To watch Neon Genesis Evangelion in order, most fans recommend: the 26‑episode TV series, then the movie The End of Evangelion , and only after that the four Rebuild of Evangelion films as an alternate retelling.

Core watch order

For a first‑time viewer, a simple, widely recommended path is:

  1. Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV, 26 episodes)
    • Watch episodes 1–26 in release order.
 * If available, choose the “director’s cut” versions of episodes 21–24, which add extra scenes and context.
  1. The End of Evangelion (1997 movie)
    • Watch this after finishing episode 26.
 * It acts as an alternate, more concrete depiction of the story’s climax, complementing the more introspective TV ending.

This route gives the full original story without spoilers from later reinterpretations.

Optional extras: Death & Rebirth

There is also a recap/compilation film often listed in watch orders:

  • Evangelion: Death(True)² (or Death & Rebirth, earlier cut)
    • A condensed retelling of the series with some new or reedited scenes.
* Many guides suggest watching it _only if you want a recap_ after the TV series, not as your first exposure.

If you want to insert it, a common choice is:

  • TV episodes 1–24 → Death(True)² (optional) → episodes 25–26 → The End of Evangelion.

Rebuild movies order

The Rebuild of Evangelion films are a later, alternate take on the story and are best saved until after the original series and End of Evangelion to avoid confusion and thematic spoilers.

Suggested order once you finish the main run:

  1. Evangelion: 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone
  2. Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance
  3. Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo
  4. Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time
    • Updated “.11 / .22 / .33 / 3.0+1.01” versions are preferred because they include fixes and refinements over the original cinema releases.

These movies start similarly to the series but diverge more and more, eventually telling a different ending and expanding on certain ideas.

Release order vs. “fancy” orders

Fans sometimes debate more experimental sequences, like weaving End of Evangelion between episodes 24–26, but for newcomers, release order is usually considered safest and least confusing.

  • Many long‑time viewers advise:
    • Watch episodes 1–26 → The End of Evangelion → then experiment with alternative orders on rewatch if you want.
  • This keeps the emotional and narrative beats intact while preserving the intended buildup.

Simple checklist (no spoilers)

  • Neon Genesis Evangelion episodes 1–26 (director’s cuts 21–24 if possible)
  • The End of Evangelion
  • (Optional) Evangelion: Death(True)² as a recap after the series
  • Evangelion: 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone
  • Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance
  • Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo
  • Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.