CODEX17 messengers · pattern blue · biological singularities
The Angels (使徒, shito, "apostles") are biological singularities of unknown origin, each carrying an S² engine and an Absolute Terror Field. Of the 18 prophesied in the Dead Sea Scrolls, two are progenitors (Adam, Lilith) and one is the human race itself (Lilim). The 15 between are described below in chronological order of contact.
01 PROGENITORS
state: reduced, frozen
location: Antarctica → NERV vault
event: Second Impact (2000)
fate: grafted to Gendo's hand
state: crucified, lance-pinned
location: Terminal Dogma
role: mother of Lilim (humanity)
fate: third impact vessel
02 ATTACKING ANGELS · CHRONOLOGICAL CONTACT
power: energy lance, bone mask
contact: Tokyo-3 surface
defeat: EVA-01 (Shinji, berserk)
note: first contact in 15 years
power: twin energy whips
contact: Tokyo-3 mountain
defeat: EVA-01, prog knife
note: "the inhabitant of the day"
power: particle beam, drill
contact: Tokyo-3 air
defeat: Op. Yashima (positron rifle)
note: "thunder of god"
power: jaw crush, mass
contact: Pacific Ocean
defeat: EVA-02 + battleship cannons
note: "fish of god"
power: mitotic split, sync attack
contact: Tokyo-3
defeat: EVA-01 + EVA-02 (synced dance)
note: "the burning one"
power: heat resistance, mass
contact: Mt. Asama volcano
defeat: EVA-02 (capture mission)
note: caught alive, killed in womb
power: acid rain dissolution
contact: Tokyo-3 surface
defeat: EVAs (blackout battle)
note: attacked during NERV power-down
power: kamikaze drop, kinetic mass
contact: low orbit
defeat: all 3 EVAs catching it
note: sacrificed itself as projectile
power: network intrusion, replication
contact: NERV HQ MAGI
defeat: Ritsuko self-destruct trap
note: first non-physical Angel
power: dimensional pocket, swallow
contact: Tokyo-3 air
defeat: EVA-01 (berserk, 16h trapped)
note: shell is the shadow, not the sphere
power: body-snatch, mass production
contact: Eva-03 transport
defeat: EVA-01 dummy plug (Toji injured)
note: the betrayer
power: ribbon-arms, energy beam
contact: NERV HQ assault
defeat: EVA-01 (S² absorption)
note: "strength of god"
power: psychic light invasion
contact: high orbit
defeat: Lance of Longinus (Rei throw)
note: attacked Asuka's mind
power: physical fusion, AT field invert
contact: EVA-00 contact
defeat: Rei self-destruct
note: "I am alone..."
power: total AT field control
contact: NERV (joined as pilot)
defeat: Shinji, by request
note: "free will" angel, last messenger
03 18TH ANGEL
The 18th and final Angel, according to the Dead Sea Scrolls, is humanity itself — Lilim (リリン), the children of Lilith. Distinct from the other Angels in that they reproduce sexually and lack a true S² engine. The Human Instrumentality Project is, ultimately, a strategy to resolve the existence of this 18th Angel by merging all Lilim into a single being and ending the cycle of contact.
"The Lilim... that's what you call yourselves. The 18th Angel. The last." — Kaworu Nagisa // Eva ep. 24
See INSTRUMENTALITY PROJECT for the SEELE doctrine on resolving the 18th Angel problem.