The cataclysmic event known as the Second Impact is not just a backdrop in the world of Neon Genesis Evangelion—it is a defining moment that encapsulates human ambition, conspiracy, and destruction. On September 13, 2000, a massive explosion rocked Antarctica, shattering the South Pole, causing widespread ice melting, and triggering a rise in sea levels that forever altered the world’s geography. This event was not just a natural disaster; it was a tragedy sparked by human experimentation on giant creatures called Adam, resulting in the loss of over half the world’s population due to tsunamis, wars, and famine in its wake. Many believed it was caused by a small meteor impact, but the truth is far more complex and sinister.
### Unraveling the History and Causes of the Second Impact
#### The Experiment on Adam
The Second Impact was the result of a scientific experiment led by Dr. Katsuragi to awaken Adam, the first giant creature discovered in Antarctica. Unfortunately, the experiment went awry. When Adam was activated, the creature reacted with an enormous burst of energy, obliterating everything in its vicinity. This experiment was conducted under the auspices of the secretive organization SEELE, which had hidden agendas based on the Dead Sea Scrolls—a ancient document predicting the future of humanity.
#### The SEELE Conspiracy
SEELE was the mastermind behind the Second Impact, manipulating events to reduce the human population as part of their grand plan: the Human Instrumentality Project. This project aimed to unify all human souls into a single collective consciousness. To conceal the truth, SEELE spread false information that the explosion was caused by a small meteor striking the South Pole.
### Global Impacts of the Second Impact
The aftermath of the Second Impact brought about significant changes in the world:
1. **Geographical Changes**
The significant rise in sea levels submerged many coastal areas.
The South Pole became an uninhabitable zone due to complete devastation.
2. **Economic and Social Destruction**
Half of the world’s population perished, leaving chaos everywhere.
Many major cities, including Tokyo, were destroyed due to post-impact wars and natural disasters.
Japan had to relocate its capital to Tokyo-2, replacing the severely damaged Tokyo.
3. **Climate Changes**
Global weather patterns became unstable, with Japan losing its autumn and winter seasons, making the country hot all year round.
4. **Conflict and False “Peace”**
Depletion of natural resources triggered wars across the globe.
Global peace was finally achieved by granting more power to the UN, ironically under SEELE’s control.
### The Significance of the Second Impact in the Evangelion Storyline
The Second Impact serves as the genesis of all events in Neon Genesis Evangelion. Without this tragedy, there would be no Evangelion Units or battles against Angels. Here’s why the Second Impact is crucial to the narrative:
1. **Triggering Conflict with Angels**
The Second Impact triggered the emergence of giant creatures known as Angels, who sought Adam, the key to their existence.
2. **Background of Main Characters**
The world’s devastation due to the Second Impact profoundly affected many main characters, including Gendo Ikari and Shinji Ikari, who had to grapple with trauma and immense responsibilities in piloting the Evangelion.
3. **Moral Message**
The Second Impact portrays human greed leading to destruction, serving as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and mankind’s desire to control the unknown.
The Second Impact in Evangelion goes beyond being a mere massive explosion—it is a reflection of human errors, unbridled ambition, and the consequences of irresponsible decisions. In a shattered world, the characters of Evangelion teach us to persevere, even in the face of the bleakest situations. The Second Impact serves as a reminder that our actions today can have significant repercussions for the future. Let us hope that tragedies like these remain confined to fiction and never manifest in the real world.
