Even if you’ve never watched it, it’s almost impossible not to have heard about this title, as it influenced countless works that came after. For me, Evangelion is not just an anime, it’s a piece of art that moves you in unexpected ways, making you reflect on life, on people, and on how we deal with our own inner battles.
Evangelion was originally released between October 1995 and March 1996 and has 26 episodes. It’s incredible to think that, even after nearly three decades, the series remains so relevant and widely discussed. The story also had its own manga, which began publication in 1994, and quickly gained films, spin-offs, and games that further expanded its universe. It was a true cultural phenomenon and continues to attract new fans to this day, something very few anime have managed to achieve for so long.
The story is set in the year 2015, fifteen years after a catastrophic event known as the Second Impact, which devastated the planet and drastically reduced the human population. To face future threats, mysterious creatures called Angels, the UN established the organization NERV, located in Tokyo-3, a fortified city constantly under attack by these beings.
NERV developed the Evangelions (EVAs), massive biomechanical units capable of fighting the Angels.
But there’s a catch:
Only teenagers with certain characteristics can pilot these machines.
This is how we enter the journey of Shinji Ikari, a shy and insecure boy summoned by his own father, Gendo Ikari, to pilot the EVA Unit 01.
The beginning already shows the intensity of the anime: Shinji initially refuses, driven by fear and resentment toward his father, who is cold and distant.
But upon seeing Rei Ayanami, another pilot, gravely injured yet still being forced to fight, he ends up accepting the call. Right in the first battle, we realize the story goes far beyond epic fights against giant monsters. During the confrontation, Shinji loses consciousness, and the EVA takes control on its own, revealing that there is something deeper and more mysterious behind these machines.
From there, we follow Shinji as he tries to adapt to his new life in Tokyo-3, under the care of Captain Misato Katsuragi. But with each new Angel attack, the burden of saving humanity grows heavier on his shoulders and those of the other teenage pilots.
This is one of the things that struck me the most: Evangelion is not just about fighting external enemies but also about the internal conflicts of each character. The anime shows how these young people, who should be living the lightest phase of their lives, are thrown into a war to protect a world that often seems not to care about them. Meanwhile, the adults, who should be protecting them, manipulate and exploit their efforts for their own goals.
It makes it clear just how cruel humanity can be, exploiting those who risk not only their physical lives but also their mental and emotional health to save everyone else.
Evangelion is not limited to action or science fiction. It dives into profound themes such as loneliness, depression, trauma, and the meaning of existence. For me, this is one of the anime’s greatest strengths: it humanizes the heroes and shows that, in the end, we are all fighting our own demons. It’s impossible not to connect, on some level, with the dilemmas and vulnerabilities of the characters.
I remember being impressed by how the series brings ethical and moral questions that remain relevant even today. It portrays a humanity divided, which should be united in the face of extinction, but instead keeps repeating mistakes, conflicts, and selfishness. Unfortunately, that reflects our real world far too well.
A comparison I often make is with Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan). Both anime present a setting where humanity is on the brink of collapse and must make hard decisions to survive.
And in both, we realize that despite the external threats, the greatest obstacles come from within:
From pride, politics, and the inability to unite for a greater goal. This raw view of human nature is one of the reasons Evangelion is so impactful.
Moreover, Evangelion was far ahead of its time. The series addressed topics considered taboo in the 90s, such as emotional fragility, psychological pressure on teenagers, and even religious and philosophical references. That’s why even those who aren’t big fans of action anime can find something valuable in it, because it’s a title that makes you think about life, about choices, and about the cost of progress.
If you’re looking for an anime that goes beyond entertainment and brings reflection, drama, and emotional intensity, Evangelion is a must-watch.
It’s not just about giant robots fighting monsters, it’s about the human beings behind those battles, with all their flaws, fears, and hopes.