A Cruel Angel's Thesis | AFA 2024 by Sparkle Guitar Ensemble

Описание: 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis' performed by ‪@SparkleGuitar‬ for AFA 2024, held at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Singapore, on 1st December 2024. Recorded at Symphony Heights, Singapore, on 30th November 2024

Composed by Sato Hidetoshi
Arranged by Yudai Hatanaka

First released in 1995, A Cruel Angel’s Thesis quickly became one of the most recognizable opening themes in anime history. Composed by Hidetoshi Satō, the song introduces Neon Genesis Evangelion with striking contrasts: an energetic, almost triumphant pop exterior set against lyrics and imagery that hint at psychological struggle, destiny, and existential questioning.

In this Niibori Guitar Ensemble arrangement, the familiar driving melody is reimagined through a rich palette of guitar timbres ranging from the higher-pitched altos to the mid-ranged primes. Bright upper-register alto guitars carry the iconic opening motif, while the addition of a prime cembalo provide rhythmic propulsion and distinctive colour, transforming the song’s pop roots into a layered ensemble work.

🎸 About us
Founded in 2022, Sparkle Guitar Ensemble is a collaborative effort between passionate young guitarists from NUS and SMU. Sparkle Guitar Ensemble is a fledgling group aiming to develop, promote and explore the Niibori guitar art form through music creation and performance. It seeks to make Niibori more approachable for the public by arranging and performing contemporary works from video game and anime soundtracks with Niibori instrumentation, as well as performing traditional Japanese Niibori repertoire on a variety of platforms.

🎶 Our performances
VOMG - Fire of Youth 2021 (Runner-up)
EMCC 2022 Epiphany - A Journey to Freedom
Japanesque 2025
Aubade (Collaboration with Re:String Guitar Ensemble)
Appassionata 2024 (Collaboration with Xpose Guitar Ensemble)
Anime Festival Asia Akiba Stage 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Sakura: Anime Garden 2024
Anime Festival Asia Creators Super Fest 2024
Xmas Performances 2024, 2025
Sparkle@Hanoi 2024
Video recordings on our Youtube channel

👋 Connect with us!
Youtube:    / @sparkleguitar  
Instagram:   / sparkleguitarensemble  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
TikTok:   / sparkle.guitar.ensemble  
Email: [email protected]