So what exactly is the inspiration for the name "neo universe"?  Well, when the home team players go up to bat, part of a song (picked by the players themselves) is played.  Shinjo's song for his 2002 season with the Giants is called Neo Universe!  It's by the Japanese rock band L'Arc~en~Ciel, a.k.a. Laruku.  The song was very popular in Japan even for people who normally were not a fan of the group.  The lyrics are uplifting and seem to go well with Shinjo's personality.  Click here to download! The portion of the song played at games is usually between 1:40-2:02.  Enjoy~
L'Arc~en~Ciel are
(from left to right):

tetsu: bass
hyde: vocal
yukihiro: drum
ken: guitar
Neo Universe
words: hyde
music: ken


katamukikaketa tenbin no ue e
kizukiageteku ten yori mo tataku


sonna tobenai mujaki na tenshi ni mo
asa wa todoku azayaka ni


sono te o hanasanaide
mezameru kono sekai o kanjite

hibiwaresou demo toumei na mama de
kinou nemurazu matteita n da ne

yume o miteita kiseki wa mou konai kedo
tooi sora ga michibiite


anata wa kaxe no you ni yasashiku
tori no you ni jiyuu ni
kono sekai o habataku
kogarazu ni, neo universe

higeki da toshite mo
anata ni meguriaeta yokatta

senaka awase no zetsubou o yudanete
shinjiteitai    itsumademo

kirei na hana no you ni waratte
hoshi no you ni kagayaite
kono sekai o habataku
kogarazu ni, neo universe

umarekawaru kisetsu yo
setsunasugita kisetsu yo
sora no you ni hitotsu ni
musabareyou, neo universe
Neo Universe
words: hyde
music: ken


On a slanting scale,
You are higher than the exalted heavens


Even to that kind of innocent, flightless angel
Morning reaches them, brilliantly


Don't let go of that hand
Feel this awakening world


Even if it looks cracked and transparent,
Yesterday waited without sleeping

The miracle you dreamed about still doesn't come but
The far off sky guides you

You're gentle like the wind
Free like a bird
Fly off on this world
Don't get angry, neo universe

Even though it's a tragedy
I'm glad I met you

Even with back-to-back despairs,
I want to believe    always

Laugh like a pretty flower
Glitter like a star
Fly off on this world
Don't get angry, neo universe

The reborn season
The too painful season
Like the sky, bind together
Into one, neo universe

Very special thanks to Mina-P for the translation!
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