Evangelion Eleventh Angel Ireul
Ireul is a Child of Adam and is designated as the Eleventh Angel named after the “Angel of Terror”. It appears in Episode 13 of the Evangelion anime series.
Physical Appearance
Rather than having a single body, this Angel actually a colony of microscopic organisms that can work in unison to accomplish a variety of feats. It is able to spread at an incredible rate and can evolve to adapt to a variety of different environments. Ireul also acts as a biological computer with an incredible amount of processing power. This Angel is also quite adept at keeping a low profile, as it is clearly visible to multiple members of staff (including Ritsuko) and is not detected. Although NERV’s defenses have been breached by other Angels in the past (like Ramiel), Ireul is the first to actually infiltrate NERV HQ. The combination of incredible adaptability and ability to hack into NERV’s computer systems proves to be quite challenging to defeat, as Evangelion Units are susceptible to being hacked by the Angel. With Evangelion Units out of the question and unable to battle, NERV has to come up with another means to defeat Ireul.
Notable Abilities
Microscopic Colony: Previous Angels were often incredibly massive beings that stood around the height of an Evangelion Unit. Ireul, by contrast, exists on a microscopic level. It can easily go unnoticed, as it can slip through unseen cracks and porous materials. It is even discovered by NERV, but was mistaken as corrosion of a wall caused by poor craftsmanship. Though it is comprised of many microscopic organisms, it is generally believed to act as a single unit.
Evolution: Ireul can evolve itself at unbelievable speeds. When attempting to counterattack, NERV discovers that ozone either harmed or hindered the Angel in some way. In response, they flooded the contaminated room with ozone in hopes that this act alone would be enough to destroy Ireul. However, it changes itself to become able to thrive in ozone in a matter of moments. The limits of this ability are unknown, so it is possible that Ireul can evolve and adapt to any environment, making it exceedingly difficult to destroy via normal means.
Bio-computer: Perhaps due to its ability to evolve, Ireul is seen creating electric circuits within itself and turning itself into a biological computer with enough processing power to forcefully hack into Magi, NERV’s system of supercomputers. It can react to the various attempts that NERV uses to defend itself almost instantly and is able to successfully break into two of the three parts of Magi within minutes.
Battle and Defeat
Ireul first appears as purple corrosion on one of the walls where the Dummy Plug system is being tested. NERV notices the deteriorating wall but does not recognize that it is, in fact, and Angel preparing to launch an attack. The Angel then spreads very quickly through the room and begins to infect one of the Evangelion test units. Lasers are used to attempt to destroy the spreading corrosion but then Ireul uses an A.T. field to deflect them, signaling to NERV that it is an Angel. As Ireul continues to spread, they notice that it does not spread in areas with high levels of oxygen, leading them to try and flood the infected room with ozone to kill it. Ireul’s power of evolution, however, allows it to change to the point where it can thrive in the ozone-rich environment. At this point, another change is discovered. Ireul turns into a bio-computer capable of unimaginable computing power and begins hacking Magi. NERV attempts to stop the Angel with both digital and physical defenses to no avail. It takes full control of the first supercomputer and begins hacking into the second.At this point, Ritsuko takes control and gives the computer technicians a set of commands that temporarily stop Ireul’s attacks on the supercomputers.
With this limited time, she proposes counter-hacking the Angel and planting a program that will promote its evolution to the point of self-destruction. With the Magi system, and therefore all of NERV HQ, at risk, Ritsuko begins writing the program inside the housing of the last remaining supercomputer that is still under NERV’s control. Attempting to counter-hack Ireul is an incredibly risky move, as it requires NERV to lower all defenses, allowing Magi and Ireul to communicate directly. The Angel once again beings trying to take control of the rest of Magi, however, just before the final sector of the last computer is hacked, Ritsuko manages to inject her self-destruct program into Ireul. All traces of Ireul are destroyed in an instant and NERV regains control of the Magi system once again.
Ireul is the only Angel to not have a physical body. Also the sole Angel to not have been defeated by an Evangelion Unit in some way or form.
Ireul in Other Media
The Eleventh Angel, Ireul does not make any appearances in other media such as the Rebuild Movies or Yoshiyuki Sadamoto’s manga adaptation.