Watch Neon Genesis Evangelion

TV-MA
2005
1 Season
8.5 (75,162)

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Japanese anime television series that aired on Cartoon Network from 1995 to 1996. The series is set in the futuristic city of Tokyo-3, which is under constant threat from supernatural beings known as Angels. To counteract this threat, the military organization NERV has created a scientific project called Evangelion, which aims to develop giant mecha units, piloted by teenagers, named Children. The series follows the story of Shinji Ikari, a 14-year-old boy who is recruited by his father, Gendo Ikari, to pilot one of these Evangelion units. Shinji's mother died in an experiment to create the first Evangelion, and his father had been distant ever since. Shinji moves to Tokyo-3 to live and work for NERV, where he meets Misato Katsuragi, a captain in NERV's military division, Ritsuko Akagi, a chief scientist of the Evangelion project, and Rei Ayanami, a fellow pilot of an Evangelion unit. Over the course of the series, Shinji deals with a variety of personal and psychological struggles, including his strained relationship with his father, fear of piloting the Evangelion unit, and the trauma of fighting against the Angels. Meanwhile, the story also introduces a range of other characters, including Asuka Langley Soryu, a fellow Evangelion pilot with a brash personality and difficult past, and Kaworu Nagisa, a mysterious newcomer to the story who becomes close to Shinji. Although Neon Genesis Evangelion is often categorized as a mecha anime, it also explores themes and ideas related to psychology, philosophy, and religion. The series deals with concepts such as the nature of existence, the human psyche, and the role of religion in society. These themes are explored in depth through the characters' experiences and the story's narrative, making the series much more complex than a typical action-oriented anime. One of the show's striking features is its animation style. It combines traditional 2D animation with 3D computer graphics to create a unique visual aesthetic that became highly influential in anime. The show's use of color and lighting is also notable, often used to convey emotional and psychological states of the characters. The series is known for its use of symbolism, which pervades entire episodes and informs its overall arc. For example, the Angels are named after angels in different Abrahamic religions, and their forms and abilities often allude to their namesakes. Similarly, the series' title, Neon Genesis Evangelion, alludes to Christian theology, and the show's themes and narrative arc is highly symbolic as such. Like many anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion has spawned numerous adaptations, including manga, soundtracks, and films. Its themes and characters have also influenced a wide range of other anime series, and it remains an important and highly regarded entry in the anime canon. Overall, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a complex and ambitious anime series that explores themes related to psychology, philosophy, and religion. Its unique visual style, distinctive characters, and symbolism make it a highly memorable and influential work within the anime genre.

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Seasons

26. Take care of yourself.

April 13, 2006

The year is now 2016. The Human Instrumentality Project now enters its final stages. Will mankind accept its fate? Will Third Impact become a reality? Shinji Ikari is further examined. The darkness envelops him one final time. Throughout, voices are heard of the ones who he has known during his time in Neo Tōkyō 3. Classmates, fellow pilots, NERV personnel, his father, his mother; each of them present themselves before Shinji. The key to Instrumentality rests with this young boy.

25. Do you love me?

April 6, 2006

The last Angel is gone, destroyed by the pilot of Unit 01. The New Genesis for mankind, the Human Instrumentality Project, now begins. Asuka, Rei, Misato, and Shinji are examined in depth. Each aspect of the characters is put before the microscope to see what makes them tick. Peeling back the layers of these people, the human psyche is put on full display.

24. The Beginning and the End, or "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"

March 30, 2006

Asuka has lost all value in herself. She tries to escape from NERV as Shinji had, but, like Shinji, she is found and placed in NERV's own hospital. Shinji reflects that those he has lost. His classmates are all gone, as is the city of Neo Tōkyō 3. As he gazes out over the ruins of the city, a boy perched on a rock begins to hum a song. He identifies himself as Kaworu Nagisa, the 5th Child...

23. Rei III

March 23, 2006

After the events of "Don't Be.", Asuka has abandoned her home and has taken refuge in the class rep Hikari's home. Misato and Shinji are also mired in their own grief. Misato continues to play the message that Kaji left her, and Shinji, unable to talk to anyone, finds that he is more alone than ever. Gendou must explain his use of the Lance of Longinus to the SEELE Committee. The meeting comes to an abrupt end when the 16th Angel appears in the skies of Neo Tōkyō 3. Asuka is in no condition to fight and Unit 01 cannot be dispatched. Rei Ayanami and Eva Unit 00 become the only viable option against the Angel.

22. Don't Be.

March 16, 2006

Asuka's defeat at the "hands" of the 14th Angel has caused the Second Child to doubt herself more than she has in her entire life. Slowly, Asuka begins to remember the past, the memories that she had hoped to have forgotten long ago. Slipping out of synch with her Eva, Asuka takes her frustrations out on those closest to her. Despite her loss of confidence, she remains an Eva pilot...which may not last for long once the 15th Angel arrives.

21. He was aware that he was still a child.

March 9, 2006

Kouzou Fuyutsuki has been kidnapped by SEELE. Misato Katsuragi is put under house arrest for something that she may know. Ritsuko Akagi stares intently into the eyes of Eva Unit 01. Each of them have memories of the past, of key moments occurring in the last 15 years. While those memories return to haunt them once again, Ryouji Kaji places a call to an old friend one last time.

20. WEAVING A STORY 2: oral stage

March 2, 2006

Eva Unit 01 has defeated the 14th Angel while in its "berserker" state. The third such time that Eva Unit 1 has acted of its own volition, it has devoured the 14th Angel, taking the Angel's core, its S2 Engine, into itself. Even though Eva Unit 01 broke free from its armour plating, NERV was able to retrieve the Eva and begin to rehab the behemoth. However, the pilot's status is unknown. Shinji had achieved a 400% synch ratio with his Eva, which has only happened once before. The NERV team waits for the Eva's systems to be restored and the entry plug cameras to be turned back on.

19. INTROJECTION

February 23, 2006

Gendou's betrayal of his son in the last episode has prompted Shinji to retaliate. He has threatened to destroy as much of the Geo-Front as he can with his Eva before his power runs out. This intimidation prompts Gendou to silence his son by pressurizing the LCL within Shinji's entry plug. In the aftermath, Touji wakes up in NERV's hospital and receives a visitor, and Shinji decides to leave NERV for good. As he waits for his train to depart to his home in Neo Asugi, the emergency sirens blare, signalling the arrival of the 14th Angel.

18. AMBILIVALENCE

February 16, 2006

The destruction of the NERV Second Branch Installation in Nevada, United States, along with Unit 4 "FOURTH CHILDREN" created enough fear with the US higher-ups that they have shipped Eva Unit 03 from their First Branch to NERV Headquarters in Japan. The Eva will arrive in Matsushiro to prepare it for its first activation test. Misato and Ritsuko head to the test facility to see through the Eva activation. Meanwhile, Shinji continues to wonder who the Fourth Child is.

17. FOURTH CHILDREN

February 9, 2006

After Shinji was saved when Eva Unit 01 burst through the 12th Angel "Splitting of the Breast", Misato stands before the SEELE Committee. The Committee wishes to question the pilot of Unit 01, but Misato refuses, saying that the pilot has been traumatized enough. The Angels are evolving, attaining intelligence faster than anticipated. There is not much time left, for NERV, for SEELE, or for mankind. A new Eva is about to enter service and the Fourth Child has been selected.

16. Splitting of the Breast

February 2, 2006

In the latest harmonics tests with their Evas, Shinji's score increases so dramatically that he finally surpasses Asuka's synch level. Asuka does not take the news well, but Shinji appears to be gaining more confidence in himself. In the streets of Neo Tōkyō 3, a shadow appears and proceeds to envelop the surrounding objects. The 12th Angel has arrived above the city. Appearing as a black and white striped sphere, it calmly waits for its prey.

15. Those women longed for the touch of others' lips, and thus invited their kisses.

January 26, 2006

High above Neo Tōkyō 3, Gendou and Kouzou discuss the problems with SEELE, the Marduk Institute, their progress with the dummy plug system, and a suspected traitor. Kaji makes a trip to Kyōto in order to find out more about the Marduk Institute. Meanwhile, the rest of NERV enjoy a moment of peace.

14. WEAVING A STORY

January 19, 2006

In a meeting with SEELE discussing Angels number three through ten, Gendou tells the Committee that the 11th Angel, who invaded NERV as a computer virus, has yet to appear. The Committee suspects that Gendou is lying to them, but they have no proof, as Gendou had made sure to destroy all records of the Angel's invasion of NERV. Meanwhile, Shinji and Rei undergo the first Entry Plug Mutual Compatibility Test with Rei in Unit 01 and Shinji in Unit 00. Asuka, in the 87th testing, once again synchs with her Eva. Then, in the final test with Unit 00, something goes wrong...

13. LILLIPUTIAN HITCHER

January 12, 2006

The 127th routine maintenance cycle of the MAGI Supercomputers has just been completed. Asuka, Rei, and Shinji are thoroughly decontaminated and placed inside simulated Evas in order to test new technological developments. While inside the Evas, a small patch of residue is detected inside one of the test tanks. As the test continues, the contamination begins to grow...

12. She said, "Don't make others suffer for your personal hatred."

January 5, 2006

Misato has been promoted from Captain to Major...and her two roommates, Shinji and Asuka, are completely oblivious to it. Shinji's classmate, Kensuke Aida, prepares a celebration in Misato's honour. While at the party, Shinji asks Misato why she does not look very happy. Misato informs him that to her the promotion is no big deal to her. She has been called to a higher purpose in life; a fate that was sealed 15 years ago in Antarctica.

11. The Day Tōkyō-3 Stood Still

December 29, 2005

While Kōzō Fuyutsuki attends a city council meeting in Gendō's stead, Ritsuko performs the long delayed second activation test with Unit 00. At the beginning of the test sequence, an error continues to crop up in the Eva's computer system. However, it is not seen as a real hindrance. What does become a real hindrance in the complete loss of power in Neo Tōkyō 3. The power outage should not be a detriment to NERV's Headquarters. With several back-up power supplies, NERV should be able to function even if the main power source is interrupted. When each successive back-up supply fails to turn on, the people of NERV go into crisis mode.

10. MAGMA DIVER

December 22, 2005

Asuka is extremely excited to be going on a class trip to Okinawa. Unfortunately for her, the Eva pilots are not allowed to go as they have been placed on permanent stand-by. Misato, who reveals to Asuka that she is the one who issued the order for the pilots to remain in Neo Tōkyō 3, has to listen to Asuka's complaints. One of her complaints turns out to be a suggestion that Misato takes to heart.

9. Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win!

December 15, 2005

The very sociable Asuka, the Second Child, makes life difficult for the reticent Shinji, the Third Child, and wonders how Rei, the First Child, can even be human. While acclimating herself to her new surroundings, Asuka is able to show how good she can be in her debut battle with an Angel. It doesn't go very well. The Angel, split into two entities, makes fools of the Eva pilots. An N2 mine has to be used to stop the Angel temporarily. As the Angel regenerates itself into one body, Misato makes the children's life even more difficult when she unveils her strategy for defeating the Angel once and for all.

8. ASUKA STRIKES!

December 8, 2005

Misato takes Shinji and two of his classmates, Touji and Kensuke, along with her to meet up with the UN Naval Fleet. The Navy is bringing Eva Unit 02 from Germany and Misato has been charged with securing the weapon for NERV. Misato has a bit of trouble with the fleet's commander, who refuses to hand over Eva Unit 02 to NERV until they have docked in Japan, although that soon becomes the least of her worries as she has to deal with an old friend who has come along for the ride. Meanwhile, Shinji meets the spunky, hot-tempered pilot of Unit 02: Asuka Langley Souryuu.

7. A HUMAN WORK

December 1, 2005

After the intense battle with the last Angel, Shinji is able to catch his breath. For Misato, her work never ends. A competitor has arisen to the Eva series. Dubbed the Jet Alone, the prototype weapon will be tested out amidst the ruins of the old capital of Tōkyō. Misato and Dr. Akagi are sent as representatives of NERV to witness the Jet Alone in action.

6. Rei II

November 24, 2005

Just as Rei Ayanami succeeded in synching with her Eva, the next Angel appeared over Neo Tōkyō 3. Eva Unit 01 was launched, but a massive laser strike from the Angel heavily damaged Unit 01 and rendered Shinji unconscious. While Shinji recovers in the hospital, the rest of NERV strategize the best way to defeat the Angel. They have little time to spare as the Angel has positioned itself directly above NERV Headquarters and has proceeded to drill its way into the Geo-Front, which shields NERV from the outside.

5. Rei I

November 17, 2005

Twenty-two days ago, the pilot of Eva Unit 00 failed her synch test. Rei Ayanami managed to escape the Eva, but sustained a good deal of injury. Twenty-two days later, Eva Unit 00 begins the preparations for another synch test. Having synched with Eva Unit 01 so quickly, Shinji still feels that he is nothing to his father. He may be right.

4. Hedgehog's Dilemma

November 10, 2005

The last battle with an Angel has taken its toll on Shinji. His roommate Misato, having let Shinji skip school for a few days, attempts to rouse him from his state. Unfortunately, she finds out that Shinji's room is bare with only a letter for Misato present. He has run away. Out on the streets of Neo Tōkyō 3, Shinji walks around trying to figure out what to do. He decides to ride the train line for an entire day. By the end of the day, he figures that he should go back. However, he continues to stall for more time.

3. A Transfer

November 3, 2005

Having defeated his first Angel, Shinji has little time to celebrate. In addition to entering his intense training as an Eva pilot, he now must cope with transferring to his new middle school. Sitting quietly in class, Shinji overhears the story of Touji Suzahara. Touji had been absent from school for a number of days to look after his sister, who was injured in the recent battle between the Angel and Shinji's Eva.

2. THE BEAST

October 27, 2005

Having learned about NERV, the Angels, and the Evas, including Eva Unit 01, which he must pilot, Shinji is reluctantly launched to the surface in Unit 01 with orders to destroy the Angel. Once on the surface, Shinji begins to walk with the massive weapon. A false step for Shinji creates an opening for his opponent. Eva Unit 01 falls to the ground and the Angel attacks Shinji. Attempting to crack the Eva's brain case, the Angel succeeds in rendering Shinji unconscious. Shinji's next waking moment finds him in a hospital bed suffering from memory loss.

1. ANGEL ATTACK

October 20, 2005

Shinji Ikari, a 14-year-old boy, has been summoned by his father to Neo Tōkyō 3 for a purpose, which will only be revealed to Shinji when he arrives at his father's place of work. While waiting for Misato Katsuragi, the woman who will drive him to see his father, Shinji becomes caught in the middle of an intense battle between the United Nations and a massive creature. Able to escape with his escort, Shinji is taken to NERV, a secret agency that lies deep beneath the streets of Tōkyō 3. Within its massive walls is the last hope for mankind: Evangelion.

Description

The series follows the story of Shinji Ikari, a 14-year-old boy who is recruited by his father, Gendo Ikari, to pilot one of these Evangelion units. Shinji's mother died in an experiment to create the first Evangelion, and his father had been distant ever since. Shinji moves to Tokyo-3 to live and work for NERV, where he meets Misato Katsuragi, a captain in NERV's military division, Ritsuko Akagi, a chief scientist of the Evangelion project, and Rei Ayanami, a fellow pilot of an Evangelion unit.

Over the course of the series, Shinji deals with a variety of personal and psychological struggles, including his strained relationship with his father, fear of piloting the Evangelion unit, and the trauma of fighting against the Angels. Meanwhile, the story also introduces a range of other characters, including Asuka Langley Soryu, a fellow Evangelion pilot with a brash personality and difficult past, and Kaworu Nagisa, a mysterious newcomer to the story who becomes close to Shinji.

Although Neon Genesis Evangelion is often categorized as a mecha anime, it also explores themes and ideas related to psychology, philosophy, and religion. The series deals with concepts such as the nature of existence, the human psyche, and the role of religion in society. These themes are explored in depth through the characters' experiences and the story's narrative, making the series much more complex than a typical action-oriented anime.

One of the show's striking features is its animation style. It combines traditional 2D animation with 3D computer graphics to create a unique visual aesthetic that became highly influential in anime. The show's use of color and lighting is also notable, often used to convey emotional and psychological states of the characters.

The series is known for its use of symbolism, which pervades entire episodes and informs its overall arc. For example, the Angels are named after angels in different Abrahamic religions, and their forms and abilities often allude to their namesakes. Similarly, the series' title, Neon Genesis Evangelion, alludes to Christian theology, and the show's themes and narrative arc is highly symbolic as such.

Like many anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion has spawned numerous adaptations, including manga, soundtracks, and films. Its themes and characters have also influenced a wide range of other anime series, and it remains an important and highly regarded entry in the anime canon.

Overall, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a complex and ambitious anime series that explores themes related to psychology, philosophy, and religion. Its unique visual style, distinctive characters, and symbolism make it a highly memorable and influential work within the anime genre.