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How should one go about watching Neon Genesis Evangelion?


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SecretAgent94



Joined: 27 Nov 2010
Posts: 204
PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:02 pm Reply with quote
After watching the epicness that is Gurren Lagaan, I've decided to give Neon Genesis Evangelion a chance.

I am reading the Wikipedia article (avoiding spoilers) and it seems there are several movies each chronicling some episodes remastered or something? I am kind of confused. Should I watch the series, then the movies or what?

I just want to watch the story in chronological order in the way it was meant to be seen.
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The King of Harts



Joined: 05 May 2009
Posts: 6712
Location: Mount Crawford, Virginia
PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:08 pm Reply with quote
The TV series and then End of Evangelion are all you need. The remastering probably refers to the Platinum Edition ADV released which has remastered video and audio along with three director's cut episodes (which aren't important).

So yea TV series + End of Evangelion are it.

Have fun.
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Kruszer



Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 7994
Location: Minnesota, USA
PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:09 pm Reply with quote
Personally, I'd say the recent rebuild films are all you need and you can skip the rest. I'm liking the retelling a lot more.
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SecretAgent94



Joined: 27 Nov 2010
Posts: 204
PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:14 pm Reply with quote
The King of Harts wrote:
The TV series and then End of Evangelion are all you need. The remastering probably refers to the Platinum Edition ADV released which has remastered video and audio along with three director's cut episodes (which aren't important).

So yea TV series + End of Evangelion are it.

Have fun.


Nice and simple answer. Thanks man, I've heard a lot of great things; can't wait to start!
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SecretAgent94



Joined: 27 Nov 2010
Posts: 204
PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:15 pm Reply with quote
Hmm, now I read that there is a remake in progress called Rebuild of Evangelion...Don't know if I should wait it out or not...I will probably just watch the series as it is now. I don't have the patience.
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wanderlustking



Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 449
Location: Bozeman, Montana
PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:21 pm Reply with quote
Whatever you do, just be careful. EVA is really, really, REALLY weird; no matter how you watch it. I'd stick with Gurren Lagann and Eureka 7 personally.
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ailblentyn



Joined: 28 Mar 2009
Posts: 1688
Location: body in Ohio, heart in Sydney
PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:29 pm Reply with quote
Be careful. EVA is really, really, REALLY GREAT. By viewing it, you run a risk of turning into someone for whom it is a constant reference and obsession.

Which can irritate others. Very Happy

As King of Harts says, after watching the series, don't omit to watch End of Evangelion, which is a very fine film.

Edit: Also, since a love of Gurren Lagaan is your starting point,a really fun additional thing to watch to get a bit of critical GAINAX triangulation happening might be Gunbuster, if you haven't seen it. The journey from Gunbuster through NGE to Gurren Lagaan is a fascinating one!
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Kruszer



Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 7994
Location: Minnesota, USA
PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:49 pm Reply with quote
ailblentyn wrote:
Be careful. EVA is really, really, REALLY GREAT. By viewing it, you run a risk of turning into someone for whom it is a constant reference and obsession.

Which can irritate others. Very Happy


Either that or end up hating it.

Although, there's a rare 3rd category. You could also end up like me and think it's decent but not flawless, and wonder why it's so incredibly over-rated.
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chefneer



Joined: 27 Aug 2009
Posts: 1686
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 11:03 pm Reply with quote
I'm with Kruszer on this one. I thought the series was a decent show, though possibly over rated, until I got to the final two episodes, where I found myself looking at the screen and asking: "WTFO?". It kind of killed it for me - I haven't been back since.
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Mr Fingers



Joined: 25 Apr 2008
Posts: 42
PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 11:11 pm Reply with quote
I thought that's what the movie is for, to tie up some of those loose ends from the last two episodes. Not that it really worked for me...

I think what the folks that are praising the show to high heavens are trying to do is to arouse curiosity but what they actually achieve is that people watch the show with absurdly high expectations and when they finish they're like "meh", and that's what spawns the other group of so called haters.
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the Rancorous



Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 2248
Location: Hunting the Dragon in Gransys
PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 11:35 pm Reply with quote
My answer:

Series eps 1-26, then director's cut of eps 21-24, then End of Eva. The director's cut doesn't add that much new footage, but what it does add does a lot. I actually understood End of Eva much better after seeing those. Death & Rebirth is pretty unneeded, don't fret over that as it's basically just half series summary-half first 3rd of End of Eva. I think I'm safe in saying that you won't miss anything by skipping it.

Also, a word of warning since you're getting to it right after Gurren Lagaan, Eva is about a million times different. It acknowledges reality and gets pretty wordy. There are no Kamina-like characters (Thank goodness Razz ) or any transforming and throwing of planets or galaxies around; the battles in Eva are very strategically planned and are actually believable to some extent.
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EmbraceMe



Joined: 17 Dec 2010
Posts: 2017
Location: Growing old and jaded.
PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 11:41 pm Reply with quote
From what I heard, some say Eva was depressing. I haven't watched the series, but I intend to some time, so I really don't have a say here. But if what I heard is true, then prepare yourself mentally. I'll just lurk this thread for advice as well I guess.
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naninanino



Joined: 18 May 2008
Posts: 680
PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:47 am Reply with quote
Watch TV eps 1-24 (preferably directors cut version). Then watch End of Evangelion. The last two TV episodes are nonsense made when Gainax couldn't keep its budget in order. After that, if you're still interested, watch the TV-ending and the remake films. Don't start with the rebuild of Evangelion, since it's going to take eons to finish.
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Kruszer



Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 7994
Location: Minnesota, USA
PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:07 am Reply with quote
EmbraceMe wrote:
From what I heard, some say Eva was depressing. I haven't watched the series, but I intend to some time, so I really don't have a say here. But if what I heard is true, then prepare yourself mentally. I'll just lurk this thread for advice as well I guess.


Not completely, but it's not exactly the best thing to watch if you're prone to depression either.
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Cabal17



Joined: 14 Mar 2009
Posts: 63
Location: Texas
PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:49 am Reply with quote
Whenever showing Eva to new fans I use this order:

The entire TV series using the director's cut episodes (despite some people claiming otherwise be sure to watch episodes 25 and 26). Follow that End of Evangelion.

I really like Death & Rebirth, but it is completely unnecessary since it just recaps the series, framing it as a concert. Its big claim of fame when it came out was it included the new footage that is in the director's cut episodes.

The Rebuild movies are far being finished, and the story diverges quite a bit in the second one. Also, there is a theory that they may actually be a sequel of some sort to the original. I'd definitely suggest checking them out if you like the show, but I wouldn't recommend anyone start with them.
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