Fourth Impact
The moment humanity's individuality dissolves into a sea of orange fluid through the reversion of existence.
Instrumentality is a cataclysmic event that dissolves individual human existence into a collective consciousness known as LCL, effectively reverting humanity to its primordial state rather than evolving it toward an Angelic form. It serves as a pivotal turning point where the boundaries between souls dissolve, threatening to erase individuality entirely. Note: This event is distinct from the 'Fourth Impact' seen in the Rebuild of Evangelion film series, a separate continuity.
- Trigger
- Shinji Ikari's choice within the merged entity of Unit-01 and Lilith, after Unit-01 fuses with the Spear of Longinus and merges with Lilith's body
- Location
- Global (Initiated in Tokyo-3)
- Key Entity Involved
- Shinji Ikari, Evangelion Unit-01, Lilith, and the Spear of Longinus
- Resulting State
- Mass conversion to LCL and the merging of individual consciousnesses
- Preceded By
- Third Impact attempts and the Instrumentality Project
- Status
- Rejected by Shinji, who chooses to return; only Shinji and Asuka are shown returning, leaving humanity's fate ambiguous
Lore & Background
The visual manifestation of this event is a surreal transformation where solid matter liquefies into LCL, the primordial soup from which life originated. As individuals lose their AT Fields—the barriers that separate souls—physical bodies dissolve, and consciousness merges into a single, collective existence. This process represents an involuntary realization of Instrumentality, stripping away the pain of loneliness by removing the very concept of self. It marks the ultimate failure of NERV's containment protocols and the terrifying success of SEELE's desire to revert humanity to its origin.
In Their Own Story
The sky above Tokyo-3 did not darken; it turned a sickly, vibrant orange. Shinji felt no pain as his skin began to soften, melting into a warm, viscous fluid that pooled around him. The city was gone, replaced by a vast, silent ocean of LCL stretching to the horizon. In this new world, there were no walls, no barriers, and no 'others.' He tried to scream for Asuka or his father, but he had no mouth to form the words. There was only the hum of the infinite engine and the overwhelming sensation of being everything at once. The distinct shape of a boy dissolved into the light, joining the chorus of a billion souls singing in unison.
Reader's Guide
The Fourth Impact marks the climax of humanity's struggle for existence against its own nature. While previous Impacts were external forces that reset civilization, this event is an internal collapse caused by the breach between the human soul and divine energy. It begins when Unit-01, acting under its own will or through specific activation, generates an S² Engine. This infinite power source bypasses all safety mechanisms of the Eva units, projecting a field that neutralizes AT Fields globally. Without these barriers to define individual existence, biological matter cannot maintain its structure. The result is a planetary-scale liquefaction where oceans rise and continents vanish into a sea of LCL. Humanity does not die in the traditional sense but ceases to exist as separate entities. This state mirrors the goal of Instrumentality, yet it arrives without consent or preparation, highlighting the fragility of human identity. Ultimately, the event serves as a crucible for the characters' final choices. It forces a confrontation with the desire to be alone versus the comfort of merging, leading to a resolution where individuality is either reclaimed or permanently surrendered.
Did You Know?
- The term 'Fourth Impact' originates from the Rebuild of Evangelion film series, a separate continuity; in the original series and End of Evangelion, Instrumentality is never called by that name.
- Instrumentality is triggered not by Shinji piloting Unit-01 to touch Lilith, but by Unit-01 fusing with the Spear of Longinus and later merging with Lilith's body, with Shinji's choice within the merged entity serving as
- The event is not fully reversed in the anime conclusion; Shinji rejects Instrumentality and chooses to return, but only Shinji and Asuka are shown returning, leaving humanity's ultimate fate ambiguous.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers the Fourth Impact?
The event is initiated when Evangelion Unit-01 activates its S² Engine, a power source that forces an immediate and global evolutionary shift. This activation causes all life on Earth to rapidly transform into LCL fluid.
How does the Fourth Impact differ from previous Impacts?
Unlike earlier geological or biological resets, this event represents a forced acceleration of human evolution toward the state of Angels. It specifically targets individual consciousness, dissolving the boundaries between humanity and the divine rather than just resetting the ecosystem.
Who are the key figures involved in causing this event?
Shinji Ikari is the central figure whose connection to Evangelion Unit-01 allows the S² Engine to activate. His actions during this moment directly precipitate the mass conversion of humanity into LCL and Angelic forms.
What is the ultimate outcome for humanity during the Fourth Impact?
Humanity loses its individual identity as physical bodies dissolve into a global sea of orange LCL fluid. This state effectively merges all consciousness, threatening to erase the concept of separate selves entirely.
Is the Fourth Impact permanent in the canon storyline?
Although the event successfully initiates the forced evolution and dissolution of humanity, it is eventually reversed by the conclusion of the anime series. The narrative ultimately restores individual existence after this catastrophic near-extinction.