Episode Rankings: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion is an imperfect show, obviously. It has its production issues, strange endings, clip shows, but there's also just so much artistry that went into it and every single one of its episodes. From the creative animation and structural decisions, to the way it really delves deep into every single facet of all its characters, to the fact that it juggles being a psychological drama and a kickass mecha show. NGE may not work for everyone, but it worked for me. It lived up to the hype, and is still one of my favorite anime. Here's my ranking of its episodes (and the movies too):

1. A Man's Battle (Episode 19)
2. Tears (Episode 23)
3. Staying Human (Episode 22)
4. Life And Death Decisions (Episode 18)
5. The Last Cometh (Episode 24)
6. You Can (Not) Advance (Rebuild 2)
7. Mind, Matching Moment (Episode 9)
8. The Sickness Unto Death, And Then (Episode 16)
9. The Beast That Shouted "I" At The Heart Of The World (Episode 26)
10. Unfamiliar Ceilings (Episode 2)
11. Thrice Upon A Time (Rebuild 4)
12. Lies And Silence (Episode 15)
13. End Of Evangelion (The Movie)
14. Showdown In Tokyo-3 (Episode 6)
15. The Ending World (Episode 25)
16. Rei, Beyond The Heart (Episode 5)
17. You Can (Not) Redo (Rebuild 3)
18. Asuka Arrives In Japan (Episode 8)
19. Angel Attack (Episode 1)
20. In The Still Darkness (Episode 11)
21. You Are (Not) Alone (Rebuild 1)
22. On The Shape Of Hearts And Humans (Episode 2)
23. The Silent Phone (Episode 3)
24. The Fourth To Be Qualified (Episode 17)
25. The Birth Of Nerv (Episode 21)
26. A Miracle's Worth (Episode 12)
27. The Works Of Man (Episode 7)
28. Rain, After The Escape (Episode 4)
29. Angel Infiltration (Episode 13)
30. The Magma Diver (Episode 10)
31. SEELE, The Seat Of The Soul (Episode 14)