Evangelion (mecha)

All Evangelion units from the original series, as depicted in an official art from the Evangelion Chronicle encyclopedia. Clockwise, from the top: Eva01, 00, 03, 02 and 04. In the background, the nine mass-produced units of the Eva Series.

The Evangelions (エヴァンゲリオン, Evangerion), also referred to as Evas, are fictional biomechanical humanoid mechas introduced in the anime television series Neon Genesis Evangelion, produced by Gainax and directed by Hideaki Anno, and in the manga of the same name written and illustrated by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. In addition to the original animated series, Evangelions appear in its derivative works, including spin-off manga, video games, visual novels, the original video animation Petit Eva: Evangelion@School, and in the Rebuild of Evangelion movies, with considerably different roles and guises.

In the original animated series, the Evangelions are giant humanoids which the research center Gehirn and the special agency Nerv research to fight beings called Angels. They have mechanical components as well as a basic organic structure derived from Adam and Lilith; for this reason they have eyes, epidermis, internal organs and nails similar to those of humans and have been classified as cyborgs rather than mecha in the traditional sense. Those assigned to pilot an Evangelion are called Children, which an organization called the Marduk Institute selected. Their designs, inspired by the oni of Japanese folklore, Ultraman, Iczer-One, Devilman and other sources, caused problems during the production of the animated series, but have received positive reception from critics and audiences and used for merchandise.