Neon Genesis Evangelion Arrives on a New Streaming Platform This September

The Criterion Channel is set to enhance its anime lineup later this year by adding one of the most legendary series in the genre. Hideaki Anno’s Neon Genesis Evangelion will make its streaming debut on September 1, thanks to North American distributor GKIDS.

This release will feature three key entries from the Evangelion franchise. First up is the original 26-episode series from 1995, which will include both the Japanese and the original English dub, the latter being available for streaming for the first time. Next is Evangelion: Death (True)2, a 1998 film that primarily serves as a recap of the series. Finally, fans can look forward to The End of Evangelion, the highly regarded conclusion to the original series, released in 1997.

For those unfamiliar, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a mech-anime that has left a significant mark on the anime landscape. The series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where teenagers pilot massive Multipurpose Humanoid Decisive Weapons—artificial beings known as Evangelions—to protect humanity from enigmatic entities called Angels. What starts as an action-packed spectacle gradually transforms into a profound exploration of themes like identity, trauma, loneliness, and human connection.

It’s worth noting that this Criterion release will not include the Rebuild of Evangelion films, which serve as a reboot and retelling of the original series. The original series, Evangelion: Death (True)2, and The End of Evangelion are also available for streaming on Netflix, although the Netflix version features a newer English dub compared to the one in the Criterion release. The Rebuild films can be found on Amazon Prime Video, but they will be leaving the service in mid-August.

The Criterion Channel launched a dedicated anime collection in late 2025, featuring acclaimed films like Ghost in the Shell, Paprika, Redline, and Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space. Additionally, the film version of Gunbuster, Anno’s directorial debut prior to Evangelion, is currently available on the platform.

Excitingly, Evangelion will also return with a new anime series from writer Yoko Taro, known for Nier, and director Kazuya Tsurumaki, who previously helmed the Rebuild films and the recent Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX anime.