a cruel angel's thesis translation

A Cruel Angel's Thesis

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]

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]

Original Japanese Lyrics: Neko Oikawa

Translation Notes

1 This 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."

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

3 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, 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.

• ↑ http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-25/songs-from-evangelion-other-anime-win-jasrac-awards
• ↑ 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
• ↑ “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
• ↑ "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
• ↑ 2nd JUNE interview
• ↑ Notenki Memoirs
• ↑ 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."
• ↑ Refrain of Evangelion OST Booklet, 2003.
• ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20160830224921/http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/11939169
• ↑ https://www.sankei.com/west/news/161228/wst1612280011-n1.html
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A Comparison of English Translations of ‘A Cruel Angel's Thesis’

Disclaimer: I know zero Japanese. When I see ‘残酷’, I read ‘ cánkù ’. This post is based on the generously-licenced work of Wiktionary and others.

Cited as the translation found on the U.S. release of Evangelion by ADV. ( Source )  ↩

A translation by Takayama Miyuki . ( Source )  ↩

A translation found in various places. ( One such source ) Based on Miyuki's statements on the above-linked page, I believe, though cannot confirm, that this is an ADV ‘dubtitling’.  ↩

Miyuki: The word shinwa actually means ‘myth’ (‘legend’ would be densetsu ), but I think it sounds better as ‘legend’. (Editor's note: Wiktionary lists ‘legend’ as a valid translation.)  ↩

Miyuki: Atsui (熱い, hot) can also mean ‘intense, passionate’.  ↩

Miyuki: Sora (空, sky) is the reading given for the kanji for uchuu (宇宙, universe).  ↩

Miyuki: In some versions of this song, there is singing in this part. Unfortunately, I can't tell what they're singing (there's too much overlap). I think the last thing they sing could be ‘ ai ga fusei ’, which can be roughly translated into ‘Love is a sin (wrongdoing)’.  ↩

Miyuki: The kanji used for the a (逢) in aeta (逢えた) is not the normal kanji used in au (会, to meet). It's the first kanji in ouse (逢瀬, 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)’. (Editor's note: This is the definition given by Wiktionary .)  ↩

Miyuki: 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’.  ↩

Lyrical Nonsense

Yoko Takahashi - The Cruel Angel's Thesis (残酷な天使のテーゼ) [Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis] Lyrics (Romanized)

Home » Artists » Yoko Takahashi » The Cruel Angel's Thesis Lyrics / English Translation

The Cruel Angel's Thesis Lyrics (Romanized)

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zankoku na tenshi no you ni shounen 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 muchuu de Unmei sae mada shiranai itaike na hitomi

dakedo itsuka kizuku deshou 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 shounen yo shinwa ni nare

zutto nemutteru watashi no ai no yurikago Anata dake ga yume no shisha ni yobareru asa ga kuru Hosoi kubisuji wo tsukiakari ga utsushiteru Sekaijuu no toki wo tomete tojikometai kedo

moshi mo futari aeta koto ni imi ga aru nara Watashi wa sou jiyuu 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 shounen yo shinwa ni nare

hito wa ai wo tsumugi nagara rekishi wo tsukuru Megami nante narenai mama watashi wa ikiru

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Yoko Takahashi - The Cruel Angel's Thesis Lyrics (Romanized)

Yoko Takahashi - Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis Lyrics (Romanized)

Yoko Takahashi - 残酷な天使のテーゼ Lyrics (Romanized)

Neon Genesis Evangelion Opening Theme Lyrics (Romanized)

Shinseiki Evangelion Opening Theme Lyrics (Romanized)

残酷な天使のように　少年よ神話になれ

蒼い風がいま　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

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 この宇宙を抱いて輝く　少年よ神話になれ

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Like a cruel angel, young boy, become a 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 touches, 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 universe and shining, young boy, become a legend!

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 a legend!

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

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Fans Rank Top 20 Anime Openings: A Cruel Angel’s Thesis Tops the List

T he anticipation of a new anime series often begins with its opening theme—a blend of music and animation that sets the tone for the entire show. From catchy melodies to stunning visuals, these openings have the power to draw viewers into the world of the anime, leaving a lasting impression.

Recently, a survey conducted by Sosenkyo from TV Asahi has shed light on the most beloved anime openings according to fans worldwide. With input from 1,740 participants, the survey revealed a diverse selection of themes that have captured the hearts of anime enthusiasts across the globe.

Topping the list is A Cruel Angel’s Thesis by Yoko Takahashi, the iconic opening theme of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Known for its memorable melody and dynamic visuals, this opening continues to resonate with fans decades after the series’ release, solidifying its status as a timeless classic.

Joining A Cruel Angel’s Thesis is a mix of both classic and contemporary openings, showcasing the wide-ranging appeal of anime music. From the energetic anthem, We Are! by Hiroshi Kitadani (One Piece) to the emotional ballad Again by YUI (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), each theme offers a unique peak into the world of its respective series.

However, with so many exceptional openings to choose from, narrowing down the list to just 20 was no easy feat. While iconic themes like Blue Bird from Naruto Shippuden and Unravel from Tokyo Ghoul secured their spots, many fan-favorite openings may have been overlooked in the ranking.

Ultimately, the survey serves as a celebration of the range of anime openings that have charmed audiences over the years. Whether it’s the nostalgia of childhood favorites or the excitement of discovering new series, these themes continue to hold a special place in the hearts of fans everywhere.

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