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Shūketsu no Sono e

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"Shūketsu no Sono e"
Image
Single by Megumi Hayashibara
from the album Choice
LanguageJapanese
B-side"Shūketsu no Sono e" (Ayanami ver.)
ReleasedApril 22, 2009 (2009-04-22)
Genre
Length5:03
LabelStarchild
ComposerGō Takahashi
LyricistMegumi Hayashibara
Megumi Hayashibara singles chronology
"Front Breaking"
(2009)		 "Shūketsu no Sono e"
(2009)		 "Shūketsu no Unmei"
(2010)
Audio
"Shūketsu no Sono e" on YouTube

"Shūketsu no Sono e" (Japanese: 集結の園へ; lit. 'To the Garden of Gathering') is a song by Japanese singer and voice actress Megumi Hayashibara. Hayashibara wrote the lyrics under her songwriting pseudonym Megumi, while Gō Takahashi composed and arranged the music. The song served as an image song for Fields' CR Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Last Messenger, a pachinko machine based on the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise. King Records released it as a CD single in Japan on April 22, 2009. Hayashibara initially approached the lyrics from Rei Ayanami's perspective before adopting that of Evangelion Unit 01, incorporating religious imagery and themes of human existence, spiritual convergence, and the boundaries between individuals.

Music publications praised "Shūketsu no Sono e" for its dramatic, choir-like opening, vocals, and lyrics. They also drew comparisons to "A Cruel Angel's Thesis", the opening theme of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The single peaked at number seven on the Oricon Singles Chart and remained on the chart for 24 weeks, while the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) ultimately certified the song Double Platinum for 500,000 digital downloads. Hayashibara subsequently revisited the song through several alternate versions.

Background and composition

[edit]

"Shūketsu no Sono e" was written by Hayashibara under her songwriting pseudonym Megumi,[1] while Gō Takahashi composed and arranged the music.[2][3] The song served as an image song for Fields' CR Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Last Messenger, a pachinko machine based on Neon Genesis Evangelion.[4][5] Hayashibara recalled that she was initially reluctant to record "Shūketsu no Sono e", as she regarded performing songs associated with Evangelion under her own name as Yōko Takahashi's domain. She accepted the project after learning that Takahashi's songs would also feature in the pachinko machine, reasoning that there might be something she herself could contribute.[6] Hayashibara initially approached the lyrics from Rei Ayanami's perspective, but struggled to develop them.[7] She recalled that, after changing her approach and adopting the perspective of Evangelion Unit 01, the biomechanical mecha piloted by protagonist Shinji Ikari, the words suddenly came to her.[8] She wrote the lyrics either from Unit 01's perspective or from "a perspective looking down on the overall course of the world".[9] She also added that the resulting lyrics expressed, with her "whole body and soul", her own experience of Evangelion.[8]

Groovin' interpreted "Shūketsu no Sono e" as incorporating the thoughts and emotions of three key figures of Evangelion — Rei Ayanami, Yui Ikari, and Eva-01.[7] The publication further interpreted the lyrics as expressing a maternal feeling that envelops a beloved child despite changes in form, without excessive tenderness or affection. It also noted that they incorporate the series' theme of "fusion", inviting the listener to transcend individual boundaries, become one, and move beyond feelings of hesitation.[7] Hayashibara later explained that she incorporated a sense of Japanese religious spirituality into the song, combining church bells, temple bells, and prayers from different religions to represent "God amid chaos", which she associated with Unit 01.[10] She associated the opening reference to a flower that eventually scatters with the Christian conception of human life ending at death, while the image of an endless dream alludes to reincarnation in Hinduism and related beliefs. She explained that the subsequent question of where "tears" return uses them to represent human life and asks whether life ultimately ends or continues. Hayashibara also said that the "garden" in the song's title evokes the Garden of Eden.[10] CDJournal described the song as opening with a dramatic, choir-like chorus and its vocals as full of exhilaration and evoking an homage to "A Cruel Angel's Thesis".[11]

Release

[edit]

King Records released "Shūketsu no Sono e" as a CD single in Japan on April 22, 2009, under the catalog number KICM-1271.[12] The single's release was initially scheduled for March 11, 2009;[13] however, after the rollout of CR Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Last Messenger was set for early April, King Records postponed the single's release to April 22 in conjunction with the machine's rollout.[14] The single also includes "Shūketsu no Sono e ~Ayanami ver.~", an alternative version that Hayashibara sings in the voice of Rei Ayanami, the character she portrays in Neon Genesis Evangelion.[11] The packaging places Hayashibara on the front cover and Rei Ayanami on the back, with the latter illustration newly drawn by Neon Genesis Evangelion character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto.[15] Ahead of the physical release, the mobile service Aniuta Kakumei began distributing ringtones of "Shūketsu no Sono e" and its Ayanami version on April 6.[16]

A remix titled "Shūketsu no Sono e ~Passion's World Mix~" appeared on the 2009 remix album Sta☆Rimi.[17] Both the original and Ayanami versions were subsequently included on Hayashibara's 2010 studio album Choice.[18][19] The original song later appeared on her 2011 greatest hits album Vintage White.[20] Another version, titled "Shūketsu no Sono e: Second Impact", featured in the pachinko machine CR Evangelion X.[21][22] It received its first CD release on Hayashibara's 2018 album Fifty~Fifty.[23][24] In an interview with Music Natalie, Hayashibara recalled that the album's director had proposed opening Fifty~Fifty with "Shūketsu no Sono e: Second Impact", describing the song as impactful. She decided the remainder of the track sequence herself and grouped the album's Evangelion-related songs near the beginning.[25] For her 2021 greatest hits album Vintage Denim, Hayashibara recorded a new version of "Shūketsu no Sono e ~Ayanami ver.~" titled "Shūketsu no Sono e ~Ayanami ver.~ float mix".[26][27] The new recording was remixed to match the theme of the album's third disc.[28][29]

Promotion and live performances

[edit]

Megumi Hayashibara first performed the full version of "Shūketsu no Sono e" on March 7, 2009, during a public recording celebrating the 900th episode of her radio program Megumi Hayashibara's Heartful Station at the Shin-Kobe Oriental Theatre.[8] As part of the single's promotion, a truck advertising the release circulated through Tokyo's Shibuya and Shinjuku districts from April 18 to 24, 2009. It played "Shūketsu no Sono e" as it circulated and displayed illuminated advertising at night.[30] She performed the song again on October 4, 2009, at the Tokyo Kōsei Nenkin Kaikan during a public recording marking the 900th episode of Megumi Hayashibara's Tokyo Boogie Night.[31] The limited edition of Hayashibara's 2010 album Choice later included a digest of the event on its accompanying DVD.[32] On June 11, 2011, Hayashibara included "Shūketsu no Sono e" in the live set for the program's 1,000th-episode public recording at Nakano Sun Plaza, performing it immediately before "Shūketsu no Sadame".[33] On October 18, 2014, she debuted "Shūketsu no Sono e: Second Impact" live during an event celebrating the 1,200th episode of Megumi Hayashibara's Heartful Station. King Records described it as an arranged version of the original song, featuring changes to its musical development and slight alterations to the lyrics.[34]

Reception

[edit]

According to the Eiga.com-operated anime news website Anime Hack, "Shūketsu no Sono e" received "high acclaim".[35] Real Sound also credited the track with helping to heighten the excitement surrounding the CR Neon Genesis Evangelion pachinko series.[36] The song ranked among fans' favorite songs from Evangelion and Hayashibara's discography.[37][38] In its review, CDJournal wrote that the song's dramatic, choir-like opening immediately draws the listener in and that the version sung in Rei Ayanami's voice also appeals to enthusiasts.[11] In another article, CDJournal described the song's impactful phrases as lingering in the listener's mind.[13] Animate Times included "Shūketsu no Sono e" among its recommended songs related to Neon Genesis Evangelion and described it as exceptionally impactful. It also identified the phrase "Welcome home" (おかえりなさい, okaeri nasai) as the song's most striking passage.[39]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Shūketsu no Sono e" debuted at number eight on the Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales chart,[40] before falling to numbers 16 and 21 over the following two weeks,[41][42] and number 33 in its fourth week.[43] It remained on the chart for 13 weeks.[44] The single concurrently debuted at number 39 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.[45] On Newtype's Anime Music Download Top 10, the song ranked fifth in the magazine's July 2009 issue[46] and fell to ninth in the August issue.[47] It later rose to eighth in the November issue.[48]

On the Oricon Singles Chart, "Shūketsu no Sono e" debuted at its peak of number seven for the week dated May 4, 2009,[49] selling 14,865 copies in its first week.[50] The single remained on the weekly chart for 24 weeks and sold 43,588 copies.[50] It also topped Recochoku's 2009 annual Anime/Game Full ranking, which covered the period from December 1, 2008, to November 30, 2009.[51] The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) certified the song Gold for 100,000 downloads[52] in May 2009.[53][54] The association upgraded the song to Platinum for 250,000 downloads in June 2010[55][56] and to Double Platinum for 500,000 downloads in January 2015.[53] In 2023, "Shūketsu no Sono e" ranked eighth among the most frequently performed songs by voice actors on Daiichikosho's DAM karaoke system, based on performances recorded from January through March.[57]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Megumi; all music is composed by Go Takahashi.

CD single/digital release track listing[58]
No.TitleLength
1."Shūketsu no Sono e"5:03
2."Shūketsu no Sono e" (Ayanami ver.)5:30
3."Shūketsu no Sono e" (off vocal version)5:03
4."Shūketsu no Sono e" (Ayanami ver. (off vocal version))5:28

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of the CD single.[59]

  • Megumi Hayashibara – vocals
  • Gō Takahashi – arrangements
  • Takahiro Shutō – guitar
  • Yoshiaki Kanamori – bass
  • Gen Ittetsu Strings – strings
  • Keiji Kondō – recording, mixing
  • Hiroyuki Tsuji – mastering
  • Toshimichi Ōtsuki – executive producer

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[60]
Digital 		2× Platinum 500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Trap. We've; Megalomania (eds.). Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). Vol. 36. Tokyo: DeAgostini. p. 28.
  2. ↑ "集結の園への歌詞 | 林原めぐみ". Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon ME. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  3. ↑ "CHOICE ［CD+DVD］＜初回限定盤＞ | 林原めぐみ". Tower Records Japan (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  4. ↑ "林原めぐみさんの全シングル41枚＆全アルバム14枚がサブスク解禁。アーティストデビュー30周年を記念したベストアルバムが本日3/30に発売". Famitsu.com (in Japanese). Kadokawa Game Linkage. March 30, 2021. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  5. ↑ ""林原×エヴァ"新曲！ 林原めぐみ、ニュー・シングル＆アルバムを同時リリース". CDJournal (in Japanese). CDJournal. May 25, 2010. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  6. ↑ Okamoto, Daisuke (February 21, 2024). "「エヴァ」から感じ取ったもの、それは「いざない」――「終結の槍／終結のはじまり」発売記念・林原めぐみインタビュー". WebNewtype (in Japanese). Kadokawa. Archived from the original on May 14, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 "林原めぐみ". Groovin' Archive (in Japanese). April 25, 2009. Archived from the original on June 26, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 "林原めぐみのHeartful Station 900回突破記念公開録音". Megumi House (in Japanese). King Records. March 7, 2009. Archived from the original on February 16, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  9. ↑ "林原めぐみ史上最"恐"ソング完成!?　ニューシングル「集結の果てに」発売記念インタビュー". WebNewtype (in Japanese). Kadokawa. December 26, 2022. Archived from the original on February 17, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  10. 1 2 "シングル&アルバムを同時リリース記念! 林原めぐみのメッセージを紹介". MyNavi News (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. July 21, 2010. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 "林原めぐみ / 集結の園へ [デジパック仕様]". CDJournal (in Japanese). CDJournal. Archived from the original on January 4, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  12. ↑ "林原めぐみ「集結の園へ」". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link Corporation. April 22, 2009. Archived from the original on August 23, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  13. 1 2 "林原めぐみ、エヴァンゲリオン関連の新曲を発表！シングルにはAYANAMIヴァージョンも収録". CDJournal (in Japanese). CDJournal. January 13, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  14. ↑ "「集結の園へ」発売延期のお知らせ". Megumi House (in Japanese). King Records. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  15. ↑ "「集結の園へ」 林原めぐみ （Maxiシングル）". EVANGELION STORE (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 17, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  16. ↑ "エヴァ・アスラクライン・夏のあらし！着うた超先行". Animate Times (in Japanese). April 7, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ "エヴァ、ほっちゃん、大槻ケンヂを大胆再構築「スタ☆リミ」". Music Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 14, 2009. Archived from the original on March 10, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  18. ↑ "ＭＥＧＵＭＩ ＨＡＹＡＳＨＩＢＡＲＡ「ＣＨＯＩＣＥ」". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link Corporation. July 21, 2010. Archived from the original on August 16, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  19. ↑ "CHOICE | 林原めぐみ". Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon ME. July 21, 2010. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  20. ↑ "林原めぐみ待望のBESTアルバム『VINTAGE White』が6月11日リリース！". Animate Times (in Japanese). May 7, 2011. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  21. ↑ "林原めぐみ、約7年ぶりとなるオリジナル・アルバムを誕生日にリリース". CDJournal (in Japanese). CDJournal. January 22, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  22. ↑ "林原めぐみ、3/30に約7年振りとなるオリジナルアルバムの発売決定！". Cho! Animedia (in Japanese). January 22, 2018. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  23. ↑ "林原めぐみさんのオリジナルアルバムがリリース決定！ 「つばさ」「薄ら氷心中」「今際の死神」に加え、完全新作楽曲まで多数を収録！". Animate Times (in Japanese). January 22, 2018. Archived from the original on September 12, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  24. ↑ "林原めぐみ、約7年振りとなるオリジナルアルバムを自身の誕生日にリリース". BARKS (in Japanese). January 22, 2018. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  25. ↑ "林原めぐみ「Fifty～Fifty」インタビュー｜歌手デビュー27年、半世紀を生きてたどり着いた50:50". Music Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. Archived from the original on August 25, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  26. ↑ "TVアニメ「SHAMAN KING」林原めぐみが歌唱するOPテーマのタイトルは「Soul salvation」！ジャケット写真も公開". Cho! Animedia (in Japanese). March 4, 2021. Archived from the original on August 9, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  27. ↑ "林原めぐみ、ベストAL『VINTAGE DENIM』ジャケ写・アー写・収録楽曲公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). February 17, 2021. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  28. ↑ "林原めぐみ 3月30日発売ベストアルバム『VINTAGE DENIM』のジャケット写真・最新アーティスト写真を解禁！さらに完全新曲「DENIM」「おやすみ」を含む収録楽曲全45曲を公開！". LisAni! (in Japanese). February 17, 2021. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  29. ↑ "林原めぐみベストアルバム／ジャケ写・アー写、収録楽曲が解禁". Animate Times (in Japanese). February 17, 2021. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  30. ↑ "「集結の園へ」トラック". Megumi House (in Japanese). King Records. Archived from the original on August 15, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  31. ↑ "林原めぐみのTokyo Boogie Night 900回突破記念公開録音". Megumi House (in Japanese). King Records. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  32. ↑ "秋葉原アイテム巡り - 2010年夏アニメのOP・EDテーマや茅原実里、林原めぐみの新譜が一挙発売". MyNavi News (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. July 24, 2010. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  33. ↑ "1000回突破！『林原めぐみの Tokyo Boogie Night』公開録音レポート！". Repotama (in Japanese). July 5, 2011. Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  34. ↑ "林原めぐみのHeartful Station 1200回突破記念公開録音 リアルタイムレポートブログ". Megumi House (in Japanese). King Records. October 18, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  35. ↑ "林原めぐみ". Anime Hack (in Japanese). Eiga.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  36. ↑ Kusano, Niji (April 28, 2021). "声優 林原めぐみ、30年経て今なお愛され続けるアーティストとしての姿勢". Real Sound (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 13, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  37. ↑ "「ヱヴァンゲリヲン」人気曲ランキング、1位はやっぱりあの曲！". RBB Today (in Japanese). IID, Inc. May 26, 2010. Archived from the original on 12 July 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  38. ↑ "声優「林原めぐみ」のシングル曲人気ランキングTOP31！　第1位は「Give a reason」【2022年最新投票結果】". NetLab (in Japanese). ITmedia. May 10, 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  39. ↑ "「アニソン総選挙」第1位「残酷な天使のテーゼ」以外の『新世紀エヴァンゲリオン』に関連したオススメ曲を紹介！ 高橋洋子さん「心よ原始に戻れ」、林原めぐみさん「集結の園へ」など". Animate Times (in Japanese). September 9, 2020. Archived from the original on January 4, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  40. 1 2 "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales". Billboard Japan. April 29, 2009. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales". Billboard Japan. May 6, 2009. Archived from the original on October 27, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales". Billboard Japan. May 13, 2009. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales". Billboard Japan. May 20, 2009. Archived from the original on March 31, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales". Billboard Japan. July 22, 2009. Archived from the original on March 31, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  45. 1 2 "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Billboard Japan. April 29, 2009. Archived from the original on April 17, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  46. ↑ "音楽配信TOP10". Newtype (in Japanese). No. July 2009. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 135.
  47. ↑ "音楽配信TOP10". Newtype (in Japanese). No. August 2009. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 173.
  48. ↑ "音楽配信TOP10". Newtype (in Japanese). No. November 2009. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 135.
  49. 1 2 "集結の園へ | 林原めぐみ". Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 23 October 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  50. 1 2 3 "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Taiju']. Oricon. Archived from the original on 2 July 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  51. ↑ "「レコチョクアワード年間最優秀賞 2009」を発表！" (PDF) (in Japanese). December 9, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 November 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  52. ↑ "GOLD DISC" (PDF). The Record (in Japanese) (596). Recording Industry Association of Japan: 13–14. July 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  53. 1 2 "一般社団法人 日本レコード協会" (To access, enter the search parameter "集結の園へ" in the field "作品名"). www.riaj.or.jp. Archived from the original on 1 December 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  54. ↑ "5月度有料音楽配信認定" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. June 20, 2009. Archived from the original on June 24, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  55. ↑ "6月度有料音楽配信認定" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. July 20, 2010. Archived from the original on July 30, 2010. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  56. ↑ "GOLD DISC" (PDF). The Record (in Japanese) (609). Recording Industry Association of Japan: 18. August 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  57. ↑ "最もカラオケで歌われた声優ソングは!?「DAM声優ソングランキングTOP100」に松本梨香さん、坂本真綾さん、水樹奈々さん、寺島拓巳さん、宮野真守さんら人気声優のアニソンがランクイン！". Animate Times (in Japanese). April 17, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  58. ↑ "集結の園へ～AYANAMI ver.～/林原めぐみ". Tower Records Japan (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  59. ↑ Hayashibara, Megumi (2009). Shūketsu no Sono e (CD single). Starchild. King Records Co., Ltd. KICM-1271.
  60. ↑ "Japanese digital single certifications – Megumi Hayashibara – 集結の園へ" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2026-03-19. Select 2015年1月 on the drop-down menu
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