Zenless Zone Zero Evelyn: A Moth Flying into the Flame

To be honest, in *Zenless Zone Zero*, her appearance and skill design are truly hard not to be drawn to! The gentle side she reveals in the PV and EP further deepens our impression of her, making it impossible not to like such a strong and beautiful character. She is the agent we're appreciating today-Evelyn Chevalier.

1. Origin of Name- “Evelyn Chevalier”

Evelyn's full name is "Evelyn Chevalier." The name Evelyn originates from Old German, carrying the meanings of hope and life. Meanwhile, Chevalier derives from Latin and itself means "knight."

Therefore, using "Chevalier" as a surname also symbolizes the spirit of chivalry and loyalty. No wonder Evelyn is like a loyal knight, always guarding her beloved Astra Yao, a sentiment vividly reflected in the event poster.

2. Visual Design of Evelyn

Having discussed the name, let's now take a look at Evelyn's appearance. If you've played "Honkai: Star Rail," the white shirt paired with a trench coat and the crisscrossed threads are sure to remind you of a certain woman who also uses threads as her weapon. The official preview did indeed mention this connection.

Moreover, if you carefully compare the coats of the two characters-the shoulder pads and the intersecting patterns on the sleeves-it's almost a 1:1 replica. Perhaps Kafka was one of the inspirations behind Evelyn's character design.

In addition, Evelyn is adorned with numerous moth-themed accessories: for example, the hair ornament at the back of her head, the earrings on both sides, the bow decoration on her chest, and the patterns on her tie. There are also moth motifs on the heels of her shoes and even on her back when she is in her unclothed state.

If you have her exclusive W-Engine, you can even see moth effects on her hair ornament. This inevitably reminds us of another agent, Jane Doe, who is similarly adorned with animal-themed decorations. Moreover, they share a similar design in their undershirts, featuring a chest opening and a tie covering it.

Speaking of similar designs, Evelyn and Yanagi also share the same style of hair ornament. Whether these details are merely coincidental or indicate a deeper connection between them is something we'll have to wait for the ZZZ writers to reveal in the future.

The moth decorations and fire elements on Evelyn inevitably bring to mind a Chinese idiom, "飞蛾扑火" (a moth flying into the flame). This idiom describes how moths are often drawn to light, regardless of whether it poses danger, even if it means flying into a flame. Could this symbolize that Evelyn herself is the moth, while Astra is the flame that illuminates her dark world? If she had never seen the light, she might have endured the darkness. But now that the light is by her side, even if it means risking everything, she will protect it at all costs.

Unlike the metaphor of "a moth flying into the flame," what brings harm to Evelyn is not the "flame" itself, but rather the betrayal by the organization. It's certain that in the upcoming story, the organization's reckoning and the tale between Evelyn and Astra are far from over.

It's worth noting that Evelyn's codename within the organization is "Scheele's Green." In reality, "Scheele's Green" is a highly toxic pigment. It was invented in 1775 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele and was widely used in the late 18th and 19th centuries for painting, wallpaper, textiles, and cosmetics. Despite its vibrant color, it is no longer permitted for use due to its high arsenic content.

Later, "Scheele's Green" became a symbol in literature and art, representing the coexistence of beauty and danger. This is why, in the story, Astra remarks that Evelyn's codename doesn't match her hair color-it's a nod to this deeper meaning.

Let's return to Evelyn's clothing design. The series of design elements on her chest are quite unconventional. The stitching lines of her garments are deliberately exposed, which might be an artistic way to reflect Evelyn's rebellious personality. Agents who have played as Evelyn would know that she has a form where she removes her coat. In this state, the straps on her body become more visible. This part of the design is clearly inspired by shoulder holsters.

When observing Evelyn's thigh area, I realized just how distinct different finishes and materials can be, and even the wrinkles are meticulously modeled. While we've seen such intricate details on other characters before, every time we encounter this level of craftsmanship, it's impossible not to praise the Zneless Zone Zero development team.

3. Evelyn's Weapon Design of "Lunalux Garrote"

Finally, let's talk about Evelyn's weapon. Her weapon is named "Lunalux Garrote." The blade itself is a switchblade, while the "tail" extending from the back of the blade draws inspiration from the design of vintage straight razors. This type of razor can still be found in some barber shops that specialize in classic men's haircuts.

The overall inspiration likely comes from the traditional Chinese weapon known as the "rope dart." Some techniques of the rope dart involve using the legs or feet to change the weapon's direction or fling it out, which explains the origin of Evelyn's move where the thread wraps around her high heels after finishing an attack. That said, during combat, most of the damage is dealt using the threads, which suggests that the threads are the true weapon, while the blade serves as an added flourish.

That's everything about Miss Evelyn Chevalier! I believe you now have a deeper understanding of her. I'm already looking forward to future game merchandise related to Evelyn-I wonder if you feel the same! Of course, if you're a big fan of Evelyn, make sure not to miss her banner. See you next time!