Neon Genesis Evangelion

Theme song analysis

Here, you can not only find the lyrics English translation to the Evangelion theme song, but also what I felt each line meant in context to the series. We all know that Evangelion contains extremely deep concepts and implications, so I felt that the theme song had to reflect those concepts. Remember, I've said it before and I'll say it again: these are just my thoughts. You don't have to agree with them.

The theme song analysis generally follows this structure:

Japanese Lyrics

English Translation

What it all may mean

So without further ado, let us search deep into the masterpiece known as Neon Genesis Evangelion, and discover in ourselves a mind that hungers intensively for the true meaning of this stunning series.

Zankoku na tenshi no THESIS

(A Cruel Angel's Thesis)

Zankoku na tenshi no youni
Shounen yo shinwa ni nare
Like an angel that has no sense of mercy...
Rise, young boy, to the heavens like a legend...

This is of course referring Shinji Ikari and how he is like the world's saviour. In order to defeat the Angels, which are unmerciful creatures, he has to unleash in himself a hidden power within. A power that he may have never knew existed inside him. 

Aoi kaze ga ima
Mune no DOA [door] wo tataitemo

Cold winds, as blue as the sea
Tear open the door to your heart

The "cold winds" may have been symbolizing the way Shinji learnt about his destiny - it was abrupt and shocking. But he had to accept his fate, or else humanity would be wiped out, and in order to do that, he had to open his heart completely. With the help of his new friends, Shinji began to understand that he must do what he must do, despite the pain it was causing him.

Watashi dake wo tada mitsumete
Hohoenderu anata

I see but unknowing you seem just staring at me

Standing there smiling serenely

The world also accepts the fact that Shinji is their last hope, in fact they knew even before he did. "They" watch him as he smiles like nothing is wrong, but he is only smiling because he doesn't know yet. Once he learns the truth, his smiles will be rare, thus they have to appreciate them now.

Sotto fureru mono
Motomeru koto ni muchuu de
Desperate, for something to touch

A moment of kindness like that in a dream

This line is undoubtedly referring to Misato. When Shinji was thrown into a new place and his world came crashing down upon him, one person was always there, comforting him. Her kindness was something he never really experienced before, to him it was like a dream. It was because of her kindness that he stayed to save humanity.

Unmei sae mada shiranai
Itaikena hitomi

Your innocent eyes, have yet no idea
of the path your destiny will follow...

This line supports the point I was trying to make before. Shinji as unaware of what was really occurring at the world, therefore he was still experiencing peace. But once he knew of his destiny, hie eyes would no longer be innocence, he would witness horror so great that it would inevitably change him.

Dakedo itsuka kizuku deshou
Sono senaka niwa

But someday you'll become aware of
everything that you've got behind you

But in perspective, Shinji may discover that all the pain and suffering was worth it in the end, to save the people who he had grown to love -- Misato, Asuka, Rei, Toji, Kensuke and even his father. He would be able to finally grasp the power he possessed and what he could do with it.

Haruka mirai mezasu tameno
Hanega arukoto
Your wings are seeking out a new
future that only you can search for

Because of his new understanding of life, Shinji would now be able to search deeper into his life to mould his own future. Ironically, they used the word "wings", a feature belonging to birds and Angels. This could be a hint to their later discovery that humans were the 18th Angels.

Zankoku na tenshi no THESIS
Madobe kara yagate tobitatsu

The cruel angel's thesis bleeds through
a portal like your pulsing blood

Another small clue to their startling discovery that humans were the 18th Angel. The Angels were constantly being experimented on, if the Evas didn't completely destroy it. A "thesis" was being made on them. This line can be read as saying that we all have the "cruel angel's thesis" inside of us, because we are always testing ourselves and also because we are the 18th Angel.

Hotobashiru atsui PATHOS de
Omoide wo uragiru nara

If you should betray the chapel of your memories,
the cruel angel's thesis enters through the window of your soul

If Shinji were to ever forget what he was fighting for, all hope would be lost because the Angels would have won. They would take control of him, manipulating his mind so that he wouldn't know what to believe.

Kono sora wo daite kagayaku
Shounen yo shinwa ni nare!
So, boy, stand tall and embrace the fire of the legend
Embracing the universe like a blazing star!

So, Shinji, now that you've heard about what's going to happen and learnt of your true destiny, will you embrace what you have to do? You mustn't run away, but rather rise up and save humanity.