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'''A Cruel Angel's Thesis''' is the opening theme song for the series ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', composed by [[Hidetoshi Sato]] and sung by [[Yoko Takahashi]]. The lyrics are by Neko Oikawa while the arrangement is by Toshiyuki O'mori. The song also has the distinction of taking first place in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Society_for_Rights_of_Authors,_Composers_and_Publishers JASRAC] Awards. <ref>http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-25/songs-from-evangelion-other-anime-win-jasrac-awards</ref>
'''A Cruel Angel's Thesis''' is the opening theme song for the series ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', composed by [[Hidetoshi Sato]] and sung by [[Yoko Takahashi]]. The lyrics are by Neko Oikawa while the arrangement is by Toshiyuki Omori. The song also has the distinction of taking first place in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Society_for_Rights_of_Authors,_Composers_and_Publishers JASRAC] Awards.<ref>http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-25/songs-from-evangelion-other-anime-win-jasrac-awards</ref>


Unlike it is commonly assumed, this song was written without any involvement from the show's creators, Oikama had next to no knowledge of the show, and simply skimmed through a proposal of the show (possibly [[Neon Genesis Evangelion Proposal]]) and watched two episodes on fast-forward, only serving to broadly "fit" the anime after the fact <ref>
This song was written with relatively limited involvement from Hideaki Anno and the production staff, being handled by producer Toshimichi Otsuki .<ref> From the animania blog report on the March 28, 2005 NHK Anime Yawa talk show (translation by animania) - Otsuki said he allowed Anno to do whatever he wanted in the anime except for the theme music. Otsuki was particular about the theme and handled the music staff by himself, going as far as to claim that no anime staff, even Anno, met the music staff (apparently contradicted by Oikawa's statements). - [https://web.archive.org/web/20070114085749/animaniajapan.livedoor.biz/archives/17687653.html Yuko Miyamura, BS AnimeYAWA]</ref> Anno originally wanted to use an excerpt from Borodin's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polovtsian_Dances Polovtsian Dances] in the opening, but the producers did not approve of this and instead decided to use a J-Pop song, which eventually resulted in the creation of this song by Neko Oikawa.
“My manager got the job, we had a quick meeting lasting about 30 minutes, skim-read the proposal and watched two episodes on fast-forward. And with that I was told ‘so, yeah, just write whatever you want!’, and finished the song [lyrics] in about two hours. Sorry to burst your bubble, guys!” http://soranews24.com/2015/01/08/a-cruel-angels-thesis-took-just-two-hours-to-write-says-evangelion-lyricist-neko-oikawa</ref><ref>"I hadn't watch Eva and wrote it in 2 hours. I don't even know what the story is or who is fighting who." https://twitter.com/otakucalendarjp/status/1356542049751687171</ref> Anno originally wanted to use an excerpt from Borodin's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polovtsian_Dances Polovtsian Dances] in the opening, but the producers did not approve of this and instead decided to use a J-Pop song, which eventually resulted in the creation of this song.
 
Oikawa apparently had very little knowledge of the show, which was under production at the time with the episodes not having been colored. According to tweets and interviews, Oikawa went through a proposal of the show (possibly [[Neon Genesis Evangelion Proposal]]) and watched two unfinished episodes on fast-forward, only serving to broadly "fit" the anime after the fact <ref>“My manager got the job, we had a quick meeting lasting about 30 minutes, skim-read the proposal and watched two episodes on fast-forward. And with that I was told ‘so, yeah, just write whatever you want!’, and finished the song [lyrics] in about two hours. Sorry to burst your bubble, guys!” http://soranews24.com/2015/01/08/a-cruel-angels-thesis-took-just-two-hours-to-write-says-evangelion-lyricist-neko-oikawa</ref><ref>"It wasn't even colored. I wrote the song, and my job was done. I wrote it in about two hours."  [https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-02-03/lyricist-neko-oikawa-shares-how-she-was-scammed-out-of-her-evangelion-royalty-money/.169084 Anime News Network interview with Neko Oikawa]</ref> The writing process for [[Episode 01]] took as long as six months,<ref>[https://forum.evageeks.org/post/425333/NGE-Ep24-Script-First-and-Second-Drafts/#425333 2nd JUNE interview]</ref> and the opening sequence was not yet finished.<ref>[https://www.gwern.net/docs/eva/2002-takeda-notenkimemoirs Notenki Memoirs]</ref><ref>According to Hidenori Matsubara during the Animazement 2015 convention, "the song was created before they even got done with animation for the opening theme. Strangely enough, the song manage to go along with the opening animation."</ref> The original song included a male chorus, which was cut at director Hideaki Anno's request in order to "emphasize maternal affection".<ref>''Refrain of Evangelion OST Booklet, 2003.''</ref>
 
 
{{translation}}
Oikawa states that she took inspiration for the title from the manga [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Cruel_God_Reigns A Cruel God Reigns].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160830224921/http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/11939169</ref> Among other statements, Oikawa said the lyrics "become a legend" were originally "become a weapon" and that she decided to make the song about the perspective of a mother when her child "leaves the nest."<ref>https://www.sankei.com/west/news/161228/wst1612280011-n1.html</ref> Singer [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Takahashi Yoko Takahashi] was also brought in relatively haphazardly and had no knowledge of the series, and would only see the opening featuring her voice when it aired on TV.<ref>[https://otakumode.com/news/559c1489386946ac1c803142/Yoko-Takahashi-Performs-Neon-Genesis-Evangelion-Theme-%E2%80%9CA-Cruel-Angel%E2%80%99s-Thesis-%E2%80%9D-to-Excited-Crowd-at-Anime-Expo-2015-in-LA Yoko Takahashi Performs Neon Genesis Evangelion Theme, “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” to Excited Crowd at Anime Expo 2015 in LA]</ref> She had also first met Anno on the day of recording.<ref>'''—When was your first meeting with Mr. Anno?'''<br>"It was on the day of recording. As I said earlier, when I entered the studio before anyone else to get ready, even while I couldn't afford, a man dressed in black and wearing sandals suddenly appeared. I didn't know who it was, but I just said hi, and he was actually Mr. Anno (Hideaki). It was a shocking encounter (laughs)." -[https://wiki.evageeks.org/Statements_by_Evangelion_Staff#Yoko_Takahashi:_EVANGELION_FINALLY_(2020) Yoko Takahashi: EVANGELION FINALLY (2020)]</ref>


==Lyrics==
==Lyrics==
Line 8: Line 13:
Original Japanese Lyrics: Neko Oikawa
Original Japanese Lyrics: Neko Oikawa


===English Translations===
 


{| border="0"  
{| border="0"  
|-
|-
|width="400"|<big>'''Official English Translation'''</big><sup>1</sup>
|width="350"|<big>'''『残酷な天使のテーゼ』'''</big>
|width="400"|<big>'''Alternate English Translation'''</big><sup>2</sup>
|width="350"|<big>'''Zankoku na tenshi no teeze'''</big>
|width="350"|<big>'''English Translation'''</big><sup>1</sup>
|width="350"|<big>'''Sing-Along English Translation'''</big><sup>2</sup>
|-valign="top"
|-valign="top"
|
|
Young boy, like a cruel angel's thesis,<br />
残酷な天使のように<br />
Live up to be a legend...<br />
少年よ 神話になれ<br />
 
青い風がいま<br />
胸のドアを叩いても<br />
私だけをただ見つめて<br />
微笑んでるあなた<br />
そっとふれるもの<br />
もとめることに夢中で<br />
運命さえまだ知らない<br />
いたいけな瞳<br />
 
だけどいつか気付くでしょう その背中には<br />
遥か未来 めざすための 羽根があること<br />
 
残酷な天使のテーゼ<br />
窓辺からやがて飛び立つ<br />
ほとばしる熱いパトスで<br />
思い出を裏切るなら<br />
この宇宙(そら)を抱いて輝く<br />
少年よ 神話になれ<br />
 
''Instrumental section''<br /><sup>3</sup>
 
ずっと眠ってる<br />
私の愛の揺りかご<br />
あなただけが 夢の使者に<br />
呼ばれる朝がくる<br />
細い首筋を<br />
月あかりが映してる<br />
世界中の時を止めて<br />
閉じこめたいけど<br />
 
もしもふたり逢えたことに 意味があるなら<br />
私はそう 自由を知る ためのバイブル<br />


Even though clear blue winds<br />
残酷な天使のテーゼ<br />
Beat on the door of my heart,<br />
悲しみがそしてはじまる<br />
You just smile, looking straight at me<br />
抱きしめた命のかたち<br />
Too involved in yearning for<br />
その夢に目覚めたとき<br />
Something to hold on<br />
誰よりも光を放つ<br />
The innocent eyes still know nothing of fate yet.<br />
少年よ 神話になれ<br />


But someday you will notice<br />
人は愛をつむぎながら 歴史をつくる<br />
On those shoulders of yours<br />
女神なんてなれないまま 私は生きる <br />
There are strong wings<br />
To guide you to the far future.<br />


A cruel angel's thesis<br />
残酷な天使のテーゼ<br />
Will someday fly high from the window<br />
窓辺からやがて飛び立つ<br />
If memories are betrayed by<br />
ほとばしる熱いパトスで<br />
The overflowing, burning pathos.<br />
思い出を裏切るなら<br />
Young boy, shine like a legend,<br />
この宇宙(そら)を抱いて輝く<br />
Holding the sky in your arms.<br />
少年よ 神話になれ<br />
|
Zankoku na tenshi no yō ni<br />
Shōnen yo, shinwa ni nare...<br />


The cradle of love that sleeps within me<br />
Aoi kaze ga ima mune no doa wo tataitemo<br />
There will be a morning that<br />
Watashi dake wo tada mitsumete<br />
A servant of dreams will come for you.<br />
Hohoenderu anata<br />
The moonlight shines on your thin neckline.<br />
Sotto fureru mono<br />
I'd stop time in this world<br />
Motomeru koto ni muchū de<br />
And lock it away for myself, but...<br />
Unmei sae mada shiranai itaikena hitomi<br />


If there is any meaning<br />
Dakedo itsuka kizuku deshō<br />
In the fate that pulled us together,<br />
Sono senaka ni wa<br />
Then I am, yes, the Bible<br />
Haruka mirai mezasu tame no<br />
That teaches you of freedom.<br />
Hane ga aru koto...<br />


A cruel angel's thesis<br />
Zankoku na tenshi no teeze<br />
And then sorrow comes forth<br />
Madobe kara yagate tobitatsu<br />
When the shapes of the dreams you hold in your arms<br />
Hotobashiru atsui patosu de<br />
Come to life within you.<br />
Omoide wo uragiru nara<br />
Young boy, who shines brighter than anyone else,<br />
Kono sora wo daite kagayaku<br />
Rise to become a legend.<br />
Shōnen yo, shinwa ni nare<br />


''Instrumental section''<br /><sup>3</sup>
''Instrumental section''<br /><sup>3</sup>


People weave together love to create history<br />
Zutto nemutteru watashi no ai no yurikago<br />
And so I live on,<br />
Anata dake ga yume no shisha ni<br />
Unable to become a goddess...<br />
Yobareru asa ga kuru<br />
Hosoi kubisuji wo tsukiakari ga utsushiteru<br />
Sekai'jū no toki wo tomete<br />
Tojikometai kedo...<br />
 
Moshi mo futari aeta koto ni imi ga aru nara<br />
Watashi wa, sō, jiyū wo shiru<br />
Tame no baiburu<br />
 
Zankoku na tenshi no teeze<br />
Kanashimi ga soshite hajimaru<br />
Dakishimeta inochi no katachi<br />
Sono yume ni mezameta toki<br />
Dare yori mo hikari wo hanatsu<br />
Shōnen yo, shinwa ni nare<br />
 
Hito wa ai wo tsumugi nagara rekishi wo tsukuru<br />
Megami nante narenai mama<br />
Watashi wa ikiru...<br />


A cruel angel's thesis<br />
Zankoku na tenshi no teeze<br />
Will someday fly high from the window<br />
Madobe kara yagate tobitatsu<br />
If memories are betrayed by<br />
Hotobashiru atsui patosu de<br />
The overflowing, burning pathos.<br />
Omoide wo uragiru nara<br />
Young boy, shine like a legend,<br />
Kono sora wo daite kagayaku<br />
Holding the sky in your arms.<br />
Shōnen yo, shinwa ni nare<br />
|
|
Like a cruel angel,<br>
Like a cruel angel,<br>
Line 94: Line 153:
Embracing this sky [universe] and shining,<br>
Embracing this sky [universe] and shining,<br>
young boy, become the legend!<br>
young boy, become the legend!<br>
''Instrumental section''<br /><sup>3</sup>


Sleeping for a long time<br>
Sleeping for a long time<br>
Line 128: Line 189:
Embracing this sky and shining,<br>
Embracing this sky and shining,<br>
young boy, become the legend!<br>
young boy, become the legend!<br>
|
Young boy, like a cruel angel's thesis,<br />
Live up to be a legend...<br />
Even though clear blue winds<br />
Beat on the door of my heart,<br />
You just smile, looking straight at me<br />
Too involved in yearning for<br />
Something to hold on<br />
The innocent eyes still know nothing of fate yet.<br />
But someday you will notice<br />
On those shoulders of yours<br />
There are strong wings<br />
To guide you to the far future.<br />
A cruel angel's thesis<br />
Will someday fly high from the window<br />
If memories are betrayed by<br />
The overflowing, burning pathos.<br />
Young boy, shine like a legend,<br />
Holding the sky in your arms.<br />


A blue wind is now<br>
''Instrumental section''<br /><sup>3</sup>
knocking at the door to your heart, and yet<br>
 
you are merely gazing at me<br>
The cradle of love that sleeps within me<br />
and smiling.<br>
There will be a morning that<br />
A servant of dreams will come for you.<br />
The moonlight shines on your thin neckline.<br />
I'd stop time in this world<br />
And lock it away for myself, but...<br />
 
If there is any meaning<br />
In the fate that pulled us together,<br />
Then I am, yes, the Bible<br />
That teaches you of freedom.<br />


Something gently touching--<br>
A cruel angel's thesis<br />
you're so intent on seeking it out,<br>
And then sorrow comes forth<br />
that you can't even see your fate yet,<br>
When the shapes of the dreams you hold in your arms<br />
with such innocent eyes.<br>
Come to life within you.<br />
Young boy, who shines brighter than anyone else,<br />
Rise to become a legend.<br />


But someday I think you'll find out<br>
People weave together love to create history<br />
that what's on your back<br>
And so I live on,<br />
are wings that are for<br>
Unable to become a goddess...<br />
heading for the far-off future.<br>


The cruel angel's thesis<br>
A cruel angel's thesis<br />
will soon take flight through the window,<br>
Will someday fly high from the window<br />
with surging, hot pathos,<br>
If memories are betrayed by<br />
if you betray your memories.<br>
The overflowing, burning pathos.<br />
Embracing this sky [universe] and shining,<br>
Young boy, shine like a legend,<br />
young boy, become the legend!<br>
Holding the sky in your arms.<br />
|}
|}


====Translation Notes====
====Translation Notes====


<sup>1</sup>This is the translation found on the U.S. release of Evangelion by ADV.
<sup>1</sup>This was translated by [mailto:[email protected] Takayama Miyuki] and these are the translator's notes:
 
<sup>2</sup>This was translated by [mailto:[email protected] Takayama Miyuki] and these are the translator's notes:
*''young boy, become the legend!'': The word "shinwa" actually means "myth" ("legend" would be "densetsu"), but I think it sounds better as "legend."
*''young boy, become the legend!'': The word "shinwa" actually means "myth" ("legend" would be "densetsu"), but I think it sounds better as "legend."
*''with surging, hot pathos'': "Atsui" (hot) can also mean "intense, passionate." "Pathos" is "the quality or power in life or art of evoking a feeling of pity or compassion; pity; suffering; sorrow."
*''with surging, hot pathos'': "Atsui" (hot) can also mean "intense, passionate." "Pathos" is "the quality or power in life or art of evoking a feeling of pity or compassion; pity; suffering; sorrow."
Line 162: Line 253:
*''has any meaning'': The kanji used for the "a" in "aeta" is not the normal kanji used in "au" (to meet). It's the first kanji in "ouse" (encounter, tryst) and has more of a connotation of meeting by fate or being brought together by fate, not just meeting. (Interestingly, a dictionary I have gives the meaning of "au," when written with this kanji, as "to meet (with drama or pathos)")
*''has any meaning'': The kanji used for the "a" in "aeta" is not the normal kanji used in "au" (to meet). It's the first kanji in "ouse" (encounter, tryst) and has more of a connotation of meeting by fate or being brought together by fate, not just meeting. (Interestingly, a dictionary I have gives the meaning of "au," when written with this kanji, as "to meet (with drama or pathos)")
*''for learning freedom'': The "watashi wa sou" is probably "watashi wa sou omou." And "bible" in this case isn't referring to *the* Bible. "Bible" can also mean "guide book, how-to book, a book valued for its use as a reference," like in "a handyman's bible," or "a bird-watcher's bible."
*''for learning freedom'': The "watashi wa sou" is probably "watashi wa sou omou." And "bible" in this case isn't referring to *the* Bible. "Bible" can also mean "guide book, how-to book, a book valued for its use as a reference," like in "a handyman's bible," or "a bird-watcher's bible."
<sup>2</sup>This is the translation found on the U.S. release of Evangelion by ADV.


<sup>3</sup>The instrumental section contains chanted non-Japanese lyrics in [[Yoko Takahashi]]'s version and a few others, while other versions of the song have a purely instrumental section. The January 1996 issue of Newtype magazine transcribed Takahashi's lyrics in this section as "Fariya. Seta(or sepa) messo. Fariya. Tuse." which they speculate is from the fictional language of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Alternatively, [https://forum.evageeks.org/thread/19847/Cruel-Angels-Thesis-lyrics-in-instrumental-section-solved/ an EvaGeeks forum discussion suggests] that the lyrics may be "Faria? Será mesmo? Faria? Eu sei!" which is in the Portuguese language. Since the word "Faria" is usually used in a similar way as the English word "would", those lines could be interpreted as someone doubting something or someone else. There has never been any official information on the actual lyrics or their meaning, if any.
<sup>3</sup>The instrumental section contains chanted non-Japanese lyrics in [[Yoko Takahashi]]'s version and a few others, while other versions of the song have a purely instrumental section. The January 1996 issue of Newtype magazine transcribed Takahashi's lyrics in this section as "Fariya. Seta(or sepa) messo. Fariya. Tuse." which they speculate is from the fictional language of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Alternatively, [https://forum.evageeks.org/thread/19847/Cruel-Angels-Thesis-lyrics-in-instrumental-section-solved/ an EvaGeeks forum discussion suggests] that the lyrics may be "Faria? Será mesmo? Faria? Eu sei!" which is in the Portuguese language. Since the word "Faria" is usually used in a similar way as the English word "would", those lines could be interpreted as someone doubting something or someone else. There has never been any official information on the actual lyrics or their meaning, if any.
===Romaji and Original Japanese Lyrics===
{| border="0"
|-
|width="400"|<big>'''Zankoku na tenshi no teeze'''</big>
|width="400"|<big>'''『残酷な天使のテーゼ』'''</big>
|-valign="top"
|
Zankoku na tenshi no yō ni<br />
Shōnen yo, shinwa ni nare...<br />
Aoi kaze ga ima mune no doa wo tataitemo<br />
Watashi dake wo tada mitsumete<br />
Hohoenderu anata<br />
Sotto fureru mono<br />
Motomeru koto ni muchū de<br />
Unmei sae mada shiranai itaikena hitomi<br />
Dakedo itsuka kizuku deshō<br />
Sono senaka ni wa<br />
Haruka mirai mezasu tame no<br />
Hane ga aru koto...<br />
Zankoku na tenshi no teeze<br />
Madobe kara yagate tobitatsu<br />
Hotobashiru atsui patosu de<br />
Omoide wo uragiru nara<br />
Kono sora wo daite kagayaku<br />
Shōnen yo, shinwa ni nare<br />
Zutto nemutteru watashi no ai no yurikago<br />
Anata dake ga yume no shisha ni<br />
Yobareru asa ga kuru<br />
Hosoi kubisuji wo tsukiakari ga utsushiteru<br />
Sekai'jū no toki wo tomete<br />
Tojikometai kedo...<br />
Moshi mo futari aeta koto ni imi ga aru nara<br />
Watashi wa, sō, jiyū wo shiru<br />
Tame no baiburu<br />
Zankoku na tenshi no teeze<br />
Kanashimi ga soshite hajimaru<br />
Dakishimeta inochi no katachi<br />
Sono yume ni mezameta toki<br />
Dare yori mo hikari wo hanatsu<br />
Shōnen yo, shinwa ni nare<br />
Hito wa ai wo tsumugi nagara rekishi wo tsukuru<br />
Megami nante narenai mama<br />
Watashi wa ikiru...<br />
Zankoku na tenshi no teeze<br />
Madobe kara yagate tobitatsu<br />
Hotobashiru atsui patosu de<br />
Omoide wo uragiru nara<br />
Kono sora wo daite kagayaku<br />
Shōnen yo, shinwa ni nare<br />
|
残酷な天使のように<br />
少年よ 神話になれ<br />
青い風がいま<br />
胸のドアを叩いても<br />
私だけをただ見つめて<br />
微笑んでるあなた<br />
そっとふれるもの<br />
もとめることに夢中で<br />
運命さえまだ知らない<br />
いたいけな瞳<br />
だけどいつか気付くでしょう その背中には<br />
遥か未来 めざすための 羽根があること<br />
残酷な天使のテーゼ<br />
窓辺からやがて飛び立つ<br />
ほとばしる熱いパトスで<br />
思い出を裏切るなら<br />
この宇宙(そら)を抱いて輝く<br />
少年よ 神話になれ<br />
ずっと眠ってる<br />
私の愛の揺りかご<br />
あなただけが 夢の使者に<br />
呼ばれる朝がくる<br />
細い首筋を<br />
月あかりが映してる<br />
世界中の時を止めて<br />
閉じこめたいけど<br />
もしもふたり逢えたことに 意味があるなら<br />
私はそう 自由を知る ためのバイブル<br />
残酷な天使のテーゼ<br />
悲しみがそしてはじまる<br />
抱きしめた命のかたち<br />
その夢に目覚めたとき<br />
誰よりも光を放つ<br />
少年よ 神話になれ<br />
人は愛をつむぎながら 歴史をつくる<br />
女神なんてなれないまま 私は生きる <br />
残酷な天使のテーゼ<br />
窓辺からやがて飛び立つ<br />
ほとばしる熱いパトスで<br />
思い出を裏切るなら<br />
この宇宙(そら)を抱いて輝く<br />
少年よ 神話になれ<br />
|}


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 12:11, 3 May 2024

A Cruel Angel's Thesis is the opening theme song for the series Neon Genesis Evangelion, composed by Hidetoshi Sato and sung by Yoko Takahashi. The lyrics are by Neko Oikawa while the arrangement is by Toshiyuki Omori. The song also has the distinction of taking first place in the JASRAC Awards.[1]

This song was written with relatively limited involvement from Hideaki Anno and the production staff, being handled by producer Toshimichi Otsuki .[2] Anno originally wanted to use an excerpt from Borodin's Polovtsian Dances in the opening, but the producers did not approve of this and instead decided to use a J-Pop song, which eventually resulted in the creation of this song by Neko Oikawa.

Oikawa apparently had very little knowledge of the show, which was under production at the time with the episodes not having been colored. According to tweets and interviews, Oikawa went through a proposal of the show (possibly Neon Genesis Evangelion Proposal) and watched two unfinished episodes on fast-forward, only serving to broadly "fit" the anime after the fact [3][4] The writing process for Episode 01 took as long as six months,[5] and the opening sequence was not yet finished.[6][7] The original song included a male chorus, which was cut at director Hideaki Anno's request in order to "emphasize maternal affection".[8]


"You mean you couldn't read the questions in Japanese?" "Right, I haven't learned all the Chinese characters yet. We didn't study it in college over there."
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Oikawa states that she took inspiration for the title from the manga A Cruel God Reigns.[9] Among other statements, Oikawa said the lyrics "become a legend" were originally "become a weapon" and that she decided to make the song about the perspective of a mother when her child "leaves the nest."[10] Singer Yoko Takahashi was also brought in relatively haphazardly and had no knowledge of the series, and would only see the opening featuring her voice when it aired on TV.[11] She had also first met Anno on the day of recording.[12]

Lyrics

Original Japanese Lyrics: Neko Oikawa


『残酷な天使のテーゼ』 Zankoku na tenshi no teeze English Translation1 Sing-Along English Translation2

残酷な天使のように
少年よ 神話になれ

青い風がいま
胸のドアを叩いても
私だけをただ見つめて
微笑んでるあなた
そっとふれるもの
もとめることに夢中で
運命さえまだ知らない
いたいけな瞳

だけどいつか気付くでしょう その背中には
遥か未来 めざすための 羽根があること

残酷な天使のテーゼ
窓辺からやがて飛び立つ
ほとばしる熱いパトスで
思い出を裏切るなら
この宇宙(そら)を抱いて輝く
少年よ 神話になれ

Instrumental section
3

ずっと眠ってる
私の愛の揺りかご
あなただけが 夢の使者に
呼ばれる朝がくる
細い首筋を
月あかりが映してる
世界中の時を止めて
閉じこめたいけど

もしもふたり逢えたことに 意味があるなら
私はそう 自由を知る ためのバイブル

残酷な天使のテーゼ
悲しみがそしてはじまる
抱きしめた命のかたち
その夢に目覚めたとき
誰よりも光を放つ
少年よ 神話になれ

人は愛をつむぎながら 歴史をつくる
女神なんてなれないまま 私は生きる

残酷な天使のテーゼ
窓辺からやがて飛び立つ
ほとばしる熱いパトスで
思い出を裏切るなら
この宇宙(そら)を抱いて輝く
少年よ 神話になれ

Zankoku na tenshi no yō ni
Shōnen yo, shinwa ni nare...

Aoi kaze ga ima mune no doa wo tataitemo
Watashi dake wo tada mitsumete
Hohoenderu anata
Sotto fureru mono
Motomeru koto ni muchū de
Unmei sae mada shiranai itaikena hitomi

Dakedo itsuka kizuku deshō
Sono senaka ni wa
Haruka mirai mezasu tame no
Hane ga aru koto...

Zankoku na tenshi no teeze
Madobe kara yagate tobitatsu
Hotobashiru atsui patosu de
Omoide wo uragiru nara
Kono sora wo daite kagayaku
Shōnen yo, shinwa ni nare

Instrumental section
3

Zutto nemutteru watashi no ai no yurikago
Anata dake ga yume no shisha ni
Yobareru asa ga kuru
Hosoi kubisuji wo tsukiakari ga utsushiteru
Sekai'jū no toki wo tomete
Tojikometai kedo...

Moshi mo futari aeta koto ni imi ga aru nara
Watashi wa, sō, jiyū wo shiru
Tame no baiburu

Zankoku na tenshi no teeze
Kanashimi ga soshite hajimaru
Dakishimeta inochi no katachi
Sono yume ni mezameta toki
Dare yori mo hikari wo hanatsu
Shōnen yo, shinwa ni nare

Hito wa ai wo tsumugi nagara rekishi wo tsukuru
Megami nante narenai mama
Watashi wa ikiru...

Zankoku na tenshi no teeze
Madobe kara yagate tobitatsu
Hotobashiru atsui patosu de
Omoide wo uragiru nara
Kono sora wo daite kagayaku
Shōnen yo, shinwa ni nare

Like a cruel angel,
young boy, become the legend!

A blue wind is now
knocking at the door to your heart, and yet
you are merely gazing at me
and smiling.

Something gently touching--
you're so intent on seeking it out,
that you can't even see your fate yet,
with such innocent eyes.

But someday I think you'll find out
that what's on your back
are wings that are for
heading for the far-off future.

The cruel angel's thesis
will soon take flight through the window,
with surging, hot pathos,
if you betray your memories.
Embracing this sky [universe] and shining,
young boy, become the legend!

Instrumental section
3

Sleeping for a long time
in the cradle of my love
The morning is coming when you alone will be called
by a messenger of dreams.

Moonlight reflects off
the nape of your slender neck.
Stopping time all throughout the world
I want to confine them, but...

So if two people being brought together by fate
has any meaning,
I think that it is a "bible"
for learning freedom.

The cruel angel's thesis.
The sorrow then begins.
You held tight to the form of life
when you woke up from that dream.
You shine brighter than anyone else.
Young boy, become the legend!

People create history
while weaving love.
Even knowing I'll never be a goddess or anything like that,
I live on.

The cruel angel's thesis
will soon take flight through the window,
with surging, hot pathos,
if you betray your memories.
Embracing this sky and shining,
young boy, become the legend!

Young boy, like a cruel angel's thesis,
Live up to be a legend...

Even though clear blue winds
Beat on the door of my heart,
You just smile, looking straight at me
Too involved in yearning for
Something to hold on
The innocent eyes still know nothing of fate yet.

But someday you will notice
On those shoulders of yours
There are strong wings
To guide you to the far future.

A cruel angel's thesis
Will someday fly high from the window
If memories are betrayed by
The overflowing, burning pathos.
Young boy, shine like a legend,
Holding the sky in your arms.

Instrumental section
3

The cradle of love that sleeps within me
There will be a morning that
A servant of dreams will come for you.
The moonlight shines on your thin neckline.
I'd stop time in this world
And lock it away for myself, but...

If there is any meaning
In the fate that pulled us together,
Then I am, yes, the Bible
That teaches you of freedom.

A cruel angel's thesis
And then sorrow comes forth
When the shapes of the dreams you hold in your arms
Come to life within you.
Young boy, who shines brighter than anyone else,
Rise to become a legend.

People weave together love to create history
And so I live on,
Unable to become a goddess...

A cruel angel's thesis
Will someday fly high from the window
If memories are betrayed by
The overflowing, burning pathos.
Young boy, shine like a legend,
Holding the sky in your arms.

Translation Notes

1This was translated by Takayama Miyuki and these are the translator's notes:

  • young boy, become the legend!: The word "shinwa" actually means "myth" ("legend" would be "densetsu"), but I think it sounds better as "legend."
  • with surging, hot pathos: "Atsui" (hot) can also mean "intense, passionate." "Pathos" is "the quality or power in life or art of evoking a feeling of pity or compassion; pity; suffering; sorrow."
  • Embracing this sky [universe] and shining: "Sora" (sky) is the reading given for the kanji for "uchuu" (universe).
  • has any meaning: The kanji used for the "a" in "aeta" is not the normal kanji used in "au" (to meet). It's the first kanji in "ouse" (encounter, tryst) and has more of a connotation of meeting by fate or being brought together by fate, not just meeting. (Interestingly, a dictionary I have gives the meaning of "au," when written with this kanji, as "to meet (with drama or pathos)")
  • for learning freedom: The "watashi wa sou" is probably "watashi wa sou omou." And "bible" in this case isn't referring to *the* Bible. "Bible" can also mean "guide book, how-to book, a book valued for its use as a reference," like in "a handyman's bible," or "a bird-watcher's bible."

2This is the translation found on the U.S. release of Evangelion by ADV.

3The instrumental section contains chanted non-Japanese lyrics in Yoko Takahashi's version and a few others, while other versions of the song have a purely instrumental section. The January 1996 issue of Newtype magazine transcribed Takahashi's lyrics in this section as "Fariya. Seta(or sepa) messo. Fariya. Tuse." which they speculate is from the fictional language of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Alternatively, an EvaGeeks forum discussion suggests that the lyrics may be "Faria? Será mesmo? Faria? Eu sei!" which is in the Portuguese language. Since the word "Faria" is usually used in a similar way as the English word "would", those lines could be interpreted as someone doubting something or someone else. There has never been any official information on the actual lyrics or their meaning, if any.

References

  1. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-25/songs-from-evangelion-other-anime-win-jasrac-awards
  2. From the animania blog report on the March 28, 2005 NHK Anime Yawa talk show (translation by animania) - Otsuki said he allowed Anno to do whatever he wanted in the anime except for the theme music. Otsuki was particular about the theme and handled the music staff by himself, going as far as to claim that no anime staff, even Anno, met the music staff (apparently contradicted by Oikawa's statements). - Yuko Miyamura, BS AnimeYAWA
  3. “My manager got the job, we had a quick meeting lasting about 30 minutes, skim-read the proposal and watched two episodes on fast-forward. And with that I was told ‘so, yeah, just write whatever you want!’, and finished the song [lyrics] in about two hours. Sorry to burst your bubble, guys!” http://soranews24.com/2015/01/08/a-cruel-angels-thesis-took-just-two-hours-to-write-says-evangelion-lyricist-neko-oikawa
  4. "It wasn't even colored. I wrote the song, and my job was done. I wrote it in about two hours." Anime News Network interview with Neko Oikawa
  5. 2nd JUNE interview
  6. Notenki Memoirs
  7. According to Hidenori Matsubara during the Animazement 2015 convention, "the song was created before they even got done with animation for the opening theme. Strangely enough, the song manage to go along with the opening animation."
  8. Refrain of Evangelion OST Booklet, 2003.
  9. https://web.archive.org/web/20160830224921/http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/11939169
  10. https://www.sankei.com/west/news/161228/wst1612280011-n1.html
  11. Yoko Takahashi Performs Neon Genesis Evangelion Theme, “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” to Excited Crowd at Anime Expo 2015 in LA
  12. —When was your first meeting with Mr. Anno?
    "It was on the day of recording. As I said earlier, when I entered the studio before anyone else to get ready, even while I couldn't afford, a man dressed in black and wearing sandals suddenly appeared. I didn't know who it was, but I just said hi, and he was actually Mr. Anno (Hideaki). It was a shocking encounter (laughs)." -Yoko Takahashi: EVANGELION FINALLY (2020)


Audio Releases
Arranged Albums: Evangelion Symphony | Evangelion Vox | Evangelion Wind Symphony No.1 | Evangelion Wind Symphony No.2 | Evangelion PianoForte #1 | The world! Evangelion Jazz night =The Tokyo III Jazz club= | ShiroSAGISU OUTTAKES FROM EVANGELION (VOl.1) | Shin Godzilla vs Evangelion Symphony
Compilation Albums: The Day of Second Impact | Evangelion: The Birthday of Rei Ayanami | Refrain of Evangelion | Evangelion: Decade | Neon Genesis Evangelion Soundtrack 25th Anniversary Box | Evangelion Finally
Soundtrack Albums: Neon Genesis Evangelion OST I | Neon Genesis Evangelion OST II | Neon Genesis Evangelion OST III | Evangelion Death | End of Evangelion (Soundtrack) | S² Works | Music from Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone | Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone Original Soundtrack | Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance Original Soundtrack | Music from Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo | Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo Original Soundtrack | Music from "Shin Evangelion" Evangelion: 3.0+1.0
Studio Albums: Neon Genesis Evangelion Addition | Neon Genesis Evangelion Classical Volume | Refrain, The Songs Were Inspired by Evangelion | Evangelion Extreme
Theme Songs: A Cruel Angel's Thesis | Fly Me to the Moon | Soul's Refrain | Thanatos -If I can't be yours- | Komm, süsser Tod | Beautiful World | Sakura Nagashi | One Last Kiss
Other: After the End | Animate Voice Cassette