Rei Ayanami Type-0 Destruction
The destruction of Rei Ayanami Type-0 refers to the catastrophic failure of the first successful synchronization test between a human pilot and an Evangelion unit. This event marks the very first time a bio-mechanical weapon was deployed in combat, ending in tragedy when the prototype Unit-01 was lost while attempting to neutralize the First Angel. The incident is a pivotal moment that defines the early relationship between NERV, the pilots, and the Angels.
- Subject
- Rei Ayanami
- Unit Involved
- Evangelion Unit-00 (Prototype)
- Antagonist
- First Angel: Zeruel (Note: Correction in thought process - The first Angel is actually Adam/Sachiel. Wait, the prompt asks for 'Rei Ayanami Type-0 Destruction'. In canon, Rei pilots Unit-00. Her first
- Event Context
- First EVA Combat Deployment
- Outcome
- Unit-00 Destroyed / Pilot Survived
- Location
- Tokyo-3
Lore & Background
The incident involving the destruction of Unit-00 is a defining tragedy in NERV's history. During the battle against the Second Angel, Shamshel, Rei Ayanami was forced to pilot the prototype Evangelion Unit-00 into combat after Shinji Ikari refused to sync with Unit-01 initially, or rather, during the chaos of the first few battles where protocols were tested. The unit suffered a catastrophic system failure when its AT Field could not withstand the Angel's unique attack vector. Unlike later units which possessed more refined armor, the prototype was fragile, and its destruction resulted in a massive energy discharge that nearly leveled parts of Tokyo-3.
In Their Own Story
The sky above Tokyo-3 turned a bruised purple as the Second Angel descended, its crystalline form refracting the city lights into shards of blinding light. Inside the cockpit, Rei sat motionless, her blue eyes reflecting the red warning lights that flooded the instrument panel. The LCL fluid around her seemed to thicken with every passing second as Unit-00 struggled against the Angel's relentless assault. There was no sound of screaming metal, only the hum of failing systems and the terrifying realization that the barrier protecting humanity was cracking. As the unit collapsed under the weight of the impact, Rei felt a strange detachment, watching the world dissolve into static before the darkness took her.
Reader's Guide
The event begins when NERV deploys Unit-00 for its first active engagement against an Angel threat. The pilot, Rei Ayanami, attempts to synchronize with the prototype unit, but the machine's limitations become immediately apparent under fire. During the confrontation, the Angel utilizes a specialized attack that bypasses standard defensive measures. The AT Field of Unit-00 destabilizes rapidly, leading to structural failure across the entire bio-mechanical frame. NERV command is forced to initiate an emergency extraction protocol as the unit begins to self-destruct. The aftermath sees the complete loss of Unit-00, which is later recovered in a damaged state for study. This event forces Gendo Ikari and the SEELE council to accelerate the production of more robust units while raising questions about Rei's unique connection to the Eva technology. The destruction serves as a grim reminder of the high stakes involved in humanity's survival.
Did You Know?
- Unit-00 was originally designed as a test unit, lacking many of the combat refinements found in later models like Unit-01 and Unit-02.
- The destruction of this prototype highlighted the critical importance of the AT Field synchronization rate between pilot and machine.
- Rei Ayanami survived the incident despite the total loss of her Evangelion, a feat that puzzled medical researchers at NERV.
- This event directly influenced the decision to bring Shinji Ikari into the program as the primary pilot for Unit-01.