<p>In the original anime series, it was established that the berserk mode can't be triggered voluntarily. Moreover it was at least strongly hinted that the "berserk mode" is in fact</p>

<blockquote class="spoiler">
  <p> the manifestation of motherly love and protection, as it always activated when Shinji's life was in immediate danger.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>In the Rebuild continuity, there is the so-called "beast mode" that can be activated by the pilot, but it is only ever shown working for Unit-02, not for Unit-01. Therefore it is at least very improbable, if not outright false, that Shinji could have willingly activated this mode.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-26T21:17:42.020Z
2018-11-26T21:17:42.020Z
zovits
<p>I think berserker mode is activated by </p>

<blockquote class="spoiler">
  <p> the soul of Yui Ikari. She is inside the Eva and activates her full power when she feels Shinji is in risk. </p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-20T01:15:16.310Z
from my understanding Rebuild has yet to establish the whole loved one's souls in the Eva's thing and the OP is referring to events from the Rebuild series
Memor-X
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-19T22:15:38.237Z
2019-01-23T15:21:32.030Z
2019-01-23T15:21:32.030Z
Liz_Bundy
<p>During the fight with Zeruel when EVA Unit 01 loses all power, Shinji enters somewhat of a demonic state, stating the Angel give Ayanami back or face the consequences. After he says this, EVA Unit 01 reactivates and enters its berserk mode, thus starting its "awakening" process.</p>

<p>Now, this got me thinking, did Shinji himself activate EVA Unit 01's berserk mode in the heat of battle or was the timing just right for both EVA Unit 01 and Shinji?</p>

<neon-genesis-evangelion><rebuild-of-evangelion>
Did Shinji activate EVA Unit 01's Berserk Mode?
# Did Shinji activate EVA Unit 01's Berserk Mode?
Posted by: username_0 on 2018-11-05
During the fight with Zeruel when EVA Unit 01 loses all power, Shinji enters somewhat of a demonic state, stating the Angel give Ayanami back or face the consequences. After he says this, EVA Unit 01 reactivates and enters its berserk mode, thus starting its "awakening" process.

Now, this got me thinking, did Shinji himself activate EVA Unit 01's berserk mode in the heat of battle or was the timing just right for both EVA Unit 01 and Shinji?
**Tags:** neon-genesis-evangelion rebuild-of-evangelion
---
## 2 answers
### Answer by username_1 on 2018-11-26. Score: 4 | Accepted answer
In the original anime series, it was established that the berserk mode can't be triggered voluntarily. Moreover it was at least strongly hinted that the "berserk mode" is in fact

> the manifestation of motherly love and protection, as it always activated when Shinji's life was in immediate danger.

In the Rebuild continuity, there is the so-called "beast mode" that can be activated by the pilot, but it is only ever shown working for Unit-02, not for Unit-01. Therefore it is at least very improbable, if not outright false, that Shinji could have willingly activated this mode.
---
### Answer by username_2 on 2018-12-19. Score: 1
I think berserker mode is activated by

> the soul of Yui Ikari. She is inside the Eva and activates her full power when she feels Shinji is in risk.
> **Comments:**
> **username_3** (2018-12-20): from my understanding Rebuild has yet to establish the whole loved one's souls in the Eva's thing and the OP is referring to events from the Rebuild series  
---
