Trying to figure out where the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime ends in the manga? You’re not alone; the series is famous for its complex lore and multiple conclusions. This creates a lot of confusion for fans wanting to explore the full story.
The Neon Genesis Evangelion anime does not have a direct continuation in the manga; instead, the manga is a complete adaptation of the entire story with its own ending. The events of the anime’s conclusion (Episodes 25-26) and the film The End of Evangelion are retold with significant differences in Volumes 11 through 14 of the manga, specifically from around Chapter 77 onwards.
Based on an analysis of the source material from creators Hideaki Anno and Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, it’s clear the manga is a separate canon. This guide will break down exactly how the anime’s two endings correspond to the manga’s events, clarifying the key differences so you know precisely what to expect.
Key Facts
- Separate Canons: The manga, written by character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, is his personal interpretation and is considered a separate canon from the original anime directed by Hideaki Anno.
- The Manga Began First: Although the anime is the original work, the manga began serialization about 10 months before the first episode aired as a way to build interest.
- A Much Longer Production: The anime and its film conclusion were finished by 1997, but the manga was released inconsistently over nearly two decades, finally concluding in 2013 with Volume 14.
- A More Hopeful Conclusion: The manga’s ending is widely considered more optimistic and less ambiguous than the bleak, apocalyptic finale of the film The End of Evangelion.
- Significant Plot Differences: Key events are altered in the manga; for instance, the infamous “hospital scene” from The End of Evangelion is entirely absent.
Where Does the Neon Genesis Evangelion Anime End in the Manga?
The simple answer is that the manga is a **complete adaptation of the anime’s story, not a sequel or continuation.** This means you can’t just pick up a manga volume and read what happens “next” after watching the anime. Instead, the manga, created by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, retells the entire narrative from start to finish, but with its own unique character interpretations, plot points, and a completely different ending. It offers an alternative perspective on the events you’ve seen.
This distinction is crucial. While the anime was the original creation from director Hideaki Anno and Studio Gainax, the manga was Sadamoto’s personal project. He took the core story and characters and molded them into a version that reflects his own artistic vision. Because of this, reading the manga from the beginning is highly recommended to appreciate the subtle (and not-so-subtle) changes that lead to its distinct conclusion.
So, while there isn’t a direct continuation, we can map the events of the anime’s two different endings to their corresponding adaptations in the manga. This will help you understand where the stories align and where they dramatically diverge. But first, it’s essential to understand the two very different ways the anime itself concludes.
How Do the Anime’s Two Different Endings Conclude the Story?
One of the biggest sources of confusion for Evangelion fans is that the original anime continuity has two distinct endings. First, the TV series finale (Episodes 25 and 26) is an abstract, psychological exploration of the Human Instrumentality Project from inside Shinji’s mind. Second, the film The End of Evangelion (1997) is a violent, external depiction of the Third Impact, serving as an alternate and more literal ending to the story. To understand how the manga adapts the finale, you must first be able to distinguish between these two conclusions.
How Does the Original TV Series (Episodes 25 & 26) End?
The original TV series ending of Evangelion takes place almost entirely within the minds of the characters during the Human Instrumentality Project. Due to reported budget and production constraints, these final two episodes abandon the external plot of NERV’s battle with SEELE. Instead, they present a surreal, introspective journey into the psyche of Shinji Ikari.
Think of it less as a story finale and more as a therapy session for the main character. Shinji confronts his trauma, his fear of human connection (the “Hedgehog’s Dilemma”), and his feelings of worthlessness. The ending doesn’t show what happens to the world; it focuses on Shinji’s internal resolution. He ultimately rejects a world where all individuals merge into one and chooses to accept himself, flaws and all. This realization is met with the famous “Congratulations!” scene, where the entire cast applauds his breakthrough.
How Does The End of Evangelion Movie End?
The End of Evangelion movie shows the physical reality of the Third Impact. Created in response to fan backlash over the abstract TV ending, this film depicts the violent, apocalyptic events that happen concurrently with Episodes 25 and 26. It is not a sequel, but an alternate, plot-driven conclusion.
The key events unfold in a brutal sequence:
1. NERV Invasion: SEELE deploys the JSSDF to invade NERV headquarters, resulting in a massacre.
2. Asuka’s Last Stand: Asuka, piloting Unit-02, puts up a valiant fight against nine Mass Production Evangelions but is gruesomely defeated and killed.
3. Third Impact Initiation: Shinji’s despair over Asuka’s death triggers the Human Instrumentality Project. All of humanity dissolves into a primordial sea of LCL, a collective consciousness.
4. Shinji’s Choice: From within Instrumentality, Shinji ultimately rejects this state of being, choosing a world with individual pain and loneliness over a painless, unified existence.
5. The Final Scene: The film ends with Shinji and a returned Asuka lying alone on a desolate beach, surrounded by a sea of LCL, leaving the fate of humanity deeply ambiguous.
Where Exactly Do the Anime Endings Correspond to the Manga?
The events of The End of Evangelion are adapted in the manga starting from Volume 11 (Chapter 77) and continuing through Volume 14. The manga completely ignores the abstract, psychological TV series ending (Episodes 25-26). Instead, it presents its own version of the Third Impact, following the general plot of the movie but altering key character moments and, most importantly, providing a completely unique and more hopeful epilogue in the final chapters.
Here is a direct comparison of the key events from the anime’s finale and where they are depicted in the manga:
| Anime Event (TV Episode / Film) | Corresponding Manga Chapter(s) & Volume | Key Differences Noted |
|---|---|---|
| Defeat of Kaworu (Episode 24) | Chapters 75-76 (Volume 11) | Kaworu’s introduction and relationship with Shinji is significantly different and more developed. |
| SEELE’s Invasion of NERV (EoE) | Chapters 77-80 (Volume 12) | Gendo, not Misato, is the one who initially retrieves a catatonic Shinji. |
| Asuka’s Battle vs. Mass Production EVAs (EoE) | Chapters 81-83 (Volume 12) | Shinji arrives in Unit-01 to fight alongside Asuka, unlike in the film where he arrives after her defeat. |
| Human Instrumentality Project / Third Impact (EoE) | Chapters 84-95 (Volume 13 & 14) | The dialogue and Shinji’s internal reasoning for rejecting Instrumentality are more detailed and explicit. |
| Final Scene on the Beach (EoE) | Chapter 96 (Volume 14) | This scene is present but leads into a completely different, more hopeful final chapter. |
| Unique Manga Epilogue | Chapter 97 “The Final Stage” & Bonus Stage (Volume 14) | Depicts a “rebuilt” world where the Evas are ancient history; not present in any anime version. |
While the manga follows the plot of The End of Evangelion, the character moments and final outcome are significantly different, making it a worthwhile read from the beginning.
What Are the Most Significant Differences in the Manga’s Ending?
The manga’s conclusion, while adapting the physical events of The End of Evangelion, offers a profoundly different thematic and emotional experience. Author Yoshiyuki Sadamoto used the extended timeline to personalize the story, resulting in a more optimistic and character-focused finale.
Here are the most significant differences:
- Shinji’s Agency: In the manga, Shinji is far more proactive. Instead of freezing in despair as Asuka is killed, he chooses to pilot Unit-01 and rushes to her aid, fighting alongside her against the Mass Production EVAs. This gives him more agency in the final battle.
- Character Fates: While many characters still die, the circumstances are altered. For example, Gendo has a more direct and explanatory confrontation with Shinji before his death, providing more narrative closure.
- The “Hopeful” Epilogue: This is the biggest change. The final chapter presents a world that appears to be reset or rebuilt, where Shinji and the others are living normal high school lives, free from the trauma of Angels and EVAs. The entire conflict is treated as a distant memory, offering a sense of peace not found in any anime ending.
- Rei Ayanami’s Character: Throughout the manga, Rei is portrayed as more human and emotional. This added development makes her decisions during the Third Impact feel more personal and less symbolic than in the anime.
FAQs About Where does the neon genesis evangelion anime end in the manga
Which came first, the Evangelion anime or the manga?
The Neon Genesis Evangelion anime (1995) is the original work, but the manga adaptation by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto began serialization about 10 months before the anime aired. However, the anime’s production quickly outpaced the manga, which was released inconsistently over nearly two decades and only concluded long after the anime had finished.
Is the Evangelion manga considered canon?
The manga is its own separate canon and is considered an alternate retelling of the story. Author Yoshiyuki Sadamoto has stated it is his own individual work and should not be used as a reference for the anime continuity. Both the anime and manga are equally valid, just different, versions of the Evangelion story.
Do I need to read the Evangelion manga from the beginning?
Yes, it is highly recommended to read the manga from the beginning. While the main plot points are similar for a while, there are significant early differences in character personalities, relationships, and key events that build toward its unique ending. Starting mid-way would be confusing and you would miss crucial character development.
Is the manga ending happier than the anime’s?
The manga’s ending is widely considered more hopeful and optimistic than The End of Evangelion. It concludes with a world that has been reset and where characters get a chance at a normal life, free from the trauma of the Angels and EVAs. In contrast, the film ends on a bleak and ambiguous note.
Does Asuka die in the manga’s ending?
Asuka’s fate is different in the manga’s final battle. Unlike in The End of Evangelion where she is brutally killed by the Mass Production EVAs, in the manga Shinji arrives to help her fight. She survives the initial onslaught and is present during the Third Impact, and a version of her appears in the “rebuilt” world in the epilogue.
Is the “hospital scene” from End of Evangelion in the manga?
No, the infamous hospital scene where Shinji visits a comatose Asuka is not in the manga. This is one of the most significant divergences between The End of Evangelion film and Sadamoto’s manga adaptation, reflecting the manga’s slightly different take on Shinji’s character at that point in the story.
How many volumes are in the Evangelion manga?
The official Neon Genesis Evangelion manga by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto is complete and consists of 14 volumes. The story concludes with Chapter 97 in the final volume, which includes the unique epilogue not seen in the anime.
Why did the anime and manga have different endings?
The anime’s TV ending was influenced by severe budget and time constraints, leading to its abstract style. The manga, written over a much longer period by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, was his personal interpretation of the story and he intentionally created a different, more conclusive ending.
Does the manga have the Third Impact?
Yes, the manga depicts its own version of the Third Impact and the Human Instrumentality Project. While it shares many visual similarities with The End of Evangelion, such as the appearance of a giant Rei, the internal logic, character dialogue, and ultimate outcome of Shinji rejecting it are unique to the manga.
Are the Rebuild of Evangelion movies related to the manga ending?
No, the Rebuild of Evangelion films are a separate continuity from both the original anime and the manga. While there are thematic similarities between the manga’s hopeful ending and the conclusion of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, they are officially independent works telling their own versions of the story.
Key Takeaways: Evangelion Anime vs. Manga Ending
- The Manga is a Retelling, Not a Sequel: The most crucial point is that the manga adapts the entire anime story. You cannot pick it up where the anime “left off.” The anime’s ending events are retold starting around Volume 11, Chapter 77.
- Two Anime Endings, One Manga Ending: The anime has two conclusions: the abstract TV Episodes 25-26 and the apocalyptic film The End of Evangelion. The manga ignores the TV ending and creates its own version of the film’s events, leading to a unique finale.
- The Manga Offers a More Hopeful Conclusion: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto’s manga ending is definitive and optimistic, showing a rebuilt world where characters get a second chance at a normal life, a stark contrast to the bleak, ambiguous ending of the film.
- Key Plot Points are Changed: The manga alters major events. Shinji actively fights alongside Asuka against the Mass Production EVAs, and the infamous hospital scene from the movie is entirely absent, reflecting significant character differences.
- Character Development Varies Significantly: The manga provides deeper and different development for its cast. Rei Ayanami is portrayed as far more human and emotional, and Shinji Ikari demonstrates more agency and resolve in the final conflict.
Final Thoughts on Where the Evangelion Anime Ends in the Manga
Navigating the world of Neon Genesis Evangelion can be a daunting task, but understanding the relationship between the anime and manga is simple: the manga is a complete, alternate version of the story. It doesn’t continue the anime but re-imagines it, offering a different emotional journey with more developed characters and a conclusive, hopeful ending that stands in stark contrast to the anime’s famous ambiguity.
If you’re looking for a direct continuation, you won’t find it. What you will find, however, is a masterfully crafted retelling that provides new depth to the characters you know. For any fan who has finished the anime and The End of Evangelion, reading all 14 volumes of the manga is an essential experience that offers a powerful and satisfying alternative conclusion to one of anime’s most iconic stories. What’s been your experience with Evangelion’s different endings?
