Recaps

Zero and Ultimate Force Zero destroyed the three Galactrons after Zero unleashed his new power, saving the people watching from the shelters and warships. As Zero regrouped with his comrades, a trace of red appeared in his eyes, while Hayato collected data from the destroyed machines and declared that everything was going according to plan.

• Zero and Shinji vowed to defeat MK2, and Ultimate Force Zero arrived to help break its barrier.
• Zero ordered his four comrades to fight the two MK1s while he battled MK2 alone.
• Zero overwhelmed MK2 with his new power and destroyed it with the Cluster Descium Burst, earning cheers from the shelters and fleet.
• Glenfire and Jean-bot destroyed one MK1 with missiles and fire, while Mirror Knight and Jean-nine destroyed the other with coordinated attacks.
• Zero flew into space to rejoin his comrades, and a trace of red appeared in his golden eyes unnoticed.
• Hayato collected data from the three destroyed Galactrons and said everything was following the script.

Shinji woke in the hospital after sleeping for eighteen hours, then reunited with Asuka and the others. Hayato revealed to SEELE that he had manipulated the Galactron crisis, while Saberuno prepared to advance his plan using the data he had collected.

• Shinji learned that he had slept for eighteen hours after defeating MK2 and that Asuka had slapped him repeatedly while trying to wake him.
• Asuka rushed into Shinji's hospital room, and Yui teased them before Rei Ayanami, Misato, Kaji, Ritsuko, Mirror, and Guren joined them.
• SEELE debated the implications of MK2's attack, and Hayato appeared and told them about Gillvalis and the Galactrons' campaign against intelligent life.
• Hayato showed SEELE footage of the Ultra Warriors and a space fleet failing to destroy Gillvalis's core, then admitted that Geed had already destroyed it.
• Hayato warned SEELE to finish manufacturing the body he had requested before the last Angel was destroyed, then departed.
• Saberuno revealed that he had released the three Galactrons using capsules, collected data on Zero's new form, and intended to continue his plan.

While Shinji and the others were away, Mirror and Guren helped defend Tokyo-3 as an Angel invaded NERV by corroding its walls and taking control of a Simulation Body. Mirror Knight halted part of the spread, but the Angel then breached MAGI, leaving the base under a new threat.

• Mirror and Guren visited NERV, where Mirror later helped Kaji water his watermelon patch while Ritsuko and Ibuki inspected the Simulation Bodies.
• During a preliminary test, Aoba noticed corrosion on Protein Wall 87, and the contamination rapidly spread through NERV's passages and into a Simulation Body.
• Ritsuko ordered an emergency lockdown and had the Simulation Body's arm blasted off, but an AT Field blocked the robots' laser attack.
• Mirror transformed into Mirror Knight, entered the water, and cut away corroded sections of the wall and Simulation Body with Shuriken-Shaped Light Bullets.
• NERV reported that the Angel had breached MAGI, and Mirror Knight realized that he and Guren could not enter the computer to stop it.

The Jean brothers entered MAGI to fight the Angel infecting the computer and defeated its evolved form, Girals, after a prolonged battle. Mirror Knight later explained their ten-hour fight to Zero in Shinji’s hospital room, while Misato confronted Jean-nine about breaking out of the garage.

• The Angel invaded MAGI, and Akagi slowed its advance by changing the computer’s logic mode.
• Mirror Knight summoned Jean-bot and Jean-nine, who connected to MAGI and attacked the Angel’s flesh in its digital city.
• The Angel evolved into Crystal Monster-Girals and knocked the Jean brothers out of the air with a beam.
• After Ritsuko identified the crystal on Girals’s head as its weak point, Jean-bot broke it and the brothers destroyed Girals with their combined attacks.
• The Jean brothers spent nearly ten hours clearing the Angel from MAGI, and Mirror Knight recounted the battle to Zero in Shinji’s hospital room.
• Misato demanded to know how Jean-nine had escaped the garage, and he admitted he had used a little force.

Gendo Ikari and Yui Ikari discussed SEELE’s plans and the growing threat from aliens while Shinji took part in Unit-00 synchronization tests. After Unit-00 activated unexpectedly, Shinji restrained it, then ended up under observation as Zero struggled to write his report for Captain Zoffy.

• At a SEELE meeting, Gendo Ikari concealed the Angel’s intrusion and assured Chairman Ghir that the plan remained on schedule; Hayato later asked about Adam’s vessel, which still needed time.
• Yui Ikari and Gendo Ikari discussed the Giants’ scenario, the troublesome aliens, and the Dummy Entry Plug experiment.
• During tests in Unit-00, Ritsuko chose to prepare the Dummy System despite Ibuki’s objections, while Rei watched from the laboratory.
• Unit-00 activated during a synchronization experiment with Shinji and Rei, but Shinji used Ultra Psychokinesis to restrain it until Ritsuko cut its power.
• Shinji recovered in a hospital room with Asuka at his side, while Zero began writing a report for Captain Zoffy about the recent incidents.

Zero and Mirror Knight reflected on their growing respect for humanity and agreed to fight for its future. Later, Mirror befriended Kaji over a watermelon and asked him to share his past, which Kaji began recounting with the story of Second Impact.

• Zero and Mirror Knight discussed Hayato Noda, the Guard’s strategy, and the possibility that the stolen Medals were part of a wider plot.
• Zero told Mirror Knight how Arashi, Taiga, Shinji, Asuka, and Rei Ayanami had deepened his admiration for humanity.
• Zero and Mirror Knight agreed to fight together for humanity and discussed Kaji and Misato’s complicated relationship.
• Mirror Knight used mirrors to help ripen Kaji’s watermelons, then shared one with Kaji beneath Jean-bot’s wing.
• Mirror Knight asked Kaji about his past, and Kaji began his story with Second Impact.

Kaji told Mirror Knight and Jean-bot how his childhood guilt over revealing his friends’ hiding place had shaped his life and his relationship with Misato. Their encouragement helped him decide to be honest with Misato, while Jean-nine comforted Misato and helped her choose to pursue happiness with Kaji.

• Kaji recounted how soldiers tortured him for stealing food and forced him to reveal where his brother and friends were hiding; they were killed before he could warn them to flee.
• Kaji explained that guilt drove him to seek the truth about the Second Impact and later led him to agree to break up with Misato, while Mirror Knight and Jean-bot urged him not to deny himself happiness.
• Kaji thanked Mirror Knight and Jean-bot and said he would be honest with Misato when the time was right.
• Jean-nine asked Misato what troubled her, and she confessed that she believed she and Kaji had no right to be happy because of the deaths in Antarctica.
• Jean-nine told Misato he forgave her and urged her to let go of the past; Misato cried, then said she would pursue happiness.

Kaji investigated Hayato Noda and irregular devil splinters in Kyoto while Shinji and Asuka grew closer during a rainy walk home. A mysterious figure photographed them, and Zoffy, Ultraman, and Jack set out to investigate a possible alien invasion of Zero’s world; Mirror returned and hinted that his talk with Kaji and Misato would have results the next day.

• Shinji asked Guren and Zero about Kaji’s trip, and Zero suspected Kaji had gone to investigate the aliens behind SEELE.
• In Kyoto, Kaji met an old man who reported that Hayato Noda had no traceable information and that devil splinters were behaving irregularly; a green figure watched them unseen.
• Asuka’s call to Kaji went unanswered, and Shinji shared his umbrella with her as they walked home through a sudden downpour.
• A raincoat-clad figure photographed Shinji and Asuka, revealed a strange gray face with red crystals, and vanished before Zero could investigate.
• Zoffy, Ultraman, and Jack learned that evil aliens might be planning to invade Zero’s world and entered a dimensional passage to investigate.
• Mirror returned from Kyoto, joined Shinji and Asuka for dinner, and said the results of his and Jean-nine’s conversation with Kaji and Misato should be visible the next day.

Mirror Knight and Zero helped encourage romances among Misato and Kaji, and Shinji and Asuka, while Shinji played a song tied to Zero’s memories of his master. The chapter ended with both couples kissing and Mirror Knight and Jean-nine catching Misato and Kaji together.

• Mirror Knight praised Jean-nine for helping Misato with her feelings, then went out while Shinji and Asuka spent the day together.
• Mirror Knight and Jean-nine discussed matchmaking Misato and Kaji, while Shinji and Asuka shared a playful date and Toji and Kensuke practiced basketball with Guren.
• Shinji received a cello from his relatives and played Zero’s score, prompting Zero to recall his master Leo singing “Ballad of the Starry Sky” on K76.
• After Misato called to say she would be home late, Shinji and Asuka kissed, while Misato and Kaji also opened their hearts to each other and kissed.
• Mirror Knight and Jean-nine found Misato and Kaji embracing on the road and teased them about their budding relationship.

The Knuckle Aliens planned to defeat Ultraman Zero by exploiting Shinji Ikari’s feelings for Asuka, then kidnapped and severely injured her. Mirror Knight rescued Asuka and took her to NERV for treatment, but the invasion plan continued.

• The Knuckle Captain reviewed data on Ultraman Zero and ordered the aliens to use Asuka to weaken him, despite their preparations to lure away the Zero Guard.
• Shinji promised Asuka he would take her to the Louvre after the Angels were defeated, and Asuka bought him a new phone as a surprise.
• The Knuckle Aliens abducted Asuka in a taxi, struck down Misato when she tried to intervene, and later threw Asuka from the moving car.
• Mirror Knight emerged from the phone, blocked the taxi, and sent Asuka into the Mirror World before killing the two Knuckle Aliens.
• Mirror Knight tried to heal Asuka, but her injuries were too severe, so he took her to NERV for treatment as the Knuckles' invasion continued.

After the Knuckle Aliens critically injured Asuka and Misato, Zero used his energy to stabilize Asuka while the aliens issued Earth a twelve-hour surrender ultimatum. Mirror Knight and Glenfire left with Jean-bot and Jean-nine to confront the approaching fleet, leaving Zero to protect Earth as the Knuckle Captain unleashed EX Black King.

• Shinji rushed to the hospital, where the doctor said Asuka remained in critical condition, and Zero used an Empty Capsule and his light to stabilize her.
• Kaji visited the injured Misato, concealed Asuka’s condition from her, and vowed to avenge them both.
• Yui urged Gendo to protect Rei and the base, while Gendo ordered an investigation into the Knuckle Aliens.
• The Knuckle Captain hacked NERV’s computers, announced a twelve-hour surrender ultimatum, and showed Earth the approaching fleet.
• Mirror Knight and Glenfire decided to confront the fleet with Jean-bot and Jean-nine, while Zero stayed behind to protect Earth.
• After the four allies left Earth, the Knuckle Captain ordered EX Black King released.

Shinji fused with Zero to confront the upgraded EX Black King, but the monster and the Knuckle captain overwhelmed them. As the captain aimed a shot at Zero’s flashing timer, Zero was left on the brink of death.

• Shinji learned that Misato was out of danger but badly injured, then rushed to fight after EX Black King attacked Tokyo-3.
• Shinji failed to insert a Belial Capsule, transformed into Infinite Zero, and attacked EX Black King, but his strongest blows could not harm it.
• EX Black King struck Zero with a horn-fired beam, seized him, and smashed him into the ground, leaving Shinji and Zero badly wounded.
• The Knuckle captain revealed his armored giant form and joined EX Black King in beating the weakened Zero while attacking the human forces.
• Zero collapsed as the Knuckle captain announced his defeat and aimed a shot at his chest timer.

Ultraman Jack arrived to save Zero and restored his energy, but Shinji’s fury over Rei’s injuries triggered a berserk transformation that brutally killed EX Black King. Jack defeated Knuckle by breaking his armor and striking him with a Specium Ray, while Zero disappeared after his rampage.

• Ultraman Jack blocked Knuckle’s shot at Zero, freed Zero from EX Black King, and gave him an Energy Recharger.
• Knuckle’s mind-controlled workers blew up Unit-00’s launch platform, severely injuring Rei and enraging Shinji.
• Shinji used the Atrocious Belial Capsule and transformed into a berserk Dark Radiant Zero.
• Dark Radiant Zero tore apart EX Black King and vanished after leaving the surrounding area in ruins.
• Ultraman Jack cracked Knuckle’s armor with his bracelet, then used Ultra Backdrop, Ultra Tornado, and a Specium Ray to defeat him.

After Zero and Shinji lost control and devastated Tokyo-3, they were left horrified by what they had done. In space, Zoffy and Ultraman rescued the Zero Guard from the Knuckle Fleet and set out for Earth to check on Zero and Shinji.

• NERV staff and Gendo Ikari feared how the citizens would view Zero after witnessing his brutal battle, while Shinji and Zero questioned why anger had made them lose control.
• The Zero Guard defended the injured Mirror Knight from the Knuckle Fleet and its army of Black Kings, but their barrier began to crack under a combined attack.
• Zoffy and Ultraman arrived, destroyed much of the Knuckle Fleet, and drove the remaining Black Kings into battle on the asteroid.
• Mirror Knight used a decoy made of mirror fragments to protect Zoffy while he charged his M87 Ray and annihilated the Black King army.
• Ultraman defeated the giant Knuckle Aliens, and he and Zoffy led the Zero Guard toward Earth to check on Zero and Shinji.

Kaji led NERV special forces in an assault on the Universe Radio Wave Research Institute, the Knuckle Aliens’ base, and discovered the aliens hiding among apparent hostages. With Ultraman Jack’s help, the team rescued the captives, disarmed a bomb, and completed the mission before Jack returned to space.

• Kaji led UC07 into the institute after its entrance trap was disarmed, and the team fought through the Knuckle Aliens on the first and second floors.
• Kaji used his helmet scanner to identify disguised Knuckle Aliens among the supposed hostages, and UC07 eliminated them.
• Kaji found a hidden steel door with the Ultra Guard gun and led the team through it toward the remaining aliens.
• Kaji confirmed the people held in the final room were human hostages, and Ultraman Jack struck down the Knuckle Aliens and rescued them.
• Kaji disarmed the bomb with ten seconds remaining, and UC07 withdrew with the recovered data as Ultraman Jack flew toward space.

After Zero lost control and rampaged against EX Black King, Shinji collapsed from severe injuries and was rushed to the hospital. Hideki Go reassured Zero as Shinji stabilized, while Zero confronted the darkness that had caused him to hurt his partner.

• Hayato killed the wounded Knuckle Captain, collected cells from EX Black King, and became more interested in Zero.
• Zero came to his senses and felt guilty about the destruction before Hideki Go helped Shinji, who then coughed up blood and lost consciousness.
• Hideki Go carried Shinji to the hospital, where doctors stabilized him and ordered complete rest.
• Zero told Hideki Go that rage and the Belial Capsules had led him to lose control and draw on darkness.
• Hideki Go told Zero to embrace his darkness and illuminate it with his own light, and Rei Ayanami reassured him that Shinji would recover.

Hideki Go delivered Hikari’s research to Ritsuko Akagi and confronted Gendo Ikari over the Human Instrumentality Project before helping Zero treat Shinji. After Zoffy and Ultraman restored some of Zero’s energy, the three Ultras departed Earth.

• Hideki Go met Kaji, explained why Shinji and Zero had gone berserk, and asked to meet Ritsuko Akagi and the Commander.
• Hideki Go transferred Hikari’s compiled research and Adam data to Ritsuko, then warned Gendo Ikari that he still condemned the Human Instrumentality Project.
• The Zero Guard returned to Earth, and Hideki Go gave most of his energy to Ultraseven’s capsule so Zero could use it to treat Shinji.
• Hideki Go said goodbye to the Zero Guard and Kaji as Zoffy and the original Ultraman arrived at the seaside.
• Zoffy and the original Ultraman sent energy to Zero, then they departed Earth with Ultraman Jack.

Asuka woke in the hospital and learned that Shinji had been gravely injured while saving her after Zero lost control in battle. After seeing a protest against Zero, she was reassured by Zero’s resolve to keep protecting people, though he vowed not to use his dangerous form until he mastered it.

• Mirror told Asuka that Zero and Shinji had healed her, then explained how Shinji was left with severe internal injuries after their battle with the Knuckle Alien and EX Black King.
• Asuka tried to visit the unconscious Shinji but had to stay in bed, and she wept with guilt over the risks he had taken to save her.
• Asuka watched protesters accuse Ultraman Zero of bringing disaster to Earth and angrily turned off the television.
• Zero told Asuka that he would keep protecting people despite their criticism, and Asuka acknowledged the Ultramen as heroes.
• Zero said he would not use the form that had caused him to lose control until he had mastered it.

As Zero’s old wound worsened, he refused to leave Earth and lent Asuka his power so she could fight the approaching Angel while Shinji recovered. Asuka, Misato, Mirror Knight, and Guren headed out together, with Shinji asking Zero to protect Asuka.

• Asuka visited the injured Shinji, scolded him for risking his life, and admitted she cared about him; Shinji explained why he had fought the Knuckle Aliens.
• Zero revealed to Guren, Mirror Knight, Jean-bot, and Jean-nine that his old chest wound had reopened and was draining his energy, but he refused to return to the Land of Light.
• Zero temporarily healed his wound with energy from Zoffy and Ultraman, then an alarm announced that an Angel had appeared.
• When Shinji tried to leave his capsule, Misato and Asuka told him to rest, and Zero offered to lend Asuka his power so she could transform into him.
• Asuka accepted, received Zero’s power and Palaj Bracelet, and went with Misato, Mirror Knight, and Guren to confront the Angel while Shinji asked Zero to keep her safe.

Zero and NERV confronted the Twelfth Angel, a striped sphere that could vanish and attack through a vast shadow. After Unit-02 and nearby buildings were swallowed, Zero transformed through Asuka and escaped with her, leaving the group to face the Angel's next move.

• Zero and the others identified the Twelfth Angel as an unknown, life-sign-free sphere with no detectable AT Field response.
• Misato sent Asuka in Unit-02 to approach the Angel with a salvaged axe while Rei covered her with the Spacium Cannon.
• Asuka's missiles and Rei's beam passed through the Angel, which reappeared beneath Unit-02 and swallowed the Eva and nearby high-rises into its shadow.
• Zero took control of Asuka's transformation and used Ultra Teleportation to escape the Entry Plug with her before Unit-02 was consumed.
• Zero reassured Misato and Ritsuko that he and Asuka were safe, then called for a discussion of the Angel.

Zero and his allies destroyed the Night Angel and recovered Unit-02, while Shinji dreamed of Zero receiving light from the Ultramen and Noa. Shinji woke in the hospital wondering whether they, too, would someday become light.

• Zero identified the Night Angel’s giant sphere as a projection and led Mirror and Guren into the shadow sea to find its real body.
• Zero and his allies escaped the Night Angel with Unit-02 after locating Kyoko, who revealed that the Angel was trying to understand her.
• Zero destroyed the Night Angel, and Asuka was taken to the hospital to conceal what had happened.
• Shinji dreamed of Zero receiving power from the Ultramen, then witnessed Noa pass his light to Zero before Zero defeated Arch Belial with the Paraghi Shield.
• Shinji woke in the hospital and wondered whether they would someday become light.

After recovering from the Night Angel incident, Shinji and Asuka returned to everyday life while NERV prepared to receive magnerium energy. Pedan Aliens attacked the shipment train with Black King Joe, and Unit-01 intervened as the robot began to flee.

• Shinji told Zero that Noa had communicated the words, “You, too, will one day become light,” and Zero planned to report them.
• Asuka visited Shinji in the hospital, and she and Shinji grew closer before he was discharged.
• Misato learned from Ritsuko that a train was carrying magnerium energy, a potential solution to the EVA’s endurance problem.
• Pedan Aliens attacked the train, destroyed its defenses, and stole the magnerium energy.
• The Pedan Aliens assembled Black King Joe, which destroyed the responding UN forces and reduced the train to scrap.
• Unit-01 burst from the darkness and grabbed Black King Joe’s head section as it tried to escape.

Dr. Shinya Kaburagi entered the Eagle Nation’s research institute to interrogate the captured Icarus Seijin, while Shinji and Unit-01 fought Black King Joe in Tokyo-3. Unit-01 was overwhelmed until Zero emerged to fight, and alarms sounded at the institute as Kaburagi’s plan took effect.

• Dr. Shinya Kaburagi passed security and entered the Detention Room to question the captive Icarus Seijin.
• Shinji used Unit-01 to attack Black King Joe, but its weapons and borrowed Ultraman skills failed to damage the robot.
• Black King Joe pinned Unit-01 and began crushing its armor as Shinji’s energy ran low.
• Zero emerged from Unit-01, kicked Black King Joe away, and prepared to fight it.
• Alarms sounded at the research institute, contact with the Detention Room was lost, and Kaburagi smiled as his plan succeeded.

Hayato Noda destroyed the research facility after transforming Icarus Seijin into Tyrant, then created Super Grand King and sent it toward Japan. There, Zero struggled against Black King Joe until Tyrant emerged to join the fight.

• Hayato revealed himself as Hayato Noda, freed Icarus Seijin, and injected him with monster energy and devil splinters to turn him into Tyrant.
• Tyrant destroyed the research facility, killing everyone inside, then burrowed underground as Hayato judged the experiment successful.
• Hayato created Super Grand King, which escaped the Eagle Nation’s fighters and flew toward Japan.
• Zero fought Black King Joe, but it targeted his old injuries and left him badly hurt.
• Zero’s companions flew to help while Unit-02 and Unit-00 prepared to deploy, but Tyrant emerged beside Black King Joe and surrounded him.

Zero fought Black King and Red-Eyed Tyrant while the Zero Guard intercepted Super Grand King, but the monster absorbed Black King's energy and incapacitated the entire team. With his comrades out of the fight, Super Grand King headed toward Zero as Hayato challenged him to find a way to win.

• Zero transformed into Infinite Form and battled Red-Eyed Tyrant and Black King, but their defenses and teamwork made them difficult to defeat.
• After NERV reported a giant monster approaching Japan, Mirror and the Zero Guard left Zero to intercept it and identified the enemy as Super Grand King.
• Mirror Knight, Guren, Jean-nine, and Jean-bot attacked Super Grand King together, but their combined assault failed to harm it.
• Hayato remotely directed Black King to fire magnerium energy into Super Grand King's horn, allowing the monster to absorb it and unleash beams that defeated the Zero Guard.
• Limings's storage device saved the Jean brothers, while Mirror escaped with Guren; Super Grand King then flew toward Zero as Hayato taunted him.