How does NERV know how many angels there are?

[Asunji_Yuko]

Presumably, the First Ancestral Race spread seeds of Life and Knowledge across the galaxy, the ones that landed on Earth weren't the only ones.

Since the angels that attack are all Adam derived and appear from space, seems reasonable that they're derived from (a) seed(s) of Life elsewhere in the galaxy.

That being the case, how does NERV know they've killed all angels? Couldn't there be thousands or even millions of them throughout the Milky Way? Come to think of it, there are probably also other Lilan civilizations out there...

[MsenjaKagami]

Do you remember this thing that kept getting mentioned throughout the series (or at least early on) called the Dead Sea Scrolls

[Asunji_Yuko]

Do you remember this thing that kept getting mentioned throughout the series (or at least early on) called the Dead Sea Scrolls

Ah, I see. They were a prophecy in addition to instructions for using the Seeds of Life/Knowledge.

Apparently Gendo Ikari said they didn't tell them everything. Maybe the First Ancestral Race didn't want the recreation of a "godlike" figure via fusion of Adam and Lilith again and could also see the future to an extent. Maybe that "godlike" being is what led to their extinction in the first place, and that's why they separated their essence into Seeds of Life and Seeds of Knowledge.

Too bad they didn't explore why the FAR went extinct in the first place. Maybe there was some horrific invader outside of the galaxy that noticed the FAR's power and caused their extinction, thus necessitating the separation of their essence so as not to attract said invaders again. But since GNR and third impact happened....they're coming back. I dunno, I would've found that more engaging than the Rebuilds.

[MG2005]

Presumably, the First Ancestral Race spread seeds of Life and Knowledge across the galaxy, the ones that landed on Earth weren't the only ones.

Since the angels that attack are all Adam derived and appear from space, seems reasonable that they're derived from (a) seed(s) of Life elsewhere in the galaxy.

That being the case, how does NERV know they've killed all angels? Couldn't there be thousands or even millions of them throughout the Milky Way? Come to think of it, there are probably also other Lilan civilizations out there...

The Dead Sea Scrolls foretold humanity (SEELE and NERV) about how many Angels would appear.

[Sefirot Tree Of Life]

I believe Gendo and SEELE know how many Angels there are. It is possible that Fuyutsuki and Yui do as well. Outside of that, I do not think anyone else in NERV, not even Ritsuko, knows the truth. Gendo and SEELE I think are the only ones who know about the Dead Sea Scrolls. Misato was out of the loop and didn't even know Lilith was in NERV's basement. If Misato doesn't know, I doubt anyone else aside from Gendo and maybe Ritsuko knows. Everyone else at NERV was sworn to confidentiality and a need to know basis. I think the average NERV employee just thought they'd be killing Angels forever.

[at1vanhal3n]

I think the average NERV employee just thought they'd be killing Angels forever.

But isn't there a scene after the final angel battle where Aida and Hyuga (maybe even Ibuki?) talk about what their purpose at NERV will be following defeating all the angels? While I could see them being told following Kaworu that their time fighting angels was over, if that's so top secret why would Aida, Hyuga and Ibuki know?

[Blockio]

It's early on in EoE, yeah

[bulwhark]

I think the average NERV employee just thought they'd be killing Angels forever.

But isn't there a scene after the final angel battle where Aida and Hyuga (maybe even Ibuki?) talk about what their purpose at NERV will be following defeating all the angels? While I could see them being told following Kaworu that their time fighting angels was over, if that's so top secret why would Aida, Hyuga and Ibuki know?

Given their role in battles and proximity to command staff I can easily see them having a "need to know."

Maybe a little more realistic (and humorous) scenario is after defeating Kaworu, Gendo calls an all hands meeting and says, "Good news everyone! All the angels have been defeated. HR has a pile of folders outlining your severance packages. A few of you will need to stick around as we wind things down. Thanks again for saving the world. Good luck at your news jobs."