Evangelion Mark.09

Evangelion Mark.09 (エヴァンゲリオンMark.09) is an Evangelion Unit belonging to the Rebuild of Evangelion film tetralogy. It appears in the movie Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo''. It was sent by NERV to attack the AAA Wunder in order to recover Shinji Ikari from WILLE, it is piloted by Rei Ayanami (Tentative name).

Profile
Overall, the Evangelion Mark.09 is similar to its predecessor Evangelion Unit-00 (in the Rebuild continuity). However it shows differences from it, such as more white highlights, a more prominent central eye, the lack of arm pieces and an almost completely white helmet piece. Mark.09 also appears to be designed specifically for wielding the bizarre jet booster it is first seen with, featuring an extra plate around the torso and indentations that the booster locks into. During its first shown mission, it ends up decapitated and it mostly seen in this form until near the end of the 3.0. This decapitated visage, in conjunction with the scythe it wields, highly resembles that of a from the Irish Mythology. At one point, when trying to take command of the AAA Wunder, it grows an organic head evocative of the AAA Wunder's bridge and bearing a passing resemblance to that of Unit-01 of the original series in its berserk state, having three rows of visors, multiple eyes, a horn and a mouth with large and sharp teeth. Its body color also changes from orange-yellow to that of a more dark brownish-red color resembling Armaros.

Features
On the surface, this Unit appears to have only the standard functions of an Evangelion. Like most Evangelions, it can wield different types of equipment and weapons. In its first appearance, it was outfitted with a bizarre piece of equipment attached to its back composed of several tendrils which can morph into a large rocket booster for extremely fast flight. When fighting Unit-02'γ, it uses a giant scythe as a melee weapon. Unlike the WILLE Evangelions, it is able to resist multiple direct hits and still able to function when it head is hit multiple times by Unit-08β with a handgun and later with a snipe rifle in the Central Dogma. After the awakening of Evangelion 13, it gets a similar halo over the shoulder pylons. After the damage of one of the dorsal plates, revealing a SEELE symbol similar to the SEELE logo in the Lilith mask in the TV Series, when regenerating after Unit-02'γ attack over the mangled neck, the plate isn't regenerated, even when other holes were.

However, it quickly displayed several powerful and Angel-like capabilities. This unit does not appear to be powered by any external energy source, such as a cable or battery, which implies that it may be powered by an S² Engine. Also unique is that its entire body functions as a Core, meaning that it's a difficult unit to destroy, as it has no specific weak point and can regenerate from anything short of complete body destruction, as it was decapitated on two occasions without any loss in function or profusely spraying blood. Mark.09 also displayed the Angel's trademark cross-shaped energy blasts.

Mari and Ritsuko refered to it as an "Adams' Vessel" on several occasions. During its second attack to the AAA Wunder, it tries to somehow hijack control of Wunder, releasing a glowing blue substance not unlike the one produced by the Ninth Angel, with Ritsuko refering to it as "Wunder's original master" this time.

Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo
Following the AAA Wunder's takeoff after Evangelion Unit-01 was placed in it as a power source, Evangelion Mark.09 attacks the fleet by surprise, with Rei Ayanami (Tentative name) piloting it calling out for Shinji from the inside. During this mission, Mark.09 utilizes a strange piece of equipment on its back which is capable of morphing into a jet booster for flight. While under enemy fire, the Evangelion breaks a hole through the Wunder's structure and allows Shinji to get in its hand being attacked by Unit-08β shortly after. Although it manages to blow Mark.09's head off with the use of a handgun after multiple direct hits. Mari identifies it as an Adams' Vessel, Unit-08β is unable to stop the Mark.09 from taking off with Shinji in its hand, successfully accomplishing its mission as it returns to the NERV base.

The Evangelion Mark.09 is not seen again until the activation of the Evangelion 13, and its subsequent descent into Central Dogma. The Mark.09, now headless and wielding a scythe, engaged the Unit-02'γ after it was dispatched by WILLE following the activation signal of the new Evangelion 13. Mark.09 managed to drive Unit-02'γ away from Evangelion 13, but was sniped from above by Evangelion Unit-08β, and forced to take cover beneath the fallen cross on which Second Angel Lilith used to reside. Following Evangelion 13's extraction of the Spears of Longinus from Second Angel Lilith and Evangelion Mark.06, the Mark.09 proceeded to decapitate the latter in order to release the Twelfth Angel inside. Following Evangelion 13's consumption of the Angel and subsequent awakening, Mark.09 was taken over by a SEELE system and manifested a halo above its body, following Evangelion 13 raised into the sky while Fourth Impact commenced. After the Evangelion is taken over by SEELE's system, Rei Ayanami (Tentative name) inside it is unable to control it, although she remains in the entry plug.

Soon after, WILLE attacks the awakened Evangelion 13 by ramming the Wunder into it and unleashing their rail guns on it, prompting Mark.09 to attack the ship by using its A.T. Field to create energy explosions, similar the ones used by the now-deceased Angels, growing a completely different head shortly afterwards, which prompts Ritsuko to refer to the Mark.09 as the Wunder's original master. The Evangelion then proceeds to land on WILLE's ship, changing to a darker color after the contact while releasing a blue ooze from its feet that pours into the ship's engine, hijacking its controls from the crew.

As the Wunder loses altitude, Unit-02'γ jumps onto one of the wings and shoots at Mark.09 with Anti A.T. Field ammunition, blowing off of the armored chestplate only to reveal a special armored plate created by SEELE to protect the core. Managing to evade one of the Mark.09 energy shots, Unit-02'γ activates Code 777, engaging it in combat and managing to tear the Mark.09's neck area. Rei Ayanami (Tentative name) manages to contact Asuka, asking her what she would do if she was Rei Ayanami. Asuka tells her she doesn't know, prompting Rei to eject her entry plug, giving an opening for Unit-02'γ to fire its gun directly at the core through the entry plug slot. However, Mark.09 shines red and regenerates in a matter of seconds, prompting Asuka to identify the whole Evangelion as a core. Running low on battery (10%), she activates the self-destruction mechanism of Unit-02'γ and ejects herself. The recently regenerated Mark.09 then reveals a concealed teethed mouth in its head and crushes the head of Unit-02'γ seconds before the unit detonates, engulfing and destroying the Mark.09. The Wunder's crew regain control of the ship shortly after the Mark.09's destruction.

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time
In one of the scenes in the mental scene in the film studio, the Evangelion Mark.09 can be seen with others as Tokusatsu rubber suits.

It is last seen as it vanishes from the world, inside the Unit-08γ as part of the Final Evangelion.

Евангелион Mark.09