Neon Genesis Evangelion sets Second Impact for June 21st

Neon Genesis Evangelion is officially coming to Netflix on June 21st. Which is the first time in about 15 years that it’s available to be watched in North America. All 26 half-hour episodes and follow-up movies Death & Rebirth and End of Evangelion will be available to stream. If you care half an ounce about anime you owe it to yourself to put this on your schedule.

It was great seeing Rei and Asuka–and even Shinji–in the trailer again. But I don’t want to talk too much about them here. There’s an entire generation of anime fans who’ve been curious about this missing-in-action classic. I just want to add my vote of confidence to the pile without spoiling the crap out of it. This is a big damn deal. I understand this show is practically passed over because it’s one of those name brand classics from another era, but there’s a reason why this show became a classic.

Evangelion turned the kids-piloting-robots genre on its ear by making it more about the existential crisis and depression of its main characters than the giant robot fight scenes. This show isn’t just fun and games like the typical show in its genre.

Instead of just “who are the invading monsters?” we get to ask questions like “why does it take 14 year-old children to pilot the Evas?”

Studio Gianax was near bankruptcy during the show’s production so there were a ton of still shots where most shows would have leaned on a battle sequence, but all that did was create a mood that revealed the interiority of the show’s characters.

Concurrently, show creator Hideaki Anno’s rather public mental breakdown was added into the show as well in tone and style. This show goes dark incredibly well, and it’s a perfect expression of wanting to run away from the world but struggling to stay in it.

But don’t think the giant Evangelions can’t put together a great fight scene, because they can, as the trailer below hints. This show had everything, including an infectiously melodramatic score and an amazing set of supporting characters.

This is one moody show, perfect for someone who’s anxious about finding their place in the world.That’s how it found its way into my heart. Its quality is why it stays there.

Please, add this to your calendar. Then let me know what you think of it when you’re all done.