Recaps

After Genegarg stole the Z Risers and Ultra Medals, Ultraman Zero pursued him with Ultraman Z across universes. Bullton trapped Zero in an alternate dimension, and although Zero escaped, he ended up stranded and injured on the Earth of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

• Ultraman Hikari reported that Genegarg had stolen the Z Risers and Ultra Medals, and Ultraman Z rushed off to pursue him without a Riser.
• Ultraman Zero joined Z, and they followed Genegarg into another universe, where Z fought the monster.
• Genegarg summoned Bullton, whose gravitational pull dragged Zero into an alternate dimension; Zero gave Z his Riser and several Ultra Medals before being taken.
• Zero transformed into his Shining Form and broke free of Bullton's dimension, but found himself separated from Z and Genegarg.
• Zero discovered that his Paraghi Shield was unusable and his injuries had worsened, then flew toward the Earth of Neon Genesis Evangelion to recover.

Shinji Ikari arrived in Tokyo-3 hoping to reunite with his father, but an Angel attacked the city before they could meet. Zero crashed into the Angel and destroyed it, while Shinji survived after rescuing a kitten.

• Shinji waited for his pickup in Tokyo-3 as an emergency evacuation order played, then saw a blue-haired girl vanish and encountered the Third Angel, Shamshel.
• Shamshel shrugged off United Nations attacks, and Gendo Ikari identified its AT Field before a mysterious red sphere began descending toward the city.
• Misato Katsuragi searched for Shinji and saw the red sphere falling toward Shamshel; inside it, Zero decided to stop the Angel.
• Shinji rescued a kitten trapped beneath rubble, but Shamshel stomped on a crashed helicopter near him.
• Zero rammed Shamshel away from Shinji, then charged into the injured Angel again and destroyed it in a cross-shaped explosion.

An unfamiliar red sphere destroyed the Angel, while Zero fused with the critically injured Shinji Ikari and healed him. Shinji woke in the hospital to find Zero beside his bed, introducing himself as Ultraman Zero.

• Gendo Ikari ordered his staff to track the red sphere, but it vanished before they could determine what it was.
• Misato Katsuragi found the bloodied Shinji and rushed him to NERV's hospital, where doctors reported that his condition was critical.
• Zero appeared beside Shinji's hospital bed, merged with him, and used his power to stabilize his injuries.
• Shinji met Zero in a dreamlike space, where Zero explained that he had chosen to unite with him and would use his body on Earth.
• Shinji woke in the hospital, mistook Zero's spectral form for a ghost, and heard Zero introduce himself as Ultraman Zero.

Shinji recovered in the hospital and became partners with Zero, who promised to help him face monsters. After Gendo Ikari ordered Shinji prepared to pilot Unit-01 without visiting him, Zero comforted Shinji and vowed to protect him.

• Zero told Shinji they would work together while Zero recovered, and Shinji happily agreed to be his partner.
• Misato waited at Shinji's hospital room and worried that Gendo had not come to see his son.
• Gendo asked only about the pilot's condition, ordered Shinji moved to the base dormitory, and left without seeing him.
• Shinji overheard Gendo's cold words and wondered why his father had called him there.
• Zero angrily condemned Gendo and guessed that he had summoned Shinji to pilot Unit-01.
• Zero comforted Shinji and silently vowed to protect him.

Shinji woke in NERV headquarters and learned that Misato would take him in, while Zero explained the Ultra Warriors’ bond with humanity. The chapter left Shinji gazing at the distant Land of Light, the Star of Ultra, through Zero’s Ultra vision.

• Zero reassured Shinji that he would support him, and Shinji said he still wanted to see Unit-01.
• Shinji found toy-like glasses on his chest, and Zero explained that they let Shinji transform into him when they cooperated.
• Misato introduced NERV and its fight against the Angels, then arranged for Shinji to live with her after his hospital discharge.
• Zero told Shinji how Ultraman and other Ultra Warriors had protected humanity and hoped humans would one day travel the universe alongside them.
• Zero granted Shinji Ultra vision, and Shinji saw the emerald Land of Light in the night sky.

Shinji and Zero explored NERV with Misato as the Fourth Angel attacked Tokyo-3. Gendo ordered Shinji to pilot Unit-01, and Zero resolved to protect him if Gendo mistreated him.

• Zero told Shinji to hide the glasses safely, and the two went to sleep.
• Misato woke Shinji for tests and led him through NERV, where Zero admired the vast underground city.
• The Fourth Angel approached Tokyo-3, prompting the city to switch to combat mode and Gendo to order Shinji to Unit-01.
• Misato and Shinji got lost on the way to the Eva Hangar until Ritsuko found them and led them there.
• Ritsuko told Misato that Gendo had ordered Shinji to pilot Unit-01 immediately, and Zero vowed to protect Shinji from Gendo.

Shinji struggled with Gendo’s order to pilot Unit-01 until Zero encouraged him, but Gendo’s attempt to pressure him by ordering the injured Rei to pilot it pushed Zero to take control. Zero launched a flying kick at Gendo and confronted him, leaving their conflict unresolved.

• Gendo ordered Shinji to pilot Unit-01, but Shinji refused, terrified of dying.
• Zero comforted Shinji and urged him not to feel responsible, giving him the courage to reconsider.
• Gendo provoked Shinji, then ordered the badly injured Rei to pilot Unit-01 instead.
• Seeing Rei’s injuries, Zero took control of Shinji and faced Gendo.
• Zero shattered the observation-room glass with a flying kick, knocked Gendo down, and condemned him for how he treated Shinji.

Zero took control of Shinji’s body, forced Gendo to ask properly for his help, and guided Shinji into piloting Unit-01. After Shinji synchronized with the living EVA, Unit-01 launched to the surface to face the Angel.

• Zero used Shinji’s body to overpower Gendo, who pleaded with Shinji to pilot Unit-01.
• Zero returned control to Shinji, who thanked him before preparing for the mission.
• Shinji entered Unit-01’s entry plug, and Zero discovered the EVA was a living creature.
• With Zero’s guidance, Shinji breathed the LCL and achieved a synchronization rate of thirty-one percent.
• Misato ordered Unit-01 launched, and Shinji faced his fear as the EVA rose to the surface.
• Unit-01 emerged onto the earth and confronted the Angel.

Shinji fought the Day Angel in Unit-01, but after he was injured and lost control, Zero took over and defeated it. Unit-01 ran out of power after the Angel’s vital signs vanished.

• Shinji tried to pilot Unit-01, tripped, and lost its power cable when the Day Angel severed it.
• The Day Angel injured Unit-01 and hurled it into a mountain, leaving Shinji unable to fight while Kensuke Aida and Toji Suzuhara watched nearby.
• Zero took control of Unit-01 as its synchronization rate fell, then shattered the Day Angel’s AT Field with a kick.
• Zero battered the Day Angel with a Hundred Fist, stabbed its core with a combat knife, and killed it.
• Unit-01 struck a victory pose before its internal power ran out and it stopped moving.

After Shinji’s first battle, Zero encouraged him to find a dream in protecting the people of Tokyo-3, and Shinji began to believe he could become a hero. Meanwhile, Commander Ikari ordered a full examination of Shinji after realizing Unit-01’s performance had exceeded his control.

• Zero handed control back to Shinji after defeating the monster, and the exhausted Shinji needed help from the Medical Team before Misato took him home.
• Misato brought Shinji to watch the sunset and see Tokyo-3 transform from a combat city into a civilian one.
• Zero showed Shinji the lights of homes across the city and urged him to make protecting them his dream; Shinji resolved to protect everyone with his own strength.
• Zero shared Ultraman Ace’s words about keeping passion alive and helping others, and Shinji repeated them aloud as Misato listened.
• Commander Ikari ordered Ritsuko Akagi to give Shinji a full physical examination the next day.

Shinji moved into Misato’s filthy apartment, helped clean it, and learned about Zero’s past with Dan Moroboshi. After Zero contacted Z, Shinji and Zero were pulled into a strange dark space and came face to face with Z.

• Misato brought Shinji to her apartment, where Zero criticized the mess and Shinji spent nearly an hour cleaning while Misato watched and drank beer.
• Misato served boxed meals, and Shinji and Misato used rock-paper-scissors to assign chores, leaving Shinji responsible for most of the cleaning.
• Shinji met Penpen, the Hot Spring Penguin, in the bathroom and asked Zero about Dan while taking a bath.
• Zero told Shinji how he had united with Dan, learned to understand humans, and fought Atrocious Belial alongside him; Shinji cried at the story.
• Zero borrowed Shinji’s body to contact Z, and they were pulled into a dark, light-streaked space where they saw a bewildered young man and Z.

Zero and Shinji spoke with Z and Haruki, then Zero encouraged Shinji as he began school in Tokyo-3. Shinji introduced himself to his new classmates, where two boys discussed the red sphere that had protected one boy’s little sister.

• Z introduced Haruki to Zero and explained how they had merged after Haruki died fighting Gegna Gag.
• Z told Zero he had defeated Gegna Gag but had found only Taro’s and Ace’s medals, and Zero warned him to be careful while the Paraghi Shield was broken.
• Zero returned with Shinji to their own space, praised Misato for caring about Shinji, and watched over him through the night.
• Shinji cooked breakfast and packed lunches for himself and Misato before leaving for his first day at school in Tokyo-3.
• Zero taught Shinji the Five Ultra Oaths as he jogged to school, and Shinji introduced himself confidently to his class.
• Two boys discussed one boy’s little sister and the red sphere that had protected her, while the boy with glasses kept secret how he had obtained a photo.

Shinji attended school with Zero, made friends with Toji and Kensuke, and met Rei Ayanami again before NERV called him in for testing. Ritsuko and Gendo found no unusual readings, unaware that Zero had altered Shinji’s test data.

• Kensuke and Toji speculated that Shinji had piloted the giant robot, while Shinji recognized the bandaged Rei Ayanami in class.
• During history class, Shinji questioned the account of Second Impact, then confirmed to his classmates that he piloted Unit-01 and defeated the Angel.
• Zero answered the students’ questions for Shinji, who enjoyed talking with Toji and Kensuke and became friends with them.
• Rei asked Shinji why he had acted against the Commander and told him that Ritsuko wanted them both to undergo testing that night.
• Ritsuko and Gendo examined Shinji but found no abnormalities, while Zero secretly altered his electronic test data and returned to him drenched in sweat.

Shinji and Zero learned more about the Angels and Gendo’s treatment of Rei, then Shinji delivered Rei’s new security card and found her living in a neglected apartment. Rei left with them for the base after Shinji cleaned up, leaving both Shinji and Zero wondering whether she was normal.

• Misato took Shinji and Zero to the Day Angel recovery site, where Ritsuko revealed that the Angel’s waveform was 99.89 percent similar to human genes.
• Shinji learned that Gendo had burned his hands rescuing Rei from Unit-00, and later saw Gendo and Rei smiling together.
• Misato served Ritsuko disastrous curry, and Ritsuko asked Shinji to deliver Rei’s new security card.
• Shinji and Zero found Rei’s apartment abandoned and filthy, so Shinji began cleaning it while Rei was away.
• Rei emerged from the bathroom wearing only a bathrobe, changed, took the card, and left for the base with Shinji while he and Zero questioned whether she was normal.

During Unit-00’s reactivation test, the Fifth Angel attacked Tokyo-3 and grievously wounded Unit-01’s pilot, with Zero taking control of Shinji’s body to shield him from the pain. Zero healed the wounds with golden light before collapsing from exhaustion, while Shinji vowed to avenge him.

• Rei Ayanami and Shinji discussed her return to Unit-00 and Shinji’s view of his father before Unit-00 successfully reactivated.
• The Fifth Angel arrived at Tokyo-3, and Zero warned Shinji that its ranged attacks were likely dangerous as Unit-01 launched to confront it.
• The Angel fired powerful beams that melted Unit-01’s armor and devastated Tokyo-3, while Zero took control of Shinji’s body and requested withdrawal.
• Zero maneuvered Unit-01 behind a mountain, but it ceased functioning, and the Angel began drilling toward the Underground City.
• At the hospital, Shinji realized Zero had endured the pain for him; Zero used golden light to heal their wounds, then collapsed from exhaustion as Shinji vowed revenge.

After Shinji dreamed of Zero’s battle against Beludora, Zero revealed himself to Rei Ayanami and explored her memories with her permission. Shinji and Zero concluded Rei was likely Shinji’s younger sister, and Rei agreed to keep their secret as she began considering what bonds meant to her.

• Shinji dreamed of Zero defeating Beludora and learned from Zero that it had been his first real battle, against the traitor Belial.
• Zero healed Shinji’s injured back, then revealed himself to Rei after she noticed what he was doing.
• Rei agreed to let Zero access her memories, where he discovered she had been taken from a cultivation chamber and heard an unknown voice warn him not to interfere in the world’s affairs.
• Zero noticed Rei resembled Shinji, and Shinji realized she looked like their mother; Zero suggested Gendo had cloned her using their mother’s genes.
• Zero and Shinji called Rei their sister and encouraged her to seek the meaning of bonds; Rei agreed to keep their secret and awkwardly called Shinji her big brother.
• Rei remembered that she had come to explain the specific arrangements for Operation Yashima.

Misato launched Operation Yashima to destroy Ramiel with an experimental Positron Cannon powered by Japan’s electricity, while Shinji objected to Rei Ayanami being assigned to defend him. When Ramiel survived the first shot and attacked Unit-01, Shinji took the shield from Unit-00 to protect Rei, putting the operation in jeopardy.

• Misato received command authority from Gendo Ikari and arranged to borrow a Positron Cannon, gather Japan’s electricity, and build a shield for Operation Yashima.
• Shinji challenged Misato’s plan to have Rei defend him, but accepted that he could not change the orders and resolved to protect her.
• As the operation began, Rei and Shinji pledged to protect one another while Unit-01 aimed the cannon and Unit-00 stood ready with the shield.
• Misato’s missile attacks drew Ramiel’s fire and exposed its core, allowing Shinji’s first Positron Cannon shot to penetrate its AT Field without killing it.
• Ramiel’s counterattack melted the shield as Rei protected Unit-01, but Shinji took the shield from Unit-00 and stepped in front of her, jeopardizing the operation.

Shinji transformed into Zero and defeated Ramiel with his head blades and Zero Cluster Beam. As Zero returned the people’s gaze, Gendo resolved to revise his plans, while a sinister observer recognized the Ultra Warrior and began plotting.

• As Unit-01’s shield failed and Rei passed out, Shinji put on the Zero Glasses and transformed into Zero, blocking Ramiel’s beam.
• Zero endured Ramiel’s attacks, shattered its AT Field with a kick, and knocked the Angel into a mountain.
• Zero’s head blades sliced off three of Ramiel’s points, then he and Shinji prepared a finishing attack.
• Zero fired the Zero Cluster Beam, broke through Ramiel’s AT Field, and annihilated the Angel, also leveling the mountain behind it.
• Gendo decided he needed a new strategy, while a hidden observer identified Zero as an Ultra Warrior and began planning.

Zero destroyed Ramiel and flew into space before vanishing, leaving NERV unsure what he was or why he had come. Back at Unit-01, Shinji and Zero healed Rei's injuries, and Rei smiled at Shinji before saying she wanted to find the true meaning of a bond.

• Zero flew away at extreme speed and vanished after entering space, while Gendo ordered NERV to report only the facts about him to SEELE.
• Gendo and Fuyutsuki discussed Zero as a powerful unknown variable and set aside Shinji's disobedience for the moment.
• Shinji returned to the Entry Plug and found Rei injured, while Zero warned that Gendo might send her into battle again or replace her with another clone.
• Zero transformed and used a healing beam to treat Rei, nearly exhausting his energy.
• Rei thanked Zero and smiled after Shinji told her to, then took his hand and said she wanted to find the true meaning of a bond.

After recovering from the battle with Ramiel, Shinji began rigorous training with Zero to build his stamina and strength. He successfully cleared a ravine on his second attempt while Toji and Kensuke watched.

• Misato sent Shinji and Rei to the hospital, where tests showed they were unharmed and Rei’s earlier injuries had healed.
• Shinji visited Rei before she was discharged, then left his music player at home and went running with Zero’s encouragement.
• Shinji ran to a mountain summit, rested, and ate rice balls before continuing his training with a log on his shoulders.
• After Shinji fell and scraped himself, he refused to stop and carried the log until Zero judged he was ready to test his jumping ability.
• Toji and Kensuke spotted Shinji training, and Shinji fell into a ravine on his first jump before successfully clearing it on his second attempt.

Shinji trained for nine hours to prepare for piloting, while Zero discovered the soul inside Unit-01. During a synchronization test, Shinji met his mother, Yui Ikari, who refused to leave Unit-01 and began explaining the Human Instrumentality Project.

• Shinji spent the day training until he was exhausted, and Misato treated his injuries when he came home.
• Zero told Shinji to build his stamina before learning Space Martial Arts and decided to investigate the soul he had sensed inside Unit-01.
• During the next day's synchronization test, Zero guided Shinji into Unit-01's mindscape, where they met Yui Ikari.
• Yui thanked Zero for protecting Shinji, but she refused to leave Unit-01 when he offered to arrange her rescue.
• Zero asked Yui to explain NERV's secrets and conspiracies, and she began revealing the Human Instrumentality Project.

Yui Ikari explained the Human Instrumentality Project and her own plan to leave humanity’s fate to Shinji, while Zero condemned her for abandoning him. Shinji and Zero left the mental space determined to stop SEELE and Gendo’s plans, and Zero intended to bring Yui back to Shinji.

• Yui explained that humanity originated from Lilith and that SEELE planned to turn all life on Earth into LCL and merge it into a new life-form.
• Yui revealed that she had merged with Unit-01 so Shinji could choose humanity’s fate, while Gendo planned to use Adam’s embryo to become a god.
• Shinji rejected both plans and declared that he and Zero would protect humanity and bring Yui back.
• Yui warned Zero that Gendo was seeking Adam’s embryo and would likely send Shinji to escort it.
• Zero angrily confronted Yui for leaving Shinji to suffer and forcing the fate of humanity onto him, then said he would get her out.
• Shinji and Zero left the mental space, with Shinji saying goodbye to his mother.

After Shinji learned that Yui was inside Unit-01, he and Zero discussed retrieving her and decided to secure the Adam embryo before confronting Gendo. Zero contacted the Space Garrison for guidance, and its leaders authorized him to stop the Human Instrumentality Project while minimizing casualties.

• Shinji discovered that Yui was inside Unit-01, and his synchronization rate rose to sixty-five percent after briefly reaching one hundred percent.
• Shinji persuaded Zero to secure the Adam embryo before confronting Gendo, and Zero agreed to seek advice from the Space Garrison.
• Zero sent an emergency Ultra Sign and brought Shinji to Space Garrison Headquarters in the Land of Light, where they met Zoffy, Father of Ultra, and Mother of Ultra.
• Father of Ultra explained that the Garrison could not interfere in humanity's internal affairs but that Zero could act to protect Shinji and save lives.
• Zoffy promised guidance and support as Zero pursued the Adam embryo, while the Garrison urged him to avoid direct attacks and minimize casualties.
• Zero asked Zoffy to keep the matter from his father and master, then returned with Shinji to his room.

Zero told Shinji how his human mother, Anne Yuri, died and how he learned that Ultraseven was his father after overcoming exile and proving himself. He comforted Shinji and encouraged him to become strong enough to protect others, and Shinji set off for school determined to follow Zero’s example.

• Zero explained that Father of Ultra and Mother of Ultra were honored elders who had adopted many of the Ultra Brothers and had raised him.
• Zero told Shinji that Ultraseven had fallen in love with human Ultra Guard member Anne Yuri, and that he was born as Shin Moroboshi before his mother died and he was taken to the Land of Light.
• Zero recounted how he had sought power, tried to touch the Plasma Spark Tower, and was exiled to K76, where training with Ultraman Leo taught him to use strength for others.
• Zero explained that he later learned Ultraseven was his father, defeated Belial, and reunited with his father, who told him about Anne and showed him her image.
• Shinji sobbed over Zero’s story, and Zero comforted him while urging him to see his own mother again and become strong.
• Shinji went to school the next morning, determined to protect the lights in every home like Zero.

Shinji received his first NERV salary and bought a trench coat with an inside pocket, while Zero encouraged him to attend the JA Drone launch. The chapter ended as Shinji, Misato, and Ritsuko arrived by helicopter at the launch venue.

• Misato secured Shinji a monthly NERV salary after he asked her to apply on his behalf.
• Zero helped Shinji choose a black trench coat and Wanderer Hat, giving him a discreet place to keep the Zero Glasses.
• Shinji wore the new coat to school, impressed his classmates, and gave Rei Ayanami an extra lunch.
• Gendo discussed NERV funding, Unit 8, and the giant with an official from Dragon Nation, dismissing the suggestion that NERV try to befriend the giant.
• Zero found an invitation to the JA Drone launch and persuaded Shinji to ask Misato to take him.
• Misato, Shinji, and Ritsuko traveled by helicopter to the JA Drone launch venue.