Cruel Angel's Thesis Lyricist Admits She Still Hasn't Watched Evangelion After 30 Years

Lyricist Neko Oikawa sparked a wave of surprise and humor across Japanese social media on October 25 when she casually confessed on X that she has never watched Neon Genesis Evangelion—the very anime series for which she penned the legendary opening theme "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" (Zankoku na Tenshi no Teeze) three decades ago.

Oikawa's post commemorated the 30th anniversary of the song's release, which debuted on October 25, 1995. "It's been 30 years since 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis' was released," she wrote. "I still haven't watched Evangelion. Sorry." The straightforward admission quickly gained traction, accumulating approximately 15 million views and generating widespread discussion among anime fans and music enthusiasts alike.

「残酷な天使のテーゼ」が発売されてから、今日で30年。
相変わらずエヴァ観てない。ごめん。 https://t.co/kAX6wDbpdq

— 及川眠子 (@oikawaneko) October 25, 2025

This revelation wasn't entirely new territory for Oikawa. Exactly one year prior, she made a similar confession on the song's 29th anniversary, writing that while the track has been beloved by countless people, covered by numerous artists, and maintained its position in karaoke rankings, she personally had never gotten around to watching the series. The consistency of her annual admissions has become something of a running joke among her followers.

The backstory behind "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" makes Oikawa's unfamiliarity with the source material even more remarkable. According to accounts shared on Japanese television programs, she composed the lyrics in just two hours after receiving a request from a King Records producer to create something "philosophical" and "complex." Without having seen the anime, Oikawa crafted lyrics that somehow perfectly captured the series' themes of adolescence, destiny, and emotional struggle—themes that would resonate with audiences for generations.

The song's enduring popularity speaks to the universal appeal of Oikawa's writing. Performed by vocalist Yoko Takahashi with music by Hidetoshi Sato, "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" has transcended its role as an anime theme song to become a cultural touchstone in Japan. It consistently ranks among the top karaoke selections and has been covered by countless artists across various genres.

Social media reactions to Oikawa's latest confession ranged from amused to astounded. Some fans urged her to "keep not watching it" to preserve the mystique, while others encouraged her to finally experience the series, suggesting she start with the newer theatrical releases. Many expressed bewilderment at how the lyrics could align so perfectly with the story's themes without the writer having seen the show. One commenter noted, "I haven't watched it either. I've heard it reflects themes like AI uprising that are relevant to society today."

Oikawa's career extends far beyond Evangelion. Born on February 10, 1960, in Wakayama, she has written over 1,000 songs throughout her career, including other Evangelion tracks like "Tamashii no Refrain" and hits such as "Samishii Nettaigyo" and "Ai ga Tomaranai" for Wink, and "Tokyo" for Yashiki Takajin. Her ability to capture complex emotions and philosophical concepts in her lyrics has made her one of Japan's most respected lyricists.

The incident highlights an interesting aspect of creative collaboration in the anime industry, where various artists contribute their talents to a project without necessarily consuming the entire work. Oikawa's confession serves as a testament to both her exceptional skill as a wordsmith and the timeless quality of well-crafted lyrics that can stand on their own merit, regardless of their creator's familiarity with the source material.