Lance of Longinus

Lore & Background

According to the lore established in the series, the Lance's origin is unknown, but it is associated with the First Ancestral Race, not Adam. It is described as a spear of immense power, forged from unknown materials. In ancient times, it was used to impale Adam, the first Angel, in Antarctica, though this occurred after the Second Impact had already taken place, not to stop the Impact itself. This act set the stage for the entire history of the Evangelion conflict, creating the conditions where AT Fields became necessary for survival. The artifact possesses a unique property: it can penetrate any AT Field, the metaphysical barrier that every living being generates to maintain individuality. While Angels use these fields to deflect physical attacks and energy weapons, the Lance ignores them entirely, striking directly at the core of the target. This capability makes it the only known method to defeat an Angel in close combat without relying on an Evangelion's own AT Field or specific weaponry designed for the occasion. In the later stages of the narrative, the Lance becomes a central element of SEELE's plan for Human Instrumentality. They believe that by using the Lance against Lilith, they can force the merging of all human souls into a single entity, thus ending individual suffering and conflict. However, the artifact is not a simple tool; it reacts to the will of its wielder and the spiritual state of the user, often shifting in location depending on the metaphysical currents of the moment. Ultimately, during the Third Impact, the Lance is retrieved by Unit-01 and lost to space, remaining whole.

In Their Own Story

The vault was silent, save for the low hum of the containment field generators. Kaworu Nagisa stood before the glass barrier that separated him from the spear, its golden tip glowing with a faint, ethereal light. It did not look like a weapon forged by human hands; it looked like a piece of history itself, heavy with the weight of eons. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the cold surface, feeling the pulse of Adam's will vibrate through his skin. This was not just a tool for destruction; it was the key to unlocking the cage that held all souls apart. With a quiet resolve, he knew that soon, this spear would be raised again, not to kill, but to bring everything together in one final, silent embrace.

Reader's Guide

The Lance of Longinus functions as a metaphysical bypass for AT Fields. In a world where every living entity projects an invisible barrier to maintain its individual existence, the Lance acts as a needle that threads through this fabric without resistance. It does not rely on brute force or kinetic energy; instead, it operates on a spiritual level, ignoring the physical laws that govern conventional weaponry. To wield the Lance effectively requires more than just physical strength. The artifact responds to the intent of the user and is often drawn to those with a pure or singular connection to the Angels. In the hands of SEELE, it was intended as a divine instrument for the Instrumentality Project, designed to pierce Lilith and trigger the merging of souls. However, its use is not without risk. The Lance can be manipulated by powerful entities like Kaworu Nagisa, who used it to impale an Evangelion or alter the trajectory of events. It can also be shattered into fragments, each retaining a portion of its original power, making it a versatile but unpredictable force in the hands of those who seek to control destiny.

Did You Know?

• The Lance was discovered by humans in Antarctica and used to impale Adam after the Second Impact had already occurred, not to stop the Impact itself.
• It is a unique artifact; there are no other known objects capable of piercing an Angel's AT Field without being destroyed in TV Series and End of Evangelion canon.
• The Lance was stored in NERV's Central Dogma under SEELE's control, not under NERV's control.
• Kaworu Nagisa used the Lance to impale himself while piloting Unit-02, not as a separate act of wielding it against himself outside of an Eva.