Kenji Ito

Game Music, Japanese

Square-Enix to Release Seiken Densetsu 25th Anniversary Orchestra Concert CD

January 3, 2018 | Brenna Wilkes | Comments Off on Square-Enix to Release Seiken Densetsu 25th Anniversary Orchestra Concert CD Share this

Last year saw a fantastic performance honoring the 25 anniversary of the Seiken Densetsu series of games. The Seiken Densetsu 25th Anniversary Orchestra Concert was held in Tokyo on March 24th, 2017 sponsored by Square-Enix, and now after several months, the concert will be released in physical format.

The Seiken Densetsu series, also known as the Mana series of games, features several games that started with Final Fantasy Adventure, continued with the wildly popular Secret of Mana and Seiken Densetsu 3, and continued through several games, including a remake of Secret of Mana later this year. The Seiken Densetsu 25th Anniversary Orchestra Concert features performances of 12 songs from five of the games in the series.

Part 1

1. Rising Sun
(Composition: Kenji Ito / Arrangement: Kosuke Yamashita)

2. “Endless Battlefield” ~ “The Boy Heads for the Wilderness” ~ “Swivel” (Medley)
(Composition: Kenji Ito, Hiroki Kikuta / Arrangement: Naoya Iwaki)

3. “Legend of Mana ~Title Theme~” ~ “Earth Painting” (Medley)
(Composition: Yoko Shimomura / Arrangement: Natsumi Kameoka)

4. “Mana’s Tale” ~ “Crisis” (Medley)
(Composition: Kenji Ito, Hiroki Kikuta / Arrangement: Sachiko Miyano)

Part 2

5. “Angel’s Fear” ~ “Meridian Child” (Medley)
(Composition: Hiroki Kikuta / Arrangement: Naoya Iwaki)

6. City of Flickering Destruction
(Composition: Yoko Shimomura / Arrangement: Natsumi Kameoka)

7. “In Sorrow” ~ “Let Your Thoughts Ride On Knowledge” (Medley)
(Composition: Kenji Ito/ Arrangement: Naoya Iwaki)

Part 3

8. “Pain the Universe” ~ “Black Soup” (Medley)
(Composition: Yoko Shimomura, Hiroki Kikuta / Arrangement: Sachiko Miyano)

9. “The Fool’s Dance” ~ “The Final Decisive Battle” (Medley)
(Composition: Kenji Ito / Arrangement: Kosuke Yamashita)

10. Meridian Festival
(Composition: Hiroki Kikuta / Arrangement: Kosuke Yamashita)

Encore

11. “Hometown Domina” ~ “Places of Soul” ~ “Hometown Domina” (Medley)
(Composition: Yoko Shimomura / Arrangement: Natsumi Kameoka)

12. Hightension Wire
(Composition: Hiroki Kikuta / Arrangement: Sachiko Miyano)

Square-Enix and Music 4 Gamer are now bringing the concert recordings to physical format with a CD release, to be released January 24th. The CD is currently available for pre-order through Play-Asia and Amazon Japan, as well as through the Square-Enix store.
Game Music, Reviews

Relive A Legend: Re:Birth/Seiken Densetsu Kenji Ito Arrange Album (Review)

November 7, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Relive A Legend: Re:Birth/Seiken Densetsu Kenji Ito Arrange Album (Review) Share this

As the 20th anniversary of the Seiken Densetsu series wraps up with the end of 2011, we now have in our hands both album releases intended to commemorate the occasion. We unboxed the massive Seiken Densetsu Music Complete Book, and now we have Kenji Ito’s arrange album, Re:Birth/Seiken Densetsu Kenji Ito Arrange Album.

While word has it that other arrange albums are on their way from other composers involved with the Seiken Densetsu franchise, we’ve been listening to Ito’s short but sweet album. Does it bring back fond memories of the series, and does Ito dazzle fans with his signature piano work?

Hit the jump for our review. (more…)
Featured, Game Music

OSVchannel: Unboxing the Seiken Densetsu Music Complete Book

September 12, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

We’ve just got our hands on one of the most anticipated releases of the year, and given how glorious the packaging is on this one, we just had to record an unboxing video. We flip through the entire book which contains 19 discs of music along with a special 20th anniversary DVD containing the orchestral performance, composer interviews, and a behind-the-scenes making-of video. The book also comes with complete credits for each title, liner notes, and tons of artwork.

The book drops in Japan on September 14, so enjoy this unboxing video two days early and let us know what you think of the set. It’s still available for pre-order from CD Japan and Play-Asia if you’re interested in snagging one after watching the video. Oh, and let us know if you like the new over-the-shoulder video format better than the head-on!

How do you think the Seiken Densetsu Book compares to the SaGa Premium Box from last year? Do you think this set is worth the 21,000 Yen asking price?
Game Music

Massive Square Enix Box Sets Strike Back: 20 CDs of Seiken Densetsu Coming Soon

May 31, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 5 Comments Share this

And here I was thinking that we were going to get a Front Mission box set next.

Square Enix has announced a 20-disc box set featuring all of the music from the Seiken Densetsu series that will also include the Final Fantasy Gaiden and secret of mana + arrange albums from the franchise. We saw something similar with the SaGa series a couple of years ago, and were incredibly impressed with the collection, but now Square Enix aims to give the Seiken Densetsu series a similar treatment (hopefully this one won’t be rendered obsolete as quickly as SaGa set).

Games that will be featured include Final Fantasy Adventure, Secret of Mana, Seiken Densetsu 3, Legend of Mana, Sword of Mana, Children of Mana, Dawn of Mana, and Heroes of Mana. This covers music from everyone from Hiroki Kikuta to Kenji Ito to Yoko Shimomura. Of all the massive box sets that have been announced (with the exception of the canceled Genso Suikoden box), this has to be the one I’m most excited about. You can bet we’ll have coverage of this collection as the release date of September 14, 2011 closes in. And start saving, because the box is going to set you back 21,000 Yen!

Are you giddy with excitement about this box? Are you pleased that the arrange albums will be included as well? And what does this bode for the fate of the Seiken Densetsu franchise?

[via VGMdb]
Anime, Game Music, Japanese, Reviews

Kenji Ito Wants to be a Pop Star: DystopiaGround #003 (Review)

March 25, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 5 Comments Share this

Ever heard of DystopiaGround? If you’re like me, probably not, but I’m sure a few of you out there have. In their own words, “This group of musicians is aiming at becoming the number 1 A-Pop artist in the universe.” I hadn’t realized that A-Pop had become its own genre, but I think you understand that this group creates the J-Pop and J-Rock tracks that you’d expect to hear as anime opening and ending themes.

While vocalist nao is the heart and soul of DystopiaGround, the body is provided by an assortment of composers, which now includes Kenji Ito. I was not only fascinated by the concept of this ‘A-Pop’ group, but more so that Kenji Ito, who most of us know for his orchestral and live instrument work, would be involved.

Join us as we take a look at DystopiaGround #003 featuring Kenji Ito and other artists. (more…)
Game Music, Japanese

Game Music Laboratory Unplugged Concert Feat. Hiroki Kikuta and Kenji Ito

March 24, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Game Music Laboratory Unplugged Concert Feat. Hiroki Kikuta and Kenji Ito Share this

With all that’s going on right now in Japan, it’s hard to think that I was there just a month ago. While I was there, I had the opportunity to attend a concert in Tokyo hosted by Eminence called Game Music Laboratory. This was an acoustic set concert following one of their heavier performances, and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. As it turned out, the evening was dedicated to the music of Hiroki Kikuta and Kenji Ito, and was a blast.

I figured we’d post the setlist, comment a bit on the performance, and give you a photo gallery to enjoy courtesy of Hiroaki Yura and Jillian Aversa. Hit the jump for more! (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

Start 2011 With A Fight: SaGa Battle Track Compilation (Review)

February 11, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 4 Comments Share this

Well, Square Enix is certainly looking to have a busy 2011 with several music releases already lined up for January and February. They’ve kicked off the New Year with the SaGa Battle Track Compilation album, featuring battle themes from the original SaGa on the Game Boy up through Romancing SaGA –Minstrel Song-.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Didn’t we just review the epic SaGa Premium Box that contained all of the battle themes from the entire series? Why, yes, we did. And didn’t we just review several battle theme compilations that also featured music from the SaGa series? Again, yes.

Well, where does that leave this compilation? Find out in our review after the jump. (more…)