Neon Genesis Evangelion - Recommendations

Akuma says...

Mecha Anime fans cannot pass up on Full Metal Panic. It's a brilliant series with an abundance of humor, romance, and battle action. Some of it is ground combat, and some is mobile suit battles. If you liked Evangelion, you'll love Full Metal Panic.

FMDGandi says...

Neon Genesis is quite close to Full Metal panic because of the fighting scenes and the main charcters being male nearly children. Sousuke and Shinji have some things in common too, both are very obidient and extremely good at what they are doing. Neon Genesis Evangelion is a lot more serious though while Full Metal Panic has much comedy in it.

nextolast says...

Mecha mecha mecha... and main characters that while quiet and dysfunctional still manage to save the world before breakfast. Secret organizations are definitely the best, and always necessary when dealing with mecha topics, and these are two of the best ones out there. Especially good is the tone difference between these two animes, as neon genesis generally tends to be serious (with the exception of pen-pen and misato) while FMP provides frequent and healthy doses of humor (gotto love that paper whip thing of chidori's)

JAhU says...

You would like FMP! because strangely it has many similarities to Neon Genesis Evangelion in its characters, mecha and even some in plot. FMP! is also much less dramatic and is far easier to watch (which doesn't mean that it is not dramatic at all). You may treat this anime as a spoof of NGE and try to find all of the similarities (there are a whole bunch of them), even if they are completely coincidental.

GTOnizuka says...

Here is another sci-fi series that's good to watch if you want a perspective on the future of society and where the digital revolution may lead humanity. The main characters are cyborgs, enhanced with abilities to help them track down rouge cyborgs and crime in general. In short, you get to see them kick some major ass. Ghost in the Shell is QUALITY anime. High production values with talented people created this series making this a series you don't want to miss.

FINSahaqiel says...

Another scifi piece wich you will like if you enjoyed NGE. Very nice graphics and awesome music.

ShiWeiLi says...

Ghost in the Shell and Neon Genesis Evangelion both played crucial roles in creating a niche for great little philosophical cult anime to come.  Both showcase an original science fiction setting that heavily puruses the human psyche and the meaning of life as plot points.  Good for people who enjoy a little bit of psychology in their entertainment.

apocalypticGnostic says...

philosophical, questions individuality and nature of humanity, takes place in a futuristic city and a military defends it from threats of the Other.

Akuma says...

Evangelion and Gundam Wing are BOTH some serious mecha battle animes. Gundam Wing isn't as graphic, but it's definitely a classic, and one of the best mecha style animes around. GW has a serious, deep plot line, dark and sinister.

NekoRocket says...

Evangelion and Gundam Wing are both kinda angsty series about youths fighting to protect the peace... with strong governmental conspiracies boiling in the background. Outstanding mecha designs and very deep stories, both are worth a good watch.

contralto says...

Both shows feature a young male teenager who happens to maneuver an ultimate fighting robot to protect his home - and destroy the enemies'. They follow the formulaic mecha storyline. 

However, both take time to develop the lead characters well. To the point of taking the audience into a psychological journey of each of the prime male lead (shinji and heero). and as teenagers amidst war - torn between prevailing principles of the peace and complicated politics - both show strongly angsty and anxious behaviour as they fulfill their duties. 

cassiesheepgirl says...

Like mecha? Like angsty teens? Brilliant, then both of these series are for you. Both Gundam Wing and Evangelion focus on the lives of the young people who pilot large mechass in order to protect the earth. Both also focus quite heavily on their troubles as much as they do on the fighting. If you liked one, it's worth trying the other.

Sakura says...

this is similar to Neon in that the pair of series are dealing with character(s) with psycological problems and they have to fight opposing enemies to save mankind. With Blue Gender it mainly conscentrates on one mans psycological problems as opposed to Neon who has bits of all the main character's problems

FireFlower says...

Do you love Mecha's and characters with actual story? Probably you will like one of these then or both.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the classics in the genre but you need a bit deep analysing skills if you want get more out of this anime. In the other hand Blue Gender is more forward about that and makes sure viewer understands what is going on.

Well both animes have a lot in common but they're still very different from each other. Probably the main element of the show is the development of the protagonist male character in the anime and how he affects people around him and how he learns new things from others.

OracleChampion77 says...

In both series, the main character struggles with their emotions as they drive mechs and fight off aliens. Both shows are dark and depressing, almost to the point where it is hard to watch. There were times when I was watching Blue Gender that reminded me of Evangelion. 

Jdogtoocool says...

Sex and violence ladies and gentlemen. That's what you'll be getting if you decide to watch these great anime. From reading the quick synopsis you couldn't tell but these two great shows feature an amazing love story and will have you litterally on your feet cheering for the main characters to do the right thing. If you like one I'm sure you'll love the other.

kazi says...

I know this is fairly obvious, as these are both really popular, but its worth pointing out. Each series is a thought-inducing, insightful, clever series that will be talked about for years to come. These are the series for the person who enjoys something a little more out there.

Gloominati says...

It may not be the most obvious recommendation, but Haruhi borrows many of the same character archetypes from NGE, so if you liked the way the characters played off each other in NGE you'd probably enjoy Haruhi.

Rilkar says...

One of the aspects that made Evangelion very popular is Rei Ayanami the character who started the quiet girl type. Yuki Nagato from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is a parody of the quiet girl type. If you like one you should watch the other to appreciate both shows more.

Donze says...

It might seem that i'm speaking totally nonsense, but these series are probably two of the most deep background stories ever seen in japanese animation.

Both stories may seem banal at the very beginning, but i can tell you for sure that tha work behind them is as huge as your imagination can understand and even over, and you'll find out only keeping on watching.

fiola says...

GANTZ and Evangelion are totally different series, but both have a great background of criticism especially as far as family goes. You can also notice a similar cold dystopic society metaphor and an existentialist picture of human behavior. So, if you like to suffer watch 'em both.

RaptorClaw says...

GANTZ and Evangelion have no fundamental similarities in either the story, characters or settings to justify this recommendation. However, these anime left me with the same feelings and aftertaste: a bitter-sweet craving for more. GANTZ is shocking in its own way, while Evangelion is soft and edgy, but I cannot imagine one to like one of them, and not love the other. These anime put up difficult questions and ironies, and try at every step to prove the audience wrong.

takuhii says...

Both series feature teenaged powered giant robots in them fighting a mysterious alien force. They also raise many questions about why these battles are being fought and if they are right or wrong in doing so. I you liked either of these shows, I think you'll like this one too ;)

eillac says...

While watching GANTZ, I was reminded of Evangelion because of the general setup - in GANTZ, they fight "aliens", and in Evangelion it's "angels." While GANTZ is has no mecha, I thought the way that violence was depicted was similar, although there is much more violence and even rape in GANTZ. Furthermore, GANTZ and Evangelion culminate in a metaphysical personal reflection by the main characters. 

vick01 says...

Both Evangelion and Gundam Seed have a main character who struggles, fights, and takes lives. He is reluctant to fight at first but after more and more battles take place, he realizes he must fight. Both of the series focus on character development, so if you love the characters in one series you will have to watch the other.

theonewinged says...

Both shows are very emotional and dramatic. In both shows the main characters often become very depressed and deal with problems such as the death of someone they love or their friends.

LovelyWickedDescet says...

I'm not adsactly sure why but Kira reminded me so much of Shinji. May-be its cause of the pain and suffer they are being put through while having to fight enemy forces and keeping the people they care about safe. Also while trying to keep themselves from going insane. Both are a weapon used by the people they work with control machines to help with defeating the enemy. (Gundam and Eva.)  I can't say that you'd like it or not, but I can say is that if you liked Gundam Seed then you may just like Neon Genisis too (and vice versa).

oddin says...

I think that the series are similar, not only because they are about fighting mecha, war and the tears with it. The characters are fighting with all they have and in the same time they going through internal dilemmas that this fight is necessary.

Looking at the heroes we see that they are young, they fight to protect someone. Take for example Kira - Shinji, both are the main characters they don't want to fight but they doing it because they want to protect. Both are struggling within them "Why do I have to fight ?" The storys of each series is with a group of heroes there are fighting for freedom and justice in a chaotic world full of injustice and war.

Although there are differences between the shows and that is making it worth to watch both series. When you liked one you will like the other :)

AirCommodore says...

I once heard Revolutionary Girl Utena described as "Evangelion for girls", and while I would argue against the assigning of demographic to each show based solely on gender, I'm inclined to agree with the general sentiment. Neither really starts off with much indication that it's gonna be REALLY WEIRD, but when that "What the dickens am I watching, and why is it so good?" feeling kicks in, it refuses to let up. Highly recommended, even if you don't think you'll like them, even if only because they're both "classics".

hunnybeee says...

Utena masks its deep philosophical themes with roses and sword fights while Evangelion does exactly the same with giant robots. However, the interesting part of both shows is not the flashy display of supernatural/sci-fi elements. It's the message they're trying to deliver through them and both shows succeed in that. In other words, if you like philosopy, symbolism and deep plots this is definitely going to be the show for you.

apocalypticGnostic says...

They both desconstruct tropes, involve a lot of symbolism, and have a major tonal shift. Many of the themes they address are similar, such as growing up/coming of age and the cycles of abuse.

4nn1E says...

Both shows are somehow 'demented' and would cater a lot to the audience that likes analyzing things they see and thinking about them later.

Also themes of mental illnes and struggle, search for one's own meaning in the world and endless frustration

Issengard says...

Both shows involve mechas, aliens and genetic experiments. Gaunas and Angels have a lot in common, just like Evas and Chimeras. And also share the same dark/sad atmosphere.

Dozo says...

The obviuos: mecha, threat on humanity, kind of clueless main character, and a little gory and dark at times. Then again many other animes have these elements, what I really like about Knights of Sidonia is the way it tells its story and the fact that it is actually interesting and makes you want to know more: what's gonna happen next? What happened before the events of the series? What's the deal with Hoshijiro and Izana? NGE is one of my all-time favorite anime series, so I'm always trying to find something with similar themes or that will get me as excited. So far series that have succeeded at that are Fullmetal Alchemist, Ergo Proxy, Attack on Titan, and Knights of Sidonia is doing a pretty good job so far.

snivets says...

There are many similar elements at play in Sidonia and NGE. From giant, unknown alien entities threatening humankind, to the dark atmosphere, to the way which the storyline examines how the character's personalities drive their (not always good) decisions, I think fans of one will find plenty to appreciate in the other.

TheHigurashiGuy says...

When I watched Evangelion, I had pretty high expectations, because of it's good reputation. I enjoyed watching it (at least the main series), but in my opinion it is a rather average series and the my expectations were not fully met.

Knights of Sidonia, however, is an Anime that had the things, I wanted to see in a popular series as Evangelion. Both have mechas and monsters fighting each other, but the dark horror SciFi athmosphere of Sidonia is way deeper. 

If You liked Evangelion, I highly recommend watching Knights of Sidonia to You. 

MerryPerry says...

Both devilman Crybaby and evangelion share similar worlds. As well as similar questions of their worlds and the ultimate meaning of living within it. While Devilman is a bit more violent and sexuel in the first half, the show quickly turns to a world destroying set of actions, just like evangelions destruction. You can also tell devilman was inspired by evangelion and it's symbolism as it is retraced and used in a new way in devilman Crybaby. Both good shows and I liked them both.

EmmmmmmyBear says...

I'd recomend this because the endings feel very similar to each other and both have nice character arcs etc. 

nyanlu says...

similarities: being forced into doing something for the good of mankind, lots of crying and screaming, talks about human extinction as something desired, angels, great soundtracks, religious/christian symbolism and imagery, fighting with monsters, "relationships with others are what makes us human".

if you prefer the "End of Evangelion" ending then also: humans fighting humans, apocalypse, more screaming and crying and nudity and gore

xRJLx says...

DMCB and NGE have similar characters and similar concepts, both have characters go through complex understanding of themselves and the world though a altered biblical lense