock wave nearly knocked her overboard, then told her the creature was an Angel and that his AT Field had begun stirring.
• Misato Katsuragi urged the Major General to deploy Unit-02, but he ordered the Pacific Fleet to attack with conventional weapons, which failed against the Angel.
• Asuka prepared to prove her worth as a pilot and gave Shinji a combat suit, but he declined to wear it.
• A ponytailed Inspection Department member watched the battle and spoke by phone with a cold-voiced man about Shinji Ikari, Unit-02, and his mission to deliver an item.
• Unit-02 activated aboard the transport ship, and Misato Katsuragi cheered as Asuka’s red EVA rose above the fleet.

Misato Katsuragi ordered Asuka to deploy Unit-02 against the Seventh Angel, and Asuka connected it to external power and confronted the creature on the aircraft carrier Beyond the Rainbow. Unit-02 wounded the Angel with its particle knife, but the carrier deck collapsed beneath it, and the Angel dragged it toward the sea in its jaws.

• Misato Katsuragi overruled the major general and ordered Asuka to deploy Unit-02, while Rei Ayanami warned that it still had Type B Equipment.
• Asuka landed Unit-02 on the Beyond the Rainbow, connected its external power supply, and drew its High-Frequency Vibrating Particle Knife.
• Shinji Ikari identified the giant ray-like creature as the Seventh Angel as it charged toward the aircraft carrier.
• Asuka met the Seventh Angel head-on and drove the particle knife into its body, but its immense weight overwhelmed Unit-02.
• The deck collapsed beneath Unit-02, and the Seventh Angel seized it in its jaws and plunged toward the red sea.

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.