Neon Genesis Evangelion -dub- ~upd~ May 2026

The debate over the Neon Genesis Evangelion dub is as legendary as the series itself. For decades, fans have argued over translation choices, voice acting intensity, and which version truly captures the soul of Hideaki Anno’s masterpiece.

• The "Children" Issue: The script insisted on the awkward singular "Third Children" vs. "Third Child" to match Japanese syntax. Fans hated it.
• The Kaworu Dialogue: In the most infamous change, Kaworu tells Shinji, "I like you," instead of the ADV line, "I love you." In the original Japanese, Kaworu uses Suki (like), but in context, it carries the weight of romantic love. Japanese speakers note that Aishiteru (love) would be too heavy, but Suki can mean romantic affection. However, because the ADV dub went with "Love," the Netflix version felt sterile and "censored" to Western ears.
• Removal of "Fly Me to the Moon": Netflix lost the rights to the Claire cover of the classic song, replacing the iconic end credits with a generic instrumental. For many, this erased the show's soul.

By the time the final Angel falls, the "Dub" has stripped away the artifice. There are no heroes left, only children weeping in the cockpit of their parents' sins, wondering if "I love you" is a phrase that can survive the end of the world.

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. Neon Genesis Evangelion -Dub-

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 Dub

Notable Changes: This version took liberties with the script to make it sound more natural in English. For instance, in the End of Evangelion hospital scene, Shinji famously says, "I'm so f***ed up". 2. The Netflix Redub (VSI Los Angeles, 2019)

The Birth of the -Dub- Version

The Re-Releases and Legacy of Neon Genesis Evangelion