The first time I watched Neon Genesis Evangelion, I was…confused. The second time I gave it a go after I’d just finished high school, the bloody anime series had managed to chip away at my plucky half-full optimism like Gypsy Danger activating elbow rockets into the face of a Leatherback kaiju. At the time, Neon Genesis Evangelion was wholly unique in its design and themes.
Sure, it looked like your usual big robot go boom mecha anime action, but beneath that traditional animation shine there was a story of mental crisis and existential horror. If you never saw it, here’s the skinny: It is the far-off future year of 2015, humanity has been dealt the mother of all P-Klaps by rampaging gigantic monsters known as the Angels and only the team of NERV can stop their rampage and save what’s left of the planet with their experimental Evangelion mech units.
Throw in all manner of psychological hang-ups, a plot about evolving humanity to a new state of existence and plenty of Oedipus complexes, and you’ve got a cult hit anime series that redefined the genre when it was first released in 1995. There’s a hell of a story behind the making of Neon Genesis Evangelion’s original 26 episodes and feature films, detailing director Hideaki Anno’s own battle with depression, which is reflected in the anime series itself.
More than two decades later, and Neon Genesis Evangelion still holds up amazingly well. So well in fact, that it’ll be making its way to Netflix soon. The last two years have seen the streaming giant make some aggressive moves to cement its position as a top anime entertainment hub, having added shows such as Devil Man Crybaby, Seven Deadly Sins and Little Witch Academia to its offerings, as well as numerous other legacy offerings.
Next year will see Netflix add Evangelion, as well as its two feature films, Death and Rebirth and the bonkers finale The End of Evangelion.Netflix will be the exclusive streaming home for Evangelion, as Gainax’s beloved property has been conspicuously absent from various anime services for many years now.
I’ve honestly got no idea if I can dive back into that show. It may have some amazing animation, battle scenes and character development, but its bleak and depressing outlook on what it means to be human and how it handles mental anguish, makes for some especially heavy viewing. Still, if some of the finest nostalgia from the 1990s anime scene is your cup of tea, then right on brother. Right on.
Last Updated: November 27, 2018
Pariah
November 27, 2018 at 08:36
Was it intentional to have the same image up 6 times?
The D
November 27, 2018 at 08:38
Yes. C’mahn, you must catch the joke.
The D
November 27, 2018 at 08:38
Yes. C’mahn, you must catch the joke.
Daniel Hallinan
November 27, 2018 at 08:39
I remember that episode
The D
November 27, 2018 at 08:41
Daniel gets it 😀
Pariah
November 27, 2018 at 10:42
I’ve never watched the anime. So in many respects this news is fantastic for me. I get to actually watch it and I won’t be using illegal means of doing so. It’s a win-win.
Daniel Hallinan
November 27, 2018 at 08:44
I’m surprised they’re including Death and Rebirth, but I’m not unhappy about it. While it largely just reused assets from previous episodes in those weird dreamlike character discussions, the topics they talked about were interesting (and enlightening in some cases), if not depressing.
kieker
November 27, 2018 at 09:37
Looking forward to seeing this, as I’ve not watched it yet. Not a major fan of Mech, but I did enjoy Code Geass, not that I’m saying this is like CG. I don’t know anything about this story…
Magoo
November 27, 2018 at 09:47
So this is what they meant when they said Netflix was producing a Pacific Rim anime.
Umar
November 27, 2018 at 11:17
Man, I’m really stoked about this coming to Netflix
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yIGcJNCj1LQ/maxresdefault.jpg
Umar
November 27, 2018 at 11:18
While I’m hesitant to jump in again because yeah, it is bleak, but this is such an important part of anime history and culture
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yIGcJNCj1LQ/maxresdefault.jpg
Umar
November 27, 2018 at 13:19
But man, you really got me there D with those images
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yIGcJNCj1LQ/maxresdefault.jpg
Umar
November 27, 2018 at 13:22
Any way…..Go forth young boy….I mean, Shounen
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yIGcJNCj1LQ/maxresdefault.jpg
Spathi
November 27, 2018 at 11:48
“It may have some amazing animation, battle scenes and character development, but its bleak and depressing outlook on what it means to be human and how it handles mental anguish, makes for some especially heavy viewing.”
My exact sentiment. Watched it back in High School. Read the Manga a few years ago, which makes a lot more sense. I’m scared to watch the anime again, was super depressed for quite a while after the show.
Craig "Crios" Boonzaier
November 27, 2018 at 16:37
I am waiting for the Rebuild of Evangelion to complete.
So I can watch it all in one go.
Though I guess it won’t hurt me to rewatch the series and movies again.
HvR
November 28, 2018 at 14:15
O man, defnitely watching it for nostalgia
It was the first anime I watched after I saw this music video (still not sure if was a just fan mash up or orginal) from this new awesome German band that was becoming my favourite band