How Did the Human Instrumentality Project Start in The End of Evangelion?

The Human Instrumentality Project is one of the most important plot points in the series. So, how exactly did the Human Instrumentality Project start in The End of Evangelion?

There’s a clear answer to this in The End of Evangelion movie, though it’s quite a complicated topic. To fully understand what it is, it’s important to first know what it is and what the goal of the project is.

While there is a primary goal, the fact that NERV commander Gendo Ikari has another goal adds a layer of complexity to it.

Spoiler Warning: This article includes spoilers for The End of Evangelion, so proceed with caution.

What Is the Human Instrumentality Project?

Credit: Gainax, Production I.G

The End of Evangelion's Third Impact sequence serves as the film’s climax, and this event is exactly what the Human Instrumentality Project aims to do.

This project is the goal of SEELE, a mysterious organization that influences world governments. It also runs NERV, the special organization headed by Gendo Ikari that was formed to combat the Angels.

SEELE started the Human Instrumentality Project as a means to unite the human race into one consciousness. With this, wars and conflict are essentially erased, but at the cost of individuality.

Credit: Gainax, Production I.G

While it seems like an altruistic goal, The End of Evangelion’s Third Impact sequence shows that uniting everyone into a primordial soul isn’t exactly the best answer to end all conflict.

It’s not clear if SEELE truly has humanity in its interest, especially as the Neon Genesis Evangelion 2 game states that SEELE only intended to use the project for its members.

What's clear is that NERV commander Gendo has another, more personal goal.

Gendo is a key figure in the Human Instrumentality Project. Instead of wanting it to happen for the good of humanity though, Gendo’s goal is to be reunited with his wife Yui.

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How Did the Human Instrumentality Project Start in The End of Evangelion?

Credit: Gainax, Production I.G

As revealed in The End of Evangelion, the Human Instrumentality Project started after the Second Impact.

This event was a cataclysmic one that led to the events of the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime. What it also led to was SEELE forming NERV to help with the project.

Thanks to their research on Adam and Lilith, SEELE began the project intending to initiate the Third Impact under their control.

Credit: Gainax, Production I.G

Even though the Third Impact did not happen exactly as intended, it did happen because of Shinji Ikari's wish to erase individuality. In the end, though, Shinji reconsiders his wish, and the Third Impact stops.

There are still many mysteries about SEELE, especially as they have continued to be a shadowy organization until the very end.

Do you think their goal is altruistic, or do you think the more self-centered explanation in the Evangelion game makes more sense? Let us know in the comments.