FINISHED

Good news for fans looking to dive into a complete story: Neon Genesis Evangelion has officially concluded its narrative journey. While the series has seen various iterations and films over the years, the core story and its reinterpretation have reached their definitive end points. This means you can embark on your viewing experience knowing there’s a full arc to explore.

Watch Order

To fully immerse yourself in the world of Neon Genesis Evangelion and experience its narrative in the most recommended sequence, follow this order:

  1. The Original Series: Begin your journey with all 26 episodes of the original Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series. This lays the essential groundwork for the entire franchise.
  2. The End of Evangelion Movie: After completing the TV series, watch The End of Evangelion. This film serves as the definitive conclusion to the original storyline, offering a powerful and intense resolution.
  3. Optional but Recommended Viewings:
    • Director’s Cut Episodes: For a more comprehensive understanding of the original series, seek out the Director’s Cut versions of episodes 21 through 24. These offer additional scenes that deepen the narrative.
    • Evangelion: Death (True)^2: This is primarily a recap of the series, featuring some new scenes. It can be watched before The End of Evangelion or skipped if you prefer to go straight to the movie’s conclusion.
  4. The Rebuild of Evangelion Series: Once you’ve completed the original series and its accompanying film, you can explore the Rebuild movies. These films offer a fresh re-interpretation and continuation of the Evangelion narrative with updated animation and new story elements.
    • Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone
    • Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance
    • Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo
    • Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0: Thrice Upon a Time

Similar Animes

If you’ve journeyed through the depths of Neon Genesis Evangelion and are seeking anime with similar profound themes, intricate narratives, or compelling characters, consider these recommendations:

  • Serial Experiments Lain: Known for its surreal atmosphere, deep psychological themes, and exploration of reality and identity.
  • Puella Magi Madoka Magica: A critically acclaimed series that offers a dark and impactful twist on the magical girl genre, exploring themes of hope, despair, and sacrifice.
  • Revolutionary Girl Utena: An influential classic that blends surrealism with deep psychological and symbolic storytelling, often exploring themes of identity, rebellion, and destiny.
  • Ergo Proxy: A dystopian cyberpunk series that delves into philosophical questions, existentialism, and the nature of humanity in a post-apocalyptic world.
  • Gunbuster: Another work from director Hideaki Anno, sharing many thematic and stylistic similarities with Evangelion, particularly in its mecha action and emotional depth.