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Watch the original TV series first, then the theatrical ending, and only afterward begin the Rebuild films. The most useful first-time order is Neon Genesis Evangelion episodes 1–24, The End of Evangelion, episodes 25–26, followed by Evangelion: 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.0+1.0. The franchise is not one simple chronological timeline: it is best understood as an original-continuity block followed by a separate Rebuild block.
The best first-time viewing order is to finish the original TV series, watch The End of Evangelion, complete the TV ending for comparison, and then watch the four Rebuild films in order. “Chronological order” is slightly misleading here: Neon Genesis Evangelion is easier to understand as two connected viewing blocks rather than one timeline that can be neatly interleaved.
![Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MWQj6720L._SL160_.jpg)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion, episodes 1–24
- The End of Evangelion
- Neon Genesis Evangelion, episodes 25–26
- Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone.
- Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance.
- Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo.
- Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
You can also watch episodes 1–26 as one uninterrupted series and then watch The End of Evangelion. That is not a wrong order. The important rules are to begin with the TV series, not the recap films; to watch The End of Evangelion after the original series has reached its final crisis; and to watch the Rebuild films separately, in their four-film sequence.
The complete Evangelion watch order
| Order | Title | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neon Genesis Evangelion, episodes 1–24 | The original 1995 TV story and its main character, world-building, and plot development. |
| 2 | The End of Evangelion | The theatrical form of the original story’s final crisis. |
| 3 | Neon Genesis Evangelion, episodes 25–26 | The original TV ending, presented as a distinct and more inward viewing experience. |
| 4 | Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone. | The first Rebuild film. |
| 5 | Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance. | The second Rebuild film, which begins moving decisively beyond the TV material. |
| 6 | Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo. | The third Rebuild film. |
| 7 | Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time | The fourth and concluding Rebuild film. |
Why the order is not a single chronological timeline
The original TV series and The End of Evangelion belong together as the first viewing block. The Rebuild films begin with familiar situations and characters, but they are not simply a remastered version of the series, a scene-for-scene remake, or a straightforward sequel. The official project description presents Rebuild as a reconstruction whose story changes and eventually enters new territory. [c007][c008]
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As a result, inserting Evangelion: 1.0 between TV episodes, or alternating episodes with Rebuild films, creates the appearance of chronology while making the franchise harder to follow. Watch the original material first, then start the Rebuild project from its beginning.
1. Start with the original TV series
Episodes 1–24
The 1995 TV series is the correct entry point for a first-time viewer. It introduces Shinji Ikari, NERV, the Evangelions, the Angels, and the personal conflicts that drive the franchise. The series listing describes Shinji’s arrival at NERV and his role as a teenage pilot fighting the Angels. [c001]
Episodes 1–24 establish the characters, setting, mysteries, and escalating conflict that the later endings assume you understand. Do not replace this block with Death or Death (True)2 on a first viewing. Those films reconstruct or recap much of the first 24 episodes and are more useful after you already know the story.
2. Watch The End of Evangelion
After episode 24, watch the 1997 film The End of Evangelion. It takes the original story’s final crisis into a theatrical presentation, beginning with SEELE’s attack on NERV while Gendo attempts to initiate his own version of Instrumentality. [c002]
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe official franchise description characterizes Air / The End of Evangelion as a theatrical form of the final two TV-story episodes. That is why the film fits naturally after the buildup through episode 24. [c003]
Do not describe the film as a simple replacement for episodes 25–26. The TV ending and the film are intentionally different experiences. Watching the film first gives you the dramatic theatrical conclusion while the main external conflict is still fresh; watching episodes 25–26 afterward lets you compare how the ending works when presented through a more internal, psychological lens.
3. Finish the TV ending with episodes 25–26
Episodes 25 and 26 are still part of the original series and should not be omitted from a complete watch. They offer a different presentation of the conclusion rather than functioning as disposable material made irrelevant by the film.
The official Blu-ray documentation separately records the TV series’ 26 episodes and the video-format versions of episodes 25 and 26, reinforcing that the TV ending remains a distinct part of the franchise’s release history. [c004][c005]
Two valid placements
- Theatrical-first: episodes 1–24 → The End of Evangelion → episodes 25–26.
- Series-first: episodes 1–26 → The End of Evangelion.
Choose the first option if you want to experience the theatrical conclusion immediately after the central plot reaches its final crisis. Choose the second if you prefer to preserve the TV series as one continuous 26-episode work before comparing it with the film. Neither placement changes what the viewer ultimately sees.
4. Watch the Rebuild films in order
Once you have completed the original continuity, watch all four Rebuild films in release order. The project’s release sequence is 2007, 2009, 2012, and 2021. [c009][c010]
Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone.
The first film revisits recognizable early-series material, making it look at first like a compressed remake. That resemblance is deliberate, but it does not tell you the whole purpose of Rebuild. The official introduction specifically distinguishes the New Theatrical Edition from a remaster, remake, or straightforward sequel and describes a story that eventually changes course. [c007]
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance.
The second film continues the new theatrical project and moves beyond a simple replay of the TV plot. It is the point at which the differences become increasingly important, so watch it only after 1.0. The official introduction identifies it as the second part of a four-part project and signals that the story enters unfamiliar territory. [c008]
Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo.
Watch the third Rebuild film after 2.0, not alongside the original TV material. The official studio history identifies it as the third film in the sequence, released in 2012. [c009]
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
End with 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, the fourth film in the New Theatrical Edition project. Studio khara records its theatrical release on March 8, 2021, and credits Hideaki Anno in the principal creative roles, with Studio khara as the production company. [c010][c011]
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![Neon Genesis Evangelion (Standard Edition) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Zha771fQL._SL160_.jpg)
- The disk has English audio and subtitles.
Where do Death and Revival of Evangelion fit?
Death and Death (True)2
These are optional recap-oriented films, not additional chapters that must be inserted into the main order. Death (True)2 reconstructs material from episodes 1–24, with some new material. If you have already watched those episodes, much of its information will be familiar. [c003]
If you want to include it, the most sensible optional placement is:
Episodes 1–24 → Death (True)2 → The End of Evangelion
Use it as an alternate recap or presentation, not as a mandatory first step.
Revival of Evangelion
Revival of Evangelion is a later combined theatrical package containing Death (True)2 and Air / The End of Evangelion. It is best understood as an alternate way to obtain the compilation and theatrical material, not as a new narrative installment to watch after The End of Evangelion. [c003]
Should you watch the 2026 anniversary material?
Keep the 2026 anniversary releases separate from the core watch order. The official site announced that a short animation screened at the 2026 EVANGELION:30+ festival would receive an official release on khara’s YouTube channel on March 8, 2026. It is a separate short-animation release, not a fifth Rebuild feature and not a replacement for 3.0+1.0. [c012]
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Where can you watch it?
Streaming rights vary by country, title, subscription tier, and date. Some official Netflix regional pages list the original series and The End of Evangelion, while regional pages can also display a country-availability warning. [c001][c002] Check the catalog for your own country immediately before watching rather than assuming that one service carries every entry worldwide.
Do not treat an announcement of worldwide Prime Video distribution for 3.0+1.0 from 2021 as proof of availability in 2026. Streaming catalogs change, and availability for one Rebuild film does not guarantee access to the TV series, the original film, or the other Rebuild entries.
Physical editions and supplementary material
If you prefer not to depend on a changing streaming catalog, look for a Neon Genesis Evangelion Blu-ray collection. Official khara history documents a Blu-ray Box containing all 26 TV episodes, four video-format episodes, and three theatrical films; the official catalog also records individual Blu-ray editions and releases containing Revival of Evangelion material. [c004][c005]
Check the exact edition before buying. Subtitles, dubs, bonus features, region coding, included films, packaging, stock, and current pricing can differ between releases. A listing described simply as “the Evangelion Blu-ray” may not contain the same material as another regional or collector’s edition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common watch-order mistakes
- Starting with Death: it is primarily a reconstruction of earlier material, not the ideal introduction.
- Skipping episodes 25–26: the TV ending is a separate and worthwhile part of the original series.
- Calling The End of Evangelion a replacement: the film and TV ending provide intentionally different presentations.
- Interleaving Rebuild with the TV episodes: the films form their own four-part viewing block.
- Calling Rebuild a straightforward remake: the project deliberately revisits and then changes the earlier material.
- Adding the 2026 short to the feature-film list: it is separate anniversary material, not one of the four Rebuild films.
- Assuming a universal streaming catalog: verify the country and date before promising access.
A spoiler-sensitive alternative
If you would rather experience the original series without dividing its final episodes, use this order:
- Neon Genesis Evangelion, episodes 1–26
- The End of Evangelion
- Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone.
- Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance.
- Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo.
- Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
This version is especially suitable for viewers who want the TV ending to stand on its own before comparing it with the theatrical conclusion. The primary order is better for viewers who want The End of Evangelion immediately after episodes 1–24 and then want to revisit the TV ending with that contrast in mind.
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- Number of Discs: 5
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to watch Death (True)2?
No. Death (True)2 is an optional recap of much of episodes 1–24. First-time viewers should watch the TV episodes rather than substituting the recap film for them.
Is The End of Evangelion a replacement for episodes 25 and 26?
No. The TV ending and The End of Evangelion are distinct presentations of the conclusion. You can watch episodes 1–26 first and then the film, or watch the film after episode 24 and finish with episodes 25–26.
Are the Rebuild movies a straightforward remake?
No. The Rebuild films revisit recognizable material but develop into a distinct reconstruction with major changes. Watch them as a separate four-film sequence after the original continuity.
Where does Revival of Evangelion fit?
Revival of Evangelion combines recap and theatrical material, principally Death (True)2 and Air / The End of Evangelion. Treat it as an alternate package, not an additional installment.
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Availability depends on your country and changes over time. Check each title in your local catalog on the day you plan to watch it rather than assuming one service carries the complete franchise.
The Bottom Line
In short: watch Neon Genesis Evangelion through episode 24, watch The End of Evangelion, complete episodes 25–26, and then watch 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.0+1.0 in that order. Treat Death (True)2 and Revival of Evangelion as optional compilation packages, not extra story chapters.
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