Learn Japanese with Neon Genesis Evangelion

Anime by Japanese level › N2 to N1

How hard is the Japanese in Neon Genesis Evangelion?

Ikkimi rates Neon Genesis Evangelion at N2 to N1 (hard Japanese for advanced learners). What sets its level: military, science and psychology words. Of the 192 anime Ikkimi rates by hand, 177 are easier and 9 are harder.

Levels follow the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, from N5 (easiest) to N1 (hardest). They are Ikkimi’s estimate of how hard a show’s Japanese is to follow, from how fast people talk, how many unusual words there are and how clear the voices are. They are not official JLPT ratings.

Format, episodes, year and genres are from AniList’s entry, which may cover only the first season.

The words in the title

The Japanese title, 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン, is a first lesson in itself. Its word, as a dictionary lists it:

How to learn Japanese with Neon Genesis Evangelion

Ikkimi lists Neon Genesis Evangelion on Netflix. What each service carries varies by country. Ikkimi does not stream anything: you watch on your own account, in Chrome on a computer, and Ikkimi adds a Japanese line you can click on top of the player.

On Netflix

On Netflix, turn on Japanese subtitles in the player, where your country’s Netflix has them for this title, and Ikkimi makes the line clickable. If there are none, open the Ikkimi popup, choose Find Japanese subtitles, and search Jimaku’s catalogue or load a file from your computer.

1. Add Ikkimi to Chrome

   Get the extension from the Chrome Web Store and sign in.

2. Play an episode

   Open Neon Genesis Evangelion on Netflix. The Japanese line appears on top of the video.

3. Click the words you keep hearing

   The video pauses and the word opens: kana, romaji, meaning, JLPT level and a recording by a native speaker where one exists (never a computer voice; otherwise the line from the show plays again). At this level, turn on the English line under the Japanese at first, and keep only the words that come back.

4. Review them later

   Kept words come back as flashcards on the Ikkimi website, with the scene and the line they came from, just before you would forget them.

Easier and harder shows

Shows within a level of Neon Genesis Evangelion, with the most genres in common first.

Easier

• N2PLUTOpolice and robot words, serious speechNetflix
• N2Cyberpunk: Edgerunnersサイバーパンク エッジランナーズstreet slang, technology wordsNetflix
• N286 EIGHTY-SIX86―エイティシックス―military radio talk, formal reportsCrunchyroll

Also N2 to N1

• N2 to N1Code Geassコードギアス 反逆のルルーシュformal speeches, politics and military wordsCrunchyrollNetflix
• N2 to N1STEINS;GATEnet slang, science talk, fastCrunchyroll
• N2 to N1Gintama銀魂fast parody, wordplay, period speechCrunchyroll

Harder

• N1Psycho-PassPSYCHO-PASS サイコパスpolice and law wordsCrunchyroll
• N1Bakemonogatari化物語wordplay, very fastCrunchyroll
• N1Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These銀河英雄伝説 Die Neue Theseformal political and military speechesCrunchyroll

See every N2 to N1 anime or all 192 anime by Japanese level, and read how to learn Japanese by watching anime from zero.

Questions

Is Neon Genesis Evangelion good for learning Japanese?

No, keep it for later. Ikkimi rates it N2 to N1 (hard Japanese for advanced learners). What sets its level: military, science and psychology words. It is among the hardest shows Ikkimi rates, hard even for advanced learners.

What Japanese level is Neon Genesis Evangelion?

N2 to N1, on Ikkimi’s scale from N5 (easiest) to N1 (hardest). Of the 192 anime Ikkimi rates by hand, 177 are easier and 9 are harder. The level is Ikkimi’s estimate, not an official JLPT rating.

Where can I watch Neon Genesis Evangelion with Japanese subtitles?

Ikkimi lists Neon Genesis Evangelion on Netflix. What each service carries varies by country. On Netflix, turn on Japanese subtitles in the player where they are offered, and Ikkimi makes every word clickable.

What does the title 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン mean, word by word?

新世紀 (shinseiki) means “new century”.

How many episodes does Neon Genesis Evangelion have?

AniList’s entry lists 26 episodes of about 24 minutes, first aired in 1995. Later seasons may be listed separately.

What should I watch before Neon Genesis Evangelion?

Shows a little easier than Neon Genesis Evangelion, with genres in common: PLUTO (N2), Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (N2) and 86 EIGHTY-SIX (N2).

Sources: show details from AniList; meanings from JMdict (EDRDG, CC BY-SA 4.0); readings and word splits from kuromoji.js with IPADIC; JLPT word levels from Jonathan Waller’s unofficial lists. See Credits. Spotted a mistake? Tell us at hello@ikkimi.app.