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Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the clut classics that has been entertaining fans for decades. With a total of seven different titles in the franchise, you might want to know how to watch this mecha anime in order. In this article, I’ve read the best Evangelion watch order recommendations from fans, and compiled them into a simple list.
Evangelion revolves around Shinji Ikari, who is piloting a giant robot to fend off Angels and save Earth. It’s renowned for its vibrant animation.
What sets this anime apart is its fusion of Western and Japanese elements, intertwining Biblical themes with intense mecha battles.
Some view Evangelion as a deconstruction of anime, renowned for its depth and philosophical themes since 1995.
Despite various adaptations, understanding the order to watch Evangelion can be challenging due to its interconnected narratives.
How to Watch Evangelion In Order
The most popular way to watch Evangelion is by following the release order. Start with the original series, then End of Evangelion, and the Rebuild films.
You can skip Death(true) 2, also known as Death & Rebirth, as it’s a recap with new scenes.
The Rebuild films, like You Are (Not) Alone, are remakes, reboots, and sequels, altering the original story.
But here’s our recommended Evangelion watch order:
- Episodes 1 to 26 (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
- The End of Evangelion
- Evangelion: Death(true)2 / Death & Rebirth
- Evangelion: 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone
- Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance
- Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo
- Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time
The Chronological Evangelion Watch Order:
Neon-Genesis-Evangelion
This is the first season of the anime. It has a total of 26 episodes and it aired from 1995 to 1996. Boasting a high rating of 8.35 on MyAnimeList, and a popularity rank of #45, this show marks the beginning of this epic mecha anime.
This series introduced several main characters who are popular among fans. Even this day, 29 years later, fans are buying merchandise of these characters on the Evangelion shop.
The End of Evangelion
There are a total of three different endings to the story of Neon Genesis Evangelion. And “the end of Evangelion” is the first one. This movie was released in 1997 and officially concluded the anime’s storyline.
Death(true)2
Death(true)2, also known as Death & Rebirth is a recap movie. If you are looking for a quick recap of the 26 episode anime, then you can watch it. If not, you can skip it.
Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone
Next on our Evangelion watch order list is this movie called “Rebuid of Evangelion.” It is also known as “1.11 You are (not) alone.”
This series focuses on adding new characters and robots that were not included in the original anime. It also gives the series a different and darker ending.
Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance
This is the second movie in the Rebuild of Evangelion series. Yet again this movie introduces a new character and has a fresh take on the plot.
With upgraded visuals, storytelling, and soundtracks this movie was more popular than the previous two endings.
Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo
Released in 2012, this is the third movie in the Rebuild of Evangelion series. This movie tried to retell the story all over again, introducing more action and exciting visuals.
However, some fans did not like the fact that the story was focused more on action compared to the previous movies.
Evangelion 3.0+1.01: Thrice Upon a Time
Also known as Shin Evangelion Movie: ||, this is the latest movie from the franchise. Released in 2021, this anime retold the story better than ever before. With more new characters and in-depth storytelling this movie serves as the end of Rebuild of Evangelion.
The author has assured that this is the final ending, and he does not have any intention of redoing it again.
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Fillers and Skippable episodes
As it is, the 26 episode anime has no filler episodes. Make sure not to skip any episodes of Evangelion. Each one is crucial for understanding the characters and their journey. The anime faithfully adapts the manga, and every scene affects the characters’ mental state and the battles they face.
The direct sequel to the anime is “The End of Evangelion“, which is an hour and a half movie released in 1997.
Every other series is either a side story or a remake. While you can technically skip them, they have their own twists and alterations to the plot. So, I would recommend watching them all.
The only skippable one is the Death & Rebirth movie as it’s just a recap.
Where can you watch Evangelion?
Neon Genesis Evangelion’s streaming rights are divided between two companies. To watch it all, you’ll need subscriptions to both. Netflix offers the 26-episode series and The End of Evangelion movie. Amazon Prime hosts the Rebuild of Evangelion films.
Alternatively, you can also watch the series on Blu-ray. However, this option is considerably expensive and is not recommended unless you are collecting anime DVDs.
Will there a new season of Neon Genesis Evangelion?
No, there will not be a new season of Evangelion. While the series has an enduring popularity that has lasted for about 25 years, the story has already ended three times. The series creator, Hideaki Anno, suggests fans should not anticipate new material as the story has officially ended.
However, some fans still think there might be a possibility for another remake. After all, Anno remade the ending three times. There is a chance he might do it again.
Either way, there is no official confirmation of the series’ continuation at this point in time.
