Should I watch Evangelion?

Sep 25, 2021 1:10 AM

Offline

Feb 2017

Evangelion is one of those classic anime I've never seen but have been aware of for years. I've considered checking it out since it's not too long and I've heard some interesting things about it, but I've also heard some mixed opinions. I've heard opinions ranging from "Evangelion is a boring, pretentious mess" to "Evangelion is one of the greatest anime of all time", so I don't really know what to expect.

Should I just watch the original series, or should I watch the movies too?

How does the Netflix English dub hold up compared to the classic English dub and the Japanese original?

And anything else I need to know going in?

Sep 25, 2021 1:23 AM

herofelix77

Offline

Jan 2021

388

If you’ve been through some shit in the past it will hit different. If not it will seem very average or shinji like a pussy. Well NGE helped me in though times and it’s one of my favorites but I’d say leave your expectations in check.

You have to start with the original and then going to the end of Eva.

The Netflix dub is bad so you should stick to the eng sub.

Sep 25, 2021 1:51 AM

ym-

Offline

Feb 2021

evangelion is the best anime i’ve ever seen,
watch it if you want to have a new perspective in life

𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚎𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚜 𝚞𝚗𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚛 .

Sep 25, 2021 1:52 AM

Natsuki_SanJuan

Offline

Oct 2018

1807

I think those people who hated Eva didn't understood the whole point of the story but opinions are opinions.

If you're into dementia psychological anime then yes. If your thinking isn't deep, you may find it very average, just like the above user said. NGE is indeed one of the best classic animes.

“Once you've been loved once and have loved once, you cannot forget it.”
― Natsume Takashi

Sep 25, 2021 2:06 AM

__Flamey__

Offline

Mar 2021

SombreStarling said:
Evangelion is one of those classic anime I've never seen but have been aware of for years. I've considered checking it out since it's not too long and I've heard some interesting things about it, but I've also heard some mixed opinions. I've heard opinions ranging from "Evangelion is a boring, pretentious mess" to "Evangelion is one of the greatest anime of all time", so I don't really know what to expect.

Should I just watch the original series, or should I watch the movies too?

How does the Netflix English dub hold up compared to the classic English dub and the Japanese original?

And anything else I need to know going in?

I don't know about how you will understand about this show , but it is a must watch

Sep 25, 2021 2:12 AM

Nitroade24h

Offline

Mar 2021

1058

Evangelion is my third favourite anime but it’s very divisive so a lot of people hate it while a lot of people love it. Watch the movies as well.

The order goes:

Neon Genesis Evangelion -> End of Evangelion (the best ending imo) -> Rebuilds (1.0,2.0 etc.)

Sep 25, 2021 2:15 AM

PipTheQueen

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Sep 2021

Original English Cast is great! You can find the original dubbed cast on this website :) I would recommend watching all of it. The more times I watch it the better and better it gets. Especially the lore, the psychological experience of the entire series, and the amazing setting for each episode. I would watch the original series first then go on to the movies

WCOStream.com

Sep 25, 2021 2:23 AM

mateuszvaper

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Mar 2021

I don’t agree that you need to have gotten through some hard shit in your life to appreciate eva. Yeah, it could hit different, but it’s not like people don’t understand and appreciate things they can’t 100% relate to. Eva is an amazing series and if you have enough brains and empathy you will understand everything you need to. Also the threshold for both is not as high as some people make it out to be.

You should start with the original series and then watch End of Evangelion. The rebuild movies are up to you, but they are good.

I don’t fuck with dubs, ever. I think it’s best to consume a media the way it’s creators wanted to present it.

If there is one thing people who start watching eva should know is to not get hang up on trying to understand everything. Sure, it’s fun to try to figure out some of the aspects, but be aware, that you won’t understand every little detail on your first watch and that is completely fine. Don’t feel like you are to dumb for this or don’t have enough experience in life to understand this show. Go about it your own way and take out from it what what you can take out.

Sep 25, 2021 2:25 AM

betaweeb

ranked 54 in FAL

Offline

Mar 2018

1594

you don't really need to know anything in particular, just watch it and after it watch the end of evangelion and you're good (if you'd feel the need for more, you can watch the rebuild movies after that, but i haven't seen them myself so i don't know what's their quality).

i think it's good that you heard mixed things, since that can help you keep an open mind about it, instead of expecting the best show of all time only to possibly end up disappointed with it.

i think the show is a classic, it takes its premise to showcase some very memorable characters and really delve into them and the themes they represent.

on the flip side, the show also builds up this interesting narrative and unfolding situation, but at some point it seems like they weren't that interested in answering all of the viewer's questions regarding it, which is an element, among some possible others that people find divisive, so be advised about expecting the standard payoff for every storybeat.

i saw it on netflix subbed and i thought the performances were great all around, can't really say anything about any of the dubs though.

Sep 25, 2021 3:35 AM

#10

xdanielkiss

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Jan 2021

a must watch!!!!!

Sep 25, 2021 4:05 AM

#11

momentie

Amateur Reviewer

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Jul 2016

1154

Best way to find out is always to just watch it. Other's opinions can only ever maar your own if you haven't seen a property yet.

To answer your more logistical questions:

Original show, all the films (bar the recap) are sequels.

Original Dub, as the netflix dub removes the Ed which is song by various characters and is quite thematically relevent, alongside just being enjoyable. Further the actors are fine but lack much passion and the retranslated lines are an absolute joke dub or sub, considering the old lines did just fine for 20+ years and no one was asking for more 'interpritation'.

Yea that's about it, other then to say always give shows a chance on your own terms, that is the best policy😊😎👍

Sep 25, 2021 4:25 AM

#12

Rakmaninoff

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Jan 2020

It’s a cool show. Worth finding out for yourself. Don’t think about the rebuilds until after you’re done with the original series + EoE. They aren’t essential viewing so don’t think of it as this huge franchise where you have to take everything in. Netflix English dub is based on the remade subtitles, which are very drab renditions of the dialogue. OG English dub is fun, I don’t remember it perfectly but some put it down as kinda shit. Tiffany Grant did a great job as Asuka imo. She let out her emotion so strongly, especially in EoE. Japanese is ofc very well performed no doubt about it. But if you feel like an English audio track, original dub is the best I’d say.

Sep 25, 2021 5:57 AM

#13

epl_fan

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Feb 2021

I watched NGE because it’s a classic. I don’t think it clicked with me as much as other people. Definitely had its moments but build-up/pacing was slow.

Sep 25, 2021 6:13 AM

#14

Eva_Unit_00

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May 2020

I think you should because it is a staple in Anime. It is referenced and quoted numerous times within other anime. A lot of shows have drawn influence from Evangelion. Go in with an open mind and don’t try to understand everything about what you’re being shown. I don’t think it was fully meant to be comprehended. The creator, Hideki Ano, came from a dark place and it shows. It is psychological deconstruction and very cathartic at times. It does have Likable and relatable characters. As you watch, try and accept the world for what it is a lot of things are going to be thrown at you that you probably won’t understand or aren’t very clear like The Third Impact, Why Is there a Tokyo III? what the hell is the spear of longinous? Why do children have to pilot Evas? The enigma that is Rei Ayanami all these things make up a wonderful story and not a whole lot goes in the world building. You won’t lose anything by watching it so just enjoy

Sep 25, 2021 6:15 AM

#15

The_Villian_X

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Sep 2021

213

Definitely watch it if you don't have problem with dark and depressing animes.

Sep 25, 2021 6:23 AM

#16

Nalusa_Falaya

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Jan 2020

1535

Yes, even though people who hate Eva exist, so many of the people who actually like it have been really changed and hold it as something special. It's kind of a love hate anime to a certain extent.

So I'd definitely say it's worth it, maybe you'll fall on the love side and it would add a perspective to your life

I don't speak English that much, so please cut me some slack

Sep 25, 2021 9:32 AM

#17

JasonKen98

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Jul 2021

I suggest watching it. Don't let other people's opinions effect your viewing experience. Personally, it's my favourite anime but I can understand why it's not for everyone.

People who shit on it and say its pretentious in a negative sense are haters. The show doesn't follow the same story beats as traditional shows but I wouldn't smear it's name for being abstract.

Sep 25, 2021 10:26 AM

#18

rvfharrier

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May 2020

herofelix77 said:
If you’ve been through some shit in the past it will hit different. If not it will seem very average or shinji like a pussy

I've never suffered any serious traumas in my life, nor have I ever struggled with depression and Eva is still my favourite anime of all time and Asuka and Shinji are my two favourite characters in all of anime. This whole "the amount you like eva is inversely proportional to how much you like yourself" stuff is nonsense.

Sep 25, 2021 10:34 AM

#19

akiramado19

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Nov 2020

648

No it ain't a waste of time but it's not that good either

"I can't trust a website where csm is rated higher than hxh"
- Akira Toriyama

Sep 25, 2021 10:38 AM

#20

akiramado19

Offline

Nov 2020

648

Natsuki_SanJuan said:
I think those people who hated Eva didn't understood the whole point of the story but opinions are opinions.

If you're into dementia psychological anime then yes. If your thinking isn't deep, you may find it very average, just like the above user said. NGE is indeed one of the best classic animes.

I think the "if you didn't like Eva it's because you didn't understand it" is dumb tbh. specially when many people who like it don't even understand it themselves

"I can't trust a website where csm is rated higher than hxh"
- Akira Toriyama

Sep 25, 2021 10:40 AM

#21

dylcarse

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May 2021

Misatos Japanese voice actor is perfect if you aren’t going to watch ut for plot watch it for that, I am kidding the show is great in my opinion

Sep 25, 2021 10:40 AM

#22

dylcarse

Offline

May 2021

Misatos Japanese voice actor is perfect if you aren’t going to watch ut for plot watch it for that, I am kidding the show is great in my opinion

Sep 25, 2021 1:15 PM

#23

evanbm10

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Apr 2020

Depends, Evangelion is a product of Hideaki Anno's depression so you have to relate to it which doesn't necessarily mean you have to be depressed to enjoy but the characters individual struggles and people's relation to them are what makes them and consequently 'good' however each character is more of a personification then a representive so if you don't relate the characters will just be bitchy, wimpy, or dull.

Sep 25, 2021 2:36 PM

#24

Powerchan

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Jan 2021

I think Evangelion it's a classic that everyone has to watch, but i don't know if you may like it or no. I think it's really nice for the psychological themse, but it's also good if you really like mecha. The MC seems not strong at all, but i think you'll appreciate his story. All the characters are so good and the story became interesting episode by episode, don't stop to watch it after just one or two of them. Don't worry if you don't understand everything immediately, if you really like Evangelion you'll find a lot of pages with explanation of philosophy and Bible's parts. Hope you'll like Eva so much as i do. Sorry for this long message and i hope my english isn't so bad.

Sep 26, 2021 6:30 PM

#25

SombreStarling

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Feb 2017

Thank you for the responses, guys. I've started watching the show, and I've got EoE on my list as well.

Sep 26, 2021 7:56 PM

#26

Mode11

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May 2021

You should watch specially the movie they have beach episode

Oct 6, 2021 12:05 AM

#27

KakonaSon

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Jul 2021

it will unironically give you a new perspective on life

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