A Cruel Angel's Thesis

Released on October 25, 1995, Yoko Takahashi delivered the opening theme for Neon Genesis Evangelion with a vocal performance that blended orchestral grandeur and high-energy J-pop production. The track arrived alongside its B-side "Fly Me to the Moon" as part of a single issued by the Starchild label, a division of King Records. Composer Hidetoshi Satō crafted a driving tempo that mirrors the series' frantic action sequences, while lyricist Neko Oikawa wove themes of destiny and isolation into words that have become synonymous with the franchise.

The song quickly ascended the Oricon weekly singles chart to reach number one, where it remained for a significant duration. Its commercial success contributed heavily to Takahashi's rise in the Japanese music industry, though specific Western chart positions from the mid-90s remain undocumented due to the niche status of anime music at the time. The single eventually achieved multi-platinum certification in Japan, reflecting sales figures that have endured for decades.

Mamoru Nagano directed the accompanying music video, which features stylized depictions of the Angels and main characters released concurrently with the single. As of March 2026, the track surpassed 100 million streams across major platforms according to news outlets covering the milestone. Recent years have seen electronic producers like Steve Aoki and Gammer release reimagined versions, while the Korean band Hanroro revived the song with modern rock arrangements in July 2026. [edit]