Top 10 Anime to watch if you like Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a mecha-action anime that highlights the psychological side of each character. To be honest, I watched Neon Genesis Evangelion not because I was interested in the action but because I was more interested in the character development and lore of Neon Genesis Evangelion because it involved religious elements. The character development in this anime is excellent, especially in the rebuild series where Shinji’s personality is getting more mature over time. Most people who watch this anime like it because they find that they can relate to the characters. Being so relatable, this anime has a managed to maintain a huge fan base and that still active to this day.

However, the series Neon Genesis Evangelion is over. It ended decades ago and maybe you’re finding yourself in a state where you’re having trouble moving on cause Neon Genesis Evangelion just left you with a blown mind and emotions that you still don’t understand. Don’t worry, we’ve been there and we’re here to help you!

From one Neon Genesis Evangelion fan to another, let us help you by showing you guys a list of animes that have something in common with Neon Genesis Evangelion. Whether it’s from the art style, plot, genre, or whatever. Take my word for it, you will enjoy these recommendations.

10. Mobile Suit Gundam Seed

If you liked Neon Genesis Evangelion because of the mecha side, then you should consider watching Mobile Suit Gundam Seed. The story mainly revolves around the life of teenage boy named Kira Yamato, the protagonist, who gets mixed up in a war between naturals and coordinators which are humans who have been genetically modified to be superior. Although Kira is a coordinator, Kira finds himself forced to pilot a gundam and fight for his natural friends who, like him, also got caught up in the war. However, sooner than later, Kira finds out that one particular person he is defending his natural friends from turns out to be his close childhood friend.

Throughout the series, you are left wondering which side is really on the right side as both sides make good points. This will surely leave you in your seat wanting to learn what happens next. What’s more is that Gundam Seed is not just about mecha and war, that’d make it such a boring story. Gudam Seed is more than that. It’s also about friendship. hope, tragedy, and love with a bit of comedy splashed in. Give this a shot and I’m sure you’ll have a great time.

If you want to read more about Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny, we have articles about them. You can check out those articles by clicking on this link here.

9. Wonder Egg Priority

Number nine on our list is Wonder Egg Priority because just like Neon Genesis Evangelion, this anime also has a very deep plot. Wonder Egg Priority presents the story of Ai Ohto and his friends who struggle to save other girls from the trauma that made them commit suicide. This anime is not very similar to Neon Genesis Evangelion, but you might like this anime because of its dark concept. Although Wonder Egg priority might be considered an underrated anime, the art style, music, and story of this anime are really great. There are so many disturbing moments in this anime, but that’s why we like this show. It takes the psychological-horror genre of anime to another level.

Wonder Egg Priority is set in 2021 and is not based on anything. The show comes with many trigger warnings, including self-mutilation, body shaming, survivor guilt, and suicide, which make up the heart of the story. So, if like the dark story of Neon Genesis Evangelion, then you should definitely consider watching this anime.

8. Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu

If you like Neon Genesis Evangelion, then you definitely love psychological anime. Re:Zero is a psychological and isekai anime which means it takes place in another world. The main protagonist is Subaru. He was mysteriously sent to another world without any explanation and in that world, Subaru has the ability to reset through certain checkpoints when he died. However, Subaru could still experience pain whenever he dies. The fact that Subaru keeps being alive after dying over and over again can traumatize you because of the horrific experience he goes through.

Re:Zero was created in 2016 and is an adaptation of a web novel. The dark plot of Re:Zero is the reason we put this anime on this list. Although this is not a mecha anime, it is still recommended because of the psychological horror genre. There aren’t many similarities between Re:Zero and Neon Genesis Evangelion, but we still recommend you to watch this anime if you like Neon Genesis Evangelion.

7. Attack On Titan (Shingeki No Kyojin)

If you’re a fan of anime, then chances are you’ve heard of this anime. It’s very popular and it has a great plot twists. Attack on Titan features the story of three teenagers who seem to live in a post-apocalyptic world. They live in a large wall with three layers, the wall protects humans from giant creatures that eat humans called Titans. This show lacks the mecha genre aspect but is does have a lot of adventure and science fiction. And although the show lacks a psychological genre, the character development in the show is good. Overall, Attack on Titan contains a lot of mystery and action which is something that we’re sure Neon Genesis Evangelion fans will enjoy.

Attack on Titan started as a manga series and was created in 2009. Many people already know this anime because of its popularity. What Attack on Titan and Neon Genesis Evangelion have in common is that they contain mystery, politics, world conflicts, and strange-looking creatures. If you’ve heard of Attack on Titan but still haven’t seen it, believe us when we say that you won’t regret it if you start watching this anime.

6. Serial Experiments Lain

This anime is about a 14-year-old girl named Lain. She is an isolated and troubled girl. At home, her parents and sister barely acknowledge her existence, and at school, she only contacts her classmate’s friend named Alice. The situation is not unique, of course; all over the world, people are becoming disconnected from their real lives in favor of digital Internet experiences. But increasingly bizarre events seem to point to a deeper connection between Lain and the world of Wired. Serial Experiments Lain is a unique experience. It’s a somber, existential work that trusts audiences enough to let them draw their own conclusions about what’s going on, about what’s real, and why things are the way they are. The Serial Experiments Lain series is without a doubt a series that any Neon Genesis Evangelion fan, who loves the psychological flavor of Neon Genesis Evangelion, will enjoy.

Serial Experiments Lain was created in 1998 and this show is not based on anything. This show only has 13 episodes, but it’s still worth watching if you love psychological anime. It was also quite popular in the past, and even today, it is considered one of the best psychological mystery anime series ever made.

5. Bokura no

This anime tells the story of 15 children who were enjoying their summer camp together when they suddenly came across a cave by the sea. When they enter the mysterious place, they find a room full of computers, as well as a man named Kokopelli, who introduces himself as the owner. He claims to be working on a game involving a giant robot that has been designed to protect Earth from 15 different alien invasions, this is similar to Neon Genesis Evangelion, where NERV created the Evangelions to protect the Earth from the Angels. The owner, Kokopelli, hasn’t been able to test his game yet, so he’s coaxed all but one player into signing up for what he claims will be a fun adventure.

After the contract is done, all of the 15 children must pilot the giant robot all at once. Each child who comes to pilot the mecha known as Zearth faces not only the struggle to save the world but also their very own life. Every child tried to figure out the reasoning behind why they piloted the robot, much like in the series Neon Genesis Evangelion, where the main protagonist struggles to find the reasoning for piloting an Evangelion. The anime has a lot of similarities with Neon Genesis Evangelion, especially with its genre having mecha, psychological, and sci-fi. We know what we’re talking about and we’re pretty confident when we say that this anime is suitable for Neon Genesis Evangelion fans and that you guys will surely love this anime.

Bokura no is based on a manga and was created in 2003. There are many similarities between Bokura no and Neon Genesis Evangelion, such as the concept of a teenager piloting a giant robot to protect Earth from alien-like creatures, and the psychological part of Bokura no is very similar to Neon Genesis Evangelion, where the pilot struggles to find the reason why he is piloting the giant robot. This series can definitely be enjoyed if you like Neon Genesis Evangelion because of the psychological and mecha genres of the anime itself.

4. Ergo Proxy

Ergo Proxy takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where the last civilizations of humans remain. The civilizations lived inside of a dome and were unable to go outside of the dome due to the global ecological catastrophe. To speed up humanity’s recovery, “AutoReivs,” humanoid-like robots, have been created to help people in their daily lives. However, the AutoReivs have started contracting a mysterious disease called the “Cogito Virus,” which gives them self-awareness. The similarities between this anime and Neon Genesis Evangelion is that they are that both very psychological and philosophical. They also make many references to religion, God, and other important people and events. Both occur in a post-apocalyptic future. Both will let you think about what’s going on. And they also explore each character very well.

Ergo Proxy was created in 2006 and is based on manga. This anime is not in the mecha genre, but in other aspects, it is still quite similar. If you are looking for psychological and sci-fi anime, give this one a try. Overall, Ergo Proxy is a complete package in terms of story, animation, sound, and character development.

3. Devilman Crybaby

Devilman Crybaby has a very dark theme and violent content, very similar to Neon Genesis Evangelion. The show Devilman Crybaby is about the demon race who are about to take over the earth. To prevent it from happening, a teenager named Akira joins forces with a demon. Akira becomes the Devilman, an entity that is half-human and half-demon. The concept of a teenage boy attempting to prevent other creatures from conquering the earth is shared by Devilman Crybaby and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Even Neon Genesis Evangelion is heavily inspired by the Devilman manga.

Devilman Crybaby was created in 2018 and is based on the manga series Devilman from Nagai. Although this is not a mecha anime, Devilman Crybaby is still recommended for you to watch if you have watched Neon Genesis Evangelion. Much like Neon Genesis Evangelion, this show is of the gore genre and has an unsettling feeling when you watch it. This show emphasizes a lot of action, but the storyline is also very interesting and no less exciting than the action. So, you should consider watching this anime if you like Neon Genesis Evangelion.

2. Code Geass

Code Geass tells the story of a young Japanese named Lelouch Lamperouge. He is plays the role of an ordinary young man, but in fact, he is a prince who was deliberately dumped by his father after his mother died. Lelouch only lives with his sister, who has been crippled and blind since her mother’s death. Much like in the series Neon Genesis Evangelion, the show’s main protagonist has a bitter grudge against his father. Lelouch vows to take revenge on his father, is also determined to destroy his father’s empire, Britania. One day, Lelouch met a woman named C.C, who gave him a mysterious power called the Geass, the power of the King. Will Lelouch be able to defeat his father and get his revenge with his new power in hand? Seriously though, you should definitely watch Code Geass. You will not regret it.

Code Geass was created in 2006, this show is considered old but still very popular. Apart from the mecha genre, there are so many similarities between Code Geass and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Both series deal with politics, warfare, and psychology. The two of them discussed topics such as human nature, the meaning of life and happiness, and sadness and madness. Code Geass is a very well-made anime that is highly recommended to watch if you like Neon Genesis Evangelion.

We actually have a lot of Code Geass articles. If you want to read up on Code Geass you can click here to start reading now.

1. Darling in the Franxx

If you’ve heard of this anime, then it shouldn’t surprise you that we placed this at the number 1 spot. Darling in the FranXX and Neon Genesis Evangelion both aren’t similar story-wise, but premise-wise, it seems familiar in certain places like the apocalyptic nature of the world, and how the governments are similar to the show itself. Darling in the FranXX features teenagers that are made to pilot mechas called Franxx, Franxx is the only compatible weapon for humans to fight alien species also known as klaxosaurs. Darling in the Franxx even has it’s fair share of psychological issues just like Neon Genesis Evangelion.

So let’s see… in Darling in the Franxx, it’s a mecha, with teenage pilots, with giant monsters, with a psychology issues. Bringing it all together, you get a mixture of action, mecha, psychological, drama, romance, fan-service (oh yes. You’ll see fan-service in Darling in the Franxx here and there.), and comedy. What else do you need to know that this is gonna be a great anime for sure? Take it from us guys. You’ll love this one!

Darling in the FranXX is based on the manga and was created in 2018. This show is also a romance genre, so viewers can enjoy the romance part other than the mecha-action. We actually have Darling in the Franxx articles up. If you want to read about Darling in the Franxx, you can click here to start reading.