Second Impact
The cataclysm that shattered the world and birthed a new era of fear.
Second Impact is the catastrophic global event that serves as the foundational backstory for the *Neon Genesis Evangelion* narrative. Occurring fifteen years before the main series begins, this disaster fundamentally reshaped Earth's geography and climate while wiping out approximately one-third of the human population. It marks the transition from the old world order to the new geopolitical landscape dominated by organizations like SEELE and NERV.
- Cause
- Contact experiment with the First Angel (Adam)
Lore & Background
In the aftermath, the United Nations scrambled to maintain order while secret factions like SEELE maneuvered behind the scenes. The disaster accelerated technological development, specifically in bio-weaponry and energy sources derived from the entity's remains. This led directly to the creation of the Evangelion units and the establishment of NERV as a paramilitary force. For those who lived through it, Second Impact became known simply as 'The Day' or 'The Catastrophe,' haunting survivors with memories of fire rising from the frozen south.
In Their Own Story
Dr. Kozo Fuyutsuki stood at the edge of the exclusion zone, his breath visible in the thin air. The ground beneath him was still warm, crackling with residual energy that made the instruments scream. He remembered the sky turning green before the light consumed everything. Now, the ice was gone, replaced by a crater that mirrored humanity's fragility. Somewhere deep below, something stirred again.
Reader's Guide
Secret organizations like SEELE gain influence by controlling information about the entity's nature and its connection to Angels. The Ikari family becomes deeply involved in containment efforts, leading to the development of Evangelion technology. Ultimately, Second Impact sets the stage for the Angel attacks that define the main series.
Did You Know?
- The first Angel, Adam, was discovered in Antarctica and its contact experiment caused the Second Impact fifteen years before the series.
- The name 'Arqa' for ancient ruins at the bottom of Nerv refers to a Kabbalistic concept from the Tree of Life, not a level of the Jewish underworld.
- Animator Mitsuo Iso proposed that the Angels and Gendo unite at the Tree of Life in the final episode, with Angels as sperm fertilizing the Arqa egg.
- The Angels' red core was compared to Ultraman's Color Timer by writer Virginie Nebbia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Second Impact?
This global catastrophe happened a decade and a half before the show starts, devastating Antarctica and wiping out roughly two billion individuals. It permanently changed the planet's landscape and climate while acting as the core premise for the narrative.
What triggered the Second Impact catastrophe?
Humanity's contact with the dormant First Angel, Adam, sparked an uncontrollable energy release that devastated the region. The resulting blast from this ancient being melted the ice and triggered a chain reaction across the globe.
What was the human death toll from Second Impact?
The disaster claimed the lives of about two billion individuals, which equates to roughly thirty-three percent of all humans alive at the time. Such a massive casualty count necessitated a total overhaul of how nations organized themselves politically.
How did Second Impact change Earth's environment?
Melting polar ice caused ocean levels to climb drastically while raising average temperatures around the world. Many coastal regions became submerged, forcing survivors to abandon traditional cities for higher ground.
Why does Second Impact matter for the Evangelion storyline?
The aftermath empowered the United Nations to create specialized agencies such as NERV and SEELE to manage future threats. This new political order is essential for understanding why humanity fights Angels using Evangelion units.