Conventional thinking is that EVA-01 is a clone of Lilith, with the soul of Yui Ikari. The soul aspect cannot really be disproved, as we see it often enough in the series.
However, of late, the clone aspect has been challenged, mostly over the fact that EVA-01 does not look anything like Lilith (It should be pointed out that this is not proof EVA-01 is not a clone – clones do not have to be genetically identical to the original. It should also be noted that clone is not the only possible translation of bunshin).
This is where an interesting alternative comes up.
The Idea:
EVA-01 is genetically Adam, but born from Lilith (as shown in Ep 23' (Non Renewal version), and in the Extended Opening on the Evangelion 01 Test Type DVD).
Possible Evidence:It accounts for the physical discrepancies between the 2.
Its fits with Ritsuko's statement on what Eva is in EP 23':
Episode 23' – “Rei III”
“It was Adam. A human was made from Adam to be close to the god. That is Eva.
….
Eva, which originally didn't have a soul, now has a human soul”
She cannot be referring to EVA-00, which we know to be made from Adam, as EVA-00 was destroyed earlier in the episode, and Ritsuko clearly talks about this “Eva”, in the present tense when referring to its soul. The other possibilities are EVA-02, and the EVA-Series. It is unlikely she is referring to 02, as that's of little relevance to Shinji, who is present, and the EVA-Series for the same reason. It is not unreasonable to assume she is referring to EVA-01.
What Kaworu says in the descent to Terminal Dogma is also interesting:
Episode 24' - “The Beginning and the End, or Knockin' on Heaven's Door"
“The Eva series, born of Adam, and a loathsome existence to humans. Why the Lilim would use 'that' in order to survive - I can't understand.”
Quite what he is referring to here is debatable. On the one hand. The EVA-Series are EVA-05 – 13. On the other, why he would talk about them, when 01 and 02 are locked in combat right in front of him is a mystery, especially since NERV are using EVA-01 in order to survive. By "Eva Series", is he perhaps simply meaning all Eva's?However, this leads to a dilemma. SEELE state, that with complementation with Lilith now impossible, they will use EVA-01. First off, I should probably repeat my views on what 3rd Impact is actually caused by, as it's in reference to this that we hear most about what the EVA-01 – Lilith connection entails. Most people here have probably seen me post this before:
Instrumentality, is at its fundamental level, the coming together of the 2 Fruits (Life and Knowledge), every method has this, its the 1 constant:
SEELE Method 1:
Lilith - Fruit of Knowledge
Lance of Longinus - Adam's S2 - Fruit of Life
SEELE Method 2:
EVA-01 with Human soul - Fruit of Knowledge
EVA-Series - Lots of Adam clones with S2's - Fruit of Life
Gendo's Way:
Lilith with Soul (Rei) - Fruit of Knowledge
Adam - Fruit of Life
Now, clearly, it's a bit more than that, though that is the basic premise. If however, a human soul was all that was required for the “Fruit of Knowledge” part of SEELE's Eva plan, then they wouldn't need EVA-01 at all. They could simply make one more Eva, and use the human soul in that. It would be far simpler, and would be the logical thing to do. It appears something more is needed than simply a human soul to satisfy the “Fruit of Knowledge” requirement. That is where Lilith comes in.
Now, if EVA-01 is a clone of Lilith, then its reasonable to assume that any inbuilt property of her that is needed, will be passed on to EVA-01 through the procedure.
However, if EVA-01 is genetically Adam, and simply grown from Lilith, then any inbuilt property of Lilith would presumably be lacking from the product. This brings up an interesting question.
If a clone of Adam was artificially spawned from Lilith, would it possess the same trait? If EVA-01 growing off Lilith is enough to give it this mysterious ability that other Eva's seem to lack, then there is no problem. If not, then it's a problem.
Also of minor note, is that in EP 26', when EVA-01 spreads its wings, they bear a good resemblance to Adam's wings during 2nd Impact (The wings change in style later, but I'm ignoring this, as everything gets rather messed up later on, with the combination of various processes etc ^^;
Remaining Problem:
1) If EVA-01 is genetically Adam, but born from Lilith, then what actually happened to Lilith's legs? With this idea, its less likely that they became part of 01, as then she would be part Lilith (the legs), and part Adam (everything that was grown).
Originally posted on: 27-Feb-2004, 15:10 GMT
That's so... cool!! :cries happily:
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