Non only is Neon Genesis Evangelion 1 of the virtually influential and idea-provoking animes to ever exist, but it'due south also a tough one to get into if you don't know what you're doing. With an original anime series, epitomize movies, and culling movies, the Evangelion franchise is not one to be trifled with.

In that location are enough of opinions on the best order to sentry the anime and movies, only what about watching Shinji-kun and his friends in chronological order? With the original series and the semi-reboot, information technology should be noted that chronologically may non be the best path for newcomers.

10/10 Anime: Original Episodes ane-6

Neon Genesis Evangelion Angel Attack Jets

This is where information technology all begins. Throughout these six episodes, we're introduced to most of our primary characters. Evangelion Unit 01 and their pilot Shinji, his afar father Gendo, the clone of his dead mother Rei, his field commander and messy roommate Misato, and her pet penguin Pen-Pen. There are other characters and Eva Units introduced throughout these episodes. Still, they set upwards Shinji's swan-diving right into the action as he and Rei must take out the apocalyptic Angels that threaten the earth.

9/10 Movie: Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone

Shinji looks at his Evangelion Unit 01

Released in 2007,Evangelion: i.0 You lot Are (Non) Lonely is part of the "Rebuild of Evangelion" film series. This film is an enhanced, completely re-animated recap of episodes one through six. It adds scenes to give context and a wider scope of what's happening inside the original episodes. There's too added information and alternative dialogue to the original scenes. The 2009 DVD/Blu-ray release is calledEvangelion: 1.11 Yous Are (Not) Alone,which has a few tweaks and about three minutes of extra animation.

viii/10 Anime: Original Episodes 7-twenty

Asuka Rei Shinji NGE

Throughout these episodes, we're introduced to the big-headed German language pilot Asuka, her cherry Eva Unit 02, and Asuka'due south handler Kaji, who has a history with Misato.

These episodes are the majority of the series, but they as well reveal various revelations almost the human being characters and the Eva Units themselves. In episode nineteen and 20, we see the horrifying climax and aftermath of Unit of measurement 01 ascending to a "God status" after breaking free of NERV's command, a turning point in the series.

vii/ten Movie: Evangelion 2.0: You Tin (Not) Advance

The second of the 'Rebuild" picture show series, the timeline of this film is more than fluid than the original anime episodes. Angels are changed and introduced at different times, along with culling introductions to Asuka and Kaji and a new airplane pilot'due south debut. Many changes are fabricated, and the end of the film diverts fully from the original series after Unit 01 acquires "God status" like in episode 19. A Third Bear on is near triggered, setting "Rebuild" onto a different timeline.

six/10 Anime: Original Episodes 21-24

Neon Genesis Evangelion Shinji Eva 01 Crush Kaworu

Inside these episodes, there'southward a lot of backstory into Shinji's mother, Yui, besides as more insight into Rei'due south origins. Other of import sequences include Asuka'south downward spiral subsequently a defeat by an Angel, the use of the Spear of Longinus, and the anime introduction of Kaworu. Kaworu is an essential character to the series due to his event on Shinji. If watched on Netflix, then the Director's Cut of these episodes will be included, which helps empathise the entire scope of the story.

5/ten Motion picture: Evangelion Expiry(Truthful)ii

Evangelion Unit 02 leaping through the airgh

Evangelion Death(True)two is essentially a final edit of previous recaps of episodes ane-24 of the anime, including the Director's Cut of episodes 21-24. Originally, it was the showtime half of a theatrical release chosen Neon Genesis Evangelion Decease + Rebirth,where "Death" included the original recap and "Rebirth" showed the kickoff third of the so-upcoming movieThe End of Evangelion. Yes, it isn't apparent, but this version of the recap is squeamish because it includes intervals of Shinji, Rei, Asuka, and Kaworu in a cord quartet.

4/10 Anime: Original Episodes 25-26

Anime Neon Genesis Evangelion Shinji Applause

Controversial and deeply psychological, the final two episodes of the anime pick upwards where episode 24 andEvangelion Death(True)2 left off. The Human Instrumentality Project that had been alluded to the entire series has begun, and the viewers are given an internal look into everyone's minds, hearts, and souls.

Shinji and the others all struggle with their own inner demons and being. Instrumentality brings everything "to its beginning," as Gendo puts it, which means everyone would transcend into a atypical existence.

3/10 Movie: The End Of Evangelion

End Of Evangelion Shinji Asuka End Of The World

Serving equally an alternative or a complementary - depending on who you lot ask - ending to the anime,The End of Evangeliongives an external perspective to what's happening with NERV and Instrumentality. There's a takeover of NERV, an Eva battle, an enormous Lillith/Adam/Rei hybrid that expands over the world, and the outset of the Tertiary Impact. The globe's fate is in Shinji's hands equally he must choose whether or not to refuse Instrumentality. This movie marks the end of the original series.

2/10 Movie: Evangelion three.0: Y'all Can (Not) Redo

Set 14 years later the Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Accelerate,this 2012 film reveals a completely different globe from Shinji's i before he triggered the 3rd Impact. Shinji was asleep that entire time, and information technology's revealed that neither he, Asuka, or Mari, the Eva pilot who debuted in the previous movie, have aged at all. In the timeline that "Rebuild" is set in, Shinji doesn't meet Kaworu until this time, and the two piece of work together to pilot a new Evangelion.

1/ten Pic: Evangelion: iii.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

Poster for movie four of the Rebuild of Evangelion series

Originally ready for release in the summertime of 2020, the final film of the "Rebuild" series was pushed dorsum to January 23, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later on a now 9-yr wait, a few trailers, and the first 10 minutes bachelor on the cyberspace, the "Rebuild" series will finally come up to an end. With Asuka and Mari playing a bigger part and the promise of returning characters from the original anime,Evangelion: 3.0+one.0 Thrice Upon a Fourth dimensionis heavily burdened with high fan expectations.

Side by side: Every Evangelion Unit, Ranked By Lethality