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IMDbPro

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Original title: Shinseiki Evangelion
  • TV Series
  • 1995–1996
  • TV-MA
  • 24m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
102K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
728
81
Megumi Hayashibara, Kotono Mitsuishi, Yûko Miyamura, Megumi Ogata, Fumihiko Tachiki, and Yuriko Yamaguchi in Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
In 2015. Tokyo 3 is under attack by powerful creatures known as the Angels. The young Shinji Ikari is chosen to pilot the Humanoid Decisive Weapon Evangelion - the only way for humanity to battle the Angels. The 26-episode series that started it all, "Neon Genesis Evangelion," and the two feature films 'The End of Evangelion' and 'Evangelion: Death (True)2,' will stream on Netflix from Spring 2019.
Play trailer0:56
10 Videos
99+ Photos
Action EpicAdult AnimationAlien InvasionAnimeComing-of-AgeCyberpunkDystopian Sci-FiEpicHand-Drawn AnimationKaiju

A teenage boy finds himself recruited as a member of an elite team of pilots by his father.A teenage boy finds himself recruited as a member of an elite team of pilots by his father.A teenage boy finds himself recruited as a member of an elite team of pilots by his father.

  • Creator
    • Hideaki Anno
  • Stars
    • Megumi Ogata
    • Megumi Hayashibara
    • Kotono Mitsuishi
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.5/10
    102K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    728
    81
    • Creator
      • Hideaki Anno
    • Stars
      • Megumi Ogata
      • Megumi Hayashibara
      • Kotono Mitsuishi
    • 337User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated TV #229
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Episodes26

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season

    Videos10

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 0:56
    Official Trailer
    Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Platinum Edition
    Trailer 1:16
    Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Platinum Edition
    Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Platinum Edition
    Trailer 1:16
    Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Platinum Edition
    Neon Genesis Evangelion: Perfect Collection
    Trailer 1:10
    Neon Genesis Evangelion: Perfect Collection
    Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Platinum Edition
    Trailer 1:17
    Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Platinum Edition
    Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Perfect Collection
    Trailer 1:13
    Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Perfect Collection
    Neon Genesis Evangelion: Director's Cut Vol 1 --Resurrection
    Trailer 1:47
    Neon Genesis Evangelion: Director's Cut Vol 1 --Resurrection

    Photos694

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    + 686
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Megumi Ogata
    Megumi Ogata
    • Shinji Ikari…
    • 1995–1996
    Megumi Hayashibara
    Megumi Hayashibara
    • Rei Ayanami…
    • 1995–1996
    Kotono Mitsuishi
    Kotono Mitsuishi
    • Misato Katsuragi…
    • 1995–1996
    Spike Spencer
    Spike Spencer
    • Shinji Ikari
    • 1995–1996
    Allison Keith-Shipp
    Allison Keith-Shipp
    • Misato Katsuragi
    • 1995–1996
    Sue Ulu
    Sue Ulu
    • Ritsuko Akagi
    • 1995–1996
    Amanda Winn Lee
    Amanda Winn Lee
    • Rei Ayanami
    • 1995–1996
    Tristan MacAvery
    Tristan MacAvery
    • Gendo Ikari
    • 1995–1996
    Tiffany Grant
    Tiffany Grant
    • Asuka Langly Soryu
    • 1995–1996
    Guil Lunde
    • Kozo Fuyutsuki
    • 1995–1996
    Matt Greenfield
    Matt Greenfield
    • Makoto Hyuga
    • 1995–1996
    Kendra Benham
    • Maya Ibuki
    • 1995–1996
    Jason Lee
    • Shigeru Aoba
    • 1995–1996
    Casey Mongillo
    Casey Mongillo
    • Shinji Ikari (2019 re-dub)
    • 1995–1996
    Carrie Keranen
    Carrie Keranen
    • Misato Katsuragi (2019 re-dub)
    • 1995–1996
    Erica Lindbeck
    Erica Lindbeck
    • Ritsuko Akagi (2019 re-dub)
    • 1995–1996
    Ryan Bartley
    Ryan Bartley
    • Rei Ayanami (2019 re-dub)
    • 1995–1996
    Pedro D'Aguillón Jr.
    • Seele Member
    • 1995–1996
    • Creator
      • Hideaki Anno
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews337

    8.5101.9K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' delves into depression, trauma, and existential angst, focusing on characters' personal fears and suffering. It explores complex psychological and philosophical questions about humanity, relationships, and childhood experiences. The series alternates between mecha battles and introspective character studies, emphasizing emotional and mental struggles. Its blend of action, drama, and philosophical inquiry offers a deeply engaging and thought-provoking experience, though some find its psychological depth overwhelming.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    washuu

    This is real MUST SEE TV!

    This is quite possibly the best fantasy ever devised on the face of the planet. It has large unique mecca, nifty technology, emotional byplay, philosophical questions, great characters, unique music, great artwork... you name it it's got it. If you love anime watch it! If you hate anime watch it! Be warned though it looks deceptively simple at first. To get its full effect you must be willing to watch the entire series.
    Arnold-10

    The most controversial, talked about, and yes, impressive anime series ever...

    Well, what can I say about a series that's as absolutely mind-blowing as the 26 episodes and two movies that make up Neon Genesis Evangelion? This is, quite simply, a masterpiece. What starts out as a simple "save the world" mecha story evolves into a shocking and powerful psychological drama full of conspiracy, dysfunctional characters, and some of the most harrowingly emotional and painful fight scenes ever. Don't let the first several episodes fool you- they're entertaining enough, but the power of the series remains hidden.

    When I popped in the first video, I was excited to see a new anime, but otherwise pretty relaxed. By the end of episode 18 or so, my heart was racing, and I was nearly in tears. It never let up after that. This is not just an anime. This is an experience.
    MARVELMANIAC69

    Beautiful

    My Mother bought me the boxset off this that ADV released as a Christmas present last year and I must say I felt like bowing to me saying giving her a thousand thank you's.

    This is the best show ever created, the characters are so lovable and their backgrounds are so depressing, this is how all anime's should be made that try to make statements that psychologicly screw you up and keep you glued to the screen, breath taken.

    This show starts off on quite a light level and by the end you'll be broken down in tears, and really makes you think about life.

    This is a classic in anime.

    10 out of 10
    8enricoshapka

    What do you wish?

    Now I understand why people say this is the anime of animes. First don't watch this anime if you're not mature or 18+. There's also some epileptic and tripping parts that should be warned before watching. This is one of the darkest, most depressing and disturbing anime I've seen. After half episodes it becomes the real thing (hate,nudity,tools,betrayals for each character). The characters are likeable, the drawings are good and music is amazing, you can really see it's a 90's anime. But holy the Story is fkd up and disturbing. The last 2 episodes can be skipped if you don't want to see the perspective of Shinji. I agree that this is overrated but it's a great anime, that I don't recommend to children but adults.
    Ricardo-36

    This is not an anime, it's THE anime.

    What can I say about the most perfect anime ever created? What can I say about Shinji, the most complex character ever created?

    Evangelion begins like an action sci-fi anime, like Akira. It has everything: humor, drama, action, great soundtrack. Great fun! But then you watch episode 24... and WOW!

    The 3 last episodes are the most perfect writen anime episodes ever. Yeah, some people don't understand it. Some people don't like it. But that's because those 3 episodes are about 1000 years ahead of our time. For the very first time you get inside a character's mind, you understand his problems and his fears. Yeah it's disturbing some times, but isn't real life disturbing?

    It doesn't matter if you like animes or not, WATCH THIS! But watch from the beginning, or else you will not recieve the final message from episode 26. I'm sure that you will love Evangelion!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The 2019 re-release on Netflix omits the ending theme, "Fly Me to the Moon" due to rights issues and replaces it with a piano theme from the series' original soundtrack. However, it's still present on the Japanese Netflix release. The replacement (among other changes) was widely criticized by western fans.
    • Goofs
      In one episode, Rei and Shinji exchange EVAs during an experiment in synchronizing. However, when Shinji speaks to Rei over the video link, her display shows him as broadcasting from "EVA-01", his normal EVA, when he should be shown in "EVA-00", her normal EVA.
    • Quotes

      Ryoji Kaji: So, can I buy you a drink? Cup o' tea?

      Shinji Ikari: Kaji, I'm a boy.

    • Crazy credits
      A different version of "Fly Me to the Moon" is played in each episode.
    • Alternate versions
      The international version released on Netflix in 2019 omits "Fly Me to the Moon" by Claire Littley and replaces it with a piano track from the show's original soundtrack.
    • Connections
      Edited into Evangelion: Death (True)² (1998)

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    FAQ18

    • How many seasons does Neon Genesis Evangelion have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 20, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Languages
      • Japanese
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Evangelion
    • Production companies
      • Gainax
      • Nihon Ad Systems (NAS)
      • TV Tokyo
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 24m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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