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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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    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

    bodycry

    Anime with a twist.

    The Evangelion series is based on some of Sigmund Freuds non discussed theories and banned portions of the Bible that the mainstream do not know about but are well documented. The series points out what the original Bible does, shows the dualities we face in life whereas the homogenized version of the bible(new testament) would have you believe in a more monotheistic point of view. The mention of Lillith in this series which is Adams real first wife in the Bible not Eve as the newer versions of the bible would have you believe. Its hard to comprehend some portions of this Anime series without knowing a little about the unknown portions of the Bible such as the mentioning of Lillth and the Angels and Eva's. The Eva's are humankinds attempt at making the Angels which in the bible fell from heaven. The angels in this interpretation are trying to destroy mankind instead of eating them like in the original bible transcripts(Same idea). This series is a great interpretation of a lot of unknown aspects of the Bible and throwing in a little Freud and some elements of B.F. Skinners take on behaviours(such as the Absolute Terror Field which is created by children without a strong Female in their life,usually males Frued states abused children can create an AT barrier to keep others away)(Hypotheticaly but in this series it visually appears as a shield or as an attack weapon as in the knife). On the outside this is a great animated movie by studio Gainax/ studio I.G. but when your dwelve into the actual plot of is so beautifully orchestrated chaos. The game Xenogears was loosely based off this anime although more on the Psych aspect. This series has yet to be matched by any anime. I caught wind of this anime since I'm a big fan of MacrossPlus. I've been an anime fan since my pops went to Japan in the early 80s and always had awesome Mecha toys when he came back. This is a series you cannot passup. Rent them or buy them but take an entire day because you'll want to just watch the entire series all the way thru, its that good.
    9Tweekums

    Neon Genesis Evangelion

    This anime series is set fifteen years after a global disaster known as the Second Impact. It is centred on fourteen year old Shinji Ikari; he is summoned to the city of Tokyo-3 where he learns he has been chosen to pilot 'Evangelion Unit One'; to all intents and purposes a giant robot with biological components which can only be synchronised with pilots of a certain age. In Unit One Shinji will have to battle strange beings that have been dubbed 'Angels' whose arrival was foretold in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Shinji's job isn't helped by the fact that the Eva Project is run by his estranged father who seems more interested in Rei Ayanami, the slightly mysterious pilot of Eva Unit Zero. As the attacks continue a third pilot, Asuka Langley Soryu. Shinji always had issues but this work takes an emotional and psychological toll on him.

    One might expect this to be an exciting 'fighting robot' series but it quickly descends into existential angst and depression... a very interesting twist that I'm sure viewers who watched this series when it was new would have been shocked by. The central story is full of religious symbolism but it isn't overtly religious in a way that might offend or irritate viewers. The characters aren't that likeable; many, especially Shinji, come across as whiny and others, notably his father, as unpleasant and bullying. Things gets distinctly strange towards the end with two final episodes that are likely to leave some viewers exasperated; others will find this only adds to the sense that this series is something different. Normally I watch anime in Japanese with subtitles but as the dub was available on Netflix I watched that and thought the English voice cast did a solid job. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anime fans; it may show its age at times but it is still solid and had effects on many later series.
    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
    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!
    xstrongmenalsocryx

    Greatest Achievement in Audio/Visual Entertainment

    Whether you enjoy the world of anime or not this is an experience you must have before you die. Nothing else in the world is like it. For the sake of your personal experience I cannot tell you much about it and here's why. The first 20 some episodes you are immersed in the semi-futuristic world of Tokyo 3 and the characters are developed beautifully, some of the best character development I've ever witnessed. You get a very very good feel for the world and the situation they live in, only to have that blown away in the final episodes. Please for the sake of yourself watch this, from the start, you will not regret it.

    Hideaki Anno has conceived of a story more important to my life than any other.

    Hideaki Anno is pure genius.

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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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    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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