Groundbreaking anime Evangelion finds official new streaming home this summer
The Criterion Channel is set to further enrich its anime catalog this coming season by welcoming one of the most celebrated masterpieces in television history. Thanks to North American distributor GKIDS, Hideaki Anno’s groundbreaking Neon Genesis Evangelion will officially arrive on the platform on September 1st.
<p>This upcoming addition encompasses three pivotal pillars of the legendary franchise. First, viewers can experience the foundational 1995 television series spanning 26 episodes, which notably provides both the classic Japanese voice track and the original English dub—the latter becoming accessible for digital streaming for the very first time. Second, the drop includes <em>Evangelion: Death (True)2</em>, a 1998 cinematic overview that recaps the narrative arc. Finally, subscribers can stream 1997’s <em>The End of Evangelion</em>, the legendary and emotionally intense feature film conclusion to the original broadcast.</p>
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<p>For those unfamiliar with the title, <em>Neon Genesis Evangelion</em> is widely hailed as a monumental meca-anime that profoundly redefined the medium. Criterion describes the narrative scope of the show as follows:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Set in a grim post-apocalyptic era where resilient teenagers pilot towering bio-mechanical constructs known as Evangelions to shield humanity from enigmatic entities called Angels, the plot smoothly transitions from high-octane action set pieces into a deeply philosophical examination of human trauma, isolation, identity, and the struggle for genuine connection.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>While this particular Criterion roll-out omits the <a href="https://www.polygon.com/22633960/rebuild-evangelion-movies-ending/" target="_blank">Rebuild of Evangelion</a> tetralogy—which serves as a modern reimagining, expansion, and <a href="https://www.polygon.com/22603133/evangelion-3-0-1-0-thrice-upon-a-time-review/" target="_blank">alternative continuation of the saga</a>—the classic series, <em>Death (True)2</em>, and <em>The End of Evangelion</em> remain accessible via <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2019/3/22/18277624/neon-genesis-evangelion-netflix-release-date/" target="_blank">Netflix</a>, albeit featuring a modern alternative English dub. Meanwhile, the <em>Rebuild</em> feature films are hosted on Amazon Prime Video, though their licensing window is drawing to a close in mid-August.</p>
<p>The Criterion Channel established its curated animation hub in late 2025, debuting with prestigious cinematic works like <em>Ghost in the Shell</em>, <em>Paprika</em>, <em>Redline</em>, and <div><em>Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space</em></div>. Additionally, Anno’s earlier directorial triumph, the movie format of <em>Gunbuster</em>, remains accessible on the platform.</p>
<p>Looking ahead, the franchise is slated for an upcoming revival via a <a href="https://www.polygon.com/new-evangelion-anime-yoko-taro-hideaki-anno-writer/" target="_blank">brand-new anime venture scripted by Yoko Taro</a>, renowned as the creative mastermind behind the <em>Nier</em> series, alongside director Kazuya Tsurumaki, whose portfolio includes the <em>Rebuild</em> films and the recent <em>Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX</em> series.</p>
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<img width="440" height="248" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="art from Neon Genesis Evangelion" data-img-url="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13589547/neon_genesis_evangelion.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=220&h=124&dpr=2" src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13589547/neon_genesis_evangelion.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=220&h=124&dpr=2">
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<span data-field="label" class="article-card-label"><label>Related</label></span>
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<a href="https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/29/18115299/how-to-watch-neon-genesis-evangelion-anime-rebuild-netflix/" title="The right way to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion" target="_blank">
The optimal viewing order for Neon Genesis Evangelion
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<p class="display-card-excerpt">A comprehensive roadmap to help you navigate the iconic franchise before its streaming debut.</p>
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</aside>Source: Polygon
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