Neon Genesis Evangelion -dub- ~upd~ 📥
The primary feature of the Neon Genesis Evangelion English dub landscape is the existence of two distinct versions: the original ADV Films dub (recorded in the 1990s) and the Netflix redub (released in 2019). CGMagazine Core Comparison of Features Neon Genesis Evangelion's New Dub on Netflix - CGMagazine
Choosing between the English dubs of Neon Genesis Evangelion
often comes down to a choice between nostalgic energy and literal accuracy. The series has two primary English dubs: the original 1996 version by ADV Films and the 2019 redub by Netflix. 1. The ADV Films Dub (1996)
Often called the "classic" dub, this version defined the series for Western audiences for over two decades.
The Cast: Features iconic performances by Spike Spencer as Shinji, Tiffany Grant as Asuka, and Allison Keith as Misato.
Style: Known for its "hammy" 90s-style acting that many fans feel carries more emotional weight and energy during the show's intense climaxes.
Localization: The script is a loose localization that takes creative liberties. For example, it famously translates the pilots' titles as "First Child" or "Second Child" rather than the literal Japanese "First Children".
Availability: It is primarily found on older DVD sets or the expensive Collector's Edition Blu-ray released by GKIDS. 2. The Netflix Dub (2019)
Created when Netflix acquired the streaming rights, this version features an entirely new cast and a more rigid translation.
The English dub of Neon Genesis Evangelion is a subject of intense debate among anime fans, primarily because there are two distinct, competing versions: the original 1990s ADV Films dub and the 2019 VSI/Netflix redub.
Here is a breakdown of the two dubs and the history of Evangelion's English voiceovers: 1. The Original ADV Films Dub (1990s-2000s) Neon Genesis Evangelion -Dub-
Produced by ADV Films, this was the original voiceover for the TV series and The End of Evangelion
Highly emotional and creative, though sometimes liberal with the original script to fit lip-syncing. Performances:
Iconic among older fans. Amanda Winn-Lee (Rei), Tiffany Grant (Asuka), and Allison Keith (Misato) became synonymous with their roles, with many reprising them for the Rebuild movies. Availability:
Out of print since 2011 following ADV's bankruptcy. It is generally unavailable on streaming platforms, making it a "cult classic" version. High emotional resonance; iconic performances. Acting can feel dated; script takes liberties. 2. The Netflix/VSI Redub (2019-Present)
Commissioned by Netflix when they acquired streaming rights, it features a completely new voice cast and script.
More faithful to the original Japanese script, often described as more literal or "sterile" compared to the ADV dub. Performances:
Generally considered solid and professional by modern standards, though it faced initial backlash from fans attached to the original cast. Key Changes:
Changed terminology (e.g., "First Children" instead of "First Child") and notable changes in romantic/queer undertones.
Better acting quality by modern standards; legally accessible on streaming.
Lacks the nostalgia and emotional energy of the 90s cast; some dialogue feels robotic. Summary of Differences Original ADV Dub (90s) Netflix/VSI Dub (2019) Creative, emotional Faithful, literal Characters Highly energetic, sometimes cheesy More subdued, professional Iconic (Winn-Lee, Grant) New VSI cast Availability Rare (DVD/VHS) Streaming on Netflix Which Dub Should You Watch? For nostalgia or high drama: Fans frequently recommend seeking out the , specifically the Platinum Collection version if possible. For modern, accessible viewing: Netflix dub The primary feature of the Neon Genesis Evangelion
is professionally acted and accurate to the Japanese script, making it perfectly acceptable for a first-time viewer.
Regardless of the dub, the show is recommended for mature teens and adults (13+) due to deep psychological, philosophical, and dark content. Common Sense Media Which Neon Genesis Evangelion Dub is Better? - ScreenRant
Here’s a review of the Neon Genesis Evangelion English dub, written from a fan perspective.
The Human Instrumentality of Voice Acting: A Deep Dive into the "Neon Genesis Evangelion" Dub
For over two decades, Neon Genesis Evangelion has stood as a monolithic titan in the anime industry. It is a show that deconstructs the mecha genre, delves into Jungian psychology, and ends with a cinematic finale that still sparks heated debate. However, for English-speaking audiences, the experience of watching Shinji Ikari pilot the EVANGELION has always been filtered through one crucial variable: the dub.
Searching for the "Neon Genesis Evangelion -Dub-" is not a simple query. It is a journey through three distinct eras of voice acting, fraught with controversy, artistic reinterpretation, and the eternal war between 1990s localization and 2010s literalism. Whether you are a nostalgic fan of the VHS era or a new viewer on Netflix, understanding the history of the Evangelion dub is essential to understanding how the West fell in love (and sometimes conflict) with this dark classic.
Neon Genesis Evangelion — Dub (Report)
Technical & Production Notes
- Voice direction and casting philosophies differed between studios: some prioritized matching original emotional intent; others focused on cast availability, budget, or appealing to local audiences.
- ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) work: English dubs required timing adjustments for lip-sync and pacing, occasionally altering line structure.
- Music & sound design: Most English releases retain original Japanese score (Shiro Sagisu) and sound design; some TV broadcasts used altered audio mixes to comply with broadcast standards.
The Voice of the Void: On the English Dub of Neon Genesis Evangelion
To speak of the English dub of Neon Genesis Evangelion is to speak not of a single artifact, but of a fractured, ghost-haunted lineage. More than almost any other anime, Evangelion is a work of piercing interiority—a raw nerve of anxiety, depression, and existential dread. Its characters do not just speak; they fail to speak, they stumble, they cry out against the silence of an indifferent universe. Thus, the task of the English voice actor is not mere translation. It is to become the scream inside the plug suit.
The Classic Era (ADV Films, 1996-1998): Raw Nerve and Garage Band Grit
For a generation of fans who discovered the series on VHS or late-night cable, the ADV Films dub is Evangelion. Recorded in Houston with a cast of then-newcomers, this dub carries the unmistakable energy of a low-budget, high-stakes passion project. It is not always polished—background voices can be wooden, and the audio mixing has a certain analog warmth that borders on tinny. Yet that rawness becomes its strength.
Spike Spencer’s Shinji Ikari is the defining performance. Spencer made a choice that still resonates: he plays Shinji not as a stoic hero but as a genuinely frightened, whiny, overwhelmed fourteen-year-old. When Shinji screams “I mustn’t run away!” it is not triumphant—it is a sob. Spencer’s voice cracks, wavers, and pleads, capturing the boy’s desperate, failing grasp at courage. For many, this is the definitive Shinji: unbearably human, not cool.
Tiffany Grant as Asuka Langley Soryu (her preferred pronunciation of “Soryu” became canonical for fans) is equally iconic. A native German speaker, Grant insisted on authentic German dialogue for Asuka’s outbursts, adding a layer of abrasive authenticity. Her Asuka is all brash, broken armor—a loud, furious, and deeply wounded performance that matches the character’s tragic arc blow for blow. The Human Instrumentality of Voice Acting: A Deep
Allison Keith’s Misato Katsuragi walks a fine line between boozy surrogate sister and haunted soldier, while Sue Ulu’s Rei Ayanami deliberately delivers her lines as if speaking through a pane of glass—flat, ethereal, and unnervingly blank. The ADV dub has flaws (some early episode translations are loose), but its emotional immediacy is undeniable. It sounds like real people falling apart.
The Redux (Netflix / VSI Los Angeles, 2019): Precision Without Heartache
When Netflix acquired Evangelion in 2019, they commissioned a brand-new dub. The result, produced by VSI Los Angeles and directed by Carrie Keranen, is technically superior in every measurable way: cleaner audio, more accurate translation, consistent pronunciation (no more “Nerv” vs. “NERV”), and a cast of seasoned professionals.
Casey Mongillo as Shinji offers a quieter, more internalized performance—less whimper, more hollow exhaustion. They capture Shinji’s depression with a haunting stillness. Stephanie McKeon’s Rei is more subtly detached, less alien than Ulu’s version. And Greg Chun’s Gendo Ikari finally sounds less like a cartoon villain and more like a man frozen by grief.
But the Netflix dub sparked fierce controversy. The most painful loss was the replacement of Tiffany Grant—a decision that felt, to many, like erasing history. New Asuka, played by Amanda Winn Lee (the original director of the ADV movies and voice of Rei in those films), delivers a technically adept but less explosive performance. More critically, the script famously changed key relationship lines—the Shinji/Kaworu “I love you” became “I like you”—softening the show’s explicit queer emotional core.
The Netflix dub is a fine piece of modern localization. It is polished, faithful, and safe. But Evangelion is not a safe show. It is jagged, uncomfortable, and raw. And that is why, for many, the ADV dub remains the true voice of the Third Impact.
The Third Option: The Director’s Cut & The Final Compromise
In reality, most modern fans experience a hybrid. When GKIDS and Shout! Factory released the Evangelion Ultimate Edition, they included the original ADV dub (with its original cast) for the TV series, alongside the Netflix dub for the Death(true)² and The End of Evangelion re-dubs. This acknowledges the impossible truth: there is no perfect Evangelion dub. There is only the one that first broke your heart.
Conclusion
The Evangelion dub war is not about accuracy or audio quality. It is about feeling. The ADV dub feels like a group of young actors throwing themselves into the abyss without a net. The Netflix dub feels like a surgical reconstruction—clean, precise, but missing the blood. In the end, the best way to hear Evangelion is perhaps the way Shinji hears the world: broken, subjective, and desperately searching for a voice that understands. Both dubs try. Neither fully succeeds. And that, ironically, is the most Evangelion thing of all.
Was the Redub Necessary?
From a technical audio standpoint, the VSI dub is superior. The recording quality is pristine, the lip-sync is flawlessly matched, and the side characters (Gendo, Fuyutsuki, Ritsuko) sound far more professional. But critics argue it lacks "personality." It reads like a sterile, corporate version of a chaotic masterpiece.