NERV and SEELE in Neon Genesis Evangelion

NERV

NERV is the paramilitary organization at the forefront of defending humanity against the Angels in Neon Genesis Evangelion. Founded and led by Gendo Ikari, NERV operates under the guise of a special agency of the United Nations.

Key Points about NERV:

• Headquartered in Tokyo-3, a fortress city designed to combat Angel attacks
• Responsible for the development and deployment of Evangelion units
• Employs a vast array of scientific and military personnel
• Operates under a shroud of secrecy, with many of its true objectives hidden from the public and even most of its own staff

Notable NERV Personnel:

• Gendo Ikari - Commander
• Kozo Fuyutsuki - Deputy Commander
• Misato Katsuragi - Tactical Operations Director
• Ritsuko Akagi - Chief Scientist
• Maya Ibuki, Makoto Hyuga, and Shigeru Aoba - Bridge Operators

SEELE

SEELE is a secret organization that operates behind the scenes, manipulating world events to achieve their ultimate goal: the Human Instrumentality Project. They are the true power behind NERV and many of the world's governments.

Key Points about SEELE:

• Ancient organization with roots tracing back thousands of years
• Possesses the Dead Sea Scrolls, which they interpret as a guide to human evolution
• Aims to initiate Third Impact to evolve humanity into a higher form of existence
• Often at odds with Gendo Ikari due to conflicting interpretations of how to achieve Instrumentality

SEELE's Committee:

SEELE is governed by a committee of 12 members, often represented by black monoliths in their meetings. The identity of most members remains a mystery throughout the series.

The Relationship between NERV and SEELE

While NERV appears to be working under SEELE's directives, there's a complex power struggle between the two organizations:

• SEELE provides funding and political cover for NERV's operations
• NERV is meant to be a tool for SEELE to achieve Instrumentality
• Gendo Ikari has his own agenda, often conflicting with SEELE's plans
• The tension between these organizations drives much of the series' underlying plot

The intricate relationship between NERV and SEELE forms a crucial part of Evangelion's complex narrative, blending themes of power, evolution, and the future of humanity.