Evangelion Unit 01 (Eva Unit-01)

Evangelion Unit 01 (often abbreviated as Eva-01) is the second functional Evangelion Unit to be produced and is designated as a "test" unit. It is the first unit that was specifically designed to combat Angels and was also the first unit deployed to do so in the pilot episode of the original series . Throughout the series, it is made clear that Eva-01 is a unique case among Evangelion units, as it displays abilities that no other unit displays and appears to be treated with favoritism among the senior leadership of both NERV and SEELE. In the Evangelion series, Shinji Ikari , is the designated pilot for Eva-01, but it can also be piloted with a Dummy Plug. It is possible that Rei Ayanami can also pilot it, as Gendo Ikari orders him to pilot it when Shinji hesitates after being asked to do so himself.

Description

Eva-01 is primarily colored purple and features green accents (these green accents are also more prominent in the Rebuild unit's design). Like all other main units other than Eva-00 , it also has long shoulder pylons that are both part of the unit's restraining armor and used to store weapons, most notably its Progressive Knife. A separate upper and lower law can also be seen separating to reveal a mouth when the unit goes berserk. This unit's most unique physical trait, however, is probably its singular long horn growing from its forehead.

While possessing a number of unique physical characteristics, Eva-01 appears to have a number of other abilities at its disposal that no other unit appears to be able to do. The most notable of these abilities is the unit's ability to move on its own. In the first episode of the original series , the angel Sachiel , Eva-01 begins its attack above NERV HQ and causes rubble to fall from the ceiling of the underground facility that threatens to land right on top of the protagonist, Shinji. The unmanned Eva-01 moves on its own to protect the protagonist. This is not the only instance where this occurs, however. The ending of Evangelion has Eva-01 submerged in "Bakelite," a red liquid that can harden incredibly quickly in order to prevent an enraged Evangelion unit from moving. This leaves Shinji at a loss for what to do, as he cannot enter the unit in its current state. Once again, the unit appears to move on its own and breaks free of the Bakelite. The cause of this unusual trait is unknown, but it is possible that it is due to the connection of the donated soul of the Eva and its pilot. As every Eva unit requires a donated soul to function properly, it stands to reason that Eva-01 is no exception. It is confirmed that Shinji's mother, Yui Ikari, is the original owner of the soul within this particular unit. Given that Eva-01 and Shinji share such a close bond, it is possible to argue that Eva-01 moving on its own is merely the remnant of its mother trying to protect it. This argument could also explain why Eva-01 goes berserk during combat after its energy depletes so often.

Unlike all other Units in Evangelion , which are all essentially beings cloned from the First Angel's Adam body, Eva-01 is stated to have a connection to the Second Angel's Lilith instead, though the nature of the connection is somewhat ambiguous. In the original Japanese dub of The End of Evangelion , Eva-01 is referred to as "Lilith no bunshin" (リリスの分身) (the term "bunshin" can be interpreted as "another self", "child", and "alter ego", among other similar meanings), whereas Kaworu calls Eva-02 "Adam no bunshin". Given that all other Eva Units are made from Adam's body, it is possible that Eva-01 was made exactly like the other Eva Units, but used Lilith's body as its base rather than Adam's. Another interpretation is that this was simply a way of designating Eva-01 as a substitute for Lilith in Third Impact.

Notable battles in the Evangelion anime

• With the Twelfth Angel Leliel : The "battle" with this Angel is rather odd, as there is very little combat. That said, it is quite important when discussing Eva-01. Although Shinji's haste resulted in him and Eva-01 being transported to Leliel's pocket dimension, this accident caused the protagonist to begin to realize that his mother's soul was inside Eva-01. Immediately after this realization, just before the unit's life support systems failed, a crazed Eva-01 bursts through the Angel and it survives the ordeal. This exchange sheds some light on certain aspects of the creation of Eva units as a whole and reinforces the idea that Yui is the reason the unit went "crazy."

• With the fourteenth Angel, Zeruel : This Angel is able to completely overpower all other Eva Units, though Eva-01 seems to be able to hold its own for a while. That is, until its internal battery runs out of power, rendering it unable to react. At this point, Shinji begs the Unit to move again—and it complies. In this maddened state, the Unit quickly disposes of Zeruel and even begins to devour him. This leads to Eva-01 being the first Unit to obtain an S2 drive, a feat that also makes it the trigger for Third Impact in The End of Evangelion .