Matariel

Overview

Matariel is the Ninth Angel featured in the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. Characterized by its massive, arachnid-like body, this entity takes advantage of a widespread power outage in Tokyo-3 to launch a targeted infiltration toward NERV Headquarters.

Appearance

Matariel resembles a giant harvestman with a missing abdomen. Its lower surface facing the ground is covered with numerous eye-like markings.

Personality

It displays no individual emotion or speech, operating strictly on a relentless drive to move directly toward its objective beneath NERV Headquarters.

Abilities

Matariel secretes a highly corrosive acid from the eye-like patterns on its underside, capable of melting through the heavy armored walls of the GeoFront. However, its physical durability and regenerative capacities are exceedingly weak, leaving it vulnerable to standard Pallet Rifle fire once its A.T. Field is neutralized.

Background

Making its appearance in Episode 11 of the original television series, Matariel emerges while Tokyo-3 suffers from a complete blackout. It reaches the upper hatches of NERV Headquarters completely unopposed and attempts to melt a path downward. When the three Evangelion units manage to deploy, they launch a coordinated counterattack that ends in Matariel's destruction under fire from Unit-01.

Relationships

Matariel faces the combined forces of Shinji Ikari in Eva Unit-01, Rei Ayanami in Eva Unit-00, and Asuka Langley Soryu in Eva Unit-02. Unit-02 acts as a shield against the acid, allowing Unit-00 to retrieve a weapon and pass it to Unit-01, which completes the elimination.

Trivia

Its name derives from Matariel, an angel associated with rain in Judeo-Christian lore. In the video game Super Robot Wars Alpha, it stands out among Angel units by possessing the high-tier HP Recovery (Large) ability.