Eva" enlivens summer in Japan! Yoko Takahashi's free live report and interview to commemorate the release of "Gutai na Tenshi no Thesis MATSURI SPRIT," reborn with a Japanese drum arrangement!

Singer Yoko Takahashi held a free live concert at the plaza next to Seibu Shinjuku PePe in Shinjuku on July 24, 2019.

This free live concert was held to celebrate the release of her new single "Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis MATSURI SPRIT," which is the OP theme of the anime "Neon Genesis Evangelion," arranged with Japanese drums inspired by Japanese festivals.

The air was filled with the heat that heralded the arrival of summer, a welcome change from the damp air of the previous day, and the streets of Shinjuku were filled with the powerful voice of Ms. Takahashi and the sounds of taiko drums.

In this issue, we will report on the free live performance and interview with Yoko Takahashi for "MATSURI SPRIT" (Thesis of the Cruel Angel).

The "Gutai na Tenshi no Thesis MATSURI SPRIT" echoed through Shinjuku at dusk!

Around 6 p.m., Yunika Vision across from the plaza showed a video of famous scenes from "Eva," and Yoko Takahashi appeared on the balcony on the second floor of Seibu Shinjuku PePe.

The large audience gathered in the plaza cheered loudly, and the live started with "Soul's Lufran" (theme song of "Neon Genesis Evangelion the Movie: Sito Shinsei").

Some passersby were surprised by the sudden start of the anime song live performance, but stopped to look up at the stage. Some of them were already in the groove with their fists in the air.

The next song was a new song, "Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis MATSURI SPRIT. Male dancers, a familiar sight at Ms. Takahashi's live performances, also appeared on stage. Mr. Takahashi sang with them, who appeared in festive style, wearing yasha masks and happi coats.

The song "Gutai na Tenshi no Thesis" was sung by Ms. Takahashi to the powerful beat of Japanese drums, and the audience was surprised to hear such an interpretation of the song. Is it the nature of Japanese people that they naturally want to shake their bodies and clap their hands? No, no, no, it does not matter what race or nationality the audience is, as long as they are excited! The reborn classic anime songs enlivened the early summer in Japan.

In the second half of the live, they performed "Tanshi Sora ni Koratte" (theme song for the pachislot machine "EVANGELION") and "Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis". The live performance ended with two songs of high tension.

In the future, Ms. Takahashi will perform at Bon Odori festivals and summer festivals in Japan. We hope you will come to these festivals and sing and dance to her new songs!

Interview with Yoko Takahashi on the occasion of the free live!

Please tell us how you came up with the song "MATSURI SPRIT".

Takahashi: Summer in Japan is all about festivals. And with the final chapter of the "Rebuild of Evangelion" movie coming up next year, I want to make everything exciting as if I were the leader of the cheering squad.

I am currently on a world tour, visiting various countries, and anime songs have become the strongest passport that transcends national borders, and in every country there is the phenomenon of people who love anime singing together. In this context, I wanted to further share the wonderful Japanese culture of "matsuri" (festival) and "bon odori" (Bon dance), which is why I created this work, "MATSURI SPIRIT: THE SURVIVAL OF ANGELIC ANGELS.

─ How do you want listeners to enjoy this work?

Takahashi: This time, I asked Eitetsu Hayashi, who is also known as the "god of taiko," to perform, focusing on the theme of harmony. The phrase "taiko and song" was rather difficult to describe, but for some reason, I believe that Japanese people's souls tend to stir up when they hear the sounds of festivals, just as the word "taiko" is included in the word "koudou" (to inspire). So I hope you will enjoy that aspect of this song as well.

The choreography is by Mr. Bijo Ageha, the head instructor of the Hocho-ryu school of Japanese folk dance, and it is just the right level of difficulty so that it can be danced after about two practices. I hope to bring this song to the world, so that everyone can enjoy singing and dancing around the yagura together.

─ What did you think when you heard the completed song?

Takahashi: I worked with the staff to create the song, and from the beginning I thought that the taiko sound would lead us into the summer of "The Cruel Angel's Thesis," so I don't feel any discomfort with it. However, those who hear it for the first time may be surprised to hear "Festival? I am not surprised. However, after listening to the song several times, they will say, "This is very nice," and I would like to deliver it to the world with confidence.

─ ─ Are there any differences between the original song and the way you sang it?

Takahashi: Yes, there are. I used material from 1995 for this recording, but everything else was newly re-recorded. The reason for this is because we were particular about the fact that "Evangelion is the real thing. However, it is also very important for everyone to enjoy the live performance, so I try to sing what I feel on stage as best I can.

─ What was the concept behind today's costumes?

Takahashi: I asked the designer to design a costume based on the concept of what would be the best way for Yoko Takahashi to express the "Evangelion Spirit" as she is today. Rather than wanting people to see "me," I wanted them to see me in this way, or to enjoy seeing me in this way, and this is the style I came up with. It's a bit of a difficult costume to wear to a convenience store (laughs), but people overseas are happy with it.

─ You also filmed a music video, didn't you?

Takahashi: We wanted people to see Japan, so we rented a temple and filmed there, but we also filmed in such places (downtown areas such as Shinjuku) so that people would understand that it is "Japan," so we tried to shoot in ordinary places as much as possible.

─ In early July, you appeared at the "JAPAN EXPO" in France.

Takahashi: We performed "MATSURI SPIRIT" for the first time at the "JAPAN EXPO." We practiced the choreography with the audience on the spot and had a great time, so I was convinced that we could do it.

At the JAPAN EXPO, I felt that everyone genuinely likes and supports "Eva," and more than that, I was keenly aware that they deeply understood and appreciated the contents of the show even more.

─ What do you feel about the final chapter, "Shin Evangelion the Movie"?

Takahashi: To be honest, I feel very sad and almost cry when I seriously think about it, but the movie is not finished yet and the TV series has been available on Netflix anytime since June. I have already circled it twice. I hope you will all watch it again and support us together so that we can welcome the movie at its best.

CD Info.

Gutai na Tenshi no Thesis MATSURI SPIRIT

On sale now!

Price: 777 yen (tax not included)

＜Price: 777 yen (tax not included)

1. "Thesis of a Cruel Angel MATSURI SPRIT

2. "Thesis of a Cruel Angel MATSURI SPRIT" off voal ver.

Event Appearance Information

July 26 (Fri.) "Tokyo Marunouchi Bon Odori 2019" Venue: Otemachi, Marunouchi, Yurakucho areas Gyoko-dori Avenue and Marunouchi-nakadori Avenue (in front of Marunouchi Building)

August 1 (Thu) "Aomori Nebuta Festival Eve Festival: Yoko Takahashi Stage" Venue: Russelland Special Stage

August 11 (Sun.) "The 7th Nakano Ekimae Bon Dance Festival" Venue: Park Avenue in Nakano Central Park