新世紀エヴァンゲリオン

When mysterious beings called Angels begin attacking Earth, humanity's remnants scramble to hold on after a prior calamity forced much of civilization underground. Fifteen years later a secret agency fields towering bio-mechanical units called Evangelions and recruits young pilots to operate them. The story follows Shinji, Rei and Asuka as they face brutal combat, the pressure of expectation, and the opaque motives of the organization that controls the Evas. Action scenes sit alongside quiet, often unsettling character moments, and the series keeps questions about the true nature of the Angels, the Evangelions and the agency's plans front and center without resolving everything neatly.

The series first aired in 1995 and was created by Masayuki, Kazuya Tsurumaki and Masahiko Otsuka. It began as an original animation project and later expanded through theatrical releases and re-edited versions that broadened its audience.

Over the years the show picked up industry recognition and won several awards and honors in anime polls and festivals, while its subsequent films also received critical attention. Those accolades helped cement the series as a benchmark for 1990s anime and kept it in discussions about influential media from that era.

Its imagery and themes left a big mark on pop culture, from the stark Angel designs to the striking Evangelion mecha. Scenes and symbols from the show have been referenced, parodied and debated across media, and its influence shows up in other anime, music, fashion and academic writing. Fan communities continue to reexamine its visuals and motifs decades later.

Critics and viewers remain divided on some of the series' narrative choices, especially its unconventional ending, but most praise its refusal to stay purely action-oriented. It blends mecha combat with psychological and philosophical material, addressing identity, isolation, trauma and the costs of survival. That mix keeps it fresh for new viewers and makes it a frequent subject of analysis and discussion.