Evangelion Hangars
The silent, cavernous heart where humanity's last line of defense awaits its pilots.
The Evangelion Hangars serve as the primary operational bases for NERV's bio-mechanical giants, located deep within the GeoFront beneath Tokyo-3. These colossal, cavernous structures are designed to house, maintain, and launch the Evangelions during Angel assaults. Far more than simple storage facilities, they represent the intersection of advanced human engineering and the mysterious, organic nature of the Evas themselves.
- Location
- GeoFront, Tokyo-3
- Operator
- NERV (United Nations)
- Primary Function
- Evangelion housing, maintenance, and launch preparation
- Notable Units Housed
- Unit-00, Unit-01, Unit-02, Unit-03, Unit-04
- Security Level
- Maximum Clearance Required
Lore & Background
Beyond their mechanical function, the hangars are deeply tied to the psychological state of the pilots. For Shinji Ikari, Hangar-1 with Unit-01 is often a place of isolation and dread, where he must confront his own worthiness to pilot. The space is also where critical maintenance occurs, such as the removal of plugsuits or the inspection of the Eva's LCL-filled interiors. In moments of crisis, these hangars become chaotic theaters of action, filled with steam, sparks, and the desperate efforts of NERV staff to get a unit operational before an Angel breaches the city.
In Their Own Story
The heavy blast doors groaned as they sealed shut, cutting off the sterile air of the corridor. Inside Hangar-1, the silence was heavy, broken only by the rhythmic dripping of condensation from the ceiling pipes. Unit-01 sat motionless in its cradle, a titan of purple and green armor that seemed to breathe despite being dormant. Shinji stood on the catwalk, looking down at the massive head of the machine. The air smelled of ozone and LCL fluid, a scent that had become synonymous with his life. He gripped the railing, feeling small against the colossal form below, wondering if he was truly ready to bring it back to life.
Reader's Guide
The Evangelion Hangars are the central staging grounds for NERV's operations in Tokyo-3. Located deep underground within the GeoFront, these massive facilities house the giant bio-mechanical weapons known as Evangelions. Their primary role is to provide a secure environment for the maintenance, charging, and preparation of Evas before combat missions. The hangars are equipped with specialized launch systems that allow the units to be deployed rapidly to the surface when an Angel attack is imminent. These locations matter deeply to the narrative as they represent the physical manifestation of humanity's desperation. They are where the pilots face their machines, often grappling with fear and duty in equal measure. The hangars also serve as the backdrop for many critical plot points, including unit repairs after battles and the emotional confrontations between characters.
Did You Know?
- The series began broadcasting in Japan on TV Tokyo on October 4, 1995, and ended on March 27, 1996.
- The 16th episode marked a distinct shift to a more introspective, less action-focused tone that came to characterize the second half of Evangelion.
- By the 18th episode, Eva-01's violent rampage was criticized as being unsuitable on an anime show viewed by children.
- The 20th episode was criticized for the offscreen depiction of characters Misato and Kaji having sex.
- In the 19th Annual Anime Grand Prix, episodes 24 and 26 took first and second place respectively with roughly six hundred votes each.