The Weeknd Debuts ‘Tokyo’ In Japan, Sampling ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ Theme

The Weeknd has surprised fans in Japan with an unreleased song that draws from one of the most recognisable themes in anime history.
The singer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, premiered “Tokyo” during the September 19 opening night of the Asian leg of his After Hours Til Dawn tour at Belluna Dome in Saitama.
Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi joined him for the performance, which incorporated elements of her 1995 hit “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis”, the opening theme of the influential anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Takahashi later performed the original song in full while The Weeknd watched from the back of the stage.
The performance also brought together two major Japanese creativ...