Since its release in 1995, Neon Genesis Evangelion has remained one of the most popular anime series of all time. It has grown into a sprawling media franchise that includes many films, books, manga series, and even amusement park attractions. Creator Hideaki Anno has also remained open to the idea of future TV shows and anime films under a new filmmaker. For those interested in delving into the franchise, this guide will demonstrate where to watch every Neon Genesis Evangelion film and TV show in order using streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Crunchyroll and more!
The franchise started in 1994 with a manga series of the same name to advertise the upcoming TV show. By 1995, Neon Genesis Evangelion arrived and told the story of Shinji Ikari, a teenage boy recruited by his estranged father, Gendo Ikari, to pilot Evangelion bio-machines and fight mysterious beings known as Angels. The show went far beyond the typical mecha anime and impressed viewers with its religious motifs and philosophical themes. It has since been hailed as one of the most outstanding anime series of all time.
However, its somewhat ambiguous ending received mixed reviews from viewers. As a result, Anno decided to make two films, Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth and The End of Evangelion, to provide an alternate ending to the anime series. Following the critical acclaim of The End of Evangelion, Anno decided he wasn’t done with the franchise yet and became chief director of the Rebuild of Evangelion film series.
Similar to the previous two films, the Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy served as yet another alternate telling of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone and Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance essentially reshot episodes 1 - 23 of the anime with minor changes, while Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo diverged into a new story, and Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time offered a new ending.
There is also an original net animation (ONA) series called Petit Eva: Evangelion@School, which parodies the original series, and the short film Evangelion: Another Impact—Confidential. Also, be aware of the numerous unification films, such as Revival of Evangelion, which, despite its new title, is simply a double feature of Death and Rebirth and The End of Evangelion.
Where can I watch Neon Genesis Evangelion online?
Given the many remakes and alternate endings, the only way to watch the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise is by the release date order below. Read on to find out where you can stream every entry in this popular franchise!