Neon Genesis Evangelion on Netflix erases iconic 'Fly Me to the Moon' outro
Anime fans aren't happy the Frank Sinatra song didn't make the cut.
Neon Genesis Evangelion is back, sans Frank Sinatra.
Netflix added the popular, mid-'90s anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion to its catalog Friday. Fans initially rejoiced about getting access to the shows, but that changed when they reached the end of the first episode.
The streaming platform replaced "Fly Me to the Moon," the song used during the credits of every episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion, with another piece of music from the show's score: "Hostility Restrained." The track was also replaced in certain scenes where it was used as background music. Netflix didn't acquire the license for the song because of its price for global use, a unnamed source with knowledge of the production told The Wrap. The "Fly Me to the Moon" outro is available for those using Netflix in Japan.
Fans of the series took to Twitter to show their dismay over the removal of the tune made popular by Frank Sinatra in 1964. Many were critical of the apparent choice to remove the song instead of paying for the licensing rights.
They removed Fly Me To The Moon from the Netflix release. :( #NeonGenesisEvangelion
— alessandro fillari (@afillari) June 21, 2019
They couldn't even acquire the rights to Fly me to the Moon #flymetothemoon pic.twitter.com/G26JfV6NGS
— Ghost Waves (@NewPesi) June 21, 2019
That feeling when Fly me to the Moon doesn't start playing at the end of #Evangelion. What the hell kind of decision was that? pic.twitter.com/ga6RWOIVAq
— Valsu (@Valsu) June 21, 2019
Netflix will spend $100 million to license Friends but says that licensing the song "Fly Me To The Moon" for Evangelion was too much.
— Ken Williams (@Worsel555) June 21, 2019
Fans: pic.twitter.com/QKxQuuusWj
Neon Genesis Evangelion, which first aired in 1995, was a hit in Japan. The 26-episode series was translated and distributed in the US by ADV Films in 1997 and found success among American viewers too.
Netflix announced in late 2018 it would stream a version of the show featuring a new English-language voice cast. The streaming platform also has the two Evangelion movies, Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth and The End of Evangelion.
Netflix didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Originally published June 21, 6:34 a.m. PT.
Correction, 10:13 a.m.: An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed the two movies as coming out later this year when they are currently available.
Update, 1:20 p.m.: Adds more details.