Neon Genesis Evangelion Episodes
Episode Guide
- Angel Attack - Shinji Ikari arrives in Tokyo-3 and reluctantly becomes the pilot of Eva Unit 01.
- Unfamiliar Ceiling - Shinji struggles with his new role and life in Tokyo-3.
- A Transfer - Shinji starts school and faces the third Angel.
- Hedgehog's Dilemma - Shinji runs away, confronting his fears and motivations.
- Rei I - Shinji learns more about the mysterious Rei Ayanami.
- Rei II - A powerful Angel attacks, and Rei's true nature begins to surface.
- A Human Work - NERV faces a rival organization's new weapon.
- Asuka Strikes! - The fiery Asuka Langley Soryu is introduced as the Second Child.
- Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win! - Shinji and Asuka must learn to work together.
- Magma Diver - The Eva units face an Angel in extreme conditions.
- The Day Tokyo-3 Stood Still - A blackout leaves the city vulnerable to Angel attack.
- She said, "Don't make others suffer for your personal hatred." - Misato confronts her past.
- Lilliputian Hitcher - A microscopic Angel infiltrates NERV headquarters.
- Weaving a Story - A recap episode that provides new insights into the overall plot.
- Those women longed for the touch of others' lips, and thus invited their kisses. - Relationships between characters deepen.
- Splitting of the Breast - Shinji faces a surreal experience inside an Angel.
- Fourth Children - The identity of the Fourth Child is revealed.
- Ambivalence - Unit 03 is activated, with disastrous consequences.
- Introjection - Shinji faces his greatest challenge yet as Unit 01 goes berserk.
- Weaving a Story 2: Oral Stage - Shinji's surreal experience inside Unit 01 is explored.
- He was aware that he was still a child. - The history of NERV and its key personnel is revealed.
- Don't Be. - Asuka faces her past traumas and begins to break down.
- Rei III - The truth about Rei is revealed as Ritsuko exposes NERV's secrets.
- The Beginning and the End, or "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" - The final Angel, Kaworu Nagisa, appears.
- Do you love me? - The Human Instrumentality Project begins, delving into characters' psyches.
- Take care of yourself. - The controversial finale exploring the nature of human existence.
Key Story Arcs
- Introduction Arc (Episodes 1-6): Introduces the main characters, the concept of Angels and Evangelions, and sets up the basic conflicts. Shinji's arrival and initial struggles are the focus.
- Action Arc (Episodes 7-13): Focuses on Angel battles and character development, particularly for Asuka and Rei. The dynamics between the pilots become more complex.
- Introspection Arc (Episodes 14-20): Delves deeper into the characters' psyches and the mysteries surrounding NERV and the Angels. The true nature of the Evangelions starts to be revealed.
- Descent Arc (Episodes 21-24): Dark revelations come to light, and the characters face severe psychological challenges. The truth about NERV, SEELE, and the Human Instrumentality Project begins to unfold.
- Finale Arc (Episodes 25-26): A controversial and deeply psychological conclusion to the TV series, focusing on the inner worlds of the characters, particularly Shinji.
Significant Episodes
- Episode 1 "Angel Attack": Sets the tone for the entire series and introduces the main conflict. Shinji's first encounter with Eva Unit 01 and the Angel.
- Episode 6 "Rei II": Culmination of Rei's initial character arc and a pivotal battle. Shinji's developing relationship with Rei is explored.
- Episode 14 "Weaving a Story": Recap episode that also provides new insights into the story, including glimpses of NERV's and SEELE's true agenda.
- Episode 19 "Introjection": Features a devastating Angel attack and a major turning point for Shinji, showcasing the raw power and mystery of Eva Unit 01.
- Episode 22 "Don't Be.": Focuses on Asuka's psychological breakdown, providing deep insights into her character.
- Episodes 25-26 "Do you love me?" and "Take care of yourself.": The controversial finale that sparked much debate among fans, delving deep into the psyche of the characters and the nature of existence itself.
Recurring Themes
- Isolation and the hedgehog's dilemma: Characters struggle with the desire for connection and the fear of being hurt.
- The nature of humanity and existence: Questions about what it means to be human and the purpose of life are explored.
- Parent-child relationships: The complex and often dysfunctional relationships between characters and their parents are a central focus.
- The psychological toll of warfare: The mental and emotional impact of piloting Eva and fighting Angels is examined in depth.
- Religious and mythological symbolism: Christian and Kabbalistic imagery and themes are woven throughout the series.
Visual Episode Timeline
A visual representation of the Evangelion episode timeline, showing key events and character arcs