A while after the Second Impact, a major "cataclysmic event"¹, monsters called angels begin to invade Tokyo-3. People are defenseless, which is where an organization called NERV comes in. This organization uses mecha called Evangelions to fight off the angels.¹
Inappropriate Clothing
Characters wear form-fitting suits. Short skirts are seen as well. There are a lot of other inappropriate things found in the show:
"In the intro female characters naked outlines can be seen. No nipple is shown but the out line of their genitalia is seen."
"A boy accidentally looks up a girls skirt before she slaps him. As revenge he pushes his pants down (his butt is briefly seen) before she slaps him again."
"Some scenes where a female character is getting dressed shows the ring around their nipple [areola]."
"A naked boy is in the bathroom and blushes while looking at female underwear. His bare buttocks are seen for a few seconds."
"There is a psychological scene where several female characters glide towards the screen repeatedly while nude."²
Do you think that these sorts of things (and these are just a few) are pleasing to the LORD? Do you think Jesus would have watched these things? Of course not. We even know He wouldn't. As it says in Habakkuk:
"Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?" (Habakkuk 1:13)
If God Himself won't look upon sin, why should we?
Hebephilia
Several of the characters are teenagers, around fourteen or fifteen, and are shown in ways they aren't supposed to be. It is literally lolicon. Additionally, an "adult woman jokes about being attracted to a teen boy."² This is wicked. You can read more about lolicon in my post Anime's Unholy Fetish: No Innocence in Loli Culture.
Alcohol
This show contains alcohol and intoxication.² Is this pleasing to God? Hint: It's not.
"[9] Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: [10] And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;" (Leviticus 10:9-10)
The priests were told not to drink alcohol because it was unholy and unclean. We should not drink alcohol because it is unholy and unclean. Drunkenness is also explicitly forbidden by Scripture (Ephesians 5:18).
Mocking the Bible
Fallen angels may be wicked, but this show makes no distinction between fallen angels and just angels. Angels are "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister" (Hebrews 1:13-14). It's just a big misrepresentation of angels.
Also, one of the angels is named Adam.³ 1) Adam is not an angel; he was a man, and 2) Adam was a believer of God; he was saved. He was not fighting against humans as some monstrous being. Another angel is named Lilith⁴—a reference to the supposed "first wife" of Adam from Jewish mythology. Lilith is seen on a cross. This is a mockery of our Lord Jesus Christ! There are many other crosses found in this show.⁵
"Most notably, people often link Evangelion's imagery to Gnosticism or Kabbalah, arguing that the show recreates stories from these faiths."⁵
According to the assistant director of the show, they mixed this show with Christianity merely to make it "mysterious", even claiming that "None of the staff who worked on Eva are Christians", and there is "no actual Christian meaning to the show".⁵
Evil God
Building upon the last section, we must notice something foundational to the show. God is depicted as evil in this show.
"Evangelion's God [is] bent on destroying humanity... and the humans fighting back against him [are] (sometimes) depicted as the heroes."⁶
With this in mind, consider the name Neon Genesis Evangelion itself. It is a Greek phrase:
- Neon (Νέον): new
- Genesis (Γένεσις): origin, beginning
- Evangelion (Εὐαγγέλιον): Gospel, good news
Thus, the meaning of its name is "The Gospel of a New Genesis," one in which Jehovah God is not a part. What blasphemy! This show is anti-Christ and anti-God!
"[God] is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?" (Job 9:4)
God is not scared. In fact, the Lord laughs at those who think they can overcome Him (Psalm 2:1-4)!
Conclusion
This show, despite many hailing it as a great "Christian anime," is, in fact, quite the opposite—instead, it portrays a Gnostic version of the religion. And even with the immodesty and alcohol, that itself disqualifies Neon Genesis Evangelion from a Christian's watchlist.
Sources:
1. "Shinseiki Evangelion." MyAnimeList, myanimelist.net/anime/30/Shinseiki_Evangelion. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
2. "Neon Genesis Evangelion: Parents guide." IMDb, imdb.com/title/tt0112159/parentalguide. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
3. "Adam." EVANGELION WIKI, evangelion.fandom.com/wiki/Adam. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
4. "Lilith." EVANGELION WIKI, evangelion.fandom.com/wiki/Lilith. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
5. Greenall, Jonathon. "What Does the Religious Symbolism in Neon Genesis Evangelion Actually Mean?" CBR, 20 May 2024, cbr.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-religious-symbolism. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
6. Twwk. "Discerning Anime – by Twwk of Beneath the Tangles." Geek Devotions, 4/21/2022, geekdevotions.com/2022/04/21/discerning-anime-by-twwk-of-beneath-the-tangles. Accessed 8/6/2025.