I. Introduction
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a beloved anime series with a complicated history of releases. Its movies have been a source of confusion for viewers wanting to continue the story and explore its world. Between remakes, director’s cuts, and alternate versions, it’s hard to determine which order to watch the films. This article aims to provide fans with different options to choose from depending on their preferences and level of familiarity with the series.
II. Chronological Watching Order
The chronological watching order refers to the order in which events in the Neon Genesis Evangelion universe occur. It starts with “Death (True)²,” a movie recapping the events of the series and introducing new content. After “Death (True)²,” the order goes: “Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone,” “Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance,” “Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo,” and finally “3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time.”
This order allows viewers to follow the story from start to finish in the order of the events as they happen. However, it can be a confusing experience for those unfamiliar with the series. It’s also not the original intended order of the release and cuts off other potential entry points into the universe.
III. Theatrical Release Order
The theatrical release order is the order in which the movies were released to theaters. It starts with “Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth,” a recap of the series with some new content, followed by “The End of Evangelion,” a movie that reimagines the ending of the TV series.
Watching the series in the theatrical release order allows viewers to experience the films as they were initially released. It also provides an entry point into the universe for those who haven’t seen the TV series. The downside is that “Death & Rebirth” can be confusing for those who aren’t familiar with the series, and “The End of Evangelion” doesn’t feature the full story from the series, leaving out content that may be important to viewers.
IV. Rebuild Series Order
The Rebuild series is a series of four films that retell the story of Neon Genesis Evangelion from the beginning, with changes made to the story and characters. The order of the Rebuild series is “Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone,” “Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance,” “Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo,” and finally “3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time.”
This order allows viewers to experience the story with updated animation and story changes. It’s also relatively easy for new viewers to understand. The downside is that it’s an alternate version of the story, so some content from the TV series isn’t present, and it’s not the original order in which the story was released.
V. Hybrid Order
The hybrid order is a mix of different orders and involves watching different entries in the Neon Genesis Evangelion universe in a specific order. The order goes: “Death (True)²,” “Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone,” “Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth,” “Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance,” “Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo,” and finally “The End of Evangelion.”
This order allows viewers to see the story from various angles and perspectives, offering a unique watching experience. However, it can be overwhelming for new viewers or those unfamiliar with the series. It also leaves out some TV series content and features the confusing “Death & Rebirth” film.
VI. Director’s Cut Order
The director’s cut order involves watching the TV series episodes with added content cut from the original broadcast. After watching the TV episodes, viewers move on to “Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth” and finally “The End of Evangelion.”
Watching the director’s cut episodes brings new content and insights into the story, and it’s the original order in which the story was released. However, it can be challenging to track down the director’s cut episodes, and it’s not a straightforward watching experience. It also leaves out content from the Rebuild series, potentially creating confusion and gaps in the story.
VII. Evangelion Marathon Order
The Evangelion Marathon Order involves watching everything in the viewer’s preferred order. This may be a mix of the TV series, movies, and Rebuild series, or any other combination. It allows viewers to create their own story and experience the content in their unique way.
While the marathon order brings flexibility and input from the viewer, it’s not ideal for those new to the series or those who want a clear narrative. Additionally, it requires more knowledge of the series and the available content.
VIII. Conclusion
In conclusion, the Neon Genesis Evangelion movies can be watched in various orders, depending on your preferences and familiarity with the series.
The chronological order allows viewers to follow the story in the order of events, while the theatrical release order provides an entry point for new viewers. The Rebuild series order offers a fresh take on the story, and the hybrid order provides a unique watching experience. The director’s cut order offers new perspectives on the original story, and the Evangelion marathon order allows viewers to create their unique story.
Ultimately, it’s up to the viewer to decide which order to watch the movies in. We recommend being open to trying different orders based on your preferences and goals for watching the series.
(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)