A defensive physical barrier projected by both Angels and the Evas, conventional weapons cannot penetrate the A.T. Field. The Eva's ability to penetrate these fields makes them indispensible for fending-off Angel atteaks. According Kaworu Nagisa (the 17th Angel), all humans also possess an A.T. Field that allows their soul to maintain their physical form.
This is the general term for the phenol resin used for electrical and heat insulation. A special thermosetting version of this resin was used to immobilize Eva Unit-00 when it went berserk during activation. This quick drying compound with the ability to stop all physical motion makes it an ideal defensive measure for such emergencies. The "Adam" embryo Kaji carried from Germany to NERV Headquarters in Japan was also encased in this special Bakelite.
Some of the most horrific weapons ever developed by mankind, "Biological & Chemical" weapons include both poison gases, and germ weapons. All are within the arsenal of the JSSDF.
This huge, 7-kilometer space sits directly beneath NERV Headquarters and is protected by multiple bulkheads. Access to Central Dogma is prohibited for all except a handful of NERV employees. The name for this structure is borrowed from biology in which the term is used to describe the transfer of genetic information from DNA through RNA to protein.
Though her meaning is not entirely clear, Ritsuko makes a statement that the re-cycled souls were used in the creation of the Evangelion Units due to the fact that this celestial repository of spirits had been completely emptied of its contents. The opening of heaven's Chamber of Gaf is synonymous with the opening of the door to the World's beginning and end.
In the same manner by which Dr. Naoko Akagi's thought patterns were transplanted into the MAGI supercomputer, personality-transplant OS was used to reproduce Rei's thought patterns in pilot-less Entry Plugs named "Dummy Plugs." These Dummy Plugs allow the Eva Units to operate under the control of NERV personnel, instead of their devoted pilots. Eva Units-05 through 13 utilize the thought patterns of Nagisa Kaworu (the Fifth Child) in this same manner.
This long, thin capsule-shaped tube is where the Eva pilot is housed. Once the pilot is inside, the Entry Plug is inserted directly into the Eva Unit's spinal cord. The plug is filled with a viscous liquid substance which smells like blood called "L.C.L." When the L.C.L. is electrically charged, it serves to mentally link the pilot to the Eva and provides oxygen directly to the pilot's lungs. Much like amniotic fluid, the L.C.L. also provides the pilot with protection from mental attacks and physical shock. In an emergency, the Entry Plug can be ejected and is equipped with a parachute for such occasions.
This is the name given to the city beneath Neo Tokyo-3. Built within a pre-existing 6 kilometer-wide concavity, NERV Headquarters is located at the center of this mysterious space and is surrounded by a subterranean lake and forest. During Angel attacks, many of the high-rise buildings that collectively comprise the "ceiling city" above the Geofront, are retracted into this space for protection.
Yui Ikari, Ikari Gendo, and Naoki Akagi were among the initial members of this research arm of the Instrumentality Committee. Gehirn was disbanded in 2010 after completion of the MAGI super-computer system had been completed, though the majority of its staff, including Kouzou Fuyutsuki, Ritsuko and Misato, were transferred to NERV operations where they continued work on the E Project.
Also frequently called the "Human Complementation Project," this is SEELE and therefore NERV's ultimate goal. It is a plan to artificially evolve humanity by merging all of the seperate and flawed entities of the world into a single perfect being - an existance in which each individual's deficiencies are "complemented" by another's strengths. The Evas were not originally intended to be used as weapons, but were designed to achieve this goal by intiating a Third Impact.
Established in 2003 during military conflicts between China and Vietnam over the Spartleys, this is the sole military organization under the direct control of the Japanese government - the original Japan Self Defense Force having been incorportated into the UN Military. Though the JSSDF has tanks and aircraft under its command; it is better suited to anti-personnel and urban occupation warfare than the interception of Angels. The force also has N^2 and BC weapons at its disposal.
Both a powerful weapon, and a tool to be used in conjunction with Lilith to complete the Human Instrumentality Project, this spiral shaped two-pronged spear was unintentionally launched into the Moon's orbit after it was used to destroy the 15th Angel. It has the power to penetrate A.T. Fields.
The brain of Special Agency NERV, this super-computer designed by the late Dr. Naoko Akagi actually consists of three systems; MELCHIOR-1, BALTHASAR-2, and CASPAR-3. They are named for the three wise men from the East who came to witness the birth of Jesus in the New Testament. The operating systems for the three computers are not identical. Personality-transplant OS was used to transfer human thought patterns into the computers. As such, each of the three reproduces the thought pattern of one aspect of Naoko's personality. In this way, they are able to re-create human dilemmas.
N^2 mines, depth charges, and bombs constitute the most destructive conventional weapons within the UN military and the JSSDF. Though they had been used against the 3rd and the 7th Angels with a small degree of success, an N^2 bomb detonated in close proximity to the 14th Angel was completely ineffective.
A fortified city designed to intercept Angel attacks; Neo Tokyo-3 is built above the Geofront - a pre-existing spherical cavity that houses NERV's headquarters. Many of the city's skyscrapers are retracted to positions below the ceiling city during attacks. Those structures which remain above ground house weapons, ammunitions and power couplings to be used by the Evas during their defense of the city.
Similar in structure to a wet suit, the plug suit increases the syncronization rates between the Evangelion Units and ther respective pilots. Molded from a single piece of material, the suits fit loosely at first but automatically adjust to the wearer after a switch on the wrist is activated. The suit also provides various information by means of a small monitor on the back of the hand.
Part of the Eva's standard armament, the "prog knife" operates by dividing materials at the molecular level using a blade composed of particles vibrating at high frequency. It is housed in the shoulder of the Eva. Later models are fashioned like a box-cutter with a blade that can be extended should pat of it break-off.
A theory advanced by Misato's father Dr. Katsuragi prior to the 2nd Impact. It explains the operation of the S^2, or Super Solenoid engines possessed by the Angels. The theory was inadvertently verified when Dr. Katsuragi's research expedition to Antarctica discovered the first Angel, Adam and initiated 2nd impact. Eva UNIT-01 was "enhanced" with an S^2 engine when it devoured the remains of the 14th Angel, Zereul.
The Global catastrophe that occurred on September 13, 2000, 2nd Impact was the largest cataclysm since a meteorite collided with the Eartj 4 billion years ago (the 1st, or "Giant" Impact). The impact caused the Earth to shift upon its axis. Half of the World's population was destroyed as a result of the environmental changes and civil unrest that followed. Though the general population believes 2nd Impact was the result of a meteor falling upon Antarctica, it was actually caused by Gendo Ikari and SEELE's attempt to reduce the first Angel, Adam to an embryonic state.
The secret international organization behind Special Agency NERV and the Evangelion Project, SEELE existed prior to Second Impact. It has systematically kept the Angel's existence and the events of that cataclysm from public knowledge. SEELE is determined to use all of NERV's resources to bring about the next step in human evolution in accordance with information they obtained from the "Secret Dead Sea Scrolls." The battles fought between the Eva units and the Angels are a part of this plan. SEELE's leader and the chairman of the Instrumentality Committee is Keel Lorentz.
Though officially under the jurisdiction of the United Nations, this special agency responsible for promoting the Human Instrumentality Project is actually controlled by SEELE. It was originally created in 2010 and has branch offices in many countries. From the agency's main headquarters located in Neo Tokyo-3's Geofront, NERV's Commander Ikari Gendo and Deputy Commander Kouzou Fuyutsuki direct the actions of the Evangelion units, and oversee the various other projects which together comprise the Human Instrumentality Project.
Issued by the government of Japan in Neo Tokyo-2, this order abolished all special legal protection previously enjoyed by Special Agency NERV, and transferred command of all it's resources and projects to the Japanese government. When attempting to capture the 8th Angel, an order "A-17" was issued, so there is some conjecture that all "A" type orders concern emergency actions related to NERV activities.
The area within the lowest level of Central Dogma, Terminal Dogma is completely flooded with viscous, blood-like substance termed L.C.L. Confined behind an entryway called "Heaven's Door." Lilith is crucified upon a red cross. It is believed that contact with Lilith is the ultimate motive for the Angel's attacks, though only the humanoid Angel, Kaworu Nagisa, succeeded in penetrating this far into Terminal Dogma.
It is believed that this massive catastrophie following the First (or "Giant") Impact, and the Second Impact which destroyed half of the Earth's population, would occur should an Angel make contact with Adam - the first Angel reduced to embryonic form currently fused to Gendo Ikari's hand. Though it was originall belived that the Evangelion Units were created to prevent this from happening, the ultimate goal of the Human Instrumentality prject is to actually initiate and control the Third Impact.
Much as an infant in its Mother's womb requires nutrients through an umbilical cord, the Evangelion Units rely upon an umbilical cord to keep them supplied with the massive amount of electrical power they need to operate. Should these cords be severed of damaged, the Eva Units' internal power supplies allow them to operate for a maximum 5 minutes of combat. This time can be extended if power is used only for minimal life support functions. Many of the buildings which are not retracted into the Geofront during Angel attacks contain additional cables to be used by the Evas.
An attack strategy devised by then 1st Lieutenent Misato Katsuragi to defeat the 5th Angel, the Yashima Strategy placed Eva Unit-01 outside the Angel's range of attack and equipped it with a prototype self-propelled positron cannon commandeered from the JSSDF Technical Research Institute. Because of the extreme range, power was diverted to the cannon from every source within Japan. Though the first shot missed its mark, Unit-00 was able to shield Unit-01 long enough for Shinji to make a second, decisive shot.