Neon Genesis Evangelion, despite being one of the most successful franchises in the mecha genre, has never really been about the giant mech fights. The series has always prioritized the messy batch of characters doing the piloting, and the struggles each endures throughout all the schemes and Angel attacks.Nevertheless,Evangelionboasts some of the most iconic mechs ever.
The instantly recognizable EVA Unit-01 and its sleek, stylish design has become an unofficial mascot of the mecha genre in the three decades since it first appeared on-screen, and that isn’t likely to change any time soon. Most of what the EVAs are capable of in battle depends largely on their pilots, but these are the strongest regardless.
10EVA Unit-05
Mari’s Debut EVA Unit Wasn’t Fully Completed
Mari Makanami Illustrious' explosive debut in theEvangelionfranchise cameduring the second rebuild film,Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance, in which she piloted the unconventional EVA Unit-05. It’s the first in the series to not follow the usual humanoid appearance of the EVAs, instead having four limbs with wheels on its lower body.
The Unit also has a built-in power source, causing no need for an umbilical cable in its back. However, due to its very limited weapons, Unit-05 is labeled provisional,and is unfinished the last time it’s seen on-screen. Nevertheless, it was powerful enough to defeat the escaped Third Angel duringEvangelion: 2.0.
9EVA Unit-00
Rei’s Evangelion Unit Is the Very First
Rei’s Evangelion Unit-00 might not be the most powerful in the series, but it does pack some punch. The EVA was the first that was functional, as is inferred by the EVA graveyard shown in Nerv Headquarters duringThe End of Evangelion,and as such is labeled a prototype unit.
The unit doesn’t pack that great a punch, but it did become a handful on the few occasions it went berserk.
Nevertheless, it was able to endure an up-close explosion of an N2 mine during the fight with the Tenth Angel Zeruel, and withstood Ramiel’s incredibly powerful particle beam while Rei was protecting Shinji. The unit doesn’t pack that great a punch, but it did become a handful on the few occasions it went berserk.
8EVA Unit-03
The Troublesome EVA Didn’t See Much Action Before Becoming Possessed
Audiences didn’t get to see much of EVA Unit-03 before the incident which made it famous took place. Unit-03 was meant to be piloted by the fourth children and friend to Shinji, Toji Suzuhara, though he wasn’t quite able to show off what he could do before the Thirteenth Angel, Bardiel, infected and possessed the EVA.
Much of the destruction caused by EVA Unit-03 was not due to its own power, but rather the terrifying and unhinged brutality of the Angel inside of it. From its appearance, it seems the EVA is similar to Asuka’s Unit-02, only with some minor visual differences and a different paint job.
7EVA Unit-08
Mari’s Custom EVA Wasn’t Given Much Time to Shine
Mari’s other EVA-Unit, used only duringEvangelion: 3.0, and later seen in3.0+1.0when its pilot says her goodbyes to Evangelion, is a bit different from the other EVAs piloted throughout the series. In terms of shape and stature, Unit-08 is in line with the rest of the numbered EVAs, sporting a spunky pink and white design, but with horns and quite a few eyes on its head.
Unfortunately,it’s unknown just what Unit-08 is capable of in battle, as it’s only seen providing support inEvangelion: 3.0after Mari suggests Asuka and Unit-02 take the lead and help Shinji. However, given the sniper rifle it uses in combat, it can be assumed that it’s compatible with a variety of weapons.
6Mass Production Evangelion
The Infamous Monstrous EVA Series Packs a Punch
The Mass Production Evangelions are in the running for the most terrifying Evangelions in the entire series, and not just for their appearance,though they are pretty visually off-putting. The white and black eyeless EVAs are entirely self-sufficient, coming packed with S2 Drives, and their beastly posture, mechanical wings, and animalistic groans and grunts are endlessly intimidating.
In terms of raw strength, however, they might not be quite as powerful as they appear, as Asuka was able to overpower each of them pretty handily duringThe End of Evangelion. However, their bottomless energy and replica Spears of Longinus eventually got the best of Asuka, as Unit-02 was rapidly running out of its battery-sourced power.
5EVA Unit-02
Asuka’s Iconic Red EVA Is Incredibly Powerful
Of thethree original Evangelion Unitsintroduced during 1995’sNeon Genesis Evangelion, Asuka’s Unit-02 is likely the runner-up in terms of popularity and recognizability. It can also be argued that Unit-02 is central to nearly all the series' coolest action sequences. In battle, the EVA is every bit as fierce as its pilot, and is able to be heavily customized.
In the Rebuild films, Unit-02 is even more powerful,having access to Beast Mode, a built-in function that removes all limiters from the EVA and causes it to take on a more animalistic appearance. In this mode, Unit-02 is capable of breaking through several layers of A.T. Fields, but is still reliant on its internal battery power.
4EVA Mark.09
The Natural Upgrade on Unit 00 Is Far More Powerful Than Its Predecessor
EVA Mark.09, unlike the majority of the numbered Eva Units in the series, does not seem to need an external power source, whichwould imply that it contains an S2 drive similar to the Mass Produced EVA series. This alone would give the Unit a sizable leg-up on other EVAs, but what truly makes it powerful is that its entire body functions as a Core.
Unlike other Angels and EVAs, which have Cores directly in the middle of their chests, the fact that Mark.09’s entire body is a Core means the Unit can regenerate from practically any damage, and was seen fighting without its head inEvangelion: 3.0. The Rei-piloted Evangelion can also wield a number of weapons, like most other standard Units.
3EVA Mark.06
The Lunar EVA Is the Series' Most Mysterious
Evangelion Mark.06 is the first Mark series Unit introduced into the series, initially shown while under construction duringEvangelion: 1.0, before debuting in battle duringEvangelion: 2.0. The EVA was constructed at the lunar base on the moon, and sports a much sleeker, mask-like appearance in the armor on its face. Kaworu pilots the Unit, which can travel from the moon to Earth without assistance.
DuringEvangelion: 3.0,it’s revealed that Mark.06 houses the twelfth angel, but it’s unknown whether that’s the reason for its immense strength.
EVA Mark.06 also does not seem to have any sort of use for an external power source, much like Mark.09, which implies it’s powered by an S2 drive. Unlike any other piloted EVA in the series, the Mark.06 is also capable of hovering off the ground and features a halo on top of its head.
DuringEvangelion: 3.0,it’s revealed that Mark.06 houses the twelfth angel,but it’s unknown whether that’s the reason for its immense strength.
2EVA Unit-01
Shinji’s Iconic Eva Is the Only One Made of Lilith
Evangelion Unit-01 is the series' instantly recognizable central mech, and as such, is incredibly powerful. Unlike any other EVA,Unit-01 is created from Lilith rather than Adam, and upon ingesting the S2 drive of the 14th Angel Zeruel, it becomes a god-like entity capable of kicking off Human Instrumentality.
Unit-01 isn’t just powerful on its own, either.The bound soul of Yui Ikari inside the EVAoften gives Shinji a boost when he’s behind the wheel, either taking measures to save him or awakening the Unit and going berserk in desperate situations.Evangelionfans know well that when wings appear on Unit-01’s back, humanity is in trouble.
1EVA 13
The Mysterious Unit-01 Lookalike Packs a Punch
EVA 13 is unique amongEvangelion’s numbered units, but not for its appearance. Visually, the EVA is just a bigger version of the iconic Unit-01, with a few variations in its paint job. Where it differs from any other is in its dual entry plugs, which were occupied by Shinji and Kaworu duringEvangelion: 3.0.
Like the other overpowered EVAs, Unit-13 does not appear to be compatible with any exterior power source, which implies it uses an S2 drive for unlimited energy. When it enters its Awakened state, similar to Unit-01’s berserk state, almost nothing can stop the EVA, as it took two being stabbed by two Spears of Longinus and Shinji’s ejection from the entry plug to finally subdue it.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Cast
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Japanese animated television series created by Hideaki Anno. The show follows teenagers piloting giant mechs called Evangelions, tasked with defending Earth from mysterious beings known as Angels. As they confront these threats, they also grapple with personal and psychological issues.
