The Weeknd Debuts Anime-Sampling ‘Tokyo’ With Yoko Takahashi In Japan

The Weeknd debuted “Tokyo,” a new song sampling Yōko Takahashi’s “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” on Saturday at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan. Takahashi joined Abel Tesfaye onstage for the premiere at the Asian leg opener of his After Hours Til Dawn Tour, which featured visuals presented by Yoko Taro.

“A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” is the opening theme for the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, which was released in 1995. The Weeknd and Takahashi performed “Tokyo” amid imagery incorporating Evangelion and NieR:Automata, the latter of which was created by Taro. Tesfaye then stepped aside as Takahashi sang “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” on her own.

The setlist also found The Weeknd returning to Kiss Land material with “Professional,” “Belong To The World,” both halves of the title track and “Adaptation.” He played “Blinding Lights” late in the main set before closing with “Adaptation.” The encore brought “House Of Balloons” and “Moth To A Flame.”

No release date for “Tokyo” has been announced. Watch video of The Weeknd and Takahashi’s collaboration below.