Imagine a packed hockey stadium, buzzing with anticipation, suddenly transformed into a haven for anime enthusiasts. That's exactly what happened when the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, pulled off an audacious and utterly delightful stunt. As the players prepared to hit the ice, the familiar strains of Yoko Takahashi's voice echoed through the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, signaling the start of something extraordinary. Phone lights flickered in unison, mimicking the iconic glow of the Neon Genesis Evangelion intro—arguably the most legendary anime opening of all time. But here’s the twist: instead of Shinji Ikari, it was Phantoms right winger Alexis Gendron taking center stage. And in place of the towering Evangelions? Melvin, the team’s fuzzy yellow mascot with a puck for a nose, stealing the show.
This jaw-dropping video, unveiled during the Phantoms’ PhanCon night (a playful nod to ComicCon) on Sunday, quickly became a viral sensation. With over 2 million views and thousands of comments on TikTok, it captivated both anime aficionados and hockey fans alike, leaving them equal parts delighted and bewildered by this unexpected crossover. But here's where it gets controversial: was this a genius marketing move or a risky gamble that paid off? Clearly, the Phantoms’ creative team—the masterminds behind graphics, videos, and social media content—are no strangers to anime. Senior video editor Doug Chrin, a die-hard Evangelion fan, pitched the idea to Paul Dampier, the senior manager of game presentation, with a bold vision: to create the definitive recreation of the iconic intro.
“I’ve seen countless YouTube recreations of the Evangelion intro, and while some are good, none are perfect,” Chrin told Aftermath. “I wanted ours to be the best. We went all-in as a sports team to excel at something outside our usual domain.”
Evangelion, Dampier explained, sits in the next tier of anime popularity, just below household names like Dragon Ball Z and Pokémon. “It’s been around for 30 years, with waves of fans keeping it alive online,” he said. “There are countless great anime intros, but A Cruel Angel’s Thesis and its visuals are truly iconic.”
The idea came together just days before the team’s media day in October, when players are typically filmed for promotional content. Chrin and Dampier quickly brainstormed a shot-by-shot recreation, starting with the most crucial element: finding their Shinji. They auditioned several players during media day, guiding them through the motions without revealing the full scope of the project.
“Honestly, I doubt any of them knew the show,” Dampier admitted. “Maybe one or two closet anime fans, but they had no idea what we were creating. We just directed them through the poses and stances we needed.”
Pulling this off required immense trust and collaboration. “We’ve built a strong relationship with the players over the years,” Dampier said. “We could tell them, ‘This is going to be weird, but trust us—it’ll be amazing.’ Our team is incredibly talented, and the players were on board with whatever we needed.”
After the “auditions,” Gendron was unanimously chosen as the perfect Shinji. The video also features other players and staff, including Chrin himself as Gendo Ikari, and even the ice-cleaning crew during TV timeouts. The creative team—Dampier, Chrin, senior motion graphics designer Isa Abdul-Rahman, senior graphic designer Tyler Harka (who crafted the Evangelion-style title screen), graphic design intern Molly Yatchysyn, and video production intern Chelsea Birkel—held onto the footage until November, when they began assembling the final product.
The video debuted before a game against the Hershey Bears, the Washington Capitals’ minor league affiliate. Yatchysyn, who attended as a fan, captured the moment: “It was a rollercoaster of emotions. I almost cried again—I’d already laughed to tears during production, but seeing it on the big screen, hearing the crowd cheer and laugh, was surreal.”
The players, typically in the locker room during intro videos, haven’t shared their reactions yet. “I’m sure it’s made the rounds in the locker room by now,” Dampier speculated.
And this is the part most people miss: This wasn’t just a one-off stunt. As part of PhanCon, the creative team incorporated anime-inspired art throughout the night, including an Attack on Titan poster by Harka and a Dragon Ball Z-style starting lineup. It’s part of a broader trend in sports, where teams are embracing anime’s popularity—from the Los Angeles Chargers’ anime-style schedule announcement to the NBA’s My Hero Academia merchandise drop.
“Anime has become a big deal in the sports world,” Abdul-Rahman noted. “There’s a natural overlap—both are action-packed, and many sports fans and players are anime enthusiasts. It’s growing every year.”
Unfortunately, the Phantoms lost to the Bears in the final seconds of the third period. But the creative team was prepared: the jumbotron displayed the final score over an image of Shinji Ikari with his head in his hands—a fitting, humorous touch.
Thought-provoking question for you: Is this fusion of anime and sports a passing fad or the future of fan engagement? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this bold crossover!
