Preteen girl looking at a cell phone with her parents

Family movie night? There's an app for that

Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.

Parents' Guide to

Neon Genesis Evangelion

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Classic anime series is violent, introspective.

TV Netflix Anime 1995
Neon Genesis Evangelion Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 13+

Based on 21 parent reviews

age 14+

Great show for teens and adults alike

I am baffled by the people saying this show is 18+. This series is about the fear of growing up, the stress of being a teenager with responsibilities, and the loneliness experienced by all people at some point in their life. It is absolutely a must-watch for both teenagers and adults alike. Yes, it deals with heavy topics such as depression, the nature of humanity, and individuality, but it handles these topics masterfully and does a great job of showing what it's like to struggle with depression and wanting to run away from your responsibilities, something many teens deal with. This is a show that makes you think, whether you want to or not, about God, your purpose on Earth, and belonging to a community/family. In the end, the main message that Evangelion teaches to our teens is that every one of us is worthy of the love of others because we are capable of loving them. It teaches them to love themselves and that they can trust others and be open with them without worrying about being hurt. I would recommend this show to anyone capable of understanding complex themes and who is mature enough to handle violence and mild sexual content. 14 and up seems like a perfectly fine age to me, and I would maybe even say a mature 13-year-old would be OK watching it.
age 13+

Greatest Anime of All Time

Simple as that.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (21 ):
Kids say (52 ):

This iconic series, which is credited with reigniting the anime industry in the mid-1990s, uses elements from various religious and mystical belief systems to create a world in which humanity is introspectively explored. While it contains many of the familiar narratives and mythological elements anime is known for, it also spends considerable time exploring the psyche of the individual characters -- explorations that were not particularly well-received at the time. But it was still popular enough to lead to a lucrative franchise, including several films in which the controversial storylines were reworked. Dedicated anime fans will want to tune in, and may enjoy comparing Neon Genesis Evangelion to more contemporary series.

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate