Neon Genesis Evangelion Ending Explained: How Many Episodes are in the Series?
by A Maria | Updated Jun 21, 2023
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Japanese mecha anime television series that aired from October 1995 to March 1996. Produced by Gainax and animated by Tatsunoko, it was directed by Hideaki Anno and broadcast on TV Tokyo. The title "Neon Genesis Evangelion" translates to "New Century Evangelion" in Japanese and "New Century Gospel" in Greek.
The story takes place fifteen years after a global catastrophe known as Second Impact, primarily in the fortified futuristic city of Tokyo-3. The protagonist, Shinji Ikari, is a teenage boy recruited by his father, Gendo, into the secretive organization called Nerv. His role is to pilot a massive bio-machine mecha called Evangelion, which is designed to combat powerful creatures called Angels.
Throughout the series, the experiences and emotions of the Evangelion pilots and Nerv members are explored as they strive to prevent the Angels from causing further catastrophes. In their quest, they are confronted with the deeper causes of events and the motivations behind human actions. Evangelion is often regarded as a deconstruction of the mecha genre, incorporating elements of Shinto cosmology, as well as influences from Jewish and Christian mystical traditions such as Midrashic tales and Kabbalah.
The series also prominently features psychoanalytic theories of human behavior proposed by Freud and Jung. Through its complex narrative and symbolism, Neon Genesis Evangelion delves into the psychological and philosophical aspects of its characters and their struggles. Overall, Evangelion is recognized for its unique approach to storytelling and its thought-provoking exploration of themes, making it a significant and influential work in the realm of anime and science fiction.
Neon Genesis Evangelion Ending Explained
The ending of Neon Genesis Evangelion has left many anime fans feeling perplexed and bewildered. What starts as a seemingly typical mecha anime, with the focus on mech-pilots fighting against colossal monsters, takes a dramatic turn in its later episodes, delivering an entirely different narrative. As the story reaches its conclusion, things become increasingly bizarre, and the familiar world of Tokyo-3 that viewers thought they knew begins to unravel.
In the beginning, Neon Genesis Evangelion introduces us to Shinji, a young protagonist who possesses the skill to pilot EVAs—gigantic mechs that serve as humanity's last line of defense against the destructive angels threatening the planet. Joining Shinji are Rei and Asuka, two girls around his age who also possess the ability to pilot EVAs. As the series progresses, the focus shifts away from the battles between EVAs and angels and instead delves into introspective explorations of the central characters and their vulnerabilities.
The conclusion of Neon Genesis Evangelion takes a departure from the conventional and delves into a more introspective and psychological realm. The boundaries between the real world and the characters' perceptions blur, leading to a highly symbolic and metaphorical climax. This conclusion raises deep questions about the nature of existence, the complexities of human relationships, and the search for meaning and identity.
Many interpretations of the ending exist, and it has sparked numerous discussions and debates among fans. The intentionally ambiguous nature of the conclusion allows for individual perspectives and personal reflections on the themes presented throughout the series. It invites viewers to contemplate their own understanding of the characters' journeys and the underlying messages conveyed by the narrative.
Neon Genesis Evangelion's enigmatic ending has contributed to its lasting legacy and continued fascination among fans. It challenges traditional storytelling conventions and explores profound philosophical and psychological themes, leaving audiences with a sense of curiosity and introspection long after the series concludes.
How Many Episodes Are in Neon Genesis Evangelion?
Neon Genesis Evangelion currently has only 1 season and this season has 26 episodes. Neon Genesis Evangelion is a renowned Japanese anime series that originally aired on television in Japan from October 1995 to March 1996. Produced by the groundbreaking animation studio Gainax, the show consists of 26 episodes, followed by a feature film released in July 1997. Notably, a decade later in 2007, a series of four "rebuild" movies began hitting theaters, aiming to recreate and reimagine the storyline of the original TV series.
The final installment of these movies is set to release in 2020, eight years after the premiere of the third film in 2012. This ongoing evolution of the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise demonstrates its enduring popularity and the creative efforts to breathe new life into its captivating narrative.
Neon Genesis Evangelion Episode List
Certainly! Here is the list of Neon Genesis Evangelion episodes presented in a table format:
Episode
Title
1
"Angel Attack"
2
"The Beast"
3
"A Transfer"
4
"Hedgehog's Dilemma"
5
"Rei I"
6
"Rei II"
7
"A Human Work"
8
"Asuka Strikes!"
9
"Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win!"
10
"Magma Diver"
11
"The Day Tokyo-3 Stood Still"
12
"She said, 'Don't make others suffer for your personal hatred.'"
13
"Lilliputian Hitcher"
14
"Seele, Throne of Souls"
15
"Those Women Longed for the Touch of Other's Lips, and Thus Invited Their Kisses"
16
"Splitting of the Breast"
17
"Fourth Child"
18
"Ambivalence"
19
"Introjection"
20
"Weaving a Story 2: oral stage"
21
"He was aware that he was still a child"
22
"Don't Be"
23
"Rei III"
24
"The Final Messenger"
25
"Do you love me?"
26
"Take care of yourself"
Neon Genesis Evangelion Timeline
The Neon Genesis Evangelion series begins the anime in a predictable manner and concludes with the Death movie. However, the creators felt that the ending lacked the desired darkness, leading them to produce another movie called The End. This film wraps up the story with even more confusion and intense, violent scenes.
After several years, a remake of Evangelion was released, but it turned out to be more of a reboot. These new versions, identified by decimal additions, introduce additional fights, characters, and events that were not seen before.
Although it may seem confusing, the watch order for the Evangelion series is actually relatively straightforward:
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Evangelion: Death(true)2
The End of Evangelion
Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo
Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time
Following this order will ensure a coherent viewing experience of the entire Evangelion series, including the original episodes, movies, and the latest installments.
Neon Genesis Evangelion Plot
In the year 2015, a decade and a half after a catastrophic event called the Second Impact shook the world, a teenager named Shinji Ikari is summoned to the advanced city of Tokyo-3 by his distant father, Gendo Ikari. Gendo serves as the director of Nerv, a special paramilitary organization.
Upon his arrival, Shinji witnesses the United Nations forces engaged in a fierce battle against an otherworldly creature known as an Angel. The emergence of these monstrous beings was prophesied in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Due to the Angels' formidable force fields, the only defense humanity possesses against their destructive power is Nerv's colossal bio-machines called Evangelions.
These powerful mechs are synchronized with their pilots' nervous systems and possess their own protective barriers. As Shinji is guided by Nerv officer Misato Katsuragi, he is brought into the underground complex of Nerv hidden beneath the city.
Driven by his father's urging, Shinji reluctantly agrees to pilot the Evangelion Unit-01 against the Angel threat. Lacking proper training, Shinji finds himself overwhelmed in the intense battle, leading the Evangelion to go berserk and ruthlessly eliminate the Angel single-handedly. This pivotal encounter sets the stage for Shinji's tumultuous journey as an Evangelion pilot and the challenges he will face in the struggle to save humanity from impending doom.
Neon Genesis Evangelion Ending Explained - FAQs
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Japanese mecha anime television series that aired from October 1995 to March 1996.
The ending of Neon Genesis Evangelion has left many fans with a sense of confusion and intrigue. It deviates from traditional storytelling and ventures into a more introspective and symbolic realm. The conclusion raises existential questions, blurring the line between reality and perception.
The title "Neon Genesis Evangelion" translates to "New Century Evangelion" in Japanese and "New Century Gospel" in Greek.
The original TV series consists of 26 episodes, which aired from October 1995 to March 1996. Additionally, there is a feature film released in July 1997.
Hideaki Anno served as the director of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Masayuki and Kazuya Tsurumaki also assisted in the direction of the series.