Chapter Summaries

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.

After spending a seven-day leave with Misato, Shinji Ikari returned to NERV for a mental resonance experiment and showed no sign of strain. Ritsuko ended the test early, leaving Asuka to ask how Shinji's results compared with hers.

• Shinji woke beside Misato after a restless night and reflected on his growing confidence and ambitions for Unit-01.
• Misato had seven days of leave after the Angel battle, and she stayed home with Shinji during the break.
• Ritsuko Akagi ran a mental resonance experiment with the entry plugs for Units 00, 01, and 02.
• Shinji's synchronization and resonance stayed stable with zero mental contamination, so Ritsuko ended the test without finding his limits.
• Ritsuko praised Asuka Shikinami for raising her resonance value by six points, then said Shinji's result had not changed.

Misato Katsuragi’s team discovered that the 11th Angel, Arael, was descending toward NERV headquarters and could devastate Tokyo-3. With humanity’s aerial bombs useless and space forces unreachable, Misato had to find a way to stop it herself.

• Asuka boasted about her improved synchronization rate, while Ritsuko Akagi warned that deeper entry could cause mental contamination.
• Ritsuko congratulated Misato Katsuragi on her promotion and teased her about making her relationship official.
• An alarm announced that the 11th Angel had been detected in orbit, and operators identified it as Arael, on course for NERV headquarters.
• Misato ordered a barrage of N2 Aerial Bombs, but Arael’s AT Field stopped them without affecting its trajectory.
• Maya Ibuki and Hyuga Kou reported that Arael’s impact would destroy Tokyo-3, while the Angel’s interference had cut off contact with the space forces.

NERV faced Arael, whose devastating attacks from orbit were closing in on Tokyo-3, and Misato Katsuragi ordered a civilian evacuation while refusing to retreat. She briefed Shinji Ikari, Asuka, and Rei Ayanami on a plan for all three EVAs to catch the Angel’s falling body with their AT Fields, leaving their chances uncertain.

• Arael’s orbital attacks destroyed islands in the Indian Ocean, and Ritsuko Akagi warned that its targeting was improving toward Tokyo-3.
• Misato Katsuragi ordered civilians within 120 kilometers evacuated after MAGI recommended a full retreat, but she chose to keep fighting.
• Misato Katsuragi explained that Shinji Ikari, Asuka, and Rei Ayanami would operate separately and use their AT Fields to catch the incoming Angel.
• Asuka objected to needing the others, but Misato Katsuragi insisted that all three had to work together to create a miracle.

Misato Katsuragi defended her high-risk plan to fight the Eleventh Angel despite Ritsuko Akagi's objections, then found comfort and renewed resolve through Shinji Ikari. The battle had not yet begun when Misato and Shinji embraced and locked the lounge door.

• Misato Katsuragi insisted on carrying out the battle plan against the Eleventh Angel, while Ritsuko Akagi argued that MAGI's calculations favored retreat and protecting Lilith, Shinji, and Unit-01.
• Ritsuko Akagi accused Misato Katsuragi of pursuing revenge against the Angels before leaving the lounge after Shinji Ikari entered.
• Misato Katsuragi asked Shinji Ikari whether they could defeat the Angel, and he answered confidently that God would cast out the rebellious angel.
• Shinji Ikari reassured Misato Katsuragi that humanity needed God and that God needed humanity, helping her realize that he also depended on others.
• Misato Katsuragi kissed Shinji Ikari, and the two embraced and moved toward the door before locking it from the inside.

Misato Katsuragi found comfort with Shinji Ikari before joining Asuka and Rei Ayanami as they prepared for the decisive battle. As the pilots refused to write last letters, Misato promised to treat them to a feast if the mission succeeded.

• Misato Katsuragi left a private room with Shinji Ikari, feeling refreshed after he comforted her.
• Asuka complained to Rei Ayanami that Shinji was taking too long, though she wanted him nearby before the operation.
• Shinji Ikari arrived with Misato Katsuragi, and the three pilots gathered as Misato offered them the chance to write last letters.
• Asuka, Rei Ayanami, and Shinji Ikari each refused to write a last letter.
• Misato Katsuragi apologized for what they faced and promised to treat everyone to a feast after the mission.