Unlike biblical depictions of "Angels" which possess wings, halos, and wear white robes, the Angels threatening humankind with a possible Third Impact have varied forms ranging from the microscopic to the gargantuan. In many cases the Angels' names correspond in some measure to their appearance and attributes.
The "Giant of Light" seen during 2nd Impact, Adam was the first Angel discovered in Antarctica. Aroused from its stasis through the aplication of Dr. Katsuragi's Super Solenoid theory, Adam was subsequently reduced to an embronic state - a process that resulted in the catastrophe known as Secon Impact. The recovered Adam embryo is currently fused into Gendo Ikari's hand. According to the book of Genesis, Adam was the first human created by God in his own image.
Lilith is the massive being crucified on a red cross within the depths of NERV headquarters. A mask bearing SEELE's insignia covers its face. SEELE originally planned to use Lilith and the Lance of Longinus to complete the Human Instrumentality Project and bring-about the next stage in human evolution. The 17th Angel, Kaworu Nagisa, calls humans "Lilin" to indicate that they are the offspring of Lilith. It is believed she is the Second Angel. According to rabbinical scripture, Lilith was the first wife of Adam.
Sachiel was the first Angel to threaten the World since the Second Impact 14 years earlier. Though the military attempted to use conventional weapons including a devastating N^2 mine against this Angel, it survived their attacks. Shinji Ikari, newly arrived at NERV headquarters on the day of the attack, engaged the Angel using Eva Unit-01. Though he was quickly defeated, Unit-01 subsequently activated by itself, becoming a "berserker," and destroyed Sachiel.
Insect-like in appearance, and armed with cutting tentacles, the fourth Angel approached Neo Tokyo-3 from over the ocean in low-level flight. It was defeated in battle when Eva Unit-01's progressive knife penetrated its core. Unlike the Third Angel which destroyed itself when defeated, Samshel's structure was recovered largely intact. This material was subsequently analyzed yielding valuable data on the genetic and material composition of the Angels.
Armed with a powerful particle beam accelerator, and bearing an incredibly strong A.T. Field, this octahedral Angel came to a stop above NERV Headquarters and attempted to penetrate its defensive layers with a shielded drill bit. It was defeated by Unit-00 & Unit-01 using the Yashima Strategy.
Fish-like in appearance, gaghiel attacked the U.N fleet in the Pacific while they were transporting Eva Unit-02 to Japan. Ideally suited to underwater activity and readily able to sink ships with the shock generated by its 500-meter-long body, the Sixth Angel was finally defeated by Shinji and Asuka in Unit-02 using a "zero-range attack" involving the main guns of two battleships.
Because of Israfel's unique ability to divide and re-combine its body, it was successfully able to defeat both Unit-01 and Unit-02 during their initial clash off the Kii Peninsula. During its slow advance on Neo-Tokyo-3, Shinji and Asuka were able to train for a successful simultaneous two-point mass attack on the Angel's bifurcated core.
Discovered in the Mt. Asama volcanic crater while still in a pupil state closely resembling a human fetus, NERV attempted to capture this specimen for observation. Eva Unit-02 was modified for the mission to withstand the intense heat of the magma, and began recovery operations. The Angel, however, quickly evolved into an organism resembling the extinct species Anomarocalith and had to be destroyed.
This spider-like Angel attempted entry into NERV Headquarters using a powerful solvent. Because of a power failure within NERV Headquarters, Matariel was not discovered until it reached Neo-Tokyo-3. Eva Units 00 through 02 were launched manually and were able to defeat the Angel using a cooperative attack.
This largest Angel jammed surface communications from orbit while it dropped pieces of itself in an attempt to line-up its final assault on Neo Tokyo-3. After N^2 aerial bombs were used to no effect, the three Eva Units spread out to "catch" the falling Angel using their A.T. Fields to buffer its descent.
This microscopic Angel tried to invade the brain of NERV Headquarters - The MAGI super-computer, by replicating at an incredible speed. Not only did it reproduce quickly, it modified itself to overcome the ozone which initially was successful in halting its progression. Though Ireul succeeded in re-programming both MELCHIOR-1 and BALTHASAR-2 to initiate self-destruction, Ritsuko was able to adjust Caspar-3 and infect the Angel with a self-destruct program instead.
The 3-nanometer thick surface of this strange Angel was generated by an inward facing A.T. Field. Because of its unique configuration, NERV initially took its "shadow" to be the body. This mistake allowed the Angel to take the intercepting Eva Unit-01 inside itself. Much to everyone's surprise, Unit-01, operating far beyond the length of its operational time, burst forth from the Angel's interior destroying it.
Bardiel, in appearance like a sticky fungus, invaded Eva Uni-03 during its transport from the U.S. to Japan. After merging with Unit-03, it defeated both Eva Unit-00 and Unit-02 by means of its incredible strength and extending arms. Though it attempted to infect Unit-00, the quick severing of that Eva's arm saved it. Bardiel was eventually defeated by Unit-01 operating by means of the Dummy Plug system.
An agile foe, despite its heavy appearance, Zereul was the first Angel to penetrate NERV Headquarters and it succeeded in destroying the 1st Command Center. Powerful light rays emitted from its head were used to penetrate 18 of the armored bulkheads protecting the Geofront. Despite Unit-00's successful penetration of the Angel's A.T. Field, and subsequent detonation of an N^2 mine, the Angel was ultimately defeated by Unit-01, which savagely devoured the Angel in a berserker rage and internalized its S^2 engine.
Its entire body swathed in light; this bird-like Angel attacked from satellite orbit. Radiating a beam of light similar to an A.T. Field, it was able to attack Asuka directly inside Unit-02 with a devastating psychological attack. When Unit-00's attempt to bring the Angel down using the positron rifle failed, NERV decided to use the Lance of Longinus. Though it penetrated the Angel's A.T. Field and destroyed Arael, the Lance was irretrievably lost to the moon's gravitational field.
Not unlike a DNA strand in appearance, Armisael first appeared as a helix of light. However, as Rei approached the Angel in Unit-00, the helix broke into a single strand which struck-out and penetrated the Eva. While it was attempting to merge with Unit-00, Rei reversed her Eva's A.T. Field initiating a self-destruct which annihilated both the Angel and herself.
Kaworu was the fifth person selected to pilot the Evas ("The Fifth Child"), but was sent to NERV directly from SEELE, who appears to have known the boy's actual identity. Kaworu became close friends with Shinji prior to revealing his true nature as the 17th Angel. He also illuminated the nature of the conflict between Angels and humans, explaining that each is contending with the other for a future existence that cannot be shared. Perhaps because of their relationship, Kaworu sacrificed himself and compromised the Angel's agenda by asking Shinji to destroy him using Eva Unit-01. Shinji reluctantly accommodated this request.