Anime Classic 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' to Make Global Streaming Debut on Netflix in 2019 (Videos)

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.

Also Read: Netflix Announces New Anime Projects Based on 'Pacific Rim,' 'Altered Carbon'

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.

Also Read: 'Gundam' Film: Legendary Pictures to Make Live-Action Anime Adaptation

“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.

Also Read: 'Aquaman' Wins Rave Early Reactions: 'Most Ambitious DC Film to Date'

“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.

Netflix in December: What's Coming and Going That You Should Really, Really Watch (Photos)

With dozens of new titles hitting Netflix each month, it can be difficult to keep track of what to watch. So TheWrap has compiled a list, updated each month, of the best new shows and movies to check out and which to watch before they're gone for good.
Leaving Dec. 1: "Sons of Anarchy" Season 1-7 The hit FX drama from creator Kurt Sutter, which was later spun off into the currently airing "Mayans M.C.," stars Charlie Hunnam as Jackson "Jax" Teller, the leader of a outlaw motorcycle club in Central California.
FX
Arriving Dec. 2: "The Lobster" An absurdist comedy co-written and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, whose latest film "The Favourite" hit theaters in November, "The Lobster" stars Colin Farrell as a man seeking a partner in a world where single people are transformed into animals.
A24
Arriving Dec. 7: "Dumplin" Danielle Macdonald stars as Dumplin', the plus-size, teenage daughter of a former beauty queen (Jennifer Aniston), who signs up for her mom's pageant as a protest that escalates when other contestants follow in her footsteps, revolutionizing the pageant and their small Texas town.
Netflix
Leaving Dec. 10: "Battle Royale" A stealth romance disguised as a bloody teen slasher, the Japanese modern classic "Battle Royale" centers on a group of high schoolers who are sent to an isolated island where they're forced to compete in a "Hunger Games"-style fight to the death.
Toei Company
Leaving Dec. 12: "Trolls" DreamWorks Animation's 2016 film, based on the elaborately coiffed dolls popular in the '90s, stars Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake as a pair of trolls who embark on a mission to rescue their village from a troll-eating monster.
DreamWorks Animation
Arriving Dec. 14: "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: A Midwinter's Tale" A holiday-themed episode of the Netflix original series, "A Midwinter's Tale" picks up as the winter solstice approaches, as Sabrina orchestrates an emotional séance with serious consequences and Susie's merry plans turn menacing.
Netflix
Arriving Dec. 14: "Roma" Alfonso Cuarón's latest Oscar contender chronicles a tumultuous year in the life of a middle-class family in Mexico City in the early 1970s.
Netflix
Leaving Dec. 15: "Step Up 2: The Streets" The second installment in "Crazy Rich Asians" director Jon M. Chu's dance movie franchise, "Step Up 2: The Streets" stars Briana Evigan as a street dancer who finds herself caught between two worlds when she's recruited to a prestigious dance school.
Touchstone
Arriving Dec. 16: "Springsteen on Broadway" A filmed version of the stage show based on his best-selling autobiography, Bruce Springsteen performs acoustic versions of his music and shares personal stories.
Netflix
Arriving Dec. 18: "Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable" Filmed at Seattle's Benaroya Hall, Ellen DeGeneres makes her return to stand-up after a 15-year hiatus for a new Netflix special.
Netflix
Arriving Dec. 18: "Terrace House: Opening New Doors" Part 5 In the latest batch of episodes from Japan's gentlest reality show, Takayuki and Aya keep going on dates, but Takayuki's heart may be set on someone else, and new member Shunsuke begins a journey of self-discovery.
Netflix
Leaving Dec. 20: "Moana" Featuring songs by "Hamilton's" Lin-Manuel Miranda, Disney's "Moana" centers on the strong-willed daughter, straining at the confines of her Polynesian island, who is tasked with tracking down the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to save her home.
Disney
Arriving Dec. 21: "Bird Box" Set five years after a wave of mass suicides decimates the population, "Bird Box" stars Sandra Bullock as a mother of two children who embarks on a desperate, dangerous quest for sanctuary.
Netflix
Arriving Dec. 24: "The Magicians" Season 3 Syfy's zany adaptation of the popular series of Lev Grossman novels centers on a group of students at a secret university for magicians as they grapple with everything from bad hookups to murderous trickster gods to fairies who try to take over the world.
Syfy
Arriving Dec. 25: "Avengers: Infinity War" The first part in Marvel's decade-in-the-making superhero team-up unites nearly every hero from the franchise's 20 films in a showdown against the world-destroying villain Thanos and features one of the biggest cliffhangers in cinematic history.
Marvel
Arriving Dec. 31: "The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned From a Mythical Man" Tommy Avallone's 2018 documentary investigates the mythical encounters everyday people have had with Bill Murray, from photobombed wedding photos to crashed house parties.
Getty Images

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TheWrap has compiled the highlights — before it’s too late

With dozens of new titles hitting Netflix each month, it can be difficult to keep track of what to watch. So TheWrap has compiled a list, updated each month, of the best new shows and movies to check out and which to watch before they're gone for good.

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Netflix in December: What's Coming and Going That You Should Really, Really Watch (Photos)

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