Prepare to be amazed! The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, a hockey team, pulled off an incredible feat: they recreated the iconic opening sequence of Neon Genesis Evangelion for their fans. This unexpected fusion of anime and ice hockey is a testament to the creative genius within the team. The result? A viral sensation that has delighted fans of both worlds.
As the players prepared to hit the ice, the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, came alive with Yoko Takahashi's unforgettable vocals. The intro, arguably one of the most recognizable anime openings ever, played on the big screen, perfectly synchronized with phone lights. Instead of Shinji Ikari, the Phantoms' right-winger, Alexis Gendron, took center stage. And in place of the towering Evangelions? Melvin, the fuzzy yellow Phantoms mascot, complete with a puck for a nose.
This video, unveiled during the Phantoms' PhanCon night (a nod to ComicCon), quickly exploded on social media. It garnered over 2 million views and thousands of comments on TikTok, captivating both anime enthusiasts and hockey die-hards who were equally amused and impressed by this unique crossover. This success is a clear indication of the anime fandom within the Phantoms' staff, particularly the creative team responsible for the graphics, videos, and in-game content.
Doug Chrin, a senior video editor and producer for the Phantoms, spearheaded the idea, bringing it to Paul Dampier, the senior manager of game presentation, who is a huge fan of the show. Chrin aimed to create the best possible rendition of the intro, aiming to exceed other recreations found on YouTube.
Evangelion, according to Dampier, fits into the tier of anime just below giants like Dragon Ball Z and Pokémon. It's immensely popular but not necessarily a household name. He notes that the show has maintained its popularity for 30 years, creating waves of fans and leaving a lasting impact on the internet. He also highlights the intro's iconic status, noting the appeal of 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis.'
The idea was pitched to Dampier and the creative team just days before the team's media day in October, when most of the player content is filmed. They quickly started planning the filming, needing a Shinji to lead the way. They chose a few players and had them act out the motions during media day.
"Realistically, I don't know if any of them know the show," Dampier said. "I would guess there's one or two closet anime fans, but they definitely didn't know what we are doing with them. We just directed them through the motions or stances we needed them to be in."
This project required a significant amount of trust from the players. Dampier mentioned that the team's established relationship with the players made it easier to explain the project's unusual nature, assuring them of a great outcome. His team's talent and past achievements helped gain the players' confidence.
After auditioning a few players, Gendron was unanimously chosen as the perfect fit. The video also features other players and staff, including Chrin as Gendo Ikari and even the ice-cleaning crew. The creative team, which includes Dampier, Chrin, Isa Abdul-Rahman (senior motion graphics designer), Tyler Harka (senior graphic designer), Molly Yatchysyn (graphic design intern), and Chelsea Birkel (video production intern), spent until early November putting the video together.
The video premiered on a Sunday before a game against the Hershey Bears, the minor league affiliate of the Washington Capitals. Yatchysyn, who attended the game as a fan, captured the footage. She described experiencing a range of emotions, including tears of laughter and joy, while watching the final product on the big screen.
Since the players are usually in the locker room or tunnel during the intro videos, the creative team hadn't yet heard their reactions. Dampier speculated that the video had likely made its rounds in the locker room by then.
The creative team also incorporated other anime-inspired elements throughout PhanCon night, such as an Attack on Titan poster by Harka and a Dragon Ball Z-style starting lineup. This is part of a larger trend in sports to embrace and celebrate anime's popularity.
But here's where it gets controversial...
"Anime has become a big thing in the sports world," Abdul-Rahman noted. "There's a good correlation between them. People love sports, and people love anime, and people love things that include a lot of action. There's a lot of action in both. Over time, it's become a lot more prevalent. There's a lot of sports fans and players who are anime fans. It's increasing each year."
Unfortunately, the Phantoms lost to the Bears in the final seconds of the third period, with the final score being 3 points to 4. However, the creative team was prepared: The final score was displayed on the jumbotron alongside an image of Shinji Ikari with his head in his hands.
What do you think? Are you a fan of this unique blend of anime and sports? Do you think this is a sign of things to come in the sports world? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
