Neon Genesis Evangelion Returns: Classic English Dub Lands on Criterion Channel and a Fresh Series Is on the Horizon

It’s hard to believe, but three decades have slipped by since Neon Genesis Evangelion first slammed onto TV screens and changed the face of mecha anime forever. In those 30 years the franchise has ballooned into movies, alternate cuts, merch, and a legion of imitators, yet one thing remained oddly missing: the classic English dub that aired in the late ’90s.

Well, that gap is finally closing. The Criterion Channel – long known for its curated film library – announced that on September 1 it will add the entire 26‑episode TV series, the dramatic finale The End of Evangelion, and the hybrid film Death & Rebirth. And, get this, the streaming will feature the original ADV Films dub, the very version that fans grew up with on VHS and DVD. It’s the first time that dub has been available on a legal streaming platform.

For a while, the only way to watch Evangelion in English was the newer Netflix dub, which used a completely different voice cast and production crew. Many thought the older dub was consigned to collectors’ shelves forever. The Criterion Channel’s move is a pleasant surprise – it not only satisfies longtime purists but also expands the service’s anime roster alongside titles like Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and K‑ON!.

Of course, Evangelion isn’t just resting on its laurels. Studio Khara, the studio that shepherded the Rebuild films, revealed that they’re cooking up a brand‑new Evangelion series. This time they’re teaming up with CloverWorks, the studio behind hits such as My Dress‑Up Darling, Spy × Family, and the Rascal Does Not Dream movies.

The upcoming series will be co‑directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki – a veteran of the franchise – and Toru Yatabe, who helped shape the Rebuild movies. The script will be penned by none other than Yoko Taro, the mind behind the bleakly beautiful NieR games. Adding to the excitement, NieR composer Keiichi Okabe is slated to handle the new score, promising a soundscape that’s both familiar and fresh.

Details on release timing, episode count, or where it will stream are still under wraps, but the mere fact that a new Evangelion project is officially in development is enough to get fans buzzing. Between the nostalgic dub revival and the promise of fresh stories, 2026 feels like a milestone year for the series.

If you’re a sci‑fi aficionado or just someone who loves a good “coming‑back‑after‑all‑these‑years” story, keep an eye on both the Criterion Channel launch on September 1 and any future announcements about the new series. Evangelion’s legacy continues to grow, and it’s doing so in ways that both honor its past and push it forward.