Recaps

Zero and Shinji attended the JA Drone demonstration, where Zero exposed flaws in the robot’s construction before it went berserk. Zero stopped the runaway machine by entering its radioactive interior and activating its control rods, then flew away.

• Zero mourned the submerged ruins of Tokyo as Misato, Shinji, and Ritsuko traveled to the JA Drone launch.
• Zero guided Shinji to challenge the company’s claims about the robot’s imported technology and risky nuclear reactor.
• The JA Drone malfunctioned during its test, ignored its stop signal, and crushed the observation room.
• Shinji transformed into Zero, who tried to halt the drone but stopped himself from damaging its reactor after Misato warned him about a radiation leak.
• Misato learned that the control rods could stop the robot and relayed the instructions to Zero.
• Zero entered the drone through a hatch, used Ultra Psychokinesis to insert the control rods, and stopped it before flying away.

After dealing with JA and NERV’s suspicions, Zero trained Shinji in Space Martial Arts until he was ready to fight. Meanwhile, the Ultra Warriors planned to revive Yui Ikari to turn Gendo against the Human Instrumentality Project, and Zero’s attempt to help Shinji with homework backfired.

• Ritsuko told Gendo Ikari that Ultraman had stopped JA and demonstrated size-changing, prompting Gendo to order Misato’s psychological examination; Misato was taken away for observation.
• Gendo told SEELE that events were still following the plan, while the Ultra Warriors agreed to prioritize reviving Yui Ikari and winning Gendo over to stop Human Instrumentality.
• Zero trained Shinji physically, then taught him Space Martial Arts in an alternate space where time passed faster; Shinji learned the techniques and managed to land a punch during their sparring session.
• Zero used Shinji’s sleeping body to complete his math homework, but his answers lacked the required working and were incomprehensible to the Japanese teacher, earning Shinji scoldings and a punishment outside.

Zero helped Shinji learn German and trained him as they prepared to meet Unit-02’s pilot, Asuka. On the Pacific Fleet, Zero discovered that Kaji was carrying the Adam Embryo and confronted him, while Kaji realized that the plans of both SEELE and Gendo Ikari might be disrupted.

• Zero taught Shinji basic German by using his abilities, then trained him in the Attack Beam and Twin Slugger as their fusion grew stronger.
• Gendo Ikari confirmed that the cargo had sailed across the Pacific, and Shinji, Misato, Kensuke, and Toji flew to the Pacific Fleet to collect Unit-02.
• Asuka introduced herself and tried to slap Shinji, but Zero caught her hand and spoke to her in German before handing control back to Shinji.
• Zero sensed an Angel signal and located the Adam Embryo in Kaji’s briefcase aboard the carrier.
• Zero confronted Kaji, disarmed and pinned him, identified the object as Adam’s embryo, and warned him that he aimed to help humanity.
• After Zero left, Kaji concluded that events had gone off-plan for both SEELE and Gendo Ikari.

Misato and the others escorted Unit-02 by aircraft carrier while Kaji reunited with Misato and spoke with Asuka about Shinji. When an Angel attacked the fleet, Zero restrained it with Ultra Psychokinesis, and Shinji joined Asuka in Unit-02 as they synchronized and activated it.

• The captain argued with Misato over when NERV could take command of Unit-02, while Zero complained about the world’s poor record against monsters.
• Kaji met the group, teased Misato about her messy habits, and discussed Shinji’s abilities with Asuka.
• Asuka showed Shinji the red Unit-02 and described it as the first Evangelion built for combat.
• Zero sensed the Sixth Angel-Fish Angel approaching, and it attacked the fleet as Shinji tried to find a place to transform.
• Zero borrowed Shinji’s body and used Ultra Psychokinesis to pin the Angel in the sea, but the fleet’s weapons could not penetrate its AT Field.
• Asuka brought Shinji into Unit-02, and the two synchronized successfully and activated the Evangelion.

Asuka and Shinji fought the Fish Angel in Unit-02, but it dragged them underwater and swallowed the Eva. Shinji transformed into Zero to rescue Asuka, then let Shinji control his body as they defeated the Angel.

• Asuka launched Unit-02 with Shinji aboard, and Zero used telekinesis to soften its landings as it crossed the warships to reach the carrier.
• The Fish Angel attacked Unit-02, dragged it underwater, and swallowed it after its power cable reached its limit.
• Asuka screamed in pain as Unit-02 was crushed, so Shinji disabled the Entry Plug recordings and transformed into Zero.
• Shinji took control of Zero, dodged the Fish Angel, and used his head sluggers to break its AT Field and wound it.
• Zero charged and fired the Zero Twin Beam into the Fish Angel's mouth, destroying its core and killing it.

After Zero defeated the Angel, Shinji revealed his secret to Asuka and explained that he and Zero shared one body. Shinji and Zero then confronted Kaji and Gendo over the Adam Embryo, ending with Zero demanding answers from Gendo.

• Misato and the sailors watched Zero leave after defeating the Angel, while Kensuke showed off a photo of him flashing a peace sign.
• Zero revealed himself to Asuka, explained his bond with Shinji, and told her why he had saved Shinji's life; Asuka agreed to keep their secret but called them both idiots.
• Shinji secretly followed Kaji, then rode with him and told him that Gendo planned to use the Adam Embryo to become a god, killing humanity in the process.
• Kaji brought Shinji to Gendo's office with the Adam Embryo, where Zero confronted Gendo and said it was time to clear things up.

Ultraman Zero confronted Gendo Ikari over the Human Instrumentality Project and offered to resurrect Yui if Gendo cooperated. After Gendo agreed, Zero took the Adam Embryo and beat him for mistreating Shinji, who left feeling cared for.

• Zero revealed that Gendo planned to fuse Adam and Lilith to become a god and resurrect Yui.
• Zero introduced himself as Ultraman Zero and offered to revive Yui with Life Solidifying Technology if Gendo abandoned his plan.
• Shinji refused to sacrifice humanity, and Zero warned Gendo that he would protect Shinji and take him elsewhere if necessary.
• Gendo agreed to cooperate, and Zero took the Adam Embryo in his Dimensional Backpack.
• Zero beat Gendo for abandoning and mistreating Shinji, then gave Shinji control and left the base with him.
• Shinji cried with relief that someone had stood up for him, then ran home with Zero.

Zero sent an Ultra Sign to arrange for Shinji’s mother to be brought back to life, while Hikari set out from the Land of Light with a life and equipment. After Asuka moved in with Shinji and Misato, Zero and Shinji entered her memories and comforted her wounded younger self.

• Zero used Shinji’s body to send an Ultra Sign and promised Shinji that his mother would be brought back to life.
• Father of Ultra and Zoffy learned that Zero had obtained the Adam Embryo, and Hikari prepared to travel to Zero with a life in the Life Solidifier.
• Asuka moved in with Shinji and Misato, and she and Shinji argued before going to sleep.
• Zero and Shinji entered Asuka’s memories, saw her mother reject her after a traumatic experiment, and comforted her younger self.
• Asuka woke in Shinji’s room, blushed at remembering her dream, and kicked Shinji after realizing where she was.

Asuka transferred into Shinji’s class and struggled to hide her growing interest in him and Zero’s stories. After she mistook Shinji’s lunch for Rei for a romantic rival, Zero promised her a surprise after school.

• Shinji ran to school, where Kensuke showed off photos of Zero and shared the United Nations’ name for the giant: Ultraman.
• Asuka arrived as a transfer student and chose the seat beside Shinji, saying she wanted to keep an eye on Zero.
• Asuka joined Shinji and Zero’s secret classroom conversation, and Zero told her how Zoffy had lost to Birdon while protecting a nearby hospital.
• The teacher caught Shinji and Zero chatting and scolded them.
• At lunch, Asuka ate the boxed lunch Shinji had made, then grew jealous when she saw him give one to Rei.
• Zero told Asuka that Rei was Shinji’s little sister and promised her a surprise after school.

Zero helped Asuka meet the soul of her mother, Kyoko, inside Unit-02, and Asuka learned that Kyoko had been protecting her. The next morning, Zero heard a familiar voice calling from below and recognized Hikari.

• Zero took Asuka to the Eva Hangar and used his power to bring her into a white space where she could meet Kyoko.
• Kyoko explained that part of her soul had entered Unit-02 during an experiment and later returned there after her death, and she apologized to Asuka for how she had treated her.
• Kyoko thanked Shinji and Zero, asked them to look after Asuka, and said goodbye as Zero's energy ran out.
• Asuka returned to her body, hugged Unit-02, and thanked Shinji and Zero before recalling a mysterious voice telling her that her mother was waiting in the future.
• The next morning, Zero heard a familiar telepathic voice and saw a weathered middle-aged man below; he joyfully called out, "Hikari!"

Hikari and Zero separated Yui Ikari’s soul from Unit-01 and used the Life Solidifier to restore her body, reuniting her with Shinji and Gendo. Afterward, Serizawa explained the Land of Light’s position to Gendo, who agreed to help dismantle the Human Instrumentality Project, while Zero gave Serizawa the Adam Embryo and asked about repairing his broken Palaj Bracelet.

• Serizawa brought Shinji to NERV, where Misato learned that an Ultraman had possessed him and Gendo prepared to resurrect Yui.
• Zero began separating Yui’s soul from Unit-01, but the Eva resisted and went berserk until Hikari transformed and stopped its rampage.
• Hikari used the Life Solidifier to restore Yui, and Shinji reunited with his mother in tears.
• Yui slapped Gendo for abandoning Shinji, then Gendo apologized to her as Serizawa insisted he honor his promise.
• Serizawa explained the Land of Light’s position, and Gendo agreed to cooperate in dismantling the Human Instrumentality Project.
• Zero gave Serizawa the Adam Embryo, and Serizawa asked to borrow Zero’s broken Palaj Bracelet.

Hikari repaired Zero’s Palaj Bracelet and agreed to protect Earth while Zero and Shinji traveled to another universe. After saying goodbye to their friends and family, Zero and Shinji set off through space.

• Zero gave the damaged Palaj Bracelet to Hikari, who repaired it in a portable laboratory while Ritsuko questioned him about Ultra technology.
• Misato asked how Zero had come to possess Shinji, and Zero and Shinji explained what had happened.
• Hikari warned Zero that the bracelet remained damaged and that he should avoid using its stored shining power or bow mode.
• Zero persuaded Hikari to stay behind and protect Earth while he went to help Z, and Shinji told everyone he would return within two days.
• Shinji said goodbye to Yui, Kaji, Rei, Asuka, and Misato, then transformed and flew into space with Zero, who equipped the Paraghi Shield.

Zero and Shinji arrived in Z's world and joined Geed and Z in fighting Pedanium Zetton. After the Ultras destroyed the monster, Jugglus Juggler recognized Shinya Kaburagi and sensed new trouble.

• Zero brought Shinji through a portal to Z's world, where Zero sensed a powerful energy signature from an old enemy.
• Zero arrived as Geed and Z were being overwhelmed by Pedanium Zetton and encouraged them to fight alongside him.
• Z, Zero, and Geed combined their attacks to defeat Pedanium Zetton and destroy it in a massive explosion.
• Shinji watched the battle through Zero's eyes and was stunned by the Ultras' power.
• Jugglus Juggler saw Shinya Kaburagi shoot him with a light bullet and run away, then smiled as he recognized him.

Shinji and Zero visited STORAGE, where they met its captain, Jugglus Juggler, and learned about the organization’s Special Airborne Armors. Zero agreed to tour the hangar, leaving him and Jugglus Juggler trading jabs over whether Zero resembled an Eva.

• Shinji discovered that the Palaj Bracelet could store his Ultra Glasses, then met Riku Asakura and reunited with Haruki.
• Zero decided to stay in the world for a day, and Haruki invited Shinji to visit STORAGE.
• Riku secretly told Shinji that STORAGE’s captain was Jugglus Juggler, and Zero admitted he found the captain difficult to understand.
• Jugglus Juggler met the group, sent Haruki to meet Yoko, and discussed Shinji’s role as a fourteen-year-old Eva pilot.
• Jugglus Juggler showed Shinji and Zero the Special Airborne Armors, and Zero laughed at the name Z Special Airborne Armor Z.
• Jugglus Juggler called Zero “EVA: Unit Zero,” and Zero angrily rejected the comparison.

Shinji learned about Riku Asakura’s struggle against his father, Belial, and resolved to take control of his own fate. Before Shinji and Zero returned home, Jugglus Juggler gave Shinji information on Special Airborne Armors, and a shadowy figure received technology and red liquid from Celebro.

• Zero explained that STORAGE and Z had fought monsters driven berserk by Belial Splinters, while Riku resolved to confront the trouble connected to his father.
• Shinji explored Tokyo with Zero and Haruki, saw its crowded streets and glowing homes, and said he wanted to protect people like them.
• Zero told Shinji how Geed overcame his origins and defeated Belial, inspiring Shinji to take control of his own fate.
• Jugglus Juggler secretly gave Shinji a USB drive with Special Airborne Armor information, then treated Shinji and Zero to breakfast after their money proved unusable in his world.
• Riku left by spaceship, and Shinji transformed into Zero to fly home after saying goodbye to Riku and Haruki.
• Celebro gave a shadowy figure technology and two jars of red liquid, and the figure insisted the Ultra Warriors would not stop its plan.

Zero and Shinji returned to the Eva world, where Serizawa upgraded Unit-01 and gave Zero new transformation equipment before departing. Shinji went home and reunited with Asuka.

• Zero and Shinji returned from Z's Earth to the Eva world, and Zero decided to seek help from other Guard warriors to fix its tilted axis.
• Ritsuko repeatedly asked Serizawa to mentor her, while Misato asked whether her deceased father could be revived and learned that it was unlikely without his preserved soul.
• Serizawa linked Unit-01 to Shinji's Palaj Bracelet, allowing Shinji and Zero to pilot it with less Psychokinesis, and Shinji tested the improved controls.
• Serizawa gave Zero a custom Zero Riser and enhanced Ultra Warrior Capsules, then warned everyone to beware of Devil Splinter before leaving for the Land of Light.
• Misato took Shinji home, where Asuka hurried to greet him and welcomed him with a teasing insult.

Shinji gave Ritsuko the advanced mecha and weapon blueprints from Jugglus Juggler’s world, while Zero put Shinji and Asuka through brutal jeep training to improve their combat synchronization. Exhausted but closer, Shinji and Asuka fell asleep leaning against each other as Kaji arrived.

• Shinji gave Ritsuko the USB drive, and she found blueprints for advanced armor, weapons, thrusters, and fuel that could improve the Evas.
• Shinji asked Zero to train him, and Asuka joined them as Zero brought them to a training space.
• Zero equipped Shinji and Asuka with restrictive Training Armor and chained their wrists together, then ordered them to jump over his oncoming jeep in sync.
• After repeated collisions, Shinji and Asuka learned to jump together and cleared the jeep, but Zero struck them with his cane and declared the attempt incomplete.
• Zero ended the drill after their synchronization improved, unlocked their armor, and sent them home, where the exhausted pair fell asleep leaning against each other.
• Kaji visited and asked Zero whether Shinji and Asuka had grown close; Zero said he would work to bring them closer still.

Shinji and Asuka grew closer through breakfast, a run to school, and a prank on Kensuke and Toji, while Shinji experimented with Ultraman’s capsule. The chapter ended with Asuka feeding Shinji a piece of meat as a reward, as Zero watched from a distance.

• Shinji woke up beside Asuka, who had fallen asleep in his arms, and she slapped him before Zero explained that he had done nothing.
• Zero taught Shinji to cook Dragon Country dishes and shared memories of his time in Shencheng.
• Shinji and Asuka ran to school together, where Shinji used Ultraman’s capsule to fire an Ultra Cutting Beam and learned that using its powers consumed energy.
• Asuka threw away the love letters in her shoe box, and Shinji later used the capsule’s Ultra Water Flow to soak Kensuke and Toji and scatter the candid photos they were selling.
• At lunch, Asuka fed Shinji a piece of meat as a reward, while Zero watched and joked that he was being served dog food.

Shinji and Asuka trained with their Evas and endured Zero’s five-hour sparring session, while Unit-01 received a new Capsule-based upgrade. The next morning, Misato woke them with news that an Angel had appeared.

• Rei told Shinji and Asuka to attend synchronization training, where she said she was beginning to feel alive and no longer wanted to obey orders forever.
• Hikari’s recording revealed Unit-01’s Capsule upgrade, and Shinji examined the abilities available through Ultraman Jack’s Capsule.
• Asuka’s synchronization rate reached eighty-five percent, Rei’s reached sixty-five percent, and Yui confronted Gendo about Rei’s identity.
• Zero made Shinji and Asuka spar with wooden staffs for five hours, and Shinji won forty-eight bouts to Asuka’s forty-four.
• Shinji and Asuka collapsed from exhaustion and fell asleep together, then Misato rushed in the next morning to announce that an Angel had arrived.

Shinji and Asuka fought the Seventh Angel, the Music Angel, and destroyed it by striking its two cores simultaneously. As the operation ended, a mysterious red-eyed figure searched the crater and concluded that what he sought was not there.

• Shinji, Asuka, and Zero rushed to NERV headquarters, where Gendo ordered Unit-01 and Unit-02 to deploy because Unit-00 was still under repair.
• Ritsuko equipped Unit-01 and Unit-02 with thrusters, and the Evas flew to the coast to confront the Music Angel.
• Asuka split the Music Angel with a spear, but it regenerated as two Angels, while Shinji discovered that both cores had to be destroyed at the same time.
• Shinji and Asuka coordinated their attacks, then used thruster-assisted kicks to shatter both cores simultaneously, killing the Angels.
• Zero praised the pilots and reduced their training to two hours, while a red-eyed figure searched the crater and said what he wanted was not inside the Angel.

Limings and the Land of Light scientists restored the Adam Embryo to giant form to study it, then returned it to its embryonic state and secured it. Hikari encouraged Limings to tell Zero that he had developed the Zero Riser and enhanced Capsules, while Taro remembered Tregear; Limings ended by praying for Zero's safe return.

• Limings and Hikari oversaw an experiment that used energy beams to restore the Adam Embryo to giant form while the Space Garrison stood guard.
• Adam briefly moved and spoke to the Ultramen, but the scientists found almost no life or soul readings and soon completed their data collection.
• The drones withdrew the energy, returned Adam to embryo form, and Hikari took it away for high-security storage.
• Hikari asked Limings why he had hidden his role in developing the Zero Riser and enhanced Capsules, and Limings said he feared Zero would risk himself to honor his work.
• Hikari urged Limings to tell Zero himself, and Limings agreed.
• Taro remembered Tregear as the original Ultraman comforted him, while Limings silently prayed for Zero to return safely.

Shinji and Asuka’s feelings for each other grew stronger as they prepared for a school trip to Okinawa. After Kaji tricked Asuka into thinking Zero might take Shinji away, she admitted she did not want him to leave, and Shinji reassured her that he cherished the people around him.

• Shinji watched Masked Rider Kuuga with Zero, who asked about his preparations for the school trip to Okinawa.
• Asuka shopped for a swimsuit with Kaji, who teased her by claiming Zero planned to take Shinji to another world.
• Asuka hurried home, and Kaji clarified that Zero would only take Shinji away to protect him from harm.
• Asuka returned angry, and Zero provoked her by commenting on her swimsuit; Shinji stopped her by embracing her.
• Asuka asked Shinji not to leave for another world, and he reassured her that he cherished the people around him.
• Misato came home, saw Shinji and Asuka embracing, and teased them as lovebirds.

Shinji, Asuka, and Zero missed their school trip, but spent the day swimming while NERV investigated a suspected Angel inside a volcano. A mysterious figure found the embryo and began changing it, planning for it to emerge the next day.

• Misato told Shinji, Asuka, and Zero they had to remain on standby instead of going on the school trip, and Zero continued telling them stories about his past battles.
• Shinji and Asuka saw their classmates off, then went swimming with Rei, where Zero raced Asuka and easily beat her.
• Fuyutsuki and Yui reviewed a suspicious shadow detected inside a volcano and sent Misato to investigate it.
• Misato ordered the probe deeper into the magma until it broke, transmitting an image of an Angel embryo before failing.
• A mysterious figure appeared at the crater, found the embryo, and fired a black beam into the magma to alter it for an attack the next day.

NERV launched the Evas to capture the Angel embryo, but the Angel hatched before the mission began. Shinji, Asuka, and Rei appeared to destroy it, only for it to revive transformed by a Belial Splinter.

• Gendo persuaded SEELE to pursue the live Angel specimen, while Yui observed that events were following the plan.
• Ritsuko briefed Shinji, Asuka, and Rei on the capture mission, but Misato learned the Angel had hatched and escaped the volcano.
• Shinji led the fight, restraining the Angel while Unit-02 fired missiles and Unit-00 struck it with a laser, apparently destroying its core.
• Ritsuko detected the Angel's revival, and Zero identified a Belial Splinter inside it.
• The Angel transformed into a monstrous Belial Splinter-enhanced form as the Evas watched in alarm.

Shinji and Zero fought an Angel empowered by Belial’s fragment, and Zero ultimately defeated it by using the New Generation capsules to transform into Infinite Form. After Zero flew away, a mysterious figure collected two glowing fragments and thanked him.

• Shinji used Ultraman’s Ultra Barrier to protect Unit-02, and Asuka struck the Angel with it before Shinji’s Ultra Slash failed to damage its shell.
• Shinji fired the Specium Ray with support from Unit-02 and Unit-00, but the Angel survived and pierced Unit-01 with its tentacles.
• Shinji transformed into Ultraman, but Zero’s attacks could not overcome the Angel’s powerful defenses and rapid healing.
• Shinji used Zero’s Riser and the New Generation capsules to transform Zero into Infinite Form.
• Zero severed the Angel’s tentacles, battered it with the Zero Hundred Fist, and destroyed it with the Eightfold Destruction Beam before flying away.
• A mysterious figure gathered two red-glowing fragments from the Angel’s remains and thanked Zero.