Evangelion Tenth Angel Sahaquiel
Sahaquiel is a Child of Adam and is designated as the Tenth Angel and is named after the “Angel of the Skies”. It appears in Episode 12 of the Evangelion anime series. It is first seen orbiting Earth above the Indian Ocean.
Physical Appearance
Its appearance is rather unique. In the center of its orange body, there is a large illustration of an eye, although this eye has vastly different colors than what would be considered normal. Its sclera is yellow, while its iris is a bright green. Its pupil is colored similarly to its body. On each side of the center eye, there are smaller eyes that colored differently and are oriented parallel to the main eye. From each eye, there are three long growths that continue outwards and two smaller ones on the opposite side. It is also incredibly large, as the size of its central pupil itself is around the size as an Evangelion Unit. Sahaquiel is the first Angel to be discovered coming from space. It can also split off small parts of its body and use them as bombs. Using A.T. fields is another strength of this Angel. Although it does not appear to from afar, its core seems to be located in the pupil of its central eye, as that is the point where Asuka attacks. In the Evangelion Rebuild 2.0 movie, the design of Sahaquiel is considerably different, but its overall function remains largely the same.
Notable Abilities
Bomb: NERV uses satellites in space to observe Sahaquiel and discover that it is capable of splitting off small parts of its body that are then launched toward the Earth, resulting in incredible impact craters. Their analysis shows that Sahaquiel will attempt to crash into NERV HQ in an attempt to obliterate the facility, which it is more than likely able to do when compared to the minuscule bombs Sahaquiel uses while still in orbit. NERV estimates that not only would their facility be destroyed, but all of Tokyo-3 would be annihilated along with it. Sahaquiel also uses these smaller bombs to test its trajectory. It is capable of learning from these tests and uses this information to accurately target NERV HQ.
A.T. Field: Sahaquiel also possesses the ability to produce an especially powerful A.T. field. Numerous N2 bombs are fired at the Angel before it is intercepted by the Evangelion Units, but Sahaquiel is left unscathed by the barrage. It is also able to use A.T. fields as a weapon, a feat that NERV’s leading scientist Ritsuko finds rather unusual and unique. Several satellites attempting to observe and analyze the Angel are destroyed using this offensive A.T. field.
Battle and Defeat
Sahaquiel suddenly appears orbiting Earth high above the Indian Ocean seemingly from thin air and is discovered by NERV shortly after. Analysis of the Angel is started via remote satellites, but they are all destroyed by Sahaquiel’s incredibly powerful A.T. field. It is then seen splitting off a small section of its body and sending it toward Earth at an incredible speed. This is not the first time this has happened as there are photographs that show a line of craters left behind by these destructive bombs. With each attempt, Sahaquiel gets closer and closer to hitting Tokyo-3, and it is assumed that the city is its target. A barrage of N2 bombs is launched at Sahaquiel, but its A.T. field proves to be too powerful, as they are completely ineffective. The entire body of Sahaquiel is assumed to be a bomb, which would result in catastrophic damage if it is allowed to hit the Earth. A wide-scale evacuation is ordered to everyone except essential members needed to lead the operation.
Misato places her hopes on a plan that can destroy Sahaquiel before it contacts the Earth, but actually pulling it off would be a miracle, according to Ritsuko. It involves having all three Evangelion Units intercept the Angel at the same time, which requires incredible precision and timing. Each Unit is set up near the estimated point of impact and is to “catch” the Angel by using their own A.T. fields. Shinji is the first to arrive and manages to hold Sahaquiel on his own while Asuka and Rei arrive shortly after to assist. As Shinji continues to hold the Angel up and prevent it from contacting the ground. Rei cuts the A.T. field with her Progressive Knife to create an opening for Asuka to attack Sahaquiel’s core. Unique to Sahaquiel, it’s core is not a fixed core and is spinning around in motion making it hard for the pilots to complete an attack. Rei steps in, while taking extensive damage catches the core with her Evangelion’s bare hands, making it available for Asuka to make a cut into the core The attack succeeds and Sahaquiel is defeated.
Sahaquiel in Other Media
The Tenth Angel, Sahaquiel make an appearance in the Evangelion Rebuild 2.0 movie. In the movie, this Angel is stated to be the Eight Angel and not the Tenth. Compared to the anime series counterpart, Sahaquiel’s battle in the Rebuild movie is relatively the same. The significant difference is the Angel’s design. As it starts out in space, Sahaquiel take the form of a giant ball. Upon entering the earth’s atmosphere it changes form to the version similar to seen in the anime series.