Poll: Recommendation for Watching Evangelion:

[MaCaulay]

I really want to watch Evangelion as I have never gotten round to it in the past but I have run into a small problem. I don't know where to start.

My original plan was to simply watch the original series followed by 'End of Evangelion' which seemed like a good plan until I saw that there was an alternate telling of the series in the form of 'Evangelion 1.0' through 3.0. Now from what I know of the original series, the company who was making the show had blown their budget earlier in the series and so the ending (which I have heard is confusing and involves Shinji being congratulated for some reason) is basically a collection of still frames and sketchbook doodles and this really concerns me. I don't know anything about 1.0 but since it came out after the show and End of Eva I presume that they would now have a more stable budget (and by extension a more stable animation quality) due to the fact that they know that the show is going to sell. Is this a fair assumption to make? If not feel free to let me know.

My question is simple, should I watch the original series first then watch 1.0 or should I skip the series and just watch 1.0 instead? I look forward to the inevitable shit-storm in the comments and can't wait for your responses.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

The original series is obviously paced better, and you'll probably appreciate the rebuilds more if you have watched the series first.

 

[Terratina.]

Your choice really. Apart from the last two episodes that resemble a weird therapy session, the original series is pretty good, though you will have to put up with old '90s animation.

Spoiler: Screenshot Comparison (Unfortunately has spoilers)

Rebuild on the left, Original Series on the right.​

If you just marathon it, you can probably get through those 26 episodes in about three days. And I do agree with Daystar's response. I've only watched the original series, so can't really comment on the Rebuild movies.

There's a full on guide comparing the two here: http://wiki.evageeks.org/Guides:Neon_Genesis_Evangelion_vs._Evangelion_1.0

 

[iwinatlife]

Your choice really. Apart from the last two episodes that resemble a weird therapy session, the original series is pretty good, though you will have to put up with old '90s animation.

Spoiler: Screenshot Comparison (Unfortunately has spoilers)

Rebuild on the left, Original Series on the right.​

If you just marathon it, you can probably get through those 26 episodes in about three days. And I do agree with Daystar's response. I've only watched the original series, so can't really comment on the Rebuild movies.

Or if you are crazy and have way too damn much time (like me a few years ago) you can really marathon it and go through it in a day and end up screaming "What the hell!?!?" at your tv.

My experience was especially bad because I didn't have End of Evangalion So it made no sense what so ever, but I still rate it very high in my anime list...its just that good

 

[[Kira Must Die]]

I actually watched the rebuild films before I saw the original series and enjoyed them just fine. The films don't feel like simple recaps, and it never felt like they left anything out. You still get the gist of the characters and the story. There's only three of them out so far, though, so you'll have to wait until the final film releases in a couple of years. The Rebuild were basically made from the ground up, so even new fans can enjoy them. The first one pretty much follows the first couple of episodes of the series with a few minor alterations, but the second one starts to deviate from the original series greatly. I will say, though, that I did not like the third film, but the first two are great. If the Rebuild films spark any interest in seeing the original series like it did for me, then you can give it a shot, too. I can't say the original series hold up all that well, but it's still a solid watch.

Also, don't worry about the ending of the series. It's been nearly 20 years, and they made a movie to end it properly, so there isn't really any reason for any new fans to be butthurt over it now.

 

[Talaris]

Ha good timing for me, as I just watched both Rebuild films Evangelion 1.11 and 2.22 last night for the very first time. I agree with those who mentioned the appreciation factor of watching the original series first, especially as in my opinion the Rebuild films are superior (so far, haven't seen the controversial 3.0 yet).

If you do decide to just stick with the films, I would also recommend watching the film that is an alternate final act for the original series, End of Evangelion, if only to see just how different the tone is between the the old and new. Whilst I don't think End of Evangelion is very good, it certainly leaves an impression.

 

[sextus the crazy]

I'd watch the series first (& end of Evangelion), so that you get the most out of the experience and appreciate what having a budget added to the remakes. Besides, EVA is an anime classic; even if you don't like it, It's still worth watching for discussion value.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Watch the series first followed by End of Evangelion. Ditch the Death and Rebirth movie since it's just a recap of the series interspliced with Shinji&Co. playing the violin.

Then watch the new movies to observe how they stripped the original story of its meat and potatoes. Get a baseball bat and a punching bag ready for when you watch Rebuild 3 though.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

You should watch the series first. It's what I'm doing anyway. The Rebuild movies look like cash-ins to me. If you finish watching the series and feel like you want more (as in, AGAIN), then Rebuild is basically one big summary of the anime, with a couple of things changed or added.

 

[Casual Shinji]

The Rebuild movies look like cash-ins to me.

They really are. The amount of product placement is pretty crazy.

*tsk* Oh Misato, you and your Renault...

 

[[Kira Must Die]]

The Rebuild movies look like cash-ins to me. If you finish watching the series and feel like you want more (as in, AGAIN), then Rebuild is basically one big summary of the anime, with a couple of things changed or added.

The first film is, but during the second film it takes a different direction with some drastic changes (and with the third one, a questionable direction), so I wouldn't dismiss them as simply being cash-ins and recaps. It's less a summary and more a retelling, but it's still interesting seeing the different takes on events from the original series (at least for me.)

And being a cash-in doesn't necessarily mean bad, as long as it's still entertaining.

 

[Angie7F]

Eva is one show that you just have to watch from the series or else it wont make sense.
There is no way around it.