《新世紀福音戰士》（日語：新世紀エヴァンゲリオン，英語：Neon Genesis Evangelion）是由庵野秀明擔任總監督、由動畫公司GAINAX和龍之子製作的日本原創機器人動畫，首播於1995年。徹底顛覆傳統「巨大機器人」動畫的敘事風格與角色設計，更深刻探討心理創傷、自我認同、宗教象徵與人類存在意義等複雜主題，對日本與全球動漫文化都產生深遠的影響。

故事設定在一個經歷「第二次衝擊」大災難後的未來世界。主角碇真嗣是一名十四歲的少年，被神秘組織NERV召喚來駕駛生物機器人「EVA初號機」，對抗被稱為「使徒」的神秘敵人。隨著故事推進，真嗣與其他駕駛員——如個性冷淡的綾波零、情緒激烈的明日香——以及背負無數秘密的大人們（例如其父親碇源堂）之間的關係逐漸複雜化。這些角色不僅要與外來的威脅作戰，還得面對內心的創傷與恐懼。動畫後期劇情愈發抽象與心理化，第25與26話甚至完全拋棄傳統劇情敘事，轉而進入角色的主觀精神世界，這種表現手法引起當時觀眾極大爭議與熱議。

由於電視動畫的結局未能滿足所有觀眾的期待，導演庵野秀明與製作團隊後來推出劇場版《死與新生》（Death and Rebirth）與《Air／真心為你》（The End of Evangelion），以不同的方式補完原作的結尾。這些作品將原作中的哲學、心理與宗教象徵更加推向極端，並以極具衝擊力的影像和劇情震撼觀眾，成為動畫史上極具爭議與影響力的結局之一。

從市場與文化層面來看，可以說是90年代日本動畫產業最具代表性的作品之一。雖然最初播出時收視率並不特別亮眼，但隨著作品在動畫愛好者間口耳相傳，逐漸形成強大的「次文化」影響力。角色商品、模型、原聲帶與同人作品層出不窮，GAINAX也因為這部作品一躍成為業界矚目的焦點。也推動「宅文化」的主流化，並對後來的動畫創作（如《Code Geass》、《天元突破》、《魔法少女小圓》等）產生深遠影響。

後續的《新劇場版》系列由2007年開始陸續推出，至2021年以《新世紀福音戰士新劇場版：終》完結，導演庵野秀明也以此為自己的創作生涯劃下句點的一章。這個系列不僅重新詮釋原作，更以更加成熟的敘事與視覺技術，為舊粉絲與新觀眾提供一種全新的觀看體驗。

總結而言，《新世紀福音戰士》是結合機器人戰鬥、心理分析與哲學思辨的傳奇作品，不僅挑戰觀眾對動畫媒介的認知，也持續影響著世界各地的動畫創作者與粉絲族群。這部作品的深層意涵與複雜情感，至今仍在引發廣泛討論與再解讀，堪稱日本動畫史上的經典。

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Japanese: 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン) is an original Japanese mecha anime directed by Hideaki Anno and produced by GAINAX and Tatsunoko, first airing in 1995. It revolutionized the traditional giant robot genre with its psychological depth, complex characters, and exploration of trauma, identity, religious symbolism, and existential themes, leaving a profound impact on both Japanese and global anime culture.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world after the cataclysmic “Second Impact,” the story follows 14-year-old Shinji Ikari, summoned by the secretive organization NERV to pilot the bio-mechanical Evangelion Unit-01 against mysterious enemies called “Angels.” As the narrative progresses, the relationships among Shinji, fellow pilots Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley, and the adults around them—especially his estranged father, Gendo Ikari—become increasingly complex. Beyond external threats, the characters wrestle with deep psychological struggles. In the later episodes, the anime shifts to a more abstract, introspective tone, with Episodes 25 and 26 abandoning conventional storytelling in favor of depicting the characters’ internal states, a choice that sparked both controversy and discussion.

Due to dissatisfaction with the TV series’ ending, Anno and the team later released the theatrical films Death and Rebirth and The End of Evangelion, offering alternate conclusions with heightened philosophical and psychological intensity. These films, with their provocative imagery and narrative boldness, are now considered among the most controversial and influential endings in anime history.

Culturally and commercially, Evangelion became one of the defining anime of the 1990s. Although initial ratings were modest, it gained momentum through word of mouth, evolving into a powerful subcultural phenomenon. It spawned a vast range of merchandise, music, model kits, and fan works, helping push “otaku culture” into the mainstream and influencing later anime like Code Geass, Gurren Lagann, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

The Rebuild of Evangelion film series began in 2007 and concluded in 2021 with Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, marking a new narrative and visual take on the original and symbolizing a creative closure for Anno. These films introduced more polished storytelling and advanced animation techniques, appealing to both longtime fans and new viewers.

In conclusion, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a legendary work that blends mecha action with psychological and philosophical exploration. It challenged audiences’ perceptions of anime as a medium and continues to inspire discussion, reinterpretation, and creative influence worldwide. It remains a cornerstone of Japanese animation history.