Neon Genesis Evangelion Watch Order [Where To Watch]

 

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Japanese mecha television anime that’s been produced by Gainax and director Hideaki Anno. It was broadcasted from 1995-1996 and is set fifteen years after a universal cataclysm that was known as Second Impact.

 

It is based on a futuristic version of Tokyo where the protagonist is Shinji Ikari, a teenager who is recruited by his father Gendo to a mysterious organisation called Nerv to pilot a massive mecha called Evangelion in combat against Angels. 
 

The series has a psychological aspect to it and manages to engage the viewers throughout. However, this franchise is infamous for having one of the most convoluted storylines in all of anime. The sheer amount of details that are overlooked in this situation is absolutely insane. 

 

So, if you want to be someone who will enjoy this entire anime with all his heart and get a grasp of everything in its purest and ideal form then this is the article for you. In this article, we will be taking a look at all the important instalments of Neon Genesis Evangelion and how you should go about them. 

 

We have added information about where you can watch the series, the episodes worth watching out for, a summary of all the seasons and more. Along with all these details, we have also added a few FAQs that you can refer to in case of more doubts.
 

 

 

Neon Genesis Evangelion Chronological Watch Order

 

The following order of Neon Genesis Evangelion is ideal for optimum viewing experience as it dives into the core storyline in the exact order it should.

 

The TV series comes first and it is crucial setting up the plot and place the characters. On their own, the TV series and the End of Evangelion movie are enough to entertain a casual viewer.

 

However, if you wish to enjoy Neon Genesis Evangelion to its fullest then you can watch the movies after End of Evangelion as well.

 

 

Where to watch: Netflix and Prime Video

 

You can watch the TV series, Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth, and Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion on Netflix.

 

Whereas the rest of the movies can be accessed on Prime Video.

 

 

 

Neon Genesis Evangelion Watch Order Based on Release Date

 

Neon Genesis Evangelion happens to have a standard watch order. In other words, all the instalments are supposed to be watched in the order of their release date only.

 

Therefore, the format is a TV series, followed by 5 movies.

 

 

1. Neon Genesis Evangelion (Episodes 1-26)

 

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Episodes 1-26) starts with Tokyo 3 needing a force to tackle the invading species of Angels.

 

The idea here is that Angels will try and attack our planet. And since they are interterrestrial species, they are bound to have some super strong forces going on for them.

 

However, one of the biggest reasons why our planet is still unharmed is because of Gendou Ikari and his organization NERV, which operates robots that are second to none in terms of strength.

 

These robots are called Evangelion and they are operated by a pilot. And that’s exactly where Shinji Ikari comes into play.

 

From this point forward, Shinji’s role is to pilot a specific Evangelion to save the world. However, things are bound to go out of place when the depression that Shinji has faced all his life, surfaces and starts to haunt him.

 

 

2. Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth

 

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth starts with a story that works in contrast to the original series. The idea here is that this instalment has a ton of features that will define the future of the series.

 

For starters, Shinji is going to make sure that Angels don’t trigger the third wave impact that could lead to the end of humanity.

 

Although our boy is ambitious about his father, he will soon realize that the true intentions of his father had been far worse than what he had imagined.

 

He isn’t going to bring him to heal the broken bond between the Ikari family. Instead, this man is going to bring Shinji for his mean purposes.

 

And soon enough, Shinji will realize how this fact about his father will change the future for him as well as for the rest of humanity.

 

 

3. Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion

 

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion focuses on Shinji and his life after losing one of his close friends.

 

Emotionally, Shinji is done for. And soon enough, this man realizes that he won’t be able to pilot an Evangelion anymore.

 

This is where things start to get interesting between NERV and SEELE. While SEELE is trying its plan, NERV is trying to bring humanity to one finite goal.

 

And that’s where all the fun begins. Both these organizations happen to attack each other with the intent of overpowering the other person.

 

And that’s why this instalment has a ton of action. However, this series will provide a good conclusion to the main storyline.

 

 

4. Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone

 

Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone is the same as the original series. However, it does have a few new cuts that will give you a new and better experience with it.

 

The story focuses on the recruitment of Shinji as he is trying to bring his family together and seems to be ambitious about his father’s approach.

 

This man will soon realize that he happens to have the fate of the entire planet on his shoulders.

 

And that’s a lot of weight to have on yourself. He will be assigned an Evangelion. And from that point forward, his life is going to change forever.

 

He will realize that this world is a lot more depressing and that this war is a lot more complex than he would have initially imagined.

 

 

5. Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

 

Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance is the direct continuation of the previous movie. And the core idea here is that this movie focuses on the introduction of a few new characters in the overall narrative.

 

The attack from Angels is reaching a new limit and that attack can’t be countered without proper resistance. That’s why Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami are trying their best to hold their ground against the Angels.

 

However, they need some serious help and that’s exactly where Asuka Langley Shikinami and the mysterious Mari Illustrious Makinami come into play.

 

Soon enough, all four of these individuals strive to save humanity from the crisis that stands on the other side.

 

However, soon enough, they will realize that the true terror lies on their side.

 

 

6. Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo

 

Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo talks about the aftermath of the third impact. Shinji Ikari gets rescued by Asuka Langley Shikinami and Mari Illustrious Makinami.

 

However, their former friends seem to have turned enemies since they are not willing to forgive Shinji for his actions.

 

They won’t understand his situation and so, he is sent to NERV headquarters. However, within the boundaries of the NERV headquarters, Shinji meets another man named Nagisa Kaworu who provides him with the warmth that he needed to look forward in his life.

 

This man is going to make a difference in Shinji’s life. And let’s just say that this is going to be the inception of a new and unforeseen battle in the realm of Neon Genesis Evangelion as a new problem surfaces.

 

 

7. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

 

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time is the latest instalment in the roster of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The series talks about the aftermath of the fourth impact.

 

It seems that destruction is mostly avoided. However, NERV did not succeed in retrieving the Spears of Longinus and carrying out the Human Instrumentality Project.

 

Therefore, all those who were part of the main group, decide to reside in a part of the world that seems to be safe from any form of ruination.

 

However, there seems to be an upcoming battle between WILLE and NERV. Shinji has decided to participate in this battle and make the most out of his life.

 

He is going to the final battle that will decide the fate of humanity and everything that comes along with it. Will he be able to make it?

 

 

 

Top Rated Episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion

 

1. Introjection

Shinji seems to have made a decision. And that decision isn’t exactly something he did properly. Instead, it was all hasty and quick. And it all happened because Shinji’s father made him perform actions that he wouldn’t have performed otherwise. 

However, soon enough, Shinji will realize that the battle is a lot longer than what he had assumed it would be. 

 

2. Ambivalence

This episode is going to determine Shinji’s position and moral standing. He is faced with a Dilemma. He either has to save the pilot of an uncontrolled Evangelion or let the Evangelion destroy the entire world continuously. And that is going to be a decision that will determine the core outcome of the show. It will be detrimental.

 

3. Splitting of the Breast

Shinji is going to have his life on the line as one of the Angels seems to have gotten stuck with him.

 

And the only way around this situation is to tackle the Angel head-on. However, that may result in the death of Shinji.

 

But people are willing to do that?

 

4. The Beginning and the End, or ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

This episode is going to tear Shinji apart. After finally having a friend he can look up to, he realizes that his only friend is the final enemy in his journey as an Evangelion pilot.

 

Now our boy is in a strict dilemma. Either he saves humanity or he saves his only friend.

 

5. Namida

Rei seems to have a clone of her made out of thin air. And it seems that this phenomenon is connected with the idea of the Dummy Plug system.

 

What exactly is happening and how will our crew battle this new monster who is exactly like our ally?

 

 

 

FAQs

 

1. In which order should I watch Neon Genesis Evangelion?

You must first watch the TV series, followed by Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth, Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion, 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

 

2. Which Evangelion should I watch first?

You should start with the original Evangelion TV series and then focus on the movies.

 

3. In What order do I watch Evangelion on Netflix?

You can watch the TV series, Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth, and Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion on Netflix in the respective order.

 

4. What is the release order of Neon Genesis Evangelion?

Neon Genesis Evangelion was released in the following order: TV series, followed by Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth, Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion, 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.

 

5. Do you need to watch anything before Neon Genesis Evangelion?

If you are watching the original Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series first, then you don’t need to watch anything before it.