Today we are looking at a true classic: Zankoku Na Tenshi No Teeze (残酷な天使のテーゼ), the famous opening theme of Evangelion. Even years later, it is still one of the most recognizable anime songs ever made.
Below you will find the video with the song and its lyrics in Hiragana and Kanji. Watch it as many times as you want, and then we will break it down line by line. Don't forget to turn up the volume.
Breaking down the lyrics
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Some phrases are difficult to translate literally, so in a few cases we will only give the meaning of the words. Try to understand the message each line is trying to convey on your own. Review, research, study, sing, and do everything you can with the material below to improve your vocabulary.
残酷な天使のように 少年よ神話になれ
Like a cruel angel, boy, become a legend!
- 残酷 - ざんこく = cruelty, harshness
- 天使 - てんし = angel
- ように = like, as if
- 少年 - しょうねん = boy, youth
- 神話 - しんわ = myth, legend
- になれ = become
蒼い風がいま 胸のドアを叩いても
Even now, the blue wind knocks on the door of my heart.
- 青い - あおい = blue
- 風 - かぜ = wind
- いま - 今 = now
- 胸 - むね = chest, heart
- ドア = door
- 叩いても = even if it knocks
私だけをただ見つめて微笑んでるあなた
You are looking only at me and smiling.
- 私だけ - わたしだけ = only me, just me
- 見つめて = staring, looking straight at
- 微笑んで - ほほえんで = smiling
そっと触れるもの 求めることに夢中で
Gently reaching for something, completely absorbed in the search.
- そっと = gently, softly
- 触れる - ふれる = touch
- もの = thing
- 求める = seek, look for
- 夢中 = absorbed, passionate, engrossed
運命さえまだ知らない いたいけな瞳
Your eyes are so innocent that they still do not know their fate.
- 運命 - うんめい = fate
- さえ = even
- まだ = still, yet
- 知らない - しらない = do not know
- いたいけ = innocent, pure
- 瞳 - ひとみ = eyes, pupils
だけどいつか気付くでしょう その背中には
But someday you will notice what you carry on your back.
- だけど = but
- いつか = someday
- 気付くでしょう = you will notice
- その背中 = your back
遙か未来目指すための羽根があること
That you have wings meant to guide you toward a distant future.
- 遙か - はるか = distant
- 未来 - みらい = future
- 目指すため = to aim for
- 羽根 - はね = wings
残酷な天使のテーゼ 窓辺からやがて飛び立つ
The cruel angel's thesis will soon take off from the window.
- テーゼ = thesis, statement
- 窓辺 - まどべ = by the window
- やがて = soon, eventually
- 飛び立つ - とびたつ = take off, fly away
ほとばしる熱いパトスで 思い出を裏切るなら
If a surge of hot passion betrays your memories.
- ほとばしる = to gush, to surge
- 熱い - あつい = hot
- パトス = passion, pathos
- 思い出 = memories
- 裏切る = betray
この宇宙を抱いて輝く 少年よ神話になれ
Hold this universe and shine, boy, become a legend!
- この = this
- 宇宙 - うちゅう = universe
- 抱いて - だいて = holding, embracing
- 輝く - かがやく = shine, glow
誰よりも光を放つ 少年よ神話になれ
Shine brighter than anyone else, boy, become a legend!
- 誰よりも = more than anyone else
- 光 - ひかり = light
- 放つ - はなつ = emit, release
I spent about three hours putting this article together, so thanks for the comments and shares. If possible, read through the article and the vocabulary again; it makes learning easier and helps you remember the words and phrases.
Mina
Thank you so much!!!
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