Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Classic anime series is violent, introspective.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Parents say this show contains complex themes and heavy content that can be challenging for younger viewers. While praised for its deep characters and insightful exploration of mental health, many warn about violence, sexualization, and existential elements, suggesting that it might be better suited for older teens and adults who can handle its mature themes.
- mature themes
- graphic content
- relatable characters
- introspective storytelling
- age suitability
- violence concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 67 kid reviews
Kids say this show is a profound exploration of complex themes such as mental health, existential dread, and the struggles of growing up, while featuring elements of violence and nudity that can be distressing for younger viewers. Generally recommended for mature teens aged 13 and up, many reviewers emphasize the need for parental discretion due to the show's darker content and the nuanced messages that may not resonate with younger audiences.
- mature themes
- psychological exploration
- violence present
- emotional depth
- viewer discretion advised
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Create by Hideaki Anno, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION (1995-1996) is a post-apocalyptic Japanese anime series about a teenage boy, his father, and saving humanity from alien beings. It's 2015, fifteen years after a catastrophic global event known as the Second Impact, destroyed most of planet. But a group of aliens called Angels returned to Earth in hopes of destroying it. As part of his efforts to fight them, Gendo Ikari, the callous Commander of NERV, a secretive military organization, has NERV officer Misato Katsuragi bring his teenage son Shinji to the fortified city of Tokyo-3. Once there, Shinji learns that he is to join other young pilots in operating giant bio-machine mechas known as Evangelion to fight them off. Throughout it all, Shinji and the other pilots attempt to uncover the truth behind what is driving the project, while engaging in a journey of self-discovery.
Is It Any Good?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the history of anime. When was anime first created? When did it start enjoying global popularity?
How did Neon Genesis Evangelion set itself apart from other anime series when it was first released? What made it different? Where there moments when these differences pushed the envelope a little too much?
TV Details
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