Miyazaki's Favorite 100% Rated Anime Now Streaming on Netflix
The legendary Studio Ghibli director personally urged the creator of this groundbreaking '90s series to complete it faster. This rare masterpiece holds a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and continues to influence anime decades later.
When the most demanding director in anime history personally asks a creator to hurry up and finish their work, you know something extraordinary is happening. Neon Genesis Evangelion, the revolutionary 1990s series that earned a flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, received exactly this kind of rare endorsement from Hayao Miyazaki himself.
This groundbreaking show is currently available for streaming on Netflix, offering both longtime fans and newcomers the chance to experience what many consider the most influential anime series ever created. Far from being just another nostalgic throwback, Evangelion fundamentally transformed the medium and continues drawing new audiences more than 25 years after its debut.
The Masterpiece That Earned Miyazaki's Rare Approval
Neon Genesis Evangelion first appeared on Japanese television in 1995, immediately distinguishing itself from the standard giant robot shows of its era. While the surface story involves teenagers operating massive bio-mechanical units to defend Earth against mysterious entities called Angels, the series delves far deeper into psychological territory that most anime had never dared explore.
The show's perfect critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes represents something truly exceptional in television, particularly for animated content. This rating reflects sustained critical recognition over decades, not just initial hype or fleeting popularity. Critics have consistently highlighted its psychological complexity, narrative boldness, and refusal to conform to safe genre conventions.
Miyazaki's reaction to Evangelion carries special weight given his well-documented criticism of contemporary anime trends and otaku culture. His public endorsement stands out precisely because he rarely praises work outside his own studio. In the documentary "Hideaki Anno: The Final Challenge of Evangelion," Miyazaki directly questions creator Hideaki Anno about the series' completion timeline, expressing genuine eagerness to see the finished product.
The Studio Ghibli Connection
The relationship between Miyazaki and Anno extends back to the early 1980s, when Anno worked as an animator on "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind." This collaboration significantly influenced Anno's artistic development and can be seen throughout Evangelion's apocalyptic imagery and bio-mechanical designs, which echo elements from Nausicaä's God Warriors.
Their professional relationship demonstrates mutual respect despite their different approaches to storytelling. While Miyazaki often teases Anno's personality in interviews, these interactions reveal genuine artistic admiration rather than dismissal.
Why the Perfect Score Endures
Evangelion maintains its exceptional rating not because it provides comfortable viewing, but because it courageously tackles difficult subjects like depression, social isolation, self-worth struggles, and emotional paralysis. These themes were largely absent from mainstream anime during the mid-1990s and remain uncommon even today.
The series' lasting relevance stems from its unflinching examination of psychological trauma and human connection. Rather than offering easy answers, Evangelion presents complex characters grappling with real emotional challenges, creating a viewing experience that resonates across cultural and generational boundaries.
Netflix currently hosts the complete original television series, making this influential work accessible to contemporary audiences. The streaming availability allows viewers to experience the story in its intended format, understanding why it earned such extraordinary critical acclaim and Miyazaki's personal endorsement.