Evangelion Watch Order (Complete Guide)

Updated May 12, 2024 by testing

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the 90’s classics that left a massive impact on the anime community. It’s one of the most influential anime of the 90’s. Even today, anime fans are interested in watching Neon Genesis Evangelion because its hype is just not dying.

If you’re one of those people who want to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion but are confused about how to watch it because of its confusing order, we’re here to help you. We’ll be serving you with the best Watch Order for Neon Genesis Evangelion for you to have a smooth experience. So read on if you’re interested!

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How To Watch Neon Genesis Evangelion?

Neon Genesis Evangelion Quick Watch Order

Neon Genesis Evangelion Release Order

Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
Evangelion: Death (True) 2 (1997)
End of Evangelion (1997)
Evangelion 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone (2007)
Evangelion 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance (2009)
Evangelion 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo (2012)
Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2012)

Neon Genesis Evangelion Chronological Watch Order

Neon Genesis Evangelion Anime: Episodes 1-6
Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone (Movie)
Neon Genesis Evangelion anime: Episodes 7-20
Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance (Movie)
Neon Genesis Evangelion Anime: Episodes 21-24
Evangelion Death (True) 2 (Movie)
Neon Genesis Evangelion Anime: Episodes 25-26
The End of Evangelion (Movie)
Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo (Movie)
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

1. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion introduces us to Tokyo-3 that is invaded by mysterious beings called Angels who are wreaking havoc everywhere. Nothing could stop them, not even the military. However, an organization named NERV, led by Gendou Ikari, possesses giant robots that can combat the angels and they’re the only hope left for humanity.

Shinji Ikari, the son that Gendou Ikari abandoned, was back in Tokyo-3 after 3 years. He’s not a normal child. He’s traumatized by the way he was treated by his father and because of the tragic loss of his mother. However, he soon opened up because of Misato Katsuragi, a NERV Officer, who treated Shinji with Kindness. He began to see Misato as a mother figure.

Soon, Shinji is forced into the battlefield by his father because he’s the only one who can pilot the new Evangelion Unit-1. However, piloting the massive robot is not as easy as it sounds. It causes extreme pain to Shinji but despite that, he’s all up for protecting Tokyo-3 from deadly Angels. But he doesn’t really know about his father’s dark intentions. How will he handle all the sudden changes in his life?

2. Evangelion: Death (True) 2 (1997)

This is Neon Genesis Evangelion’s first movie that came out in 1997. It opens in the year 2015 where the world is recovering from a massive catastrophe by the name of Second Impact. Amid the recovery, humanity is attacked by destructive creatures known as Angels. Nothing can save them but a mysterious organization by the name of NERV. They have giant robots that can fight the deadly angels. We’re introduced to Shinji Ikari, Gendo Ikari’s son, who’s a traumatized child and who is forced to pilot the Evangelion Unit-1 in order to fight the Angels. He is the vital part for shaping the future of humanity. He also has a bunch of other people supporting him in order to save humanity. But Shinji has to fight not only the Angels but also his inner self.

3. End of Evangelion (1997)

This movie introduces us to a deeply depressed Shinji Ikari who lost his dear friend recently. He is unable to pilot the Evangelion Unit-1. Gendo Ikari, on the other hand, is fighting against another organization named SEELE. Now, Gendo wants to create a single primeval being using all of humanity. His reason for doing it was him being reunited with his dead wife, Yui.On the other hand, SEELE wants to create a godlike being by using all of the souls of the humans all around the world. SEELE decides to attack NERV and almost destroys it but Asuka Langley Soryu pilots Evangelion Unit-2 to fight SEELE. Misato Katsuragi searches for Shinji who is hiding deep inside the NERV headquarters, deeply depressed. He’s the only one who can save humanity at this point and Misato is trying to convince him to fight.

4. Evangelion 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007)

This movie of Evangelion shows us the recap of the first 6 episodes of the anime. We get to see a completely different kind of animation in this movie. But the story is the same as the anime. This one also has a few additional scenes so that the viewers could understand it more easily. You’ll get to see more material as well as dialogues in this movie.

The movie starts off with introducing Shinji Ikari Gendou Ikari’s son. He was brought to NERV in order to pilot the Evangelion Unit-1 as he was the only one who was compatible with it. The organization was fighting mysterious creatures called Angels and humanity’s future lies in Shinji’s hand only.

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5. Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009)

This movie also rebuilds the original anime series. You will find a lot of new scenes in this one and you’ll get to see a different kind of animation style but the story will remain the same. In this movie, the way angels are introduced is pretty different. The way the other characters are introduced are also pretty different.

In this movie, we get to see another mysterious pilot named Mari Illustrious Makinami. The story also deviates a little after Unit 1 breaks free from the shackles of NERV. Mari, along with Shinji, Asuka, and Rei are set to fight the Angels but it’s not going to be easy for them. They’re going to be facing dangers they have never faced before.

6. Evangelion 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012)

This movie shows us how Shinji was recovered from space by Asuka and Mari. However, he became the prisoner of WILLE, an organization led by Misato Katsuragi, his former ally. His former allies are not helping him with anything as they want him to suffer the consequences of his actions. However, Shinji is rescued by Rei from WILLE and he comes across a guy named Kaworu Nagisa and ends up befriending him. However, this time, he won’t be fighting angels. He’ll be fighting his former allies now. He’ll get to know that the past really can’t change.

7. Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2012)

The story of this movie tells us how NERV failed to get their hands on the Spears of Longinus and failed to carry out the Human Instrumentality Project. Shinji, along with Asuka and Rei, visit the village 3 that had been safe from the destruction going on. Shinji likes his days there and recovers from his past traumas. NERV is already ready to carry out the Human Instrumentality Project using the New Impact. WILLE, on the other hand, arrived at the village and Shinji decided to leave the village with them, wanting to pilot the Evangelion Unit 1. NERV and WILLE are going to come face to face and Earth’s future is on the line. Will Shinji be able to save humanity amidst such chaos?

Major Characters

Shinji Ikari

Shinji Ikari is the main character of the series and is the son of Gendou Ikari, the founder of NERV. Shinji appeared to be a very timid boy at first. He had a laid-back personality and was not confident at all. Shinji wants to be seen and to be praised. His only way to get what he wants is to pilot the Evangelion Unit-1 that he initially refuses to. But he eventually agrees to pilot it. He wished to get some attention and approval from his cold father.

Shinji had a traumatic past. He didn’t receive any love and attention from his father and his mother also left him when he was very young. He blames himself for not being good or useful enough for his father to stay with him. He blames himself for his father abandoning him. He didn’t really have any friends and refrained himself from talking to or opening up to a lot of people because of his reclusive and introverted personality. He’s shown to be very uncomfortable in social situations.

Shinji has a hard time controlling his emotions due to his past trauma. However, he wants to move forward and let go of his traumatic past. In reality, Shinji is very kind and caring and helps his friends whenever they need it.

Gendo Ikari

Gendo Ikari is the father of Shinji Ikari and the head of the NERV Organization. He was the one who wanted to carry out the Human Instrumentality Project in order to be reunited with his deceased wife, Yui. Gendo was not a good father. He abandoned his son when he was young and focused all his energy on NERV. He had always been distant and cold towards Shinji especially after the death of his wife. He used to love Yui a lot and will do whatever he wants to be reunited with his wife.

He even made Rei out of the parts of Yui. After the death of Yui, he had an affair with Naoko Ikagi, the scientist as well as her daughter, Ritsuko Akagi. He didn’t really love them but he only had affairs with them so he could gain what he wanted. Gendo did care for Shinji which is revealed at the end of Evangelion. He revealed that he didn’t come close to Shinji because he was afraid of losing him and was also afraid of getting hurt. However, he apologized to Shinji as he was dying at the end. Gendo was similar to his son but in a negative way. He did everything he could to see his wife for the one last time and his resolve is commendable.

Misato Katsuragi

Misato Katsuragi is the Operations Director at NERV and is later promoted to Major. Her job is to issue orders to the Eva pilots as well as carry out battle strategies. She’s the one who convinces Shinji to pilot the Evangelion Unit-1. She’s a very capable and reliable person. However, at home, she’s completely different. She can’t really cook and is very messy. She also drinks a lot of beer no matter what the time or occasion is. Misato likes the male attention she gets and doesn’t really mind showing her femininity to anyone.

Misato hates her father as he was a workaholic and never paid attention to her and her mother. She saw glimpses of her father in Ryoji Kaji, her lover, and left him before joining NERV. Misato also had a traumatic childhood and has some psychological issues that are tied to her trauma. However, she deeply cares for Shinji and wants him to let go of his past as well as let go of hers.

Asuka Langley Soryu

Asuka pilots the Evangelion Unit-2. Her nationality is American. She’s half-American and half-German. She used to be a very skilled and gifted student and earned a university degree. She appears to be a very proud individual and takes great pride in her Eva piloting skills. She also appears to be very stubborn and short-tempered. She can’t really express her true emotions towards others. She’s also very aggressive. But in reality, Asuka is very insecure about her abilities.

She wants to only rely on herself and no one else. She hates depending on others. Her relationship with Shinji is complicated and she tried to befriend Rei as well but she didn’t take any interest in being her friend. This offended Asuka and she never really got along with Rei throughout the series. Overall, Asuka was quite brave and never backed down. She was always confident about fighting Angels and tried her best to defeat them.

Rei Ayanami

Rei’s origin had been a mystery initially. But it was revealed that she was created deep within the lower levels of NERV. Rei had always been emotionless and cold. She never spoke much. She only did what she was told to. As the series progressed, she was able to open up to people around her and be close to them.

She was also able to show her emotions and even cried and smiled. Though she seemed to have no personality at first, she showed her true personality later in the series. Rei is very intelligent and capable. Initially, her relationship with Shinji was not that good but slowly, she warmed up to him and showed him her true self. She had never liked Asuka and nor Asuka liked her. She couldn’t mend her relationship with Asuka till the end.

Ryoji Kaji

Ryoji Kaji is a special inspector at NERV. He’s also a secret agent at the Japanese Ministry of the Interior. He’s also shown to have some links to SEELE. Kaji is not really loyal to any organization and has his own motives. Kaji was in a relationship with Maisato in college but they broke up after going their separate ways. Later, he returned to join NERV and teased Mistao there a lot.

Koji is seen to be an easy-going individual. He always keeps his cool and is very laid-back. He appears to be very calm all the time and never loses control. Kaji is also very flirty and doesn’t hesitate flirting with his ex. Though he appears to be very easygoing and careless, he’s shown to be a very capable and responsible individual. He appears to act as a father to both Asuka and Shinji. Asuka greatly admires him and is completely smitten by him. He understands Shinji and often gives him advice.

Koji is a lonely guy who never really opened up to anyone how he opened up to Maisato.

Ritsuko Akagi

Ritsuko Akagi is the head scientist at NERV. She’s the daughter of Naoko Akagi who was the developer of Magi. Naoko always had a love-hate relationship with her mother. She’s shown to be a very intelligent individual. She’s also extremely devoted to her work. She’s a truly stoic character and very different from Misato. They often get into arguments because of their different personalities. Ritsuko was romantically involved with Gendo just like her mother but she had no idea that Gendo was only using her and her mother for his own interests. She hated the fact that Gendo cared more about Rei than her.

Kaworu Nagisa

Kaworu was sent to NERV by SEELE to pilot the Evangelion Unit-2 after Asuka was unable to pilot it. He’s actually a seventeenth angel and not a human. He’s similar to Rei but is more open about his feelings. He isn’t loyal to NERV nor SEELE and has his own motives. Shinji gets along well with Kaworu as he appeared at the time when Shinji was craving some connection with anyone. Kaworu initially made Shinji uncomfortable because of how he behaved with him. Kaworu doesn’t know about societal norms and often says things that nobody really understands.

Mari Makinami Illustrious

Mari is a character that was introduced in the movie Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance. She’s shown to be very positive and energetic, lifting up everyone’s mood around her. She loves piloting her Eva. She also appears to be very friendly with everyone. However, she can also get very serious as well as aggressive while fighting. Mari is also shown to be very self-sacrificing as she did not hesitate sacrificing herself in her battle against the Third Angel. She would have self-destructed her Evangelion but she was ejected moments before her Eva exploded.

Conclusion

So, here we are with the complete watch order of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The best way to watch the series is the chronological order. Don’t forget to watch the movies as they are much better than the original anime. Was this blog helpful for you? Comment down below and let us know. We’ll come back with more watch orders. See you guys in the next blog. Bye!