Get ready to learn how to say “what the hell just happened?” in Japanese. “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” one of the most acclaimed — and straight up weird — works in anime history, will be available to stream globally for the first time when it debuts on Netflix in 2019.
The announcement came during Netflix’s Anime Lineup Presentation, held Tuesday (Monday night, U.S. time) in Tokyo.
Produced by Gainax and Tatsunoko Production, “Neon Genesis Evangelion” originally aired on TV Tokyo from October 1995 to March 1996. Set in the far-future year of 2015, the show tracks a war between humans, defended by pilots who control giant bio-machines called “Evangelions,” and aliens called “Angels.” Drawing imagery from Kabbalah, Christianity and Judaism, “Evangelion” is particularly celebrated — and notorious — for its insane ending (which we won’t spoil, but trust us). The uninitiated can watch the teaser trailer above.
Along with the complete series, Netflix will also stream the feature films “The End of Evangelion,” which serves as an alternative ending to the show, and “Evangelion: Death(true)2.” They’re all set to debut sometime in spring, 2019.
Netflix also announced launch dates and windows for several of its upcoming new anime projects:
“Rilakkuma and Kaoru”: Based on “Rilakkuma,” Japan’s popular line of stuffed animals, the show follows a woman in her thirties who shares her apartment with a soft toy bear, and learns that the secret to life is sometimes as simple as relaxing. From director Masahito Kobayashi and writer Naoko Ogigami, it debuts April 19, 2019.
“Ultraman”: The latest installment of the 52-year old superhero franchise sees the legendary “Giant of Light” now a memory, believed to have returned home after years defending our planet from alien invaders. But Shinjiro, son of original Ultraman host Shin Hayata, follows in his father’s footsteps to battle a new crop of alien invaders. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama and Shinji Aramaki, it premieres April 1.
“7Seeds”: Based on the manga series by Yumi Tamura, “7Seeds” is set in a future after all life on Earth has been destroyed in an asteroid impact event — except for five sets of seven men and seven women, selected by their governments to survive in cryogenic stasis and be awakened when the planet is again capable of supporting life. Directed by Yukio Takahashi and story-edited by Touko Machida, it will premiere in April.
“Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac”: Based on the manga series by Masami Kurumada, the series follows modern-day adventures of young warriors called “Knights”, who are sworn protectors of the reincarnated Greek goddess Athena. Directed by Yoshiharu Ashino with Eugene Son (“Avengers: Secret Wars”) serving as head writer, the show launches summer, 2019.