History Recap / NeonGenesisEvangelionEpisode23Tears

Shinji sits on his bed. When Misato comes in, he tells her that he can’t cry anymore. He feels the pain, but tears won’t come. As she moves to hold his hand, he pulls away quickly. Misato wonders if it’s just her, or because she’s a woman, or if he just won’t get close to anyone. Misato, desperate for any company at all, tries seeking out Pen-Pen instead, but he just lies depressed around on the floor, and barely looks over at her when she calls his name.

During another night at the apartment, Misato listens to Kaji’s final message. He urges her to keep up the investigation and also asks her to take care of his flowers, telling her that Shinji knows where his patch is. She remarks to herself that the phone will never ring again.

During another night at the apartment, Misato listens to Kaji’s final message. He urges her to continue his hunt for the truth and also asks her to take care of his flowers, telling her that Shinji knows where his patch is. She remarks to herself that the phone will never ring again.

During another night at the apartment, Misato listens to Kaji’s final message. He urges her to keep going and also asks her to take care of his flowers, telling her that Shinji knows where his patch is. She remarks to herself that the phone will never ring again.

Shinji notices that Misato’s got her door shut and locked with a sign outside. The same goes for Asuka, who’s actually over at Hikari’s house. Hikari actually feels anything but comfortable with Asuka, who just sits in front of Hikari’s TV playing videogames all day, rarely talks, and refuses to go to school. Nonetheless, she still lets Asuka sleep over. As both of them lie down, waiting to fall asleep, Asuka tells Hikari that she’s sorry for being a burden and that she just can’t seem to bring herself to care about anything anymore. She can’t pilot her EVA to do anything useful and for that she hates herself. Hikari tells her to not feel that way and that she should feel good for having done the best she could. Her words don’t have an effect on Asuka, who starts to cry.

The Angel seems to be just rotating above the ground, and it remains passive and stays in place, while the MAGI struggles to gather data on it. Risuko says that the Angel might be able to change shape, prompting Misato to warn Rei to stay back, as they are not yet sure what the Angel is capable of and they need to study it further. But Rei, sensing that something is wrong, answers "No. It's comming." Right then the Angel forms into a single-banded ring. As everyone watches, it breaks apart into a snake-like form and moves swiftly in a beeline for the EVA. Rei is too slow to avoid it and it effortlessly pierces Unit-00's A.T. Field and the EVA itself. Rei tries to grab on and shoot at it to no effect. The Angel begins to infect the EVA Unit and, in turn, Rei. Unit-02 can’t even move due to Asuka’s low sync ratio, causing Misato to call her back into the command center.

The infection starts warping the EVA’s body and Gendo eventually calls off the lock on Unit-01. Asuka bitterly notices that same wasn't done for her, mumbling: "Am I so worthless to you?", as Unit-02 is extracted from the field. Unit-01 arrives at the surface, and following the usual procedure Shinji extends the EVA's A.T. Field, but this instantly draws the Angel's attention, and it quickly slithers towards him through the air. In an attempt to hold it off, he grabs it, but the physical contact allows the Angel to spread its infection to Unit-01 and Shinji. He then stabs the Angel with the prog knife, only to hear it scream with a voice that’s chillingly human. Visions of Rei begin to manifest in the bulging vessels of his hand where the infection is spreading and a white Rei comes out the Angel’s body, reaching out to Shinji, who is stunned in utter horror.

Rei then takes action and begins to spread out her A.T. Field to contain the Angel, forcing all of it inside of Unit-00. Then, she begins the self-destruct sequence on the EVA, despite protests from Misato. As the bulging core of Unit-00 collapses, Rei sees a vision of Gendo smiling. Unit-00 rises to its feet and reaches for something unseen, as it begins to shine and momentarily takes the form of a large white Rei with a halo over her head. The unit then detonates in a massive explosion, resulting in the destruction of the entirety of Tokyo-3's business-district and some of the surrounding area. Shinji can do nothing but watch from Unit-01 as the fireball grows out. After the Angel is confirmed to be destroyed, Misato, who is only barley keeping her voice from shaking, orders a rescue team to be sent out. Ritsuko quietly remarks that there might not be anything to rescue.

Shinji notices that Misato’s got her door shut and locked with a sign outside. The same goes for Asuka, who’s actually over at Hikari’s house. Hikari actually feels anything but comfortable with Asuka, who just sits in front of Hikari’s TV playing videogames. Nonetheless, she still lets Asuka sleep over. As both of them lie down, waiting to fall asleep, Asuka tells Hikari that she’s sorry for being a burden and that she just can’t seem to bring herself to care about anything anymore. She can’t pilot her EVA to do anything useful and for that she hates herself. Hikari tells her to not feel that way and that she should feel good for having done the best she could. Her words don’t have an effect on Asuka, who starts to cry.

During another night at the apartment, Misato listens to Kaji’s final message. He urges her to keep going and also asks her to take care of his flowers, telling her that Shinji knows where it is. She remarks to herself that the phone will never ring again.

Ritsuko first takes them to a room that reminds Shinji of Rei’s apartment. This is where she was born. She then takes them to an EVA graveyard. It is a dumping ground for failed EVA projects, as well as the place where Shinji’s mother disappeared many years ago. Finally she takes them to the machine with the tube filled with LCL. It is the core of the dummy plug; the place where the components are produced. The room is then fully lit and in a tank that spans the entire circumference of the room, multiple bodies of Rei float with a smiling expression on their faces. These are revealed to be what makes the dummy plug work. They are simply empty vessels, in Ritsuko’s words, lacking a soul. She then reveals to the others that the [=EVAs=] are simply man’s attempt at making a man with the power of a god. The [=EVAs=] are biological constructs with a human soul embedded inside, very much like Rei.

Misato finds inside the pill that Kaji gave her a while back a small chip. She remarks that with this, the pain of his loss no longer hurts since he has given her his “heart and soul.” After the inquisition, Ritsuko is set free. SEELE discusses the upcoming plans and decides to accelerate the production of the new EVA series even more, with Keel saying that the promised time will soon come. Ritsuko calls Shinji down and takes him into Terminal Dogma. Misato comes along, demanding Ritsuko to reveal all her secrets.

Shinji sits on his bed. When Misato comes in, he tells her that he can’t cry anymore. He feels the pain, but tears won’t come. As she moves to hold his hand, he pulls away quickly. Misato wonders if it’s just her, or because she’s a woman, or if he just won’t get close to anyone. Misato, desperate for any company at all, tries seeking out Pen-Pen instead, but he lies just depressed around on the floor, and barely looks over at her when she calls his name.

SEELE has a talk with Gendo. They are disappointed in the Lance of Longinus being thrown away into lunar orbit, evading all possible means of retrieval, and they are doubtful of Gendo’s loyalty. A call comes in for Gendo, however, forcing him to leave. The sixteenth Angel, Armisael, has arrived.

The infection starts warping the EVA’s body and Gendo eventually calls off the lock on Unit-01. Asuka bitterly notices that same wasn't done for her, mumbling: "Am I so worthless to you?", as Unit-02 is extracted from the field. Unit-01 arrives at the surface, and following the usual procedure Shinji extends the EVA's A.T. Field, but this instantly draws the Angel's attention, and it quickly slithers towards him through the air. In an attempt to hold it off, he grabs it, but the physical contact allows the Angel to spread its infection to Unit-01 and Shinji. He then stabs the Angel with the prog knife, only to hear it scream with a voice that’s chillingly human. Visions of Rei begin to manifest in the bulging vessels of his hand where the infection is spreading and a white Rei comes out the Angel’s body, reaching out to Shinji.

Shinji sits on his bed. When Misato comes in, he tells her that he can’t cry anymore. He feels the pain, but tears won’t come. As she moves to hold his hand, he pulls away quickly. Misato wonders if it’s just her, or because she’s a woman, or if he just won’t get close to anyone.

It takes the form of a ring of light consisting of two bands interwoven together. The MAGI is unable to get a decisive reading on it, so Unit 00 is sent out to take point, with Unit-02 providing the backup. Asuka’s abilities as a pilot haven’t been any lower than they are now. Gendo moves Asuka out with the intent of possibly using her as a decoy.

Rei then takes action and begins to spread out her A.T. Field to contain the Angel, forcing all of it inside of Unit 00. Then, she begins the self-destruct sequence on the EVA, despite protests from Misato. As the bulging core of Unit-00 collapses, Rei sees a vision of Gendo smiling. Unit-00 rises to its feet and reaches for something unseen, as it begins to shine and momentarily takes the form of a large white Rei with a halo over her head. The unit then detonates in a massive explosion, resulting in the destruction of the entirety of Tokyo-3's business-district and some of the surrounding area. Shinji can do nothing but watch from Unit-01 as the fireball grows out. After the Angel is confirmed to be destroyed, Misato, who is only barley keeping her voice from shaking, orders a rescue team to be sent out. Ritsuko quietly remarks that there might not be anything to rescue.

The ruined remains of Tokyo-3's downtown quickly starts to flood, as water from the nearby lake pours into the crater left by Unit 00s destruction. Around the edges of the crater, Ritsuko and a contamination squad scour the area; they soon discover Unit-00's scorched and broken entry plug. The only thing found inside it is the charred remains of a body. Ritsuko orders that the team's finding is to be classified as top secret and for the plug to salvaged. Everything else is to be disposed of.

It takes the form of a ring of light consisting of two bands interwoven together. The MAGI is unable to get a decisive reading on it, so Unit 00 is sent out to take point, with Unit 02 providing the backup. Asuka’s abilities as a pilot haven’t been any lower than they are now. Gendo moves Asuka out with the intent of possibly using her as a decoy.

The Angel seems to be just rotating above the ground, and it remains passive and stays in place, while the MAGI struggles to gather data on it. Risuko says that the Angel might be able to change shape, prompting Misato to warn Rei to stay back, as they are not yet sure what the Angel is capable of and they need to study it further. But Rei, sensing that something is wrong, answers "No. It's comming." Right then the Angel forms into a single-banded ring. As everyone watches, it breaks apart into a snake-like form and moves swiftly in a beeline for the EVA. Rei is too slow to avoid it and it effortlessly pierces Unit 00's AT-Field and the EVA itself. Rei tries to grab on and shoot at it to no effect. The Angel begins to infect the EVA Unit and, in turn, Rei. Unit 02 can’t even move due to Asuka’s low sync ratio, causing Misato to call her back into the command center.

The infection starts warping the EVA’s body and Gendo eventually calls off the lock on Unit 01. Asuka bitterly notices that same wasn't done for her, mumbling: "Am I so worthless to you?", as Unit 02 is extracted from the field. Unit 01 arrives at the surface, and following the usual procedure Shinji extends the EVA's AT-Field, but this instantly draws the Angel's attention, and it quickly slithers towards him through the air. In an attempt to hold it off, he grabs it, but the physical contact allows the Angel to spread its infection to Unit 01 and Shinji. He then stabs the Angel with the prog knife, only to hear it scream with a voice that’s chillingly human. Visions of Rei begin to manifest in the bulging vessels of his hand where the infection is spreading and a white Rei comes out the Angel’s body, reaching out to Shinji.

Rei then takes action and begins to spread out her AT-Field to contain the Angel, forcing all of it inside of Unit 00. Then, she begins the self-destruct sequence on the EVA, despite protests from Misato. As the bulging core of Unit 00 collapses, Rei sees a vision of Gendo smiling. Unit 00 rises to its feet and reaches for something unseen, as it begins to shine and momentarily takes the form of a large white Rei with a halo over her head. The unit then detonates in a massive explosion, resulting in the destruction of the entirety of Tokyo-3's business-district and some of the surrounding area. Shinji can do nothing but watch from Unit 01 as the fireball grows out. After the Angel is confirmed to be destroyed, Misato, who is only barley keeping her voice from shaking, orders a rescue team to be sent out. Ritsuko quietly remarks that there might not be anything to rescue.

The ruined remains of Tokyo-3's downtown quickly starts to flood, as water from the nearby lake pours into the crater left by Unit 00s destruction. Around the edges of the crater, Ritsuko and a contamination squad scour the area; they soon discover Unit 00s scorched and broken entry plug. The only thing found inside it is the charred remains of a body. Ritsuko orders that the team's finding is to be classified as top secret and for the plug to salvaged. Everything else is to be disposed of.

SEELE discusses the aftermath. After the sixteenth Angel, according to the Dead Sea Scrolls, there is only one more. The Lance of Longinus has been lost and now, with the destruction of Unit 00, there should be sufficient reason to remove Ikari. They decide to use another person against him; this time, someone who knows the truth.

Rei then takes action and begins to spread out her AT-Field to contain the Angel, forcing all of it inside of Unit 00. Then, she begins the self-destruct sequence on the EVA, despite protests from Misato. As the bulging core of Unit 00 collapses, Rei sees a vision of Gendo smiling. Unit 00 rises to its feet and reaches for something unseen, as it begins to shine and momentarily takes the form of a large white Rei with a halo over her head. The unit then detonates in a massive explosion, resulting in the destruction of the entirety of Tokyo-3's business-district and some of the surrounding area. Shinji can do nothing but watch from Unit 01 as the fireball grows out. After the Angel is confirmed to be destroyed, Misato, who are only barley keeping her voice from shaking, orders a rescue team to be sent out. Ritsuko quietly remarks that there might not be anything to rescue.

The infection starts warping the EVA’s body and Gendo eventually calls off the lock on Unit 01. Asuka bitterly notices that same wasn't done for her, mumbling: "Am I so worthless to you?", as Unit 02 is extracted from the field. Unit 01 arrives at the surface, and following the usual procedure Shinji extends the EVA's AT-Field, but this instantly draws the Angel's attention, and it quickly slithers towards him through the air. He grabs onto it and stabs it with the prog knife, only to hear it scream with a voice that’s chillingly human. Visions of Rei begin to manifest in the bulging vessels of his hand where the infection is spreading and a white Rei comes out the Angel’s body, reaching out to Shinji.

Rei then takes action and begins to spread out her AT-Field to contain the Angel, forcing all of it inside of Unit 00. Then, she begins the self-destruct sequence on the EVA, despite protests from Misato. As the bulging core of Unit 00 collapses, Rei sees a vision of Gendo smiling. Unit 00 rises to its feet and reaches for something unseen, as it begins to shine and momentarily takes the form of a large white Rei with a halo over her head. The unit then detonates in a massive explosion, resulting in the destruction of the entirety of Tokyo-3's downtown and some of the surrounding area. Shinji can do nothing but watch from Unit 01 as the fireball grows out. After the Angel is confirmed to be destroyed, Misato, who are only barley keeping her voice from shaking, orders a rescue team to be sent out. Ritsuko quietly remarks that there might not be anything to rescue.

Rei then takes action and begins to spread out her AT-Field to contain the Angel, forcing all of it inside of Unit 00. Then, she begins the self-destruct sequence on the EVA, despite protests from Misato. As the bulging core of Unit 00 collapses, Rei sees a vision of Gendo smiling. Unit 00 rises to its feet and reaches for something unseen, as it begins to shine and momentarily takes the form of a large white Rei with a halo over her head. The unit then detonates in a massive explosion, resulting in the destruction of the entirety of Tokyo-3's downtown and some of the surrounding area. Shinji can do nothing but watch from Unit 01 as the fireball grows out. After the Angel is confirmed to be destroyed, Misato, who can barley keeping her voice from shaking, orders a rescue team to be sent out. Ritsuko quietly remarks that there might not be anything to rescue.

The Angel seems to be just rotating above the ground, and it remains passive and stays in place. Risuko says that the Angel might be able to change shape, prompting Misato to warn Rei to stay back, as they are not yet sure what the Angel is capable of and they need to study it further. But Rei, sensing that something is wrong, answers "No. It's comming." Right then the Angel forms into a single-banded ring. As everyone watches, it breaks apart into a snake-like form and moves swiftly in a beeline for the EVA. Rei is too slow to avoid it and it effortlessly pierces Unit 00's AT-Field and the EVA itself. Rei tries to grab on and shoot at it to no effect. The Angel begins to infect the EVA Unit and, in turn, Rei. Unit 02 can’t even move due to Asuka’s low sync ratio, causing Misato to call her back into the command center.

The Angel seems to be just rotating above the ground, and it remains passive and stays in place. Risuko says that the Angel might be able to change shape, prompting Misato to warn Rei to stay back, as they are not yet sure what the Angel is capable of, and they need to study it further. But Rei, sensing that something is wrong, answers "No. It's comming." Right then the Angel forms into a single-banded ring. As everyone watches, it breaks apart into a snake-like form and moves swiftly in a beeline for the EVA. Rei is too slow to avoid it and it effortlessly pierces Unit 00's AT-Field and the EVA itself. Rei tries to grab on and shoot at it to no effect. The Angel begins to infect the EVA Unit and, in turn, Rei. Unit 02 can’t even move due to Asuka’s low sync ratio, causing Misato to call her back into the command center.

It takes the form of a ring of light consisting of two bands interwoven together. Unit 00 is sent out to take point, with Unit 02 providing the backup. Asuka’s abilities as a pilot haven’t been any lower than they are now. Gendo moves Asuka out with the intent of possibly using her as a decoy.

The Angel seems to be just rotating above the ground, and it remains passive and stays in place even as Rei arrives on the field. But as she activates Unit 00's AT-Field, it suddenly reacts and forms into a single-banded ring. As everyone watches, it breaks apart into a snake-like form and moves swiftly in a beeline for the EVA. Rei is too slow to avoid it and it pierces her. She tries to grab on and shoot at it to no effect. The Angel begins to infect the EVA Unit and, in turn, Rei. Unit 02 can’t even move due to Asuka’s low sync ratio, causing Misato to call her back into the command center.

Rei then takes action and begins to spread out her AT-Field to contain the Angel, forcing all of it inside of Unit 00. Then, she begins the self-destruct sequence on the EVA, despite protests from Misato. As the bulging core of Unit 00 collapses, Rei sees a vision of Gendo smiling. Shortly afterwards, the unit begins to shine and momentarily takes the form of a large white Rei with a shining ring on her head before detonating in a massive explosion, resulting in the destruction of a large central portion of Tokyo-3. Unit 01 can do nothing but watch as the fireball grows out. After the Angel is confirmed to be destroyed, Misato orders a rescue team to be sent out. Ritsuko quietly remarks that there might not be anything to rescue.

Rei then takes action and begins to spread out her A.T. field to contain the Angel, forcing all of it inside of Unit 00. Then, she begins the self-destruct sequence on the EVA, despite protests from Misato. As the bulging core of Unit 00 collapses, Rei sees a vision of Gendo smiling. Shortly afterwards, the unit begins to shine and momentarily takes the form of a large white Rei with a shining ring on her head before detonating in a massive explosion, resulting in the destruction of a large central portion of Tokyo-3. Unit 01 can do nothing but watch as the fireball grows out. After the Angel is confirmed to be destroyed, Misato orders a rescue team to be sent out. Ritsuko quietly remarks that there might not be anything to rescue.

The Angel seems to be just rotating above the ground, and it remains passive and stays in place even as Rei arrives on the field. But as she actives Unit 00's AT-Field, it suddenly reacts and forms into a single-banded ring. As everyone watches, it breaks apart into a snake-like form and moves swiftly in a beeline for the EVA. Rei is too slow to avoid it and it pierces her. She tries to grab on and shoot at it to no effect. The Angel begins to infect the EVA Unit and, in turn, Rei. Unit 02 can’t even move due to Asuka’s low sync ratio, causing Misato to call her back into the command center.

The Angel seems to be just rotating above the ground, but remains passive and stays in place even as Rei arrives on the field. But as she actives Unit 00's AT-Field, it suddenly reacts and forms into a single-banded ring. As everyone watches, it breaks apart into a snake-like form and moves swiftly in a beeline for the EVA. Rei is too slow to avoid it and it pierces her. She tries to grab on and shoot at it to no effect. The Angel begins to infect the EVA Unit and, in turn, Rei. Unit 02 can’t even move due to Asuka’s low sync ratio, causing Misato to call her back into the command center.

The Angel seems to be just rotating above the ground. As everyone watches, it suddenly forms into a single-banded ring and breaks apart into a snake-like form and moves directly for Unit 00. Rei is too slow to avoid it and it pierces her. She tries to grab on and shoot at it to no effect. The Angel begins to infect the EVA Unit and, in turn, Rei. Unit 02 can’t even move due to Asuka’s low sync ratio, causing Misato to call her back into the command center.

Ritsuko first takes them to a room that reminds Shinji of Rei’s apartment. This is where she was born. She then takes them to an EVA graveyard. It is a dumping ground for failed EVA projects, as well as the place where Shinji’s mother disappeared many years ago. Finally she takes them to the machine with the tube filled with LCL. It is the core of the dummy plug; the place where the components are produced. The room is then fully lit and in a tank that spans the entire circumference of the room, multiple bodies of Rei float with a smiling expression on their faces. These are revealed to be what makes the dummy plug work. They are simply empty vessels, in Ritsuko’s words, lacking a soul. She then reveals to the others that the EVAs are simply man’s attempt at making a man with the power of a god. The EVAs are biological constructs with a human soul embedded inside, very much like Rei.

The infection starts warping the EVA’s body and Gendo eventually calls off the lock on Unit 01. As Unit 02 is extracted from the field, Asuka bitterly notices that same wasn't done for her, mumbling: "Am I so worthless to you?" Unit 01 takes to the field and the Angel soon begins to attack Shinji. He grabs onto it and stabs it with the prog knife, only to hear it scream with a voice that’s chillingly human. Visions of Rei begin to manifest in the bulging vessels of his hand where the infection is spreading and a white Rei comes out the Angel’s body, reaching out to Shinji.

The infection starts warping the EVA’s body and Gendo eventually calls off the lock on Unit 01. Asuka bitterly notices that same wasn't done for her, mumbling: "Am I so worthless to you?" Unit 01 takes to the field and the Angel soon begins to attack Shinji. He grabs onto it and stabs it with the prog knife, only to hear it scream with a voice that’s chillingly human. Visions of Rei begin to manifest in the bulging vessels of his hand where the infection is spreading and a white Rei comes out the Angel’s body, reaching out to Shinji.

The infection starts warping the EVA’s body and Gendo eventually calls of the lock on Unit 01. Asuka bitterly notices that same wasn't done for her, mumbling: "Am I so worthless to you?" Unit 01 takes to the field and the Angel soon begins to attack Shinji. He grabs onto it and stabs it with the prog knife, only to hear it scream with a voice that’s chillingly human. Visions of Rei begin to manifest in the bulging vessels of his hand where the infection is spreading and a white Rei comes out the Angel’s body, reaching out to Shinji.

* BodyHorror: The Angel's taint on Shinji manifests itself as small rapidly growing Rei faces.

The infection starts warping the EVA’s body and Gendo eventually calls of the lock on Unit 01. Unit 01 takes to the field and the Angel soon begins to attack Shinji. He grabs onto it and stabs it with the prog knife, only to hear it scream with a voice that’s chillingly human. Visions of Rei begin to manifest in the bulging vessels of his hand where the infection is spreading and a white Rei comes out the Angel’s body, reaching out to Shinji.

Rei then takes action and begins to spread out her A.T. field to contain the Angel, forcing all of it inside of Unit 00. Then, she begins the self-destruct sequence on the EVA, despite protests from Misato. As the bulging core of Unit 00 collapses, Rei sees a vision of Gendo smiling. Shortly afterwards, the unit begins to shine and momentarily takes the form of a large white Rei with a shining ring on her head before detonating in a massive explosion. Unit 01 can do nothing but watch as the fireball grows out. After the Angel is confirmed to be destroyed, Misato orders a rescue team to be sent out. Ritsuko quietly remarks that there might not be anything to rescue.

As soon as she finishes explaining, Ritsuko proceeds to destroy the bodies, disintegrating them. She reveals her motive to be her unrequited love for Gendo. She says that even though these are just lifeless husks, Gendo still chose these, chose Rei, over Ritsuko. She then asks Misato to kill her, saying that she doesn’t care anymore. She falls, lamenting her foolishness. A foolishness she shared with her mother.

Misato does nothing but watch. She wonders about this “curse” that seems to affect everyone involved with EVA.