Neon Genesis Evangelion
Which Should I Watch?
| Aspect | Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) | Rebuild of Evangelion (2007–2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | October 1995 – March 1996 | 2007 – 2021 (4 movies) |
| Episodes | 26 episodes + “End of Evangelion” movie | 4 films: 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.0+1.0 |
| Fidelity to Original | Original TV series, groundbreaking psychological and philosophical depth | Rebuild reinterprets the original story with new scenes, characters, and an alternate ending |
| Animation Style | Classic mid-90s animation, iconic yet dated in comparison to modern standards | High-budget, modern animation with 3D effects and updated character designs |
| Pacing | Slower pacing, heavy focus on character psychology and philosophy | Faster pacing, more action-oriented, with deeper battles and new plot developments |
| Tone | Darker, more introspective, and psychologically heavy | Starts lighter but becomes just as dark as the original, with a grander scale |
| Ending | Infamous and ambiguous, supplemented by “End of Evangelion” film | Offers a completely different ending, closing the series with more clarity |
| Character Development | Focuses heavily on the mental and emotional struggles of the characters | Some new characters introduced, with more focus on action but still explores character depth |
| Music/Score | Iconic soundtrack with classic tracks like “Cruel Angel’s Thesis” | Updated orchestral scores and remixes of iconic themes |
| Notable Differences | Highly philosophical, with complex themes that can be hard to follow | A retelling of the original story with alternate plotlines and a different conclusion |