Anime like Evangelion has captured the hearts and minds of fans worldwide with its compelling stories, complex characters, and stunning animation.
With its blend of action, drama, and psychological depth, Evangelion has set a high standard for the genre, leaving viewers hungry for more of the same captivating experience.
Luckily, the anime world is filled with other series that can deliver that same intensity and emotional impact.
Whether you’re a seasoned anime fan or just starting, there are plenty of options to explore.
From the mind-bending science fiction of Sonny Boy to the epic battles of Legend Of The Galactic Heroes, anime has something for everyone.
Whether you’re drawn to the deep character development, the stunning visuals, or the thrilling action sequences, these anime will not disappoint.
So, grab a drink and get ready for a wild ride!
1. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Some of the best anime scenes can be found in the Neon Genesis series, a series of anime movies.
Fans who want to see something similar don’t have to look any further than the strange title Mononoke.
Mononoke is a story that takes place at the end of the Edo period.
It follows the mysterious Medicine Seller as he travels through historical Japan’s mysterious and spiritual landscape.
Even though Mononoke and anime like Evangelion occur in very different places, there is no denying that the way they build up to their climaxes is very similar.
Both are inherently vague, which shows that they want to make people think about things rather than tell them what to think.
2. Sonny Boy (2021)
Sonny Boy is an excellent example of how modern anime are these days.
The show doesn’t try to push an agenda, rely on simple jokes or tricks for entertainment, or try to tackle hard topics clumsily.
Instead, it’s more like Lord of the Flies, where the characters get to figure out who they are on their own.
At first glance, it might not seem like this series and anime like Evangelion have much in common.
But the differences in how they talk about their topics show they are similar.
3. Legend Of The Galactic Heroes (1988)
With so many good anime series coming out all the time, it’s getting easier and easier to forget about older ones like Legend of the Galactic Heroes.
Based on a series of 10 books, the legendary science fiction drama came out 40 years ago, but it has held up surprisingly well.
Evangelion, which came out in 1995, is one of the oldest anime shows many young people have seen.
Even though everyone praised Legend of the Galactic Heroes, this made it a hidden gem that doesn’t get as much praise as it should.
So, if you enjoy anime like Evangelion, watch this series.
4. Code Geass (2006)
When a post-apocalyptic world is in danger, its survival often depends on a young main character fighting a battle inside.
In anime like Evangelion and Code Geass, a teenage boy gets caught up in a bigger battle than himself.
Lelouch, the son of the Emperor, saw his family destroyed by political forces in his world.
He has vowed to get revenge, even though those political forces include his family and best friend.
Code Geass and Evangelion have the robot fights that mecha fans love, but they also raise many philosophical questions about life, humanity, loyalty, and good vs. evil.
5. Gurren Lagann (2007)
Gurren Lagann looks like a typical mecha anime at first glance.
In it, a teen boy named Simon and his friend Kamina finds a mech. But the story is different from what you would expect.
When the two discover the surface world and the fight against Gunmen, Beastmen, and the Spiral King, they join forces and call themselves Team Gurren.
They try to beat the Spiral King and his army with the help of other people.
Similar to anime like Evangelion, a group of humans works together to save humanity, but this crazy mecha adventure has a funny side, thanks to Gurren Lagann.
6. Gunbuster (1988)
In most mecha anime, most characters are men, and the main character is usually a man.
But in the 1980s mecha show Gunbuster, almost all characters are women, which goes against the trend.
Gunbuster takes place in the future, similar to anime like Evangelion, and the main character, Noriko, is learning how to pilot mecha.
In Gunbuster, like Evangelion, the main character has to deal with her problems to pilot the mecha and save the world.
7. Eureka Seven (2005)
Akin to anime like Evangelion, Eureka Seven is an anime that mixes a world after the end of the world with forces from other planets.
Renton, a 14-year-old boy from a small town in the year 12005, is the main character of Eureka Seven.
After a strange being forced people to leave Earth, they now live in space.
Renton teams up with Eureka, a young Coralian who drives a giant mech, and the two of them join the Gekkostate group and go on a big adventure.
Eureka Seven has the best parts of group adventures, like funny parts and some romance, and the parts that Evangelion fans love, like the mecha and the science fiction.
8. Darling In The FranXX’s (2018)
Because of how some characters look alike, Darling in the FranXX is often one of the first anime to be compared to anime like Evangelion.
Darling’s main character, Hiro, is a skinny teen boy with dark, shaggy hair. The main character, Zero Two, wears a red pilot suit like Asuka.
Aside from how they look, the main characters in both anime have a hard time with self-doubt when piloting the mecha.
Even though Darling is more romantic and has a big plot twist near the end of the series, people still want to know what will happen next in both.
9. Akira (1988)
Like Evangelion, Akira is considered a classic sci-fi anime. Akira takes place in the year 2021, after World War III.
It is about Tetsuo, a motorcycle gang member, who gets involved in a top-secret government project by accident.
Similar to anime like Evangelion, Akira has been a classic for over 30 years because of its unique story, philosophical tone, post-apocalyptic world, and government involvement.
Akira will be a treat for people who liked Evangelion, but all anime fans should watch it.
10. RahXephon (2002)
Even though RahXephon is often seen as a copy of anime like Evangelion, many fans like both shows.
The story of RahXephon also takes place in 2015, about a boy named Ayato. Ayato becomes the pilot of the clay-made RahXephon, a giant mecha robot.
There are a lot of similarities between RahXephon and Evangelion, like the military and philosophical questions.
However, RahXephon has two things that Evangelion doesn’t have: romance and time travel.
RahXephon is the perfect series for people who want something like Evangelion but with more romance and a clear ending.
11. Blue Seed (1994)
At first glance, Blue Seed, a popular movie from the 1990s, and anime like Evangelion don’t seem to have much in common.
Blue Seed doesn’t have any giant robots that fight, and it has a lot of mythical Japanese elements and some funny and romantic ones.
But because they were both made in the 1990s, their animation styles are very similar.
Both shows have a wide range of characters and mix what looks like regular people with government agencies.
As each series progresses, the plots get more complicated, and more parts are added to raise the stakes.
12. Serial Experiments Lain (1998)
Serial Experiments Lain is another anime often put in the same group as anime like Evangelion.
Serial Experiments Lain stands out because it is an anime from the late 1990s, and the art style differs from what was common then.
It’s about a 14-year-old girl named Lain who finds Wired, which is like the internet but is an alternate reality.
Serial Experiments: Lain looks at the exciting connection between people and technology, as well as reality, virtual worlds, and people.
13. Blue Gender (1999)
The story of Blue Gender, which came out in 1999, is about a near future in which humans are no longer at the top of the food chain.
The Blue, a species of dangerous bugs, has taken over Earth, forcing its people to hide on a nearby space station or fight to reclaim their home planet.
Blue Gender and anime like Evangelion use the trope of aliens taking over, but that’s not all they have in common.
Both shows look closely at how these struggles affect people’s lives, so fans of the latter should check out the former if they want more thought-provoking content.
14. Devilman Crybaby (2018)
The original Devilman manga greatly influenced anime like Evangelion, so it’s unsurprising that Devilman Crybaby, the 2018 anime remake, has much of the same appeal.
The show’s main character, Akira Fudou, lives in a world where Devils can take over people’s bodies. When this happens, one of two things can happen.
Either the Devil takes over their host, making a Devilman, or the host’s sense of self wins, making a Devilman.
In Evangelion, existential questions are asked through science fiction, but in Devilman: Crybaby, they are requested through the lens of supernatural horror.
Conclusion
Anime like Evangelion offers a unique and captivating experience that has captivated audiences worldwide.
This anime genre has something for everyone, from its complex characters to its mind-bending storylines.
If you’re a fan of Evangelion, you’ll be pleased to know that plenty of other anime out there deliver the same intensity and emotional depth.
With so many options, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest and leaves you wanting more.
So, whether you’re looking for an action-packed adventure or a thought-provoking journey through the human psyche, the world of anime has got you covered.
So, sit back, relax, and be prepared to experience some of the best anime out there.
Who knows, you may find your next favorite show.
