Neon Genesis Evangelion is a seminal 1995 anime that redefined the mecha genre by focusing on psychological trauma, existential philosophy, and the "Hedgehog's Dilemma". The series, which includes the original TV run, The End of Evangelion film, and the Rebuild movies, is noted for its deep, symbolic narrative and controversial English localization history. For a detailed breakdown of the series and its themes, you can explore the information on Wired. Neon Genesis Evangelion | Japanese anime television series

Neon Genesis Evangelion — Dub (Report)

The Director's Cut & The End of Evangelion Chaos

To make the keyword "Neon Genesis Evangelion -Dub-" even more complicated, you must consider the film The End of Evangelion.

The original Manga Entertainment dub of EoE (using the ADV cast) is infamous for a single line. During the live-action sequence, a voice says, "I feel sick." In the Japanese, it's simply "気持ち悪い" (Kimochi warui), meaning "I feel sick" or "Disgusting."

But in the ADV dub of EoE, Spike Spencer (Shinji) delivers it as: "I'm so fucked up."

Debate rages to this day. Is it a mistranslation? A brilliant character insight? The Netflix redub reverted to "Disgusting" (line delivered by Amanda Winn-Lee), which is more accurate but less iconic. This single line represents the entire dubbing debate: Accuracy vs. Impact.

The Original "Dub": The 1996 ADV Films Version (The "Classic")

When Neon Genesis Evangelion first landed on American shores via ADV Films in the mid-90s, anime dubbing was a wild west. Budgets were low, translation references were scarce, and voice actors often recorded in makeshift closets. Yet, against all odds, the original Neon Genesis Evangelion -Dub- became iconic.

The Netflix/VSI Dub (2019) – 3/5 Stars

The Good:

  • Technically superior: Clean audio, consistent direction, and professional voice actors across the board. Casey Mongillo as Shinji gives a more subdued, quietly anxious performance that fits the character’s later descent.
  • More accurate script: No more “First Children” (changed to “First Child”). No more “Angel” instead of “Apostle” (though they stuck with Angel). The psychological terminology is correct.
  • Strong supporting cast: Ray Chase as Gendo is chillingly cold. Greg Chun as Kaworu is tender and tragic. Erica Lindbeck’s Ritsuko is sharp.

The Bad:

  • The “Fly Me to the Moon” removal: A cardinal sin for many fans. The loss of that iconic ED song damages the show’s wistful, melancholic tone.
  • Controversial re-translations: Kaworu tells Shinji “I love you” in the original Japanese. The Netflix script changes it to “I like you.” This single change sparked massive backlash, as it softens the show’s queer themes.
  • Stiffer performances: While accurate, some feel the Netflix cast lacks the raw, cracked emotion of the ADV crew. Asuka (Stephanie McKeon) is technically good but misses Tiffany Grant’s feral intensity.
  • Script feels sterile: The gritty, awkward, human messiness of the ADV script is replaced with clean, corporate-accurate English. It’s correct but less memorable.

Verdict on Netflix: More faithful, less soul. Ideal for purists who prioritize translation accuracy, but disappointing for those who love Eva for its raw, flawed human outbursts.