Eva 00
A versatile humanoid decisive weapon developed by the secret agency NERV in the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise, Eva-00 serves as the prototype model of the Evangelion series. It is primarily piloted by Ayanami Rei. Being the earliest operational machine constructed among the Evangelions, it was not originally intended for active battlefield deployment. Consequently, it features distinct physical design characteristics and a complex experimental background that set it apart from the subsequent combat-dedicated units such as Unit-01 and Unit-02.
Overview
A versatile humanoid decisive weapon developed by the secret agency NERV in the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise, Eva-00 serves as the prototype model of the Evangelion series. It is primarily piloted by Ayanami Rei. Being the earliest operational machine constructed among the Evangelions, it was not originally intended for active battlefield deployment. Consequently, it features distinct physical design characteristics and a complex experimental background that set it apart from the subsequent combat-dedicated units such as Unit-01 and Unit-02.
Appearance
The head structure features a single central eye and a green lens located on the crown, distinguishing it from subsequent units. Initially, the exterior armor was painted yellow-orange and lacked shoulder weapon racks. In the Rebuild of Evangelion movies, its abdominal armor is colored white. Following repairs and upgrades into its modified form, weapon racks identical to those on Unit-01 and Unit-02 were added to the shoulders, and the body armor was repainted blue in the television series.
Personality
Lacking a clearly defined soul within its core unlike other units in the series, Eva-00 exhibits remarkably unstable behavior during operation. During early activation and interchangeability tests, it has repeatedly shown violent berserk tendencies, attempting to absorb its human pilots and rampaging wildly inside NERV facilities, displaying an unpredictable and dangerous physical reaction whenever control over the machine is compromised.
Abilities
Built without fixed inherent weaponry, Eva-00 primarily provides long-range combat support utilizing pallet rifles and positron sniper rifles. During Operation Yashima, it utilized a specialized heat-resistant shield to block high-powered particle attacks. Its tactical deployment includes operating heavy ordnance such as N2 explosives and throwing the Lance of Longinus into space, as well as executing a powerful self-destruction mechanism when pushed to extremity.
Background
Produced by NERV as the initial test prototype for the Evangelion series, Eva-00 was originally intended strictly for testing rather than actual combat. After a disastrous activation failure that injured its pilot, the machine was kept frozen in subterranean containment. It was forced into active duty during Operation Yashima to defend against an attacking Angel. Heavily damaged during the operation, it underwent extensive repairs and upgrades before returning to active deployment. It continued to intercept foreign threats until its ultimate destruction, when it self-destructed to neutralize the sixteenth Angel.
Relationships
Its designated primary pilot is Ayanami Rei, who maintains stable synchronization with the machine during combat operations. Conversely, when Ikari Shinji attempted to pilot the unit during a compatibility test, Eva-00 suffered a catastrophic violent rejection and went out of control. On the battlefield, it frequently acts in coordination with EVA Unit-01, piloted by Ikari Shinji, and EVA Unit-02, piloted by Soryu Asuka Langley.
Trivia
In the lower levels of Central Dogma, numerous abandoned skeletal remains of failed prototype units built prior to Eva-00 lie discarded. Popular fan discussion notes that the television series' shift from a yellow color scheme to a blue color scheme for Unit-00 Kai was rumored to be inspired by a color change of a famous classic Japanese anime character.
