Spampuke

can't tell if this is a joke or not

if not though, yeah, then end of eva, then rebuilds.

don't let anyone convince you the ending of the tv show is a waste of time

that's definitely the best place to start! after that its kind of messy and really depends how much you care after the original run

You got it right.

I watched the original anime when it came to Netflix a few years ago and that was alright. I think Remap (when they were Waypoint) also did the rebuild movies not too long ago and the consensus was those were also a fine way to watch it? Though there are several changes to the story, and Anno seemed to be playing with the idea that these were a retelling of the story and going in with knowledge of the original story is probably a plus.

Eva has its problem but at the same time, damn what an experience.

that plus end of eva

Yes, but only if you watch End of Evangelion right after that. Those two are kind of linked to get the full experience, because of end season stuff blablabla. You 'could' skip the last TV episode for End of Evangelion, but I wouldn't.

26 episode show
Death and Rebirth (if you want)
End of Evangelion
those sega saturn, ps1 and n64 eva games
I guess the new movies? I haven't seen those.

EDIT: That netflix dub is good.

Just the show is perfectly fine. End of Eva is the big budget ending the fans wanted and is also a Fuck You to those fans. The New Movies are about how Anno stopped being so horribly depressed and is a divergent take on the story that isn't so pessimistic

Be sure to watch it in public. That's how I did the first time and I got the full experience.

yeh

yep, eva is not complicated, though the end of evangelion movie is also important once you’re done with the tv show, that’s it though

Original 26 episodes, then End of Eva, and optionally if you're interested the rebuild movies would be my suggestion.

yeah, first 26. Follow up with end of evangelion, then the rebuild movies if you like/finish it.

do not at all feel like you need to marathon that shit, it's a lot emotionally and quantitatively.

Several people giving the same good advice - All 26 episoes of the series, immediately follwed by End. Take a breather before Rebuild.
There is a little bit of extra stuff in Death/Rebirth - Shinji plays the cello in that version - but it's not enough content to warrant the exercise of watching unless you really get the " must see everything" bug.
If you find yourself really diggining Eva, I would also throw in the manga by Sadamoto, since it a) gives a different (non-canon, less horny) take, and b) despite being only 14 slim volumes, was published over 18 years - starting before the series and ending after the 3rd Rebuild. Thus, you get the influence of the passage of nearly two decades between the first and last chapters.

I think Netflix edited out the gay subtext in on episode so I'd watch the original original series first

Yep, start with the show. Death and Rebirth is skippable, End of Eva is a very good alternate/additional (depending on your perspective) ending. I really like End of Eva's take on the ending, but the original TV show ending is unique and stands well enough on its own.

As for the Rebuild movies, the best is the fourth and final, but it doesn't make much sense unless you've seen the three previous ones, which vary a bit in storytelling quality.

My personal favorite version of the Eva story is the manga, but the original show + End of Eva is my second favorite.

tl;dr yep, the original 26 episodes (+ EoE)

• Neon Genesis Evangelion (Oct 1995 - Mar 1996, 26 episodes): the original TV show (essential)
• Revival of Evangelion (1997, 2 movies): the Super Street Fighter II Turbo of Evangelion
  • Death & Rebirth (Mar 1997): recap of eps 1-24 (skippable)
  • The End of Evangelion (Jul 1997): oh shit Akuma is here (recommended)
• Rebuild of Evangelion (2007-2023, 4 movies): the Final Fantasy VII Remake of Evangelion (optional)
  • Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007)
  • Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009)
  • Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012)
  • Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2023)

adding to the consensus of watch the Original series first, then The End. I will add also the the sentiment that The End is a good movie, but I don't think it "fixed" the series ending. I don't think there was anything to be fixed.

It seems like with the rebuild movies he wanted to see how far he could go off the rails and boy does it. They're an interesting project, a retelling of sorts, a whole other experience.

There is also now a documentary about Anno working on the last Rebuild, if you want to see the guy behind the series and go "ah this all tracks now". It's called "Hedeaki Anno, the Final Challenge of Evangelion".

Anno has an interesting relationship with this creation of his, and I think it reflects in every time he makes a new iteration.

Echoing others with the TV 26, End of Eva, and the Rebuild movies.

Easiest (copyright adhering) way to watch the Rebuild movies in the USA is through Amazon Prime Video. Netflix still has the TV and old movies (one recap, one original movie), last I checked.

Everyone here is wrong. The order is this
Astroboy
Transformers (G1)
Spider-Man (Japanese super sentai version)
Gundam
Passion of the Christ
Voltron
The prince of Egypt
Evangelion episodes 1-26
Evangelion episodes 1-26 (again because you weren't paying attention)
Death and rebirth
The end of Evangelion
Gundam: Iron blooded orphans
Evangelion Girlfriend of steel
Girlfriend of steel 2
Gurren lagann
Evangelion episodes 1-13 (you got bored halfway though)
Evangelion Motherboards and graphics cards
Gurren lagann (again because it's good)
Evangelion 1.0
Evangelion 2.22
Evangelion 3.33
Evangelion 3.0+1.0

That's the proper watch order for the series.