Evangelion watch order — all seasons and movies

Iconic anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion has captivated audiences for decades with its blend of action, psychological exploration, and cryptic storytelling. For newcomers, the question of where to begin this complex journey can be daunting.

Fear not, aspiring mech pilots, this Evangelion watch order guide equips you with the knowledge to navigate the core series, the enigmatic movie conclusion, and the reimagining presented in the Rebuild of Evangelion films.

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This breakdown ensures you experience the narrative twists and emotional gut punches in the intended order, allowing you to fully appreciate the series’ impact and legacy.

So, grab your entry plug, synchronize with your Eva unit, and prepare to go on a thrilling, thought-provoking adventure into the world of Shinji and the gang with this Evangelion watch order guide.

What is the Evangelion anime about?

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a mecha anime that blends giant robot action with psychological drama. Set 15 years after a global cataclysm, the story revolves around Shinji Ikari, a withdrawn teenager recruited by his estranged father to pilot a giant bio-mechanical weapon called an Evangelion.

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Evangelions (Eva for short) are humanity’s last line of defense against monstrous beings known as Angels. As Shinji grapples with piloting an Eva and his emotional baggage, the series explores themes of isolation, depression, and the search for meaning.

Evangelion’s critical acclaim stems from its complex characters, thought-provoking narrative, and its deconstruction of the mecha genre. It’s a classic that continues to be analyzed and debated by fans to this day.

Now that you know what the Evangelion anime is all about, let’s delve into the Evangelion watch order.

Evangelion watch order: In what order should you watch Evangelion?

Here’s the correct and updated Evangelion watch order, including the movies.

It is important to note that episodes 21 to 24 of Neon Genesis Evangelion have a Director’s Cut version, which is preferable to watch over the original episodes.

Key visual for Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, featuring main characters Shinji Ikari, Asuka Langley, Rei Ayanami, Kaworu Nagisa, and more — Credit: Studio Khara

The The End of Evangelion movie serves as a conclusion to the original Neon Genesis Evangelion series. Due to production issues and a shift in focus, the series’ final episodes became abstract and metaphorical. The End of Evangelion provided a more definitive ending.

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Rebuild of Evangelion is a tetralogy (four-part film series) that retells and expands upon the story of the original series. The first movie starts similarly to the series but diverges significantly as it progresses. Rebuild of Evangelion offers a fresh perspective and a new ending for the franchise.

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Episodes 1-26)
The End of Evangelion (Movie)
Rebuild of Evangelion movie series
- Evangelion: 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone (Movie)
- Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance (Movie)
- Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo (Movie)
- Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (Movie)