Problems playing this file? See media help.ĭuring the production of Neon Genesis Evangelion, the show's director Hideaki Anno suggested using an existing piece of classical music as the series' opening theme. 'Cruel Angel's thesis' as sung by Yoko Takahashi. On the internet, along with its official video, the song gained further fame through covers and parodies, making it one of the most famous theme songs in the history of animation.

Years after the show's first airing, 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis' has remained a popular Japanese karaoke song, winning popularity polls and awards. The song had a positive reception from music critics and audiences it later became one of the most famous Japanese songs and was considered a milestone of anisongs, songs specially created for anime series. 'The Cruel Angel's Thesis' was included on the series' soundtrack album and on Takahashi's sixth album Li-La. It was written for the opening theme of the anime television series Neon Genesis Evangelion, and was released as a double-A-sided single with ' Fly Me to the Moon', the show's closing theme, on October 25, 1995. Toshiyuki Ōmori and Hidetoshi Satō composed the song, while Neko Oikawa wrote the lyrics. ' The Cruel Angel's Thesis' ( 残酷な天使のテーゼ, Zankoku na tenshi no tēze), also known as ' A Cruel Angel's Thesis', is a J-pop song performed by Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi.

Original anime edition cover of 'Zankoku na tenshi no tēze'/' Fly Me to the Moon'

Evangelion intro played on a tiny piano