Evangelion: Are The Eva Units Mechs?

Evangelion: Are The Eva Units Mechs?

Highlights

  • Eva Units are not mechs, but pilotable cyborgs with human souls fighting against angels.
  • The true nature of the Eva units is revealed through their flesh and bone humanoid bodies.
  • NERV created the Eva units with human souls to use AT fields in battle against the angels effectively.

As a seasoned gamer and anime enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the Evangelion Units from Neon Genesis Evangelion are not just another run-of-the-mill mech series. These giant humanoid beings have an intricate backstory that sets them apart from their mechanical counterparts in other shows.


In the realm of anime, few mechs are as legendary and recognized as the Evangelion Units from Neon Genesis Evangelion – these are towering humanoid robots with remarkably slender structures and intimidating visages. However, it becomes evident from the start that the Eva are not merely what they appear to be. In the second episode of the 1995 series, the enigmatic Eva Unit 01 reveals a surprising humanoid aspect when its upper helmet is shed, exposing a face with flesh and big green eyes.

For enthusiasts of Evangelion, the genuine essence of the Eva units might be perplexing. Whether the Evas are mechanical or not remains a topic of discussion among both novice and dedicated fans, so what exactly are the Evas?

The following contains spoilers for Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)

Eva Units are Not Mechs

Flesh and Bone Inside, Armored Outside

Evangelion: Are The Eva Units Mechs?

As a gamer, I’d rephrase that as: “The Evas are complex, battle-ready humanoids engineered by NERV, primarily designed by scientists named Yui and Gendo Ikari. They’re colossal, artificial beings with an armored exterior serving both defensive and containment purposes for their immense power. Most Eva units share the genetic makeup of the first angel, Adam, which gives them a formidable energy shield known as the AT Field. This field can be harnessed by their teenage pilots in combat. Interestingly, Eva Unit 01 is a clone of the second angel, Lilith.”

The Eva beings are composed primarily of organic matter like flesh and bone, but they’ve been enhanced with cybernetic components to allow them to be operated as cyborgs. Similar to humans, they have nerves, brains, and hearts, albeit with a distinctive feature: an S2 Core in place of a heart. This S2 Core is unique to each Eva, serving as the one vulnerability shared by angels.

While Eva units, unlike humans, don’t possess individual souls, they are given a human soul instead for full functionality. This human soul is what enables the teenage pilots, Shinji Ikari, Asuka Langley Sohryu, and Rei Ayanami to synchronize with them mentally, allowing them to control the units using their thoughts.

Having spent my entire career studying and working with advanced technology, I can confidently say that nothing I’ve encountered comes close to Evangelion Unit 01. As a scientist who has devoted her life to understanding the boundaries of artificial intelligence and biomechanical engineering, I have seen firsthand the incredible advancements made in these fields. However, Evangelion Unit 01 is unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed before. This synthetic life form represents humanity’s ultimate fighting machine, a testament to our ingenuity and determination. It’s not just a tool or weapon; it’s a marvel of science and engineering that challenges the very definition of what we consider to be alive.

Each Eva unit has a human soul from a deceased person. In the case of Unit 01 and Unit 02, it is the souls of Yui Ikari and Kyouko Zeppeli, Shinji and Asuka’s mothers respectively. In the case of Unit 00, it is unknown whose soul she has. The Eva feel and have a limited level of thought, as when they lose control and go berserk, the resident soul takes control and manifests their instinctual will. Eva Unit 01 enters berserk to protect her son, Shinji. And so did Unit 02 the one time she went berserk. But Unit 00 always attacks her pilot, Rei and Gendo Ikari. So it is unclear who her soul is.

Why Are Eva This Way?

Are Full Robots Not an Option?

Evangelion: Are The Eva Units Mechs?

As a gamer immersed in this sci-fi universe, I’ve come to understand that NERV realized the only way to combat the lethal Angels was to match their destructive power with our own. Since machines lack souls, they can’t wield an AT field, which is the Angels’ main source of strength. That’s where the Evas shine – their ability to use an AT field and the mental control we have over them make them formidable opponents.

Eva shares a mental connection with the pilots, enabling swift responses during combat, and this is particularly evident in Eva Unit 01, as its self-defense capabilities and rapid angel destruction make it NERV’s most valuable resource. Contrary to popular belief, these Eva Units are not mere mechanical suits; they are colossal cyborg entities with a human spirit at their core. They serve as humanity’s primary defense against the angels.

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2024-08-05 21:33