Criterion Channel is adding Hideaki Anno's seminal mech anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion to its streaming library on September 1. The release, facilitated by North American distributor GKIDS, will feature the original 26-episode series from 1995, along with two accompanying films: Evangelion: Death (True)2 and The End of Evangelion.
This marks the first time the original English dub for Neon Genesis Evangelion will be available to stream. The 1998 film Evangelion: Death (True)2 serves as a recap of the series, while the 1997 film The End of Evangelion offers an alternate conclusion to the original narrative.
Neon Genesis Evangelion is widely regarded as one of the most influential anime titles ever created. The series is set in a postapocalyptic world where teenagers pilot artificial humanoids known as Evangelions to combat mysterious entities called Angels. The narrative evolves from high-stakes action into a deep exploration of themes such as identity, trauma, loneliness, and human connection.
Notably, this Criterion Channel release will not include the Rebuild of Evangelion films, which offer a separate retelling of the story. The original series, Evangelion: Death (True)2, and The End of Evangelion are currently accessible on Netflix, though that platform features a newer English dub. The Rebuild films are scheduled to leave Amazon Prime Video in mid-August.
Criterion Channel has been expanding its anime collection, which launched in late 2025 with titles like Ghost in the Shell and Paprika. Anno's pre-Evangelion directorial debut, the film version of Gunbuster, is also currently available on the service.
Additionally, a new anime series is reportedly in development with Yoko Taro, creator of Nier, and Kazuya Tsurumaki, director of the Rebuild films, attached to the project.