When you play various games or watch anime, you'll probably come across music that you think is cool.
Today, I'd like to briefly introduce and recommend some composers that I particularly like.
I'd like to write about my impressions and thoughts, focusing on how I first came to know this composer.
geralt / Pixabay
Yoko Kanno
I first became aware of Yoko Kanno after watching "Turn A Gundam" on TV and purchasing its soundtrack.
He's someone who can create music in any genre, from orchestral pieces to folk music, rock, and all sorts of other genres, and I thought that was truly amazing.
The reason I like Maaya Sakamoto's songs is largely because of her music.
He has also composed music for works such as "Macross Frontier" and "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex," and he is one of my favorite musicians.
They are active in a wide range of fields, including commercials, games, dramas, and anime.
I have many favorite songs,"Tsuki no Mayu" (Turn A Gundam ED), "player" (Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society OP)etc.
In particular, songs like "Vital Force" (Macross Frontier) and "Final Shore ~Oh, I see you're coming again~" (Turn A Gundam) are frequently heard on variety shows.
Maaya Sakamoto: A compilation of my personal favorite songs that you absolutely must listen to!
Turn A Gundam Original Soundtrack (Amazon)
Turn A Gundam Original Soundtrack (Rakuten Market)
Yasunori Mitsuda
I first learned of their name when I bought the soundtrack and sheet music for "Chrono Cross."
I had heard songs from games like "Chrono Trigger" and "Xenosaga," but I didn't know they were by Mitsuda at first.
He has created many wonderful background music pieces that linger in your mind forever, and I believe that the aforementioned games are considered masterpieces precisely because of his music.
(No comment on whether Chrono Cross is a masterpiece as a game.)
My favorite song is,"Scars of Time" (Chrono Cross), "Main Theme" (Chrono Trigger), "Boss Battle" (Chrono Trigger)And so on.
In my mind, Mitsuda-san is synonymous with Chrono.
Chrono Cross Original Soundtrack (Amazon)
Chrono Cross Original Soundtrack (Rakuten Market)
Aika Ohno
I first learned about it when I heard Mai Kuraki's "Secret of my heart," a song from Conan.
About 80% of the reason I like Mai Kuraki's music is because of this person's songs.
The music is characterized by its emphasis on melody and harmonies that are full of emotion.
When I listened to Aika Ohno's album "Secret Garden," I thought, "Why don't I just sing it myself?"
Intermediate piano solo sheet music: "Mai Kuraki x Detective Conan COLLABORATION BEST 21: The Truth is Always in the Song!"Mai Kuraki: A compilation of recommended songs you absolutely must listen to!
Secret Garden (Rakuten Market)
Nobuo Uematsu
He is a musician who has worked on the music for the Final Fantasy series.
I played Final Fantasy V when I was in elementary school, and continued playing up to FF10, but I only became aware of the composer after buying the sheet music for FF10.
I get the impression that the style has changed a bit since FF7.
Before FF6, there were many similar phrases that made it clear they were composed by the same person, and many of them were very memorable.
Since version 7, it seems that the abundance of sound sources and the ability to play more nuanced sounds have led to a more restrained approach to songs with overly dramatic melodies.
I like the quiet music from "To Zanarkand," but I also love the music from the Battle on the Big Bridge, the boss themes from FF4 and FF6, and the music from the battles against the Four Fiends.I love that too.
FINAL FANTASY X Original Soundtrack (Amazon)
FINAL FANTASY X Original Soundtrack (Rakuten Market)
Kenji Ito
I became aware of their name after learning about them through games like "Romancing SaGa 2".
He has a similar style to Nobuo Uematsu, but his music is also somewhat different; he seems to have a lot of passionate songs.
The music from the "Seven Heroes Battle" and the mid-boss battles in Romancing SaGa 3.However, it's packed with the essence of "Itoken's style," and I really like it.
Romancing SaGa 2 Original Sound Version (Amazon)
Romancing SaGa 2 Original Sound Version (Rakuten Market)
Joe Hisaishi
He's famous for his music in the Ghibli series, but he's also worked on a huge number of other projects, including movie soundtracks and commercial jingles.
Their music is characterized by distinctive chords and nostalgic melodies.
I wanted the sheet music for "Summer," and that led me to buy a sheet music collection, which in turn gave me the opportunity to discover many different songs.
In that musical score"Silencio de Parc Guell", "Resphona" (from the film "Arion"), "Welcome to Dongmakgol" (from the film "Welcome to Dongmakgol"), "Dawn Flight"Learning about these things made me like them even more.
Piano Piece Summer by Joe Hisaishi (Amazon)
Piano Piece Summer by Joe Hisaishi (Rakuten Market)
Satoshi Hosoi
I first encountered them through the theme song "Unfinished Castle" from the PC game "The World's Everything," and I thought it was a great song, so I started following their work more closely.
I get the impression that they like the violin, as many of their songs feature prominent violin melodies.
The game "Quartett!" is set in a prestigious music academy, and the background music fully showcases Mr. Hosoi's strengths.
I also bought the soundtrack, and it seems to be performed by an actual quartet, so I'm very satisfied with the result.
My favorite song is"Kagerou" (from the game "Kuro no Utahime"), "Koumaroku", "Toumei na Kankaku" (from the game "Shirotsumekusa Monogatari"), etc.
Hiroyuki Sawano
I first learned about it in Mobile Suit Gundam UC.
This song plays during the battle scene between the Kshatriya and the Stark Jegan in OVA episode 1.
"MOBILE SUIT" was so exciting, it gave me goosebumps, especially with the synergistic effect of the visuals.The tension leading up to the engagement, the excitement once it started, and the expansive and deep atmosphere reminiscent of a battle in outer space—it was simply amazing.
I was completely captivated by this one song, so I started following the soundtrack and the artist who provided the music, Aimer.
My favorite song is the one mentioned above."MOBILE SUIT", the UC theme "UNICORN", "into the sky", "bl∞dy f8"And so on.
Mobile Suit Gundam UC Original Soundtrack (Amazon)
Mobile Suit Gundam UC Original Soundtrack (Rakuten Market)
V. K.
I first learned about this song through the mobile music game "Deemo".
It's pronounced "Vee-Kee-Koo".
Their music is characterized by melodic songs featuring the piano as the main instrument, such as "Reflection (Kyoya)," "Evolution Era," and "Atlantis Love."
I've bought several of their albums, and I can honestly say that every single one has been fantastic, with just a few great songs.
Many of his songs have a sense of expansiveness, somewhat reminiscent of Joe Hisaishi's work.
My favorite song is"Reflection", "Pure White", "Green Festival"And many others.
Review of two books of VKk piano solo sheet music.
VK Piano Sheet Music Selection [Intermediate] (BEST OF VK) (Amazon)