Not only is Neon Genesis Evangelion one of the most influential and thought-provoking animes to ever exist, but it's also a tough one to get into if you don't know what you're doing. With an original anime series, recap movies, and alternative movies, the Evangelion franchise is not one to be trifled with.
There are plenty of opinions on the best order to watch the anime and movies, but what about watching Shinji-kun and his friends in chronological order? With the original series and the semi-reboot, it should be noted that chronologically may not be the best path for newcomers.
10 Anime: Original Episodes 1-6
This is where it all begins. Throughout these six episodes, we're introduced to most of our main characters. Evangelion Unit 01 and their pilot Shinji, his distant 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 up Shinji's swan-diving right into the action as he and Rei must take out the apocalyptic Angels that threaten the earth.
9 Movie: Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone
Released in 2007, Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone 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 within the original episodes. There's also added information and alternative dialogue to the original scenes. The 2009 DVD/Blu-ray release is called Evangelion: 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone, which has a few tweaks and about three minutes of extra animation.
8 Anime: Original Episodes 7-20
Throughout these episodes, we're introduced to the arrogant German pilot Asuka, her red Eva Unit 02, and Asuka's handler Kaji, who has a history with Misato.
These episodes are the bulk of the series, but they also reveal various revelations about the human characters and the Eva Units themselves. In episode 19 and 20, we see the horrifying climax and aftermath of Unit 01 ascending to a "God status" after breaking free of NERV's control, a turning point in the series.
7 Movie: Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance
The second of the 'Rebuild" film series, the timeline of this film is more fluid than the original anime episodes. Angels are changed and introduced at different times, along with alternative introductions to Asuka and Kaji and a new pilot's debut. Many changes are made, and the end of the film diverts fully from the original series after Unit 01 acquires "God status" like in episode 19. A Third Impact is almost triggered, setting "Rebuild" onto a different timeline.
6 Anime: Original Episodes 21-24
Within these episodes, there's a lot of backstory into Shinji's mother, Yui, as well as more insight into Rei's origins. Other important sequences include Asuka's downward spiral after 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 effect on Shinji. If watched on Netflix, then the Director's Cut of these episodes will be included, which helps understand the entire scope of the story.
5 Movie: Evangelion Death(True)2
Evangelion Death(True)2 is essentially a final edit of previous recaps of episodes 1-24 of the anime, including the Director's Cut of episodes 21-24. Originally, it was the first half of a theatrical release called Neon Genesis Evangelion Death + Rebirth, where "Death" included the original recap and "Rebirth" showed the first third of the then-upcoming film The End of Evangelion. Yeah, it isn't apparent, but this version of the recap is nice because it includes intervals of Shinji, Rei, Asuka, and Kaworu in a string quartet.
4 Anime: Original Episodes 25-26
Controversial and deeply psychological, the last two episodes of the anime pick up where episode 24 and Evangelion 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 existence. Instrumentality brings everything "to its beginning," as Gendo puts it, which means everyone would transcend into a singular existence.
3 Movie: The End Of Evangelion
Serving as an alternative or a complementary - depending on who you ask - ending to the anime, The End of Evangelion gives 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 earth, and the beginning of the Third Impact. The world's fate is in Shinji's hands as he must choose whether or not to reject Instrumentality. This movie marks the end of the original series.
2 Movie: Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo
Set 14 years after the Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance, this 2012 film reveals a completely different world from Shinji's one before he triggered the Third Impact. Shinji was asleep that entire time, and it'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 work together to pilot a new Evangelion.
1 Movie: Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
Originally set for release in the summer of 2020, the final film of the "Rebuild" series was pushed back to January 23, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After a now 9-year wait, a few trailers, and the first 10 minutes available on the internet, the "Rebuild" series will finally come to an end. With Asuka and Mari playing a bigger part and the promise of returning characters from the original anime, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time is heavily burdened with high fan expectations.