This volume of the manga adapts the Operation Yashima plotline, which I'd also describe as the "First Rei Arc." It gives the reader a baseline for who Rei is currently, so her character can develop and change over future volumes.

The story in this volume is missing some of the light humor that the anime version of this arc has (with Rei being the ultimate straight woman - particularly when Rei comes to give Shinji the briefing on Operation Yashima while he's in the hospital).

Sadamoto's art is excellent, and the problems I had tracking some of the action scenes in manga form in volume 1 are completely absent here. ( )

not bad, getting a bit more interesting. Action still seems difficult to follow at time