Neon Genesis Evangelion OST Vol. #1

By Tiffani Nadeau     January 31, 2004
Release Date: January 20, 2004



What They Say
Eva. Evangelion. Neon Genesis Evangelion. Shin Seiki Evangelion. No matter which name it goes by, fans alike recognize this title as one of the most phenomenally popular and controversial anime series of all time, with its non-conventional storylines, intriguing characters, top-notch animation and magnetizing music. While the series is over, the captivating music still remains, with the Neon Genesis Evangelion Original Soundtrack bringing all of those powerful tunes back to the forefront. This CD has 23 tracks of various music styles (Japanese Pop, orchestral score, country, jazz, etc.) designed to grab and hold the listener's attention and features the highly energetic opening song 'Cruel Angel's Thesis' and the signature ending theme 'Fly Me to the Moon.'

Created by GAINAX (Wings of Honneamise, Fooly Cooly, His & Her Circumstances, Nadia, Gunbuster, Mahoromatic, etc.) Evangelion maintains a huge built-in fan following thanks to the continued popularity of the anime series, which also spawned two feature films. Available for the first time as a domestic anime CD release, this release also features a CD insert booklet that includes song titles, lyrics and credits translated into English language as well as phonetic lyrics. Music composed by Shiro Sagisu (Kimagure Orange Road, Nadia, Macross II, Garzey's Wing, His and Her Circumstances)


The Review!
4 out of 5
Music found in the Neon Genesis Evangelion film.

This CD comes with a ten-page insert. First up, as per usual is the song title list. Second page features a few paragraphs from director Hideaki Anno on the Neon Genesis film. Next up is a few paragraphs from composer Shiro Sagisu on the why and how's of the Eva music. Then there are the few paragraphs from Assistant Director Masayuki on his involvement in the Eva series. Next up a paragraph by Kazuya Tsurumaki (second assistant director). The next page features both the English and the Japanese lyrics for A Cruel Angel's Thesis. Next up are the English lyrics to Fly Me to the Moon. The final three pages are credits for the CD, the show, and the film.

With great vocals on track numbers 1 and 23 by Yoko Takahashi, best known for her varied theme songs including Lost Paradise from Macross Generation (a duet with Ogata Megumi), this one is a definite hit. And let's not forget the great CLAIRE and her version of Fly Me To the Moon. I only wish that I could find more of CLAIRE, but she seems to have jumped into the Eva soundtrack with a great set of pipes and then disappeared. Her soulful rendition of Fly Me to the Moon, just left me with shivers, it was a beautiful tribute to the great Frank Sinatra, and I think even he would be proud of how well CLAIRE treated his song. These vocals are great. The background music is just a touching movement, and the top-notch voices are unbeatable.

Shiro Sagisu, whom you may remember was a composer/arranger for the Nadia soundtracks, has created a beautiful world of sound with this CD. The moving instrumentals are a true showing of Mr. Sagisu's work. He has always been one of the better composers, having the ability to give each instrument their own life within each composition. The pieces played are simply flowing in their movement from one emotion to another. It is a true representation of what a good composer can do with a little imagination. The music itself is a great blend and use of instruments. The instrumentals have managed to stay lively and riveting with not a stale one in the bunch.

I'd have to say great vocals, even better instrumentals, how can you go wrong?

Features
A Cruel Angel's Thesis~ Director's Edit. Version~4:02Vocal (Japanese),Fly me to the Moon4:31Vocal (English),Angel Attack2:29Instrumental,Rei I2:57 Instrumental,Hedgehog's Dilemma2:45Instrumental,Barefoot in the Park2:34Instrumental,Ritsuko3:01Instrumental,Misato1:31Instrumental,Asuka Strikes!2:24Instrumental,Nerv1:57Instrumental,Tokyo-32:23Instrumental,I. Shinji2:00Instrumental,Eva-012:46Instrumental,A Step Forward Into Terror1:56Instrumental,Eva-021:57Instrumental,Decisive Battle2:22Instrumental,Eva-001:49Instrumental,The Beast1:38Instrumental,Marking Time; Waiting for Death2:42Instrumental,Rei II2:54Instrumental,Fly me to the Moon2:57Instrumental,Next episode~ 30-second version~0:30Instrumental,Fly Me to the Moon~ Acid Bossa Version~3:49Vocal (Japanese)

Review Equipment
Total CD Length: 57:54

Assistant Director: Kazuya Tsurumaki



RECORDING DATA

MAIN STAFF

Composed & Arranged by SHIRO SAGISU

Produced & BGM-Entitled by HIDEAKI ANNO

Recorded & Mixed by KOHOICHI SUZUKI

Musicians management by UNION



STUDIOS

Recording MAY 12,13,16 1995

at KING RECORD 1st.

Mixing: MAY 18,19,1995

at KING RECORD YKst.



STAFF

Original Planning: GAINAX

Planning: Project Eva.

Series: Kadokawa Shoten

Monthly Magazine Shonen Ace

Director: Hideaki Anno

Character Design: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto

Mechanical Design: Ikuto Yamashita

Hideaki Anno

Assistant Director: Masayuki

Kazuya Tsurumaki

Art Director: Hiroshi Kato

Color Setup: Harumi Takaboshi

Director of Photography: Youichi Kuroda

Sound Supervisor: Hideyuki Tanaka

Sound Work: Audio Tanaka

Music: Shiro Sagisu

Opening Animation Illustration: Takeshi Honda Shinya Hasegawa

Opening Animation Production: Kazuya Tsurumaki

Ending Animation: Masayuki

Animation Production: Tatsunoko Pro

GAINAX

Animation Producers: Motoki Ueda

Shuji Uchiyama

Hiroyuki Yamaga

Producer: Kyoko Kobayashi (TV Tokyo)

Yutaka Sugiyama

Produced by: TV Tokyo



CAST

Shinji Ikari: Megumi Ogata

Misato Katsuragi: Kotono Mitsuishi

Ritsuko Akagi: Yuriko Yamaguchi

Rei Ayanami: Megumi Hayashibara

Soryu Asuka Langley: Yuko Miyamura

Gendo Ikari: Fumihiko Tachiki

Kohzo Fuyutsuki: Motomu Kiyokawa

Kensuke Aida: Tetsuya Iwanaga

Tohji Suzuhara: Tomokazu Seki

Hikari Haraki: Junko Iwao

Ryoji Kaji: Kouichi Yamadera

Shigeru Aoba: Takehito Koyasu

Makoto Hyuga: Hiro Yuuki

Maya Ibuki: Miki Nagasawa

Keel Lorentz: Mugihito



US STAFF

Executive Producer: Henry Goto

Producer: Nobu Yamamoto

Mastering: Mack • Nightjar

English Packaging: KGI • KOYO Graphic, Inc.