The classic opening theme of Neon Genesis Evangelion has returned to the spotlight in Japan. The song "A Cruel Angel's Thesis," performed by Yoko Takahashi, reached the impressive milestone of 1,000 consecutive weeks on the Oricon karaoke charts in May 2026. This achievement reinforces the cultural strength of the franchise created by Hideaki Anno among 90s anime.
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Originally released in 1995 as the opening theme for Neon Genesis Evangelion, the song entered the Top 10 karaoke charts in 2008 and has never left the main Japanese rankings since. This represents more than 19 years dominating playlists and karaoke rooms in the country. For many fans, the song has become practically a symbol of modern otaku culture.
Yoko Takahashi comments on the success of A Cruel Angel's Thesis.
Commenting on the record, Yoko Takahashi described the achievement as a "gift from heaven." The singer also attributed part of the success to the work of the series' original team, including the voice actors and the direction of Hideaki Anno. In addition, she shared some interesting tips for those trying to sing the theme song without going off-key.
According to the artist, the secret lies in emphasizing the syllable "za" right at the beginning of the phrase "Zankoku na". After that, the ideal is to maintain constant intensity until the end of the song. The recommendation quickly went viral among fans on Japanese social media, reigniting debates about the most difficult anime openings.
The Evangelion franchise will remain active in 2026
Even after the conclusion of the Rebuild films, the franchise continues to receive new projects. Recently, Evangelion received a special short film focused on Asuka to celebrate the series' 30th anniversary. Furthermore, a new animated project involving Yoko Taro was also announced, further increasing fan interest.
Meanwhile, "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" continues to prove that it transcends generations without losing its power. Finally, for more news about anime and new anime seasons, follow the daily updates on AnimeNews.
Source: X (Oricon)