Just remember, episodes 25 and 26 were done on a budget of zero. At least as I heard it, the network that originally aired it did so without paying too much attention to the premise, assuming giant robots = kids show. (I seem to recall hearing that it's original timeslot was right next to the ninja turtles.) The show's production was strapped for cash the entire way through, and was frequently criticized for being unsuitable for children; and after the events of episode 24 the network more or less took away the show's budget. When the show re-aired at a late night timeslot, then it became popular, enough so that End of Evangelion was produced. That's how I heard it anyway.

And when you're done, play Chrono Trigger dangit! There's no good reason to wait on that!