A classically trained singer whose 1996 theme for Neon Genesis Evangelion became an anime landmark.
Start with 'Zankoku na Tenshi no Tēze,' obviously, but 'Mugen Houyou' gives a good sense of her later sound. Her voice has a clarity that works in both pop and more atmospheric settings.
For a generation of anime fans, her voice is inseparable from 'Zankoku na Tenshi no Tēze' (Cruel Angel's Thesis), the opening theme to Neon Genesis Evangelion. That 1996 recording became a cultural touchstone, and she's since lent her vocals to series like Cowboy Bebop and Ghost in the Shell. Songs like 'Kokoro no Tsubasa' show her range beyond that one massive hit.
She studied classical music at Toho Gakuen School of Music before moving into popular music. The Evangelion theme in 1996 defined her public profile, leading to more anime work and solo albums like 2001's White Album. She's also been part of collaborative groups like See-Saw with Yuki Kajiura.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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