Interview With Yoko Shimomura On The BbS/coded/Days Soundtrack!

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Published on February 15, 2011 @ 07:41 pm

Written by Cecily

Hi all!

We've got a special treat for you today! Famitsu has updated with a brand new interview with Yoko Shimomura, the composer for the Kingdom Hearts series! The interview has been translated by Kingdom Hearts Media's jeldi.

Thanks to forum administrator Shamdeo for the news!

Read and discuss the interview here at our forums or click [Read More]!

We've had a lot of inquires about the the soundtrack from our users. But though I wanted to reveal it personally, there wasn't anything I couldn't do anything about it. It was an extremely pleasant surprise when I received the news from Square Enix.

Even though BbS was released mid-series, it is the earliest story and the main character isn't Sora, so I want to talk about the new songs that were made [for it]. Nomura likes serious songs and scenarios that you experience an impression of tragedy. I guess you could say "generally dark". (laugh)

We used the song from the secret movie of IIFM for the base of the theme for Terra and Aqua. When we used the song for the secret movie you did not know there would be a connection to BbS, but the serious phrase of that song was used in Aqua's theme and powerful phrase was used in Terra's theme. I think that revealed the connection to the series. At first, Ven had a completely different song, but it was changed after a request from Nomura. In the end it was like Roxas' melody, though it unwittingly started turning into a song like Sora's melody. It was tough, but despite that I made sure the new song was heard. (pained laugh)

I thought that at least I would have some relief from just music in 358/2 Days. The meaning of the title for Xion's theme song is "Offering Xion's Sorrow". I received the order for "Chip Tunes" for Re:Coded songs, so they were a lot of fun to make. 

While I had a concept for the Realm of Darkeness Boss battle theme in BbSFM, I thought "I'm composing a dark, heavy song anyway, so how dark can I make it?" (pained laugh) I intended to work even harder than I did on BbS so I didn't disappoint those who were anticipating it.

We had many comments like "people are wondering 'when is the soundtrack coming out?' so I'm sure people will be happy that you made a report. This is a compilation of Kingdom Hearts music over several years so it's not just one disc but a set of three, so please listen to the three discs!

Famitsu Tsuyoshi Sekito Interview

An impressive song is "Fresh Fruit Balls". It's because I didn't work much on that song. A lot of labor went into the composition, and I think it has a good atmosphere for being in a mini game.

As always I am surprised by Shimomura's style. "Being able to work together was a great motivation. If something comes up again, call on me please!" (laugh)

"While playing the game you are apt to ignore songs, but they are perfect if they are on the soundtrack. Maybe you will make a new discovery like 'Huh? This song is on it?!" I think we should look forward to the game all together!

Famitsu Takeharu Ishimoto Interview

From the start, I've agreed with a world view, and I had heard that Nomura had distinct song ideas.
"It's not that I hate the rules. They just unfortunately confine us too much."

An impressive song is "Enter the Darkness". There are a lot of ideas in it. Concerning Shimomura's song, she isn't in a position to say that as our superior. But the back up was diligently chosen. (wry laugh)

I got messed up puzzling over what compositions would be good for Kingdom Hearts. (laugh) But I also think that it was good that I did it. My thanks to everyone who enjoys the game and listens to the soundtrack!