Imagine a packed hockey stadium erupting in cheers, not for a goal, but for a beloved anime intro. That's exactly what happened when the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, pulled off a stunning recreation of the iconic Neon Genesis Evangelion opening sequence. But here's where it gets even more fascinating: instead of the stoic Shinji Ikari, the video featured Phantoms right winger Alexis Gendron, and in place of the towering Evangelions, the team's fuzzy yellow mascot, Melvin, with a puck for a nose. This unexpected mashup, unveiled during the team's PhanCon night (a playful nod to ComicCon), quickly went viral, amassing over 2 million views on TikTok and sparking a frenzy of comments from both anime enthusiasts and hockey fans alike.
The brainchild of Doug Chrin, a senior video editor and producer for the Phantoms, this project was a labor of love. Chrin, a die-hard Evangelion fan, had seen countless YouTube recreations of the intro but felt none truly captured its essence. "I wanted to create the definitive version," he explained. "We went all-in as a sports team to excel in something outside our usual domain." Chrin pitched the idea to Paul Dampier, the senior manager of game presentation, just days before the team's media day in October. Despite the tight timeline, the creative team—including senior motion graphics designer Isa Abdul-Rahman, senior graphic designer Tyler Harka, graphic design intern Molly Yatchysyn, and video production intern Chelsea Birkel—sprang into action.
Evangelion, Dampier noted, occupies a unique space in anime culture. While not as universally recognized as Dragon Ball Z or Pokémon, it has cultivated a dedicated fanbase over its 30-year history, maintaining its relevance through waves of internet popularity. "There's something about 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis' and that intro that just resonates," Dampier said. The team's challenge was to replicate the intro shot-by-shot, starting with finding their Shinji. They auditioned several players during media day, guiding them through the necessary poses and movements, even though most were likely unfamiliar with the source material.
"We had to trust that it would all come together," Dampier recalled. "We've built a strong rapport with the players over the years, so we could assure them, 'This might seem odd, but trust us, it'll be amazing.'" Gendron was ultimately chosen for his spot-on portrayal, and the video featured cameos from other players and staff, including Chrin as Gendo Ikari and even the ice-cleaning crew. The footage was meticulously edited and premiered on Sunday before a game against the Hershey Bears, the Washington Capitals' minor league affiliate.
Yatchysyn, who attended the game as a fan, described the experience as emotionally charged. "I almost cried again—I had already cried laughing during production, but seeing it on the big screen, hearing the crowd cheer and laugh, was incredible." While the players were still in the locker room during the video's debut, Dampier suspects it's since made its way around the team. "I'd be surprised if it hasn't become locker room fodder by now," he joked.
This Evangelion-hockey fusion wasn't an isolated incident. PhanCon night was brimming with anime-inspired content, including an Attack on Titan poster by Harka and a Dragon Ball Z-style starting lineup. This trend reflects a broader movement in sports, where teams are increasingly embracing anime to engage fans. The Los Angeles Chargers, for instance, released an anime-style schedule announcement, the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted multiple anime nights, and the NBA launched merchandise featuring My Hero Academia.
"Anime and sports share a natural synergy," Abdul-Rahman observed. "Both are action-packed and have passionate fanbases. It's no surprise that this crossover is gaining traction. More and more athletes and fans are openly embracing their love for anime, and it's only growing each year."
And this is the part most people miss: while the Phantoms may have lost to the Bears in a heart-stopping final seconds, their creative victory was undeniable. The jumbotron displayed the final score over an image of Shinji Ikari with his head in his hands—a playful nod to the team's defeat. But the real win? Proving that anime and hockey can coexist in the most spectacular way.
But here's the controversial part: Is this fusion a genuine celebration of anime culture, or just a marketing ploy to capitalize on its popularity? Does it matter, as long as it brings joy to fans? Weigh in below—let’s spark a discussion!
