How to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion – NGE Watch Order

I first watched Neon Genesis Evangelion when I was far too young, and now I’m a nervous mess.

All jokes aside, there’s a reason Neon Genesis Evangelion, or Evangelion for short, has become one of the greatest anime series of our time. From its gospel-like opening theme song to the controversial last two episodes, this anime series is regarded by many as legendary, much like the young boy in “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis.”

But, if you’re new to the anime world and would like to give Evangelion a shot (or if you’ve been here for a while but never bothered to check it out) then let’s go over the recommended series watch order. I’ll be honest: this can be incredibly complicated if you let it be. But, in much the same way, it can be simple, if you let it be. It’s for this reason we’re going to prioritize release order, as it’s when you consider the chronological order that things become headache-inducing and very much a work of headcanon.

How to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion

How to Watch: Netflix

OK — so, no matter where you fall in this debate, you’re gonna want to start with the original anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion. There are a total of 26 episodes in the series, helmed by creator Hideaki Anno and Gainax.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is set in the far-off year of 2015, when Shinji Ikari is summoned to Tokyo-3 by his estranged father, Gendo. Gendo needs Shinji because he’s the only one capable of piloting a colossal mech suit and defending the city against an alien onslaught.

Evangelion Death(True)² 

How to Watch: Netflix

This one is ultimately up to you, as well. It’s supposedly a recap of the first 24 episodes of the anime series mashed up with a small amount of new footage. This was originally part of Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth — Death is what we now know as Death(True)², while Rebirth was effectively the first half-hour of the actual continuation film, The End of Evangelion.

The End of Evangelion

How to Watch: Netflix

The End of Evangelion is a film that was, at least partially, made in response to fan reception of the original Evangelion finale. It is, depending on your interpretation, an alternate ending or a different viewpoint altogether. It is also very depressing, so be aware if you felt off whilst watching the anime series, this film takes the depression factor to an 11.

Rebuild of Evangelion

How to Watch: Prime Video

In 2007 — a decade following the release of The End of Evangelion — the Rebuild of Evangelion film series began. To boil it down to its most basic details, Rebuild is a four-film series set to reboot the Evangelion canon under Anno at his new studio, Khara. In the beginning, all four films were planned to be released by 2008, but due to a variety of both personal and professional conflicts, the series didn’t conclude until 2021.

Evangelion 1.11: You Are (Not) Alone is the first Rebuild film, and effectively covers the anime events of the first through sixth episodes. It does introduce some new concepts, but those don’t come into play until later in the series. Evangelion 2.22: You Can (Not) Advance is the second, and re-imagines the anime events of episodes 8 through 23. It also introduces a character to the mix, Maki Illustrious Makinami.

Evangelion 3.33: You Can (Not) Redo is a departure from everything we’ve seen in the series to date. It’s the point where Khara clearly shifts the Rebuilds into their own Eva story. And lastly, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, which is the final entry in the series (so far). 

It can be tempting to skip the original series and movie in favor of the Rebuild series. I don’t recommend it, only because — without spoiling — the Rebuild series seems to imply it’s a continuation of the anime continuity, and not a traditional reboot. All I will say on that front is that making it to Thrice Upon a Time with knowledge of the series’ history — the good and the bad — means so much more than had I only picked the series up with You Are (Not) Alone. But, ultimately, the choice is entirely yours to make.