Netflix Sci-Fi Epic Series Is The One Anime Everyone Needs To Binge
Anime isn’t everyone’s thing, and that’s fine, but sometimes there are anime that just need to be watched by everyone at least once. One of those is the titanically influential Neon Genesis Evangelion, which is simultaneously a deconstruction of the mecha genre, a deeply personal tale from the creator of the series, and a complex and symbolic dive into humanity and the human psyche. It might be a heavy watch, but if you’re down for a binge you won’t soon forget, you can check the series out on Netflix now.
One Of The Most Influential Anime In History
Neon Genesis Evangelion takes place in a futuristic Japan that has already been devastated by a previous cataclysmic event known as the Second Impact. When mysterious beings known as Angels begin returning to threaten the existence of humanity, a young boy named Shinji Akari is recruited by an agency known as NERV to battle them in giant biomechanical suits called Evangelions. So you’ve already got a post-apocalyptic setting and young children being sent to war if the series didn’t sound heavy enough yet.
Kaiju, Mechs, And PTSD
Along with following Shinji, NERV, and the other EVA pilots’ battles against the Angels, Neon Genesis Evangelion can also be a very contemplative show, often giving us insights into the psyches of the pilots and the interpersonal lives of the staff at NERV.
There’s also a genuinely engrossing mystery about the Angels, the Evangelions, and the plans of Gendo Ikari, Shinji’s father and the director of NERV. And despite there only being 26 episodes of the series, you get to know these complex characters more than many shows that have double-digit seasons to tell their stories.
Still One Of The Most Gorgeous Anime
On top of all this, Neon Genesis Evangelion has some of the most gorgeous 90s animation from animation studio Gainax, with incredible fight sequences, gorgeous cinematography, and iconic designs that are still in the cultural milieu to this day. Add that to the deep themes and symbolism, incredible storytelling, and character depth, and you will have essentially the perfect TV show. However, it is worth noting that there is quite a bit of controversy around the two-episode finale.
A Second Chance At An Ending
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a heady series, but the finale takes this to another level. While the final two episodes have deep meaning that has been analyzed by fans for years, it’s not what people were expecting. Fortunately, creator Hideaki Anno decided to release a movie titled The End of Evangelion, which provides a more concrete and satisfying end to the series.
Both of Neon Genesis Evangelion’s finales are worth watching for different reasons, but if you, like many, are a bit confused by the ending of the show, just make sure to check out the movie for some closure.
Streaming On Netflix
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On another note, if you really enjoyed the original series and movie, it’s also worth checking out Hideaki Anno’s Rebuild of Evangelion series that includes the movies Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone, Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance, Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo, and Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. These films branch off from the story of the originals and feature modern animation.
As fun as the Rebuild series is to watch and enjoy the differences, it’s safe to say there’s no beating the original. Neon Genesis Evangelion is just one of those timeless classics. Make sure to check it out on Netflix.
