"Angel Attack" is the first episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Overview
The year is 2015, 15 years after the first disastrous contact with the mysterious beings known as Angels resulted in the global cataclysm referred to as the Second Impact, which wiped out half of the human race. To defend humanity against future Angel attacks, the United Nations established the NERV organization in Tokyo-3[1] to develop giant bio-mechanical mecha known as Evangelions. Now, the Angels have finally returned, and the untested Evangelions can only be piloted by specially selected 14 year olds. Shinji Ikari, estranged son of the director of NERV, Commander Gendo Ikari, arrives in Tokyo-3 and is forced to pilot Evangelion Unit-01 to fight the Angel, Sachiel, which is attacking the city.
Synopsis
Sachiel on-screen
The Angel Sachiel[2] approaches underwater towards Tokyo-3, as a JSSDF tank battalion awaits it on the shoreline. A state of emergency has been declared and people have fled to shelters, leaving the region deserted. Ikari Shinji, recently arrived in a nearby town, has remained above ground waiting for Misato Katsuragi, who is due to pick him up.
During his wait he notices a teenage girl who seems to be observing him; a girl who mysterious vanishes as quickly as she appeared.[3] Shinji then feels the ground shake as Sachiel emerges from behind a nearby foothill. The JSSDF air force begins to attack the Angel with missiles and rockets. Shinji is nearly killed in the ensuing battle, but is rescued in the nick of time as Misato arrives in her car and rescues him.
The JSSDF's conventional weapons prove useless against the Angel, and they detonate an N² Mine in an attempt to destroy it. Misato and Shinji, on their way to Tokyo-3, are caught in the shock waves of the blast, and their vehicle is overturned. The Angel survives the blast, but is temporarily halted as it begins to regenerate.
Misato and Shinji repair their vehicle and continue on to Tokyo-3. The JSSDF, admitting their ineffectiveness, transfer responsibility for the Angel's destruction to Gendo Ikari and Nerv. Shinji descends deep underground on a car train into the GeoFront.
Upon their arrival, Shinji and Misato meet with Ritsuko Akagi, who leads them further down. The recovered Angel begins to resume its journey towards Tokyo-3. Shinji is brought to the Evangelion hanger, where he is shown Eva-01 and where Gendo also appears. Shinji then learns that he has been summoned to pilot Evangelion Unit-01 into battle against the Angel.
Shinji confronts his father and protests at his treatment, but Gendo simply tells him to pilot or leave. The rejuvenated Angel discovers and begins to attack the Geofront, and the hanger is shaken by its blasts.[4] Shinji finally refuses to pilot the Evangelion. Gendo then sends for his other pilot Rei Ayanami, despite her being seriously injured.
Rei is wheeled into the room in a hospital bed, still covered with bandages. The violence of one the Angel's blasts causes a heavy ceiling lights in the hanger to to fall and Shinji is nearly killed, but is saved when Eva-01, supposedly unable to move, breaks its bonds and moves its arm to deflect the lights. Shinji runs over to help Rei who has been thrown to the floor by the blast. Confronted with the sight Rei's injuries, Shinji resolves himself and agrees to pilot the Evangelion.
Eva-01's Entry Plug inserted
Eva-01 is prepared for launch. The Entry Plug with Shinji inside, is inserted into the Evangelion where Shinji achieves synchronization with Eva-01. The Evangelion is then launched up from the Geofront to a road on the surface, into the path of the Angel. The two stand opposing each other and the episode ends.
Quotes
- Fuyutsuki: "It's been 15 years, hasn't it."
Gendo Ikari: "Yes, there can be no mistake. The Angels are back". - Misato Katsuragi: (while standing on an elevated people mover transporting her through Nerv base, which is clearly visible from lower levels) "This is why I hate wearing skirts here".
- Ritsuko Akagi: "This is the Ultimate All-Purpose Humanoid Decisive Battle Weapon developed by humanity. The artificial human, Evangelion. That is Eva-01. Its construction carried out in complete secrecy, it is our — humanity's — final trump."
- Shinji Ikari: "I mustn't run away. I mustn't run away. I mustn't run away..."
- Gendo Ikari: "Go wake up Rei."
Fuyutsuki: "Can we use her?"
Gendo Ikari: "She isn't dead."
Fuyutsuki: "Understood."
Notes and references
- ↑ For more info about the city, see the Tokyo-3 main article for details.
- ↑ Sachiel's design is remarkably similar to the Plug suit designs.
- ↑ Several explanations have been proposed for Rei's appearance on the street when she is actually severely injured and hospitalized. Go HERE for an analysis of why we believe that it is Rei 3.
- ↑ Sachiel's energy blasts look like latin crosses.
- When Misato and Shinji are entering Nerv HQ, the hexagonal sliding door they walk through has the misspelling "cauntion" written on it
- Eva-01's shoulder normally just as the word "EVA" written on it, with a number "1" superimposed over it. However, when Shinji and Misato first drive up to Eva-01 in a hovercraft, the entire word "Evangelion" is written on its shoulder due to an animation goof.
- Background announcements in Nerv HQ after Misato and Shinji enter state that the "Sigma Unit" is under a complete lockout.