DEATH & REBIRTH Ultimate enemy is man The fate of destruction is

The Promised Time 13 EVA units also the joy of rebirth

Sadly, we had to reject each other... Stop medication

"Give my regards to Yui" 12,000 plates of special armor

How egotistical

Depth 70m in the subterranean lake The meaning of the A.T.Field

INTRODUCTION

• The TV anime series "Neon Genesis Evangelion" aired from October 1995 to March 1996. The planning, original story and production were done by GAINAX, which was known for anime works such as "Wings of Honneamise (Royal Space Force)", "Gunbuster" and "Fushigi no Umi no Nadia (Nadia - The Secret of Blue Water)".

The series featured attractive SF settings, dynamic battle scenes, a pedantic flavor from incorporating Christian motifs and psychoanalytical jargon into a dramatic work, and a super-intensive amount of information. Evangelion exceeded the bounds of conventional anime on all these counts, making it truly worthy of the title "Neon Genesis". The series enjoyed the enthusiastic support of numerous fans, and also spawned discussions on various topics.

• The TV series ended in a manner that could be considered incomplete. This became an intense issue, and by that meaning could be said to have spurred on Evangelion's popularity. The voice of the fans grew stronger and stronger as they demanded a proper ending to the drama, explanations of the mysteries, or even a new story. In order to meet these expectations, a cinema edition was planned -- this is "EVANGELION DEATH AND REBIRTH".

• This movie consists of two parts: "DEATH" and "REBIRTH. "DEATH" is a re-edit of the TV series from episodes 1 through 24, that is to say the contents from the start of the story to just before the climax, together with a large number of new cuts.

"REBIRTH" is Part 1 of the "Conclusion" which retells TV episodes 25 and 26 as a new story. Evangelion will conclude by showing this Part 1 together with Part 2 of the Cinema Edition which is scheduled for release this summer.

• The chief director of "EVANGELION DEATH AND REBIRTH" is Hideaki Anno, and the directors are Masayuki and Kazuya Tsurumaki. The movie was produced by GAINAX and the group of tight-knit staff that supported the TV series. The animation production was handled by PRODUCTION I.G.

A difference in power of 1 to 5 To unite God, humans, and all other life forms in death.

Danang Type-B defense screen The 18th

A Rite of Passage Humans who gave up human form Ange

TIMELINE

[1999]

Kohzou Fuyutsuki, a professor at Kyoto University, meets Yui Ikari, a student at that same university.

Gendou Rokubungi calls on Fuyutsuki, whom he has never met, to be his guarantor. Fuyutsuki's first impression of Gendou was that of a "disagreeable fellow".

In the autumn of this year, Fuyutsuki is informed by Yui that she is seeing Gendou. Yui refers to Gendou as a "cute/sweet person".

[2000]

September 13 -- The date of Second Impact, the greatest calamity to strike since the appearance of humankind. The Antarctic ice cap melted in an instant, causing sea levels to rise and wash over the populated surface of the earth, and the shifting of the Earth's axis wreaked havoc on the ecosystem. These cataclysms were further compounded by humans themselves as civil conflicts broke out on a global scale, reducing the human population by half and creating a spectacle that could only be described as "Apocalyptic".

The Katsuragi survey team, including Dr. Katsuragi himself, was in Antarctica at the time of Second Impact, and was totally wiped out. The sole survivor was Dr. Katsuragi's daughter, Misato, who lapsed into a prolonged state of agnosia (loss of speech) from the shock of the incident. However, Gendou, who had also participated in this survey team, left Antarctica taking with him various materials the day before Second Impact, and was thus spared from the disaster.

[2001]

Yui and Gendou Ikari have their first child, Shinji. Had the child been a girl, Gendou intended to name her "Rei".

[2002]

Gendou and Fuyutsuki head toward the South Pole as part of a formal investigation of Second Impact. During this voyage, Fuyutsuki is informed by Gendou that he and Yui have married and have had a child.

The threads linking Second Impact with the Giant of Light, SEELE and Gendou change Fuyutsuki's suspicions into conviction, and he starts to pry into the mysteries behind the manipulated information...

[2003]

Fuyutsuki, through his independent research, draws closer to a massive deception surrounding Second Impact, at the fore of which is Gendou Ikari, Chief of Research at the U.N. Artificial Evolution Laboratories (AEL). When Fuyutsuki visits the AEL and threatens Gendou with a public exposé of the truth, Gendou guides Fuyutsuki to Central Dogma -- a gigantic cavity sprawling deep underground the Laboratories. There Fuyutsuki meets Dr. Naoko Akagi, a foremost authority on bio-computers, who calls their organization "Gehirn". Standing before the incomplete EVA-00, Gendou tempts Fuyutsuki, saying, "Won't you create a new future for humankind together with me?" After careful consideration, Fuyutsuki accepts Gendou's offer...

[2004]

Yui Ikari disappears during an experiment in the Hakone 2nd Underground Laboratory -- the accident occurring before the very eyes of her son, Shinji. Immediately thereafter Gendou goes mising -- causing Fuyutsuki great concern at the absence of a commander for a week. The details of this blank are unclear, but upon his return Gendou tells Fuyutsuki that he has recommended the "Instrumentality Project (HCP)" and the "Adam Project". Naoko Akagi afterwards described Gendou as having "changed" from that point.

Around this time Gendou places Shinji in the custody of an acquaintance. Thereafter Shinji lives apart from his father until 2015.

[2005]

The passage of 5 years has helped Misato to recover (although not fully) from her agnosia. She makes friends with two people at Tokyo-2 University, located in New Tokyo-2 in Nagano Prefecture. The first is Ritsuko Akagi, daughter of the renowned Dr. Naoko Akagi, and later Chief of the E Project. The other is Ryohji Kaji, a man who reminds her of her father. Misato falls in love with Kaji, and the two start living together.

Sohryu Asuka Langley is selected as the Second Children. On that same day, Asuka's mother, Sohryu Kyouko Zeppelin, who had suffered mental collapse some time before, hangs herself.

[2007]

Misato and Kaji separate. The cause was inside Misato's heart -- Kaji resembled her father too much.

[2008]

Dr. Akagi completes the basic theory for the bio-computer MAGI. The acquisition of MAGI promises further progress for Gendou's plans.

Upon graduating from university, Ritsuko joins Gehirn and is assigned to the E Project -- the same post as her mother. However, there Ritsuko learns a bitter truth -- that her mother and Gendou are having a relationship.

[2009]

Misato Katsuragi joins Gehirn and is stationed at the German 3rd Branch.

[2010]

Rei Ayanami (the 1st) visits Gehirn. Gendou, who is accompanying her, explains that she is the child of an acquaintance.

MAGI is completed through the efforts of Dr. Naoko Akagi. That same night, Naoko learns from Rei that she is merely a tool for achieving Gendou's plans. In a rage of passion, she strangles Rei and then throws herself from the Command Center and dies.

The next day SEELE decides to disband Gehirn, which was an investigative agency under the Instrumentality Committee. The organization is moved in its entirety to a new organization -- Special Agency NERV -- which is charged with carrying out all the Projects. Thus SEELE's plans enter a new phase.

[2012]

On the 8th anniversary of Yui's death, Shinji visits his mother's grave together with his father, Gendou, but runs away from a grave where there is no body.

[2014]

Rei Ayanami (the 2nd) transfers to the New Tokyo-3 1st Municipal Junior High School.

[2015]

Summoned by his father, Shinji Ikari comes to New Tokyo-3. On that same day, an Angel attacks -- the first in 15 years. This is the third Angel that humankind has encountered, and is thus labeled the 3rd Angel. Shinji is hastily placed inside the robot Evangelion-01 to defend New Tokyo-3, and narrowly defeats the Angel, thus demonstrating his abilities in his first battle.

The Angel invasions continue thereafter, and are countered by NERV, who commits EVA-00 (pilot: First Children = Rei Ayanami) and EVA-02 (pilot: Second Children = Sohryu Asuka Langley) to battle. Around the time of EVA-02's introduction, Ryohji Kaji of NERV's Special Inspections Division also comes to Japan, and brings with him "Adam" to NERV HQ.

The 2nd US NERV Branch disappears. The cause is surmised to be an accident during tests to mount an S^2 engine in EVA-04. Afraid of a similar incident, the US decides to air-transport EVA-03 from the 1st US Branch to Japan. The new Fouth Children = Touji Suzuhara is selected as the pilot of EVA-03. During the initial activation test, however, EVA-03 permits the invasion of an Angel, and is dealt with as an Angel by EVA-01. After this incident, EVA-01 pilot Shinji Ikari, rebelling against his father's command of the battle, takes personal control of Eva-01 and threatens his father. However, this attempt ends in failure. The Third Children's registration is temporarily erased, but the subsequent invasion of the 14th Angel into NERV HQ causes Shinji to return to the front lines, and he defeats the Angel. EVA-01 goes berserk during this battle, and devours the 14th Angel, thus acquiring an S^2 engine.

Kaji, who was secretly investigating NERV under orders from SEELE, is shot and killed.

EVA-00 uses the Lance of Longinus in the battle against the 15th Angel. This succeeds in destroying the Angel, but the Lance continues on to reach the moon and becomes irretrievable.

EVA-00 self-destructs in an attempt to eliminate the 16th Angel. The pilot Rei Ayanami (the 2nd) is also killed in the explosion. Rei Ayanami (the 3rd) becomes active.

E Project Chief Ritsuko Akagi betrays NERV and destroys all the Rei Ayanami bodies except for the one currently active. The cause was a breakdown in her relationship with Commander Gendou Ikari.

Asuka runs away. She is found before long, but is no longer able to pilot Eva. The Fifth Children = Kaworu Nagisa arrives from the Instrumentality Committee as a replacement for Asuka, but his true identity is that of a humanoid Angel. Kaworu achieves entry into Terminal Dogma, but the feared Third Impact does not occur, and he is crushed to death by the pursuing EVA-01.

Characters

Ayanami Rei

The First Children, and dedicated pilot of EVA-00. She received training for this purpose from the early stages of EVA development. A girl of few words, she rarely shows emotion. She died in an explosion during the battle against the 16th Angel Armisael, but afterwards another Rei appeared in NERV HQ. It seems that Rei was not a normal person, but instead a "manufactured being" with an endless supply of bodies.

Her birth date and blood type are unknown.

Sohryu Asuka Langley

The Second Children, and dedicated pilot of EVA-02. She is one quarter Japanese and German, but her nationality is American. In contrast to Shinji and Rei, she is a bright and active young girl. She hates to

lose, and is full of pride. As the battles against the Angels continue, she gradually loses her self-confidence as a pilot, becoming both mentally and physically exhausted.

Birthdate: December 4, Blood type: A, Age: 14

Nagisa Kaworu

The Fifth Children who was sent by SEELE to replace Asuka after she was stripped of her qualification to pilot Eva. He surprised the NERV staff by recording an abnormally high sync ratio. He sought active contact with Shinji as a friend, but his true identity was that of the final Angel.

His birthdate is given as September 13, 2000 -- the same date as Second Impact.

Akagi Ritsuko

A scientist in charge of Eva development, and also entrusted with the administration and operation of the MAGI super-computer system. An intellectual and realistic woman, she sometimes makes callous decisions regarding work. She has been friends with Misato and Kaji since their university years. Like her mother, she was Gendou's lover.

Birthdate: November 21, Blood type: B, Age: 30

Kaji Ryohji

A double spy working simultaneously for the Special Inspections Division of NERV and the Investigations Department of the Japanese Government Ministry of Internal Affairs. Normally casual and indirect, he rarely shows his true colors. He understands Shinji and Misato, and occasionally offers them advice.

Birthdate: June 17, Blood type: A

Katsuragi Misato

Chief of Operations at NERV, and the direct superior of Shinji and the other pilots. Her rank is Major. She lives with Shinji, and acts as his guardian. During strategic operations she is a bold and daring commander, but normally she is a cheerful optimist who looks after Shinji and the other pilots in the capacity of an older sister. However, she also carries about a past of losing her father due to an Angel, and thus joined NERV to take her revenge on the Angels.

Birthdate: December 8, Blood type: A, Age: 29

Ikari Shinji

The protagonist of this story. The Third Children, and dedicated pilot of EVA-01. Shinji is an introverted young boy who is awkward at communicating with other people, and harbors doubts as to the value of his own existence. Ordered by his father from whom he had lived apart for over ten years, he piloted EVA-01 and fought against the Angels. He continues to search for his place in life amidst the fierce battles with the Angels.

Birthdate: June 6, Blood type: A, Age: 14

Ikari Gendou

Shinji's father. Gendou is in charge of the Instrumentality Project (HCP), and is also Supreme Commander of Special Agency NERV. He appears cold-blooded and ruthless -- capable of doing anything to achieve his aims -- but there are many mysteries surrounding his conduct.

Birthdate: April 29, Blood type: A, Age: 48

Fuyutsuki Kohzou

Deputy Commander of NERV. Although he is about 10 years Gendou's senior, he serves as an advisor to Gendou while maintaining an equal relationship. He is currently a member of NERV as a willing collaborator with Gendou, but his true intentions are unknown.

Birthdate: April 9th, Blood type: AB

Hyuga Makoto

Second Lieutenant assigned to the First Section of the Operations Bureau in NERV HQ Central Operations Command. He is subordinate to Misato, and is generally responsible for assisting the formulation of strategies, as well as analysis of combat situations and performance of operator duties in the Command Center. He has an easy-going personality, and appears to harbor some affection toward Misato.

Birthdate: February 13th, Blood type: B

Ibuki Maya

Second Lieutenant assigned to the First Section of the Technology Bureau in NERV HQ. She serves as direct assistant to Ritsuko in the development of Eva. She is serious in character, but also a little fastidious. She expresses disapproval toward the dummy plug system and other inhumane projects.

Birthdate: July 11, Blood type: A, Age: 24

Aoba Shigeru

An operator (rank: lieutenant) assigned to the Central Operations Room in NERV HQ. His responsibilities include communications and data analysis. His likes to play the guitar, but is not very talkative.

Birthdate: May 5, Blood type: A

Suzuhara Touji

Shinji's classmate. An athletic type who is always wearing exercise clothing. Hot-blooded yet righteous in character, he is one of Shinji's few friends. He piloted EVA-03 as the Fifth Children, but EVA-03 was taken over by the 13th Angel Bardiel, and he sustained serious injuries in the ensuing battle.

Birthdate: December 26, Blood type: B

Aida Kensuke

Shinji's classmate. Sociable and a good communicator. He is always with Touji, and is a rational type who acts as a restraint to Touji's emotional tendencies. He is a military and video otaku, and dreams of becoming an Eva pilot.

Birthdate: September 12, Blood type: A

Horaki Hikari

Class president of Shinji's class. She has a very down-to-earth character, and takes her responsibilities as Class President seriously. For this reason she is somewhat shunned by the boys in the class. While outwardly apalled at Touji's unmannerly character, she secretly harbors affection toward him, but never says so openly. She is one of Asuka's few friends in Japan.

Birthdate: February 18

Ikari Yui

Gendou's wife, and Shinji's mother. Born in 1977, an accident during an E Project test took her from this world at the young age of 27. There appear to be some secrets concerning her death. She met Gendou while in university, and married him soon after graduating. She is also the one who brought together Fuyutsuki and Gendou.

Akagi Naoko

Ritsuko's mother, and a gifted scientist who participated in Gehirn as the developer of MAGI. She was Gendou's lover, but then committed suicide due to their relationship.

Keel Lorentz

Supreme Leader of Special Agency NERV, and also Chairman of the Instrumentality Committee. He is a central figure in the secretive organization SEELE, which controls NERV from behind the scenes. Although he entrusts Gendou with the Instrumentality Project (HCP), he also monitors Gendou's actions.

Death and Rebirth Glossary of Terms

[Adam] Adam is the name of the first Angel that appeared in Antarctica and is said to have been the cause of Second Impact. Ryohji Kaji also said that the embryo-like object he carried in the attaché case as he returned from Germany was "The first human -- Adam".

It hardly needs be said that Adam is the first human recorded in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament. The etymology of the word "Adam" is currently unclear, but there are theories that it is related to "earth", "red" and "create".

[Umbilical Cable] The Evangelion normally operate on electrical power received from a cable called the umbilical cable. The Evangelion have a short active time using internal power, but can remain active for longer periods when supplied with electrical power from an external source. "Umbilical cable (cord)" means the blood vessels which extend from baby's navel to the placenta of its mother's womb. Thus, like a fetus receives nutrients through this umbilical cord, the Evangelion receive electric power through the umbilical cable.

[A.T. Field] The Angels and Eva use the A.T.Field (ABSOLUTE TERROR FIELD) as a form of barrier during battles. This field has enormous defensive power, and can almost completely neutralize humankind's current weaponry. The last Angel, Nagisa Kaworu, described it as "the light of the soul" or "the barrier of the heart that everybody has." Perhaps the A.T.Field is a form of mental/spiritual power deployed as physical power.

[Evangelion] The formal name is "All-purpose Humanoid Fighting Machine Evangelion" (HANYOU HITOGATA KESSEN HEIKI EVANGERION). Special Agency NERV spent 14 years of time and astronomical sums of money to build the Evangelion in order to protect humankind from the Angels. The Evangelion also seem to play an important role in the Instrumentality Project (HCP). The only people who can pilot Evangelion are 14-year old boys and girls who lack mothers. 3 Evangelion units are stationed at NERV: EVA-00, EVA-01 and EVA-02.

[S^2 Engine (S^2 KIKAN)] The "S^2" in S^2 engine is the abbreviation of SUPER SOLENOID. Most of the Angels apparently use this S^2 engine as their power source. The Evangelion operate on electrical energy and can only remain active for a short time on internal power, so they must often rely on external electrical power supply. Equipping the Evangelion with S^2 engines is currently under investigation, and the explosion

at the 2nd US NERV Branch was caused by an accident during an S^2 engine mounting test. EVA-01 succeeded in taking an S^2 engine directly into itself when it devoured the 14th Angel Zeruel.

[L.C.L] When the Eva pilots are inside the Eva, they are protected by an amniotic fluid called L.C.L. Before being electrically charged, L.C.L. is a yellow, viscous fluid that smells like blood. L.C.L. performs a number of functions such as linking the pilot and the Eva, supplying oxygen directly to the lungs, and protecting the pilot from both mental attacks and physical shocks.

[Entry Plug] The cockpit in which the Eva pilot sits. It is shaped like a long, thin capsule, and the pilot boards the Eva by having the entry plug inserted into the Eva. The entry plug is inserted to what on a human would be the nape of the neck -- right at the position of the cervical vertebrae. In an emergency the plug also serves as an escape capsule, and is equipped with a parachute and ejection rockets for this purpose.

[Gehirn] The former investigative agency of the Instrumentality Committee. Gehirn had branches around the world, and its initial members included Gendou and Yui Ikari and Naoko Akagi. Fuyutsuki, Ritsuko and Misato also joined this organization later. Gehirn was disbanded on the very day that Dr. Naoko Akagi completed MAGI in 2010, and the organization was transferred in its entirety to Special Agency NERV, which was to carry out the various projects. Yui once said that SEELE and Gehirn were organizations for preventing Third Impact. [Translator's note: Yui said "the final tragedy", not "Third Impact".]

[Core] The Angels have a giant red sphere inside their bodies. This is the core, and is said to be the only weak point of the Angels. During the battle with the 14th Angel Zeruel, the existence of a similar core-like object was also confirmed inside EVA-01, but it is unclear whether this same object also exists in EVA-00 and EVA-02.

[Dead Sea Scrolls (SHIKAI BUNSHO)] SEELE appears to have built the Evangelion and fought the battles against the Angels based on writings called the "Secret Dead Sea Scrolls". The "Dead Sea Scrolls" are actual documents that were excavated from a cave near the Dead Sea in Israel in 1947. Their contents include the Old Testament of the Bible and its Apocrypha, as well as other non-biblical religious documents. Most of these are said to have been written by the Essenic branch of Jewism from the 3rd century B.C. to the 1st century A.D. The relation between the actual "Dead Sea Scrolls" and SEELE's "Secret Dead Sea Scrolls" is unclear.

[Angels (SHITO)] The group of supernatural weapons that assault New Tokyo-3. They have varying appearances and abilities, ranging from gigantic creatures to a computer virus Angel, a "shadow" Angel without tangible form, and even a human-sized Angel. Although their constituent elements differ, the signal arrangements and coordinates of the characteristic waveform patterns unique to Angels closely resemble human genes. Their objective appears to have been the giant deep underground below NERV headquarters.

If we are to believe Kaworu's words, the other Angels were born from the 1st Angel Adam. Further, according to Misato in "REBIRTH", humans are "The 18th Angel, who were born from a being called Lilith, who is the source of life just like Adam."

[Instrumentality Project/Human Complementation Project (HCP) (JINRUI HOKAN KEIKAKU)] Like the name implies, this is a project to complement humankind's wanting parts and achieve a "perfect existence". This project was being advanced by the Instrumentality Committee as well as Gendou Ikari and NERV.

In "REBIRTH", Misato says that it is a project to "artificially evolve Humankind, which has reached its limit as a colony of flawed and separate entities, into a perfect single being." However, it appears that the complementation of humankind envisioned by the elders of SEELE does not equal the complementation aimed for by Gendou and Fuyutsuki.

[SEELE] A secret organization that existed even before Second Impact, and which appears to wield enormous power throughout the world. It seems that Instrumentality and other projects are being carried out based on the "Secret Dead Sea Scrolls" possessed by SEELE. Yui Ikari appears to have had some connection with SEELE since her university years, but the details are unclear. "Seele" means "soul" in German. Further, the names of all the organizations that are related to SEELE, such as Gehirn and Nerv, are also derived from German.

[Second Impact] In the year 2000, SEELE and Gendou attempted to minimize the damage by reducing the 1st Angel Adam to embryo form before the other Angels awakened. As a result, the 1st Angel Adam exploded in Antarctica, causing floods, volcanic eruptions, abnormal weather and other cataclysms around the world and killing half the world's population. This was the greatest impact since an asteroid collided with Earth 4 billion years ago (= Giant Impact), and thus came to be called Second Impact. The cause was explained to the general public as a massive meteorite falling on Markam Mountain in Antarctica. The earth's climate changed drastically following Second Impact. Japan lost its four seasons, and endures a year-round summer climate.

JSSDF (SENJI)] "Senji" (JSSDF) is the abbreviation for "Senryaku Jieitai" (JAPAN STRATEGIC SELF DEFENSE FORCE). An organization directly under the command of Japan's military establishment, it was created due to military clashes between China and Vietnam over the Spratleys in 2003. The English name is "JAPAN STRATEGIC SELF DEFENSE FORCE", abbreviated as JSSDF. The land, naval and air divisions of the original Japan Self-Defense Force were all incorporated into the UN Military, and the JSSDF are the only force under the direct command of the Japanese government.

[New-Tokyo-3] New Tokyo-3 is located on the shores of Lake Ashinoko in the current Hakone, and is the main stage for "Evangelion". Old Tokyo was annihilated by Second Impact and a new type of bomb that was dropped just one week later. Even those areas in which buildings remain are mostly underwater. Japan's capital city in this era is New Tokyo-2, which was constructed in Nagano Prefecture. Although it was generally publicized that New Tokyo-3 was being constructed as the new capital city that would replace New Tokyo-2, it is actually a fortified city which was prepared to fight the coming Angels. However, it was largely destroyed by the explosion caused by EVA-00 in the battle against the 16th Angel Armisael.

[Dummy Plug] The limited nature of the pilots is a serious drawback for Evangelion as an all-purpose weapon. The dummy plug is a simulated entry plug developed to operate the Eva without the pilots as a means of overcoming this drawback. The personality of Rei Ayanami is transplanted to the dummy plugs. In addition, soulless Rei Ayanami bodies floating in a giant tank are used as the core of the dummy system.

The dummy system was first used on EVA-01 in the battle against the 13th Angel Bardiel. However, the Eva's behavior at that time did not resemble Rei's piloting in the least, and instead gave the impression of unbridled, feral brutality.

[Children] Evangelion pilots who are limited to 14-year old boys and girls. These pilots are called "Children" (qualified persons), and are identified as First, Second and so on according to the order of their selection. Of these, the First (Rei) and Third (Shinji) Children have extremely similar personal patterns, and Eva crossover tests are even performed between the two. All the candidates for Children are gathered in the New-Tokyo-3 First Municipal Junior High School which Shinji attends, and all members of Class 2-A are in fact candidates. It is not clear why the plural form (CHILDREN) is used instead of the singular form (CHILD). Incidentally, the word CHILD includes various additional meanings such as: embryo, fetus, descendant, product, and even a person who has emerged from a special environment.

[Special Agency NERV (TOKUMUKIKAN NERV)] Outwardly, Special Agency NERV was formed by the United Nations for the purpose of investigating, researching and destroying the Angels. However, its true purpose appears to be the execution of the Instrumentality Project (HCP). It has branches around the world, and its headquarters is located in the Geofront (deep underground city) spreading underground New Tokyo-3. Nerv is German for "nerve".

[MAGI] The "brain" of NERV, the super-computer MAGI consists of three computer systems: MELCHIOR-1, BALTHASAR-2 and CASPER-3. These three computers investigate various projects, problems and strategies. MAGI was developed by Naoko Akagi, mother of Ritsuko Akagi, and also lover to Gendou Ikari. MELCHIOR-1, BALTHASAR-2 and CASPER-3 have slightly differing programs, having had Naoko Akagi's thought patterns as a scientist, a mother, and a woman input to them. In other words, the dilemmas inside a single human heart were intentionally transplanted into a computer. The naming for MAGI is derived from the three wise men from the east who prophesied the birth of Jesus in the New Testament.

[Marduke Agency (KIKAN)] Evangelion pilots have special requirements -- they must be 14 years old, have no mother, and be able to have a core prepared for them. Of course, they must also be able to achieve a high sync ratio with the Eva. Persons who satisfy these requirements and are suitable for piloting Eva are selected by the Marduke Agency, an advisory agency under the direct control of the Instrumentality Committee. The Marduke agency selected four Children, starting from the first, Rei Ayanami.

However, Ryohji Kaji discovered that the Marduke Agency did not in fact exist, and that NERV itself selected the pilots. Incidentally, Marduke is the name of a Babylonian deity.

[Lilith] A giant called Adam is crucified on a cross behind a door called Heaven's Door deep below NERV HQ. Kaworu Nagisa said that this giant was not Adam, but actually Lilith. He also called humankind the "Lilim". In Rabbinical scripture, the name Lilith refers to the first wife of Adam, and the Lilim are the demons born between Adam and Lilith.

[Lance of Longinus (RONGINUSU NO YARI)] A giant lance-shaped object. It appears to have been used on the 1st Angel Adam during Second Impact, but the details are unclear. After that, it was transported from the South Pole to NERV HQ, where it was stuck into the chest of the giant sleeping deep below the HQ. It appears to have been used to stop the regeneration of this giant. According to the words of Keel in "REBIRTH", it seems to have been needed for complementation.

Gendou instructed Rei to use the Lance of Longinus in the battle against the 15th Angel Arael. Although the Lance destroyed the Angel, it continued on to reach the Moon and became irretrievable.

Incidentally, Longinus was the name of the soldier who pierced Jesus with his lance as He was crucified on the cross.

Seiyuu Comments

Megumi Ogata PROFILE • Voice of Shinji Ikari, Birthdate: June 6 Appearances include "Yuu Yuu Hakushou" and "Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S", etc.

Every time a new script arrived... every time I turned a new page... I was torn apart by a new pain. Even though they were fresh wounds, with fresh blood spilling out, It felt like I was peeling off old scabs which remained on my skin. Sometimes slowly, sometimes with a quick jerk, The claws of a merciless 'Creator' peeled away the layers of my heart... I would be happy if I were able to touch the "Shinji" inside everyone. The "Shinji" inside me is waiting for the time of complementation.

Megumi Hayashibara PROFILE • Voice of Rei Ayanami, Birthdate: March 30

Appearances include "Slayers" and "Saber Marionette J", etc.

Why did you come here... What were you seeking...

And, did you find what you sought here...? No, what you seek cannot be found inside other people; cannot be received from other's hands.

It is inside of you. I cannot touch you.

The only one who can touch your heart is you. Happy things, sad things, difficult things, painful things....

These are all born from within you.

I feel this is what I learned from Eva.

Yuuko Miyamura PROFILE • Voice of Sohryu Asuka Langley, Birthdate: December 4 Appearances include "Ai Tenshi Densetsu- Wedding Peach" and "Boku No Marie/My Dear Marie", etc.

Please, people -- Let's try to be a little happier!!

Kotono Mitsuishi PROFILE • Voice of Misato Katsuragi, Birthdate: December 8 Appearances include "Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon" and "??Tetsuwan Buddy??", etc.

I am truly glad to have met the woman named Misato. Although she doesn't easily speak her true feelings, which often gave me some trouble, I truly like her bright manner by which she hides the loneliness and darkness deep within her heart. After the TV series had ended, I listened to "Cruel Angel's Thesis" again and was struck by the phrase "Although I cannot become a goddess, I will live on." Surely this must be the voice of Misato's heart. I look forward to watching Misato in this cinema edition, as well as seeing who and how Shinji fights.

Yuriko Yamaguchi PROFILE • Voice of Ritsuko Akagi, Birthdate: November 21

Appearances include "Food by the Bucket", etc.

"Incredible. She's lost again."

Those were my, and Ritsuko Akagi's, first words in Eva. From a close-up shot of her back sitting at pool side in her wet suit, Ritsuko rises slowly and speaks while removing her goggles

with one hand. Blond, beautiful, and even a beauty mark/mole under one eye. Wow -- what an incredible woman. Gazing at this picture during rehearsals, I found my voice, and thereafter Ritsuko Akagi's voice, becoming a sexy voice that I

would not normally speak under any conditions.

...It was sinfully pleasurable.

Miki Nagasawa PROFILE • Voice of Maya Ibuki, Birthdate: July 11 Appearances include "(Yuusha Shirei) Dakuon" and "Nadesico", etc.

The characters appearing in Evangelion are each unique individuals, and strive to live amidst the unique world-view of this story. Against this backdrop, Maya Ibuki gives the impression of a completely normal "girl next door". Honest and frank, her straightness sometimes seems almost comical or even awkward at times. I can't help but love the way she tries so hard.

Evangelion is an incredible work.

Takehito Koyasu PROFILE • Voice of Shigeru Aoba, Birthdate: May 5

Appearances include "Saber Marionette J" and "(Yuusha Shirei) Dakuon", etc.

May 5. The profession most suited for a person born on this date is that of teacher. To make fullest use of the ability to work steadily on researching one thing alone, this person might join a company in the capacity of R&D. If he likes sports, he might become an instructor. He is also suited for computer-related work as a programmer or systems engineer. Yes, Shigeru Aoba's

profession is also the one that suits me the most. Isn't that great?

Hmm? What's that? I forgot something....?

Hiro Yuuki PROFILE • Voice of Makoto Hyuuga, Birthdate: February 13 Appearances include "Haou Taikei Ryuunaito" and "Future GPX Cyber Formula ZERO", etc.

When the TV series started I had no idea that it would become this popular. In fact, I still can't believe that it has become a cinema anime film.... At first I thought that the Makoto Hyuuga I played was just an operator with a name, but I soon realized that there were personal portions amidst his sparse lines. (or maybe I just made it that way...) I like the way he remains positive amongst so many characters with a dark(?) past.

Fumihiko Tatsuki PROFILE • Voice of Gendou Ikari, Birthdate: April 29

Appearances include "Iron Leaguer" and "Food by the Bucket", etc.

Was I drawn to him by a powerful fate? How long has it been since plunging into the memorable voice-over work for the 1st episode of the TV series? Years? Months? Days?

Although the answer to most of the rumors is "YES", I vacillate between ! ¤ ? with each episode on whether I like or hate Evangelion and Gendou Ikari.

However, I can't help but feel an endless fascination at the way Eva's story unfolds, tinted by an infinite amount of information amidst drama with needlessly excessive 'fan-service'...

I am so shallow that I could never imagine the direction Eva will take. But no matter how it turns out, there will probably never be another character like the "heretic" Gendou, and I want to be proud at having been his "voice actor". *cough* -- Spring

always makes me stuffy..

Tamashii no Rufuran (Refrain for the Soul)

Follow your memories back to me, To the origin of sweetness and dreams.

Shine like a star once more for the sake of being born! Refrain for the soul...

Your bare skin wrapped in pale shadow, Shivers softly amidst time.

As if to inquire where life is going, Your fingertips desire after me.

Holding the person of my destiny, You were a fleeting blossom blooming for a season.

Leaving behind an aroma of hope in my heart, And scattering suddenly in splendid form.

Come back to me, To the place you dwelt before you were born.

Come back into my arms, for the sake of a chance encounter. Miracles will happen time after time,

Refrain for the soul...

When you close your eyes as if in prayer, The world simply disappears into the depths of darkness.

But your heart beats on, Searching for a limited eternity.

Follow your memories back to me, To the origin of sweetness and dreams. Come back also, for the sake of love.

Both body and soul repeat, Refrain for the soul...

Come back to me, To the place you dwelt before you were born.

Come back into my arms, for the sake of a chance encounter. Miracles will happen time after time,

Refrain for the soul...

NOTES

Angel Attack "People found a God, and in their folly tried to acquire it.

Thus retribution was visited upon mankind."

Ritsuko Akagi thus ridiculed Second Impact -- the greatest calamity since the dawn of history which was visited upon humankind in the final year of the 20th century. Floods, volcanic eruptions, abnormal weather, civil conflicts... Humankind lost half its number and the world lost hope. The cause of Second Impact was announced to the general public as due to the impact of a massive meteorite, but it was actually caused by the 1st Angel "Adam" which was discovered in Antarctica.

And then, 15 years later,

People faced another crisis.

"Unmistakable -- it's an Angel."

Gendou Ikari spoke softly but with conviction. The first appearance of an Angel since Second Impact 15 years earlier. Contact between an Angel and Adam would trigger Third Impact and annihilate humankind. However, the force of humans -- weapons -- are powerless against the Angels. The only thing capable of defeating the Angels is Evangelion, which possesses the same power as the Angels....

"If you're going to pilot it, get in. If not, go home."

"Pilot Eva and fight" -- Those were the orders given by Gendou to his son, Shinji, at their first meeting after a long separation. Shinji was one of the "Children" who satisfied the requirements for piloting Eva. Although rebelling against his father's heartless words, Shinji piloted the Eva and defeated the Angel. However, that was merely the beginning of a long battle.

The melting together of our hearts

will destroy me "Even if I die there will be a replacement."

Another "Children", Rei Ayanami, was a manufactured girl -- manufactured to carry out a certain task. She shed the first tears of her life upon realizing that she was "lonely", but then died in battle immediately thereafter. A third Rei was prepared at once -- a new Rei who knew not the reason for her tears.

"Piloting Eva is all I have."

The dedicated pilot of EVA-02, Sohryu Asuka Langley's pride was sustained by piloting Eva. Losing her mother at a young age had made her choose "strength" as her raison d'être. The strength of being needed by those around her, and yet not needing anyone around her.

But Asuka had been beaten -- by Shinji, by the Angels, and by herself.

Having lost the ability to pilot Eva, she lost her sense of worth -- a broken person.

"I'll stop fretting about a phone that doesn't ring --

-- and accept your heart."

Misato Katsuragi pursued the truth, following the leads left by her lover Ryohji Kaji. Second Impact was a man-made event... The Instrumentality Project (HCP) is synonymous with Third Impact... The

Eva were not made simply to defeat the Angels... By drawing closer to the truth, was she trying to draw closer to Kaji?

The Final Messenger

(The Last to Die) "Yes, worthy of friendship."

The Fifth Children, Kaworu Nagisa, achieved a chance meeting with Shinji, and conveyed his friendship. Kaworu's words gently opened up Shinji's heart, which had shut itself away in its shell. But Kaworu's true identity was that of the final Angel -- the enemy of humankind.

"I don't understand what you're saying, Kaworu!"

"My last testament."

Kaworu wished for death.

And so Shinji killed him....

The Ultimate Enemy is Man

EVA-02 has activated!

The last Angel is dead.

The Angel's name was Kaworu Nagisa -- The first person to ever tell Shinji that he liked him. And the first person to whom Shinji ever opened up his heart. Having killed Kaworu by his own hand, Shinji shut away his heart once again and implored Asuka to help him. Asuka - the spirited young girl who had always made fun of him. But Asuka's pride had been shattered, and she did not respond. On the other hand, the death of the last Angel meant the completion of SEELE's scenario. To artificially evolve Humankind which has reached its limit as a colony of flawed and separate entities into a perfect single being -- that was the true meaning of the Instrumentality Project (HCP), and was also synonymous with Third Impact. As the Promised Time neared, SEELE mobilized the MAGI type computers around the world to hack into NERV's original MAGI system. The aim was the occupation of NERV HQ through the take-over of MAGI. To deal with this threat, NERV reinstated Dr. Ritsuko Akagi. Misato could hardly believe that the woman abandoned by Gendou Ikari would willingly cooperate with NERV again.

At any rate, by reinstating Ritsuko, MAGI was able to successfully evade the threat of occupation. However, this was merely the first skirmish. SEELE then committed the JSSDF in an attempt to directly capture the two Eva units. Gunfire and screams, blood and the smell of gunpowder smoke. New Tokyo-3, which had been named the fortress of humankind. became a battlefield where humans now fought each other. However, the prowess of the military -- of professional slaughterers -- far outstripped that of NERV. Enemy forces committed one after another, NERV personnel falling one after another, barricades being breached -- the reports entering the Command Center were hopeless.

Misato has Asuka placed in EVA-02, and then goes in search of Shinji. The only hope for a reversal -- the only hope to survive -- being in Shinji's EVA-01 destroying all nine remaining Eva series units. On the other hand, Gendou leaves Fuyutsuki in command, and goes to Terminal Dogma together with Rei Ayanami. What does Gendou plan in the midst of this hopeless situation. What will SEELE's scenario bring to pass? Is there a future for Asuka, lying curled up like an unborn child inside the unmoving EVA-02? What runs through Ritsuko's head as she smiles coldly inside MAGI? And Misato dashing

through the battlefield that was once NERV HQ -- will she make it in time? The clashing of various people's wills amidst a complex battle resembles a council that will decide humanity's future. Evolution and death, stagnation and birth, truth and lies -- and the future chosen by humankind?

The key to this future is in the hands of Shinji, who cowers trembling in a corner of the battlefield....