Neon Genesis Evangelion Manga Editions Guide

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Neon Genesis Evangelion is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and as one of top sci-fi series, I couldn’t be more excited to dive into its legacy. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Evangelion blends mecha action with psychological, existential, and religious themes, making it an icon in anime and manga.

The manga, written and illustrated by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, actually began serialization before the anime aired and offers a unique take on the story—with expanded scenes, deeper character development, and a different ending. In this post, I’ll break down every edition of the manga released in English, including the single volumes and the 3-in-1 omnibus editions, to help you decide which version is right for your collection.

Evangelion manga panel from 3-in-1 edition

A Guide to the Neon Genesis Evangelion Manga Editions

The Neon Genesis Evangelion manga is complete at 14 volumes and has been released in three different formats over the years—though not all of them were finished. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Graphic Novel Format (1998)

This was the earliest English edition, but only 7 volumes were ever published before the release was discontinued.

Single Volumes (2004–2011)

The first fully completed release of the manga in English. All 14 volumes were published in a traditional single-volume manga format.

3-in-1 Omnibus Editions (2012–2014)

The most recent and most compact format, this release collects the full series in five volumes. The first four volumes are 3-in-1s, and the final volume combines the last two as a 2-in-1.

Each of these editions differs in print quality, translation, bonus content, and overall reading experience. In the rest of this post, we’ll break down each format in detail to help you decide which edition is best for your collection.

Complete set of Neon Genesis Evangelion 3-in-1 omnibus editions lined up

Availability & Pricing

Let’s start with availability and pricing—because not every edition is easy to find. As of now, only the 3-in-1 omnibus editions are still in print. If you’re hoping to collect the single volumes or the older graphic novel format, you’ll need to look on the secondhand market, where prices can vary significantly.

The single volumes are generally more expensive than the in-print omnibuses, which retail for $24.99 USD each, totaling $124.95 for the complete five-volume set. If you’re looking for the most affordable and accessible way to collect Evangelion, the 3-in-1 editions are your best bet.

Size Comparison

Just to briefly touch on sizing:

Single Volumes – The smallest of the three, about the same dimensions as a standard Shonen Jump volume.
Graphic Novels (1998) – Slightly taller than the singles but noticeably thinner.
3-in-1 Omnibuses – The largest overall, a bit taller than Viz Signature volumes and quite a bit thicker—similar in feel to something like Alice in Borderland omnibuses.

Neon Genesis Evangelion Manga Editions Guide – Complete Comparison (2025)

Design

When it comes to design, both the single volumes and graphic novels use the original Japanese cover art, which is a plus—especially if you’re a collector who appreciates that classic look. However, I’ve never been a fan of the black bars at the top and bottom of the singles—they break up the cover design a bit too much for my taste. The graphic novels, meanwhile, feel the most dated overall, but if you like that early-2000s manga aesthetic, they might appeal to you more.

The 3-in-1 editions mostly stick close to the original covers, with a few changes:

Volume 1 – New artwork featuring Shinji and Unit-01
Volume 2 – Uses the cover from original Volume 2
Volume 3 – Uses Volume 4’s cover
Volume 4 – Uses Volume 11’s cover
Final Volume – Uses Volume 14’s cover

These editions also update the logos and spine designs for a cleaner, more modern look. One design element I really like is the spine artwork—a mix of Eva units and Angels that gives the set a more cohesive appearance. The spine colors even match the featured pilot on each cover, which is a nice touch.

Overall, the 3-in-1 editions offer the most modern and shelf-worthy design, while the singles and graphic novels lean more classic, depending on your personal preference.

Print Quality & Paper Stock

In terms of paper and print quality, the 3-in-1 editions clearly stand out. They’re printed on smooth, matte white paper that feels premium and showcases the artwork beautifully. The single volumes use an off-white, eggshell-finish paper, while the graphic novels also use white paper—but the overall feel isn’t quite as nice.

Interestingly, the graphic novel format has slightly better print quality than the singles, which was a bit surprising. That said, the 3-in-1s edge them both out—not just in paper, but in how good the artwork looks.

One consistent issue I’ve had with the singles is that some panels print too dark, especially in scenes with deep contrast or heavy shadows, causing finer details to get lost. The 3-in-1 editions do a much better job at preserving that detail, thanks to better print clarity and brighter paper stock.

When you compare them side by side, the difference is immediately noticeable—especially between the singles and the 3-in-1s. While the graphic novels hold up reasonably well in terms of print, they don’t complete the series. For both print quality and completeness, the 3-in-1 editions are the clear winner.

Translation & Localization

After doing a side-by-side read-through, it looks like all editions use the same translation and lettering, which is great for consistency. However, there is a noticeable difference in how the dialogue bubbles are drawn. The graphic novel format looks quite different compared to the singles and 3-in-1 editions, which share the same layout.

That difference likely comes from the fact that the graphic novel was flipped to read left-to-right, while both the singles and 3-in-1s retain the original Japanese right-to-left orientation.

Another difference worth noting is the treatment of sound effects. In the original graphic novel format, the sound effects were fully redrawn in English. In contrast, both the single volumes and the 3-in-1 editions keep the original Japanese sound effects on the page.

Neither of these editions include translations of the sound effects directly on the page, but both provide a sound effect glossary in the back of each volume for reference. So while the localization is more faithful to the original, you will need to flip to the back if you’re curious about what certain sound effects mean.

Binding, Durability & Reading Experience

Next, let’s talk about the reading experience—how these editions feel in hand and how well they hold up over time.

All editions use glued binding, so you’ll experience some gutter loss, especially with the 3-in-1 format due to the thickness. It’s not a deal-breaker for me personally, but it’s something to be aware of while reading.

One issue I ran into was with my first copy of the 3-in-1 omnibus. After just two reads, the spine separated from the pages. I was careful with it too, knowing how brittle larger omnibuses can be. Thankfully, I was able to keep some of the color pages, and my replacement copy has held up better so far. The binding on these editions isn’t the sturdiest, and while it might have been a fluke, it’s something worth mentioning. The other four volumes have held up fine so far.

That said, I would love to see a high-quality hardcover edition with sewn binding in the future. It would improve durability and elevate the reading experience. For now, this is where I have the most concern with the 3-in-1s.

As for reading orientation, the graphic novel format reads left-to-right, while the single volumes and 3-in-1s follow the original Japanese right-to-left layout. If reading orientation matters to you like it does to me, that’s something to keep in mind.

Sample color pages from Evangelion 3-in-1 manga editions featuring Shinji and Unit-01

Extras & Bonus Content

Now let’s talk about the extras—interviews, commentary, and bonus content that come with each edition.

One of the standout features of the 3-in-1 editions is the addition of new color pages. You’ll find a mix of fully colorized panels—especially near the beginning of each volume—and striking full-page artwork.

These color pages are sprinkled throughout each 3-in-1, and they’re easily one of the best additions to this edition. They’re also exclusive to the 3-in-1s, so if that’s something you value as a collector or reader, it’s a big point in their favor.

While the original graphic novels and singles include interviews and commentary in the back, the 3-in-1 editions are also rich in extra material. In addition to the color pages, they feature bonus content that makes them feel like more than just a reprint. If you enjoy behind-the-scenes material or want more context, both editions offer something valuable—but the 3-in-1s pack in a lot considering their price point, especially given that they are the only edition with color pages. So the winner here is definitely the 3-in-1 editions.

Final Verdict – Which Edition is Best?

Now that we’ve gone over everything, which edition is best? At the moment, I’d recommend the 3-in-1 omnibuses. Even though I had an issue with my first copy falling apart, they’re still the best way to get into the series thanks to their extras, color pages, and affordability compared to the out-of-print editions. The print and page quality is better overall too, and they don’t take up too much space on the shelf. They also have a more uniform, modern design that I enjoy.

The single volumes and the graphic novel format are ones I’d only recommend if you’re a collector or a massive fan of the series. That said, I don’t think there’s a definitive edition of Evangelion yet. Viz can absolutely do better, and I’m hoping this isn’t the final release we get—because this is an iconic series that deserves a high-quality edition, like a deluxe hardcover. There’s no guarantee of that happening, but the 3-in-1 editions are still a great way to collect and support the series right now.

We’ve seen Viz go back and release new deluxe formats, like with the Definitive Edition of Vagabond. And with it being Evangelion’s 30th anniversary, now would be the perfect time. Here’s hoping.