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Every Episode of ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ Ranked

Discover the psychological mindf*** that changed the anime industry forever.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
By  · Published on June 17th, 2019

24. “Hedgehog’s Dilemma” (Episode 4)

Neon Genesis Evangelion

“Hedgehog’s Dilemma” was the only episode of the entire series that Anno did not write and it is not hard to understand why it falls flat. The episode is supposed to assist in building Shinji’s character, but instead, he comes across as whiny and unlikable — certainly not the character trait you’d want for your lead. The crux of this episode comes from Misato talking about Shinji to her coworker, “the nearer we get, the deeper we hurt each other.” Throughout the first four episodes, Misato has been observing Shinji just as the audience has. He’s afraid to open up to anyone due to complicated and unfulfilling relationships he’s had in his life.


23. “Weaving a Story 2: Oral Stage” (Episode 20)

Neon Genesis Evangelion

By this point in the series, Shinji has engaged in over a dozen battles with the Angels and has been mostly victorious. This episode focuses on a problem that has developed from the battle with the Fourteenth angel, Zeruel. In episode 19, Shinji battles the humanoid-looking Zeruel and Shinji’s EVA develops a mind of its own. Shinji and his EVA Unit become one, and he has become fully assimilated with it. He doesn’t exist in a physical form anymore — instead, he is in a metaphysical form. “Weaving a Story 2” tries to explain what is happening to Shinji inside the EVA, while the team at Nerv hustles to rescue him. This episode has a similar structure to “Weaving a Story” because flashbacks are used to fill in the run time. Shinji does eventually come back to the physical world, but the lack of animation is painful in this episode.


22. “Do you love me?” (Episode 25)

Neon Genesis Evangelion

A lonely chair becomes the main character for this one, as the children are haunted by their past. This chair becomes our key focal point of the episode, while text flashes on the screen recapping each characters’ mental trauma. Barreling towards the finale, Shinji has witnessed considerable acts of violence and destruction. He wishes for a world of nothingness to protect himself from his pain. The episode suffers from too much psychobabble; the characters aren’t so much working through their trauma as much as facing a diagnosis, which isn’t the formula that propels the majority of Evangelion. The pilots battle their insecurities and fears as the series recaps the horrors they have seen. “Do you love me?” is more of a therapy session than anything else. The series is at its best when the focus is on the battles, humor, and character drama. This episode is heavy on the drama and offers little else.


21. “Fourth Child” (Episode 17)

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Nerv has multiple headquarters around the world that specialize in the creation of EVA’s. When one of those headquarters disappears, along with a new EVA prototype, the United States sends its EVA Unit 03 to Nerv HQ. Nerv needs a new pilot for the unit and employs Shinji’s classmate, Toji Suzuhara. Suzuhara loves basketball, always wears his athletic gear, becomes agitated in a flash, and his little sister is his number one priority. This episode acts as the big setup for what’s considered the best Evangelion episode. In that way, there is a lot of world building that has to be accomplished, making the episode a little on the slow side. There’s also Misato’s subplot, as she continues to discover things about Nerv that make her question her allegiance.


20. “A Human Work” (Episode 7)

Neon Genesis Evangelion

“A Human Work” doesn’t move the plot forward in any meaningful way, but we do get some quality time with Misato and Nerv’s Head Scientist Ritsuko Akagi. A rival defense contractor, Jet Alone, has built a new robot that can stand up to the Angels. The catch is that these robots don’t need to be controlled by humans. Unfortunately, the robot malfunctions, leaving Misato and Shinji to save the day. “A Human Work” is an exciting episode that provides additional background on important supporting characters.


19. “A Transfer” (Episode 3)

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Sometimes it amazes me why Evangelion has so many fans, especially considering how unlikable Shinji can be. Anno and Studio Gainax expected the audience to feel for the underdog, but sometimes his actions or, rather, inaction can be incredibly frustrating. Shinji is introduced to a few of his classmates in this episode, and he must pilot his EVA to defeat the Angel, Shamshel. Known as the Fourth Angel, Shamshel has long energy whips that it utilizes for combat. Shamshel proves a much more difficult challenge for Shinji. Evangelion spends time on the human aspect of the destruction the EVAs leave in their wake and the emotional toll it can take on the characters. Future EVA pilot Suzuhara experiences such trauma first hand when his sister is seriously injured as a result of the fallout of Shinji’s successful battle with the Angel Sachiel. For the first time, Shinji has to battle with the casualties that might occur under his watch.


18. “Don’t Be” (Episode 22)

Episode Favorite Shot

Don’t Be” serves as Asuka’s backstory. Her mother was mentally unwell, hospitalized, and unaware of her surroundings, ultimately leading to her untimely death — all of which was difficult for Asuka to handle as a child. For the most part, she can keep that part of her life in her past. That is, until her experiences as an EVA pilot has left her mentally disturbed like her late mother. Asuka has failed repeatedly against the Angels, and her confidence level has suffered as a result. In this episode, Nerv gives her one more chance to prove herself. Otherwise, she will be replaced. However, this Fifteenth Angel, Arael, uses her memories against her causing her traumatic past to resurface. Arael is a multi-winged creature made of light that hovers around Earth’s atmosphere. The Angel proves to be too much for Asuka, causing her to spiral out of control. Emotions weigh heavy during this episode, as it acts as the series’ closure for Asuka, one of the series’ best characters.


17. “Magma Driver” (Episode 10)

Neon Genesis Evangelion

“Magma Diver” continues the introduction to Asuka as she is tasked with diving into a volcano to retrieve an Angel before it incubates. Her EVA, Unit 02, was the third EVA unit ever produced, following the production of EVA Units 00 and 01 (the first working prototypes) and is considered the first combat EVA. EVA Unit 02 is more advanced than other units in the fact that it can be equipped with additional armor that protects from extreme conditions. While facing high temperatures and limited visibility, the mission goes haywire — Asuka must battle the Eighth Angel, Sandalphon, deep inside the treacherous volcano. Sandalphon is first seen as an embryo before it evolves into a fish-like create that can withstand the intense volcanic heat.

“Magma Diver” doesn’t measure up to the Asuka centered stories that we’ve seen in episodes 08 or 09, and the primary focus here seems to be in putting Asuka in different outfits. In the first half of the episode, Asuka is seen shopping for a bathing suit that she can’t wait to flaunt. That’s not the only costume change in this episode. Her plug suit, the one she uses while piloting the EVA, expands for her protection in the volcano making it look like a fat suit. Finally, there is even time for a hot springs sequence, so that fans can enjoy the women of Evangelion without clothing. In other words, a big focus on fan service this episode.


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News Writer/Columnist for Film School Rejects. It’s the Pictures Co-host. Bylines Playboy, ZAM, Paste Magazine and more.