Yoko Takahashi
Yōko Takahashi (高橋 洋子 Takahashi Yōko, born on 28 August 1966) is a Japanese singer (whose vocals are very easily recognizable) from Tokyo, perhaps best known for performing A Cruel Angel's Thesis (残酷な天使のテーゼ Zankoku na Tenshi no Tēze), the opening theme song of the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. She also performs the closing theme, an "acid bossa" version of "Fly Me to the Moon" and Tamashii no Rufuran (魂のルフラン Tamashii no Rufuran, Refrain of Soul), the closing theme of Evangelion: Death and Rebirth. She also recently performed "Metamorphose," the opening theme to studio Gainax's 20th anniversary series, This Ugly Yet Beautiful World, the ending theme Yoake Umarerekuru Shōjo (夜明け生まれ来る少女 The Girl who was Born at Dawn) for the anime Shakugan no Shana (灼眼のシャナ Blazing-Eyed Shana) and the opening theme Aoki Flamme for Pumpkin Scissors (パンプキン・シザーズ Panpukin Shizāzu) She is also Arimi Matsuno's sister-in-law.
Songs in Evangelion[]
- "Zankoku na Tenshi no These" (Original, 10th Anniversary, MATSURI SPIRIT Versions).
- "Tamashii no Rufuran" (Soul's Refrain), the ending song for Rebirth (Original and 10th Anniversary Versions).
- "Yokan" (Premonition), the ending song for Girlfriend of Steel.
- "Mugen Houyou" (Eternal Embrace), the ending song for Girlfriend of Steel 2nd.
- "Shiawase wa Tsumi no Nioi" (Happiness is the Smell of Sin), the opening song for Ayanami Raising Project (Dreamcast and PC versions only).
- A few versions of "Fly Me to the Moon" used in the series.
- "Kokoro yo Genshi ni Modore" (Return to Primitive Heart)
- "Tsuki no Meikyuu" (Moon Labyrinth), not used in the series or games.
- "Final Call", theme song of the Neon Genesis Evangelion ~Roar to the Future~ pachinko machine.
- "Crime and Punishment - Those who are unwilling to pray", promotional song for the S.J.H.U. PROJECT Shin Universe Robo.
Singles and Albums[]
- Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis / FLY ME TO THE MOON (1995)
- Zankoku na Tenshi no These (Single) (1995)
- Tamashii no Rufuran/Kokoro yo Genshi ni Modore (single) (1997)
- Refrain, The Songs Were Inspired by Evangelion (1997)
- Zankoku na Tenshi no These/FLY ME TO THE MOON (2003 single) (2003)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion Decade (2005)
- Tamashii no Rufuran/-THANATOS-IF I CAN'T BE YOURS- (single) (2006)
- Zankoku na Tenshi no These 2009 VERSION (2009)
- Doukoku e no Monorogu (Single) (2010)
- Shibashi Sora ni Inorite (single) (2013)
- Welcome to the stage! (single) (2014)
- Zankoku na Tenshi no These/Tamashii no Rufuran (single) (2018)
- EVANGELION EXTREME (2019)
- EVANGELION FINALLY (2020)
- Nyankoku na Nyanko no These (2021)
- Shiro SAGISU what if? Yoko TAKAHASHI ver. (2021)
- Final Call (single) (2021)
- Teardrops of hope (single) (2022)
- EVANGELION ETERNALLY (2023)
- EVANGELION FLASHBACK (2025)
- Tamashii no Rufuran - EVANGELION 30th Anniversary Edition LP (2026)
- Zankoku na Tenshi no These - EVANGELION 30th Anniversary Edition LP (2026)
External Links[]
- Yoko Takahashi Official X (Formerly Twitter)
- Yoko Takahashi on VGMDB
- Interview
- 【Legendary Conversation】 Yoko Takahashi and Toshiyuki Ohmori reveal the behind-the-scenes story of the production of "Zankoku na Tenshi no These" at "JASRAC Official Channel" YouTube channel
- 【First public release】 Yoko Takahashi and Toshiyuki Ohmori reveal the behind-the-scenes story of the creation of Evangelion masterpieces! Original composition data for "Tamashii no Rufuran" and "Kokoro yo Genshi ni Modore" revealed at "JASRAC Official Channel" YouTube channel
References[]
- All songs before 2005 by Takahashi's songs, minus any versions she sang of Fly Me to the Moon, can be found on the Neon Genesis Evangelion Decade album.