Neon Genesis Evangelion facts for kids

A person cosplaying as Evangelion Unit 01, one of the main staples of the series.

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Japanese: 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン, Shin Seiki Evangelion) is a very popular Japanese anime TV show. It was created by Hideaki Anno and made by Gainax and Tatsunoko Production. The story takes place 15 years after a huge disaster that changed the world.

The main characters are teenagers who have to pilot giant robots called "Evangelions." They use these robots to fight against giant, mysterious monsters known as "Angels." The show explores deep feelings and ideas, and it uses symbols from different cultures.

The TV show was highly praised by critics. However, its ending caused some strong reactions from fans. Because of this, a movie called The End of Evangelion was released in 1997. This film offers a different ending to the TV series. After the show's success, many other things were made, including several manga comics, music albums, and a series of movies called Rebuild of Evangelion.

What is Neon Genesis Evangelion About?

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a science fiction story. It mixes exciting robot battles with a look into the characters' minds. The series is known for its unique animation and complex plot.

The Story of Evangelion

The story begins in the year 2015, after an event called the "Second Impact." This disaster caused a lot of damage to Earth. Now, strange creatures called Angels are attacking the world. To fight them, a special organization named NERV was created.

Piloting the Evangelions

NERV's main weapon against the Angels are the Evangelions, or "Evas." These are huge, human-shaped machines. Only certain teenagers can pilot them. These young pilots have a special connection to the Evas.

The Main Characters

The main character is Shinji Ikari, a shy 14-year-old boy. His father, Gendo Ikari, is the head of NERV. Shinji is asked to pilot Evangelion Unit-01. He joins other pilots like the mysterious Rei Ayanami and the confident Asuka Langley Soryu. Each pilot has their own challenges and feelings they deal with while fighting.

Themes in the Series

The show explores many big ideas. It looks at what it means to be human and how people connect with each other. It also touches on feelings like loneliness, fear, and finding your purpose. The series uses many symbols to tell its story.

The Impact of the Ending

The original TV show's ending was very different from what many fans expected. It focused more on the characters' thoughts and feelings. This led to the creation of The End of Evangelion movie, which gave a more action-packed and clear ending to the story.

Other Evangelion Stories

The world of Neon Genesis Evangelion grew much bigger after the TV show. Many other types of media were created.

Manga Comics

Several manga series were made based on Evangelion. The main manga, also called Neon Genesis Evangelion, retells the story of the anime. Other manga, like Angelic Days and Shinji Ikari Raising Project, show different versions of the characters' lives.

Evangelion Movies

After the TV series, two important movies were released: Death & Rebirth and The End of Evangelion. Later, a new series of four movies called Rebuild of Evangelion started. These movies retell the story with new elements and a different ending.

• 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone. (2007)
• 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance. (2009)
• 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo. (2012)
• 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021)

Related pages

• List of Neon Genesis Evangelion characters

Images for kids

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  The cast of Neon Genesis Evangelion as depicted on the Japanese "Genesis" (volume) 14 laserdisc and VHS cover

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  Gainax studio in Koganei, Tokyo

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  The cross-shaped explosion caused by the destruction of the third Angel exemplifies the use of Christian imagery in Evangelion.

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  Cover for the Blu-ray box set in Japan

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  Two cosplayers portraying Asuka Langley Soryu and Rei Ayanami. The franchise has been credited as a conduit for making cosplay a worldwide phenomenon.

See also

In Spanish: Neon Genesis Evangelion para niños