Evangelion takes a stand against AI

"Neon Genesis Evangelion", one of the most iconic anime of the 90s, left an indelible mark not only on animation, but also on music. The opening theme of the series became one of the most recognized songs in the history of anime, both nationally and internationally. Now, the singer behind this iconic song has decided to take a firm stance against the use of artificial intelligence.

Through Yahoo Japan, it has been reported that Yoko Takahashi, known for her performance of "A Cruel Angel's Thesis," will not participate in the "First Concert" event (Sakura Hall, Shibuya) organized by the Ikebukuro Animation Philharmonic orchestra. The reason for their absence is due to the use of AI-created promotional material for the event. This decision not only underscores the growing presence of AI-generated art in the anime industry, but also the solidarity of many in this industry, including vocal and musical talents.

Yoko Takahashi had been announced to perform at the Ikebukuro Animation Philharmonic's "First Concert", scheduled for July 10, 2024. Takahashi is known worldwide for "Zankoku na Tenshi no Teeze" (Cruel Angel's Thesis), the legendary and poignant opening theme of the original "Neon Genesis Evangelion" series. Both the anime and its opening song are still colossal hits, which had generated great anticipation for his participation in the concert.

However, Takahashi decided to withdraw after discovering that the promotional material for the event included an AI-generated image, a choice that the artist considered inappropriate given the celebration of anime as an artistic medium. Takahashi stated that he "can't face [AI-generated art] as an artist" and that he wishes to "value the feelings of all those who deeply love anime above all else."

The Ikebukuro Animation Philharmonic orchestra and Yoko Takahashi jointly announced the singer's absence. Many have since voiced support for the decision, calling it a "courageous decision" by Takahashi. The presence of AI-generated art in anime has raised growing concerns, especially in relation to the artistic integrity of the medium. Some production companies are already implementing AI animation, and this trend is likely to continue to grow, even replacing some elements of the traditional animation process.

In response to the negative reaction from fans following Takahashi's announcement, the concert's official website released an official statement. Part of the statement read, "Despite calling us an orchestra that loves anime, we are embarrassed that we were not sufficiently aware of the recent issues related to generative AI. We also realized that we didn't take into account the work and feelings of everyone who loves anime and its creative aspects, and all the members of the executive committee deeply regret this. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to many people due to our incompetence. We have temporarily replaced the images used in the brochure and website with works commissioned from an illustrator. We will continue to prepare for the concert using these new visuals."

Even anime fans who weren't present when "Neon Genesis Evangelion" originally aired are aware of its legacy. The series revolutionized the mecha genre with its psychological storytelling, throwing a wave of dark deconstructions in between. The music of Evangelion is especially loved, whether it's the opening theme, the closing theme ("Fly Me to the Moon") or the equally angelic "Soul's Refrain," theme from the film "The End of Evangelion," also performed by Yoko Takahashi. Although the original series concluded in the 90s, it has maintained a significant presence in the following years. The most recent iteration was the "Rebuild of Evangelion" film series, which acts as a semi-reboot, culminating with "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time" in 2021.

Source: Yahoo! News Japan