Hayato Matsuo
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese video game and anime
composer
, arranger
and orchestrator. He has worked on titles such as Front Mission 3
, Final Fantasy XII
, the Shenmue
series, and Magic Knight Rayearth
. Inspired by his mother, a piano teacher, he graduated from the music composition department of Tokyo University of the Arts. While in college, he composed for the band G-Clef, and occasionally stood in for members. Upon graduating, he went to work under Koichi Sugiyama
, the composer for the popular Dragon Quest
video game series, arranging his pieces for Dragon Quest anime shows and albums.
In 1991, Matsuo began to work as a video game music composer himself, writing the score to Master of Monsters
. Over the next few years, he worked as an independent composer on several games and anime series, including Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
. In 1995, he joined the independent music composition group Imagine. He has continued since then to compose and orchestrate works for over 20 games and anime shows, as well as the television show Kamen Rider 555
and a few pieces as part of original albums.
and electone
teacher, and she inspired him to enjoy classical music. She also organized concerts for local children to compose and perform music in, which he took part in. While in school, he was inspired by Yellow Magic Orchestra
and Rick Wakeman
. He eventually attended Tokyo University of the Arts, where he focused on classical music. While in school, however, he also was involved in more popular music, and was involved with the progressive rock band G-Clef, filling in sometimes for members of the band, many of whom he was friends with. He also provided some music for the band. When he was near graduation, Matsuo was introduced to Koichi Sugiyama
, the composer for the popular Dragon Quest
video game series. Upon graduating, he went to work with Sugiyama.
. His first better-known work came in 1993 with Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
, which he co-composed with Hitoshi Sakimoto
and Masaharu Iwata
. Since then, he has worked on over 15 other video games, both as a composer and in the role of arranging compositions for orchestration. His latest work was the orchestration for NiGHTS into Dreams...
, while his latest composition work was as co-composer on Final Fantasy XII
.
Beginning in 1994, Matsuo has also worked as a composer for anime series. His first was Magic Knight Rayearth
, which he considers to be a turning point in his career. His latest is 2007's Les Misérables - Shoujo Cosette. In 2003 he composed the soundtrack for the live-action television show Kamen Rider 555
, and in the early 1990s he arranged pieces for orchestration for the Orchestral Game Music Concerts
. While his early work was done as an entirely freelance composer, in 1995 Matuso was recruited by Kohei Tanaka
to join Imagine. Imagine is an independent music composition and sound effect group for video games, consisting of nine employees. While Matsuo has never released an album of original works himself, he has released numerous original tracks on six albums released on Shinji Hosoe
's Troubadour Records
label.
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
and orchestrator. He has worked on titles such as Front Mission 3
Front Mission 3
is a tactical role-playing game for the PlayStation developed by and published by Square Co., Ltd., and was released in Japan on September 2, 1999, and later in North America on March 22, 2000, and in Europe on August 11, 2000. Front Mission 3 is the third main entry and the fifth entry overall in...
, Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy XII
is a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2. Released in 2006, it is the twelfth title in the Final Fantasy series and the last in the series to be released exclusively on the PlayStation platform...
, the Shenmue
Shenmue
is a 1999 open-world adventure video game developed by Sega AM2 and published by Sega for the Dreamcast, produced and directed by Yu Suzuki. Suzuki coined a genre title, "FREE" , for the game, based on the interactivity and freedom he wanted to give to the player...
series, and Magic Knight Rayearth
Magic Knight Rayearth
is a Japanese manga series created by Clamp, a manga artist team made up by Satsuki Igarashi, Ageha Ohkawa, Tsubaki Nekoi and Mokona. Rayearth combines elements from the magical girl and mecha anime genres with parallel world fantasy....
. Inspired by his mother, a piano teacher, he graduated from the music composition department of Tokyo University of the Arts. While in college, he composed for the band G-Clef, and occasionally stood in for members. Upon graduating, he went to work under Koichi Sugiyama
Koichi Sugiyama
is a Japanese music composer, council member of JASRAC , and honorary chairman of the Japanese Backgammon Society...
, the composer for the popular Dragon Quest
Dragon Quest
, published as Dragon Warrior in North America until 2005,Due to the inconsistent usage by sources since Square Enix obtained the naming rights to Dragon Quest in North America. Dragon Quest has been used by sources to refer to games released solely under the Dragon Warrior titles...
video game series, arranging his pieces for Dragon Quest anime shows and albums.
In 1991, Matsuo began to work as a video game music composer himself, writing the score to Master of Monsters
Master of Monsters
Master of Monsters is a turn-based strategy game created by Japanese software developer System Soft for the MSX and NEC PC8801 later ported to a variety of consoles and PCs including the PC Engine, NEC PC9801, Sega Mega Drive , Sega Saturn and PlayStation...
. Over the next few years, he worked as an independent composer on several games and anime series, including Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
is a 1993 real-time strategy role-playing video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, directed by Yasumi Matsuno with artwork by Akihiko Yoshida...
. In 1995, he joined the independent music composition group Imagine. He has continued since then to compose and orchestrate works for over 20 games and anime shows, as well as the television show Kamen Rider 555
Kamen Rider 555
is a Japanese tokusatsu television series. It is the 13th installment in the Kamen Rider Series. It is a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei, and was broadcast on TV Asahi from January 26, 2003 to January 18, 2004...
and a few pieces as part of original albums.
Early life
Matsuo's mother was a pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and electone
Electone
Electone is the trademark used for electronic organs produced by Yamaha.-History:After Hammond pioneered the electronic organ in the 1930s, other manufacturers began to market their own versions of the instrument...
teacher, and she inspired him to enjoy classical music. She also organized concerts for local children to compose and perform music in, which he took part in. While in school, he was inspired by Yellow Magic Orchestra
Yellow Magic Orchestra
Sakamoto first worked with Hosono as a member of his live band in 1976, while Takahashi recruited Sakamoto to produce his debut solo recording in 1977 following the split of the Sadistic Mika Band...
and Rick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
. He eventually attended Tokyo University of the Arts, where he focused on classical music. While in school, however, he also was involved in more popular music, and was involved with the progressive rock band G-Clef, filling in sometimes for members of the band, many of whom he was friends with. He also provided some music for the band. When he was near graduation, Matsuo was introduced to Koichi Sugiyama
Koichi Sugiyama
is a Japanese music composer, council member of JASRAC , and honorary chairman of the Japanese Backgammon Society...
, the composer for the popular Dragon Quest
Dragon Quest
, published as Dragon Warrior in North America until 2005,Due to the inconsistent usage by sources since Square Enix obtained the naming rights to Dragon Quest in North America. Dragon Quest has been used by sources to refer to games released solely under the Dragon Warrior titles...
video game series. Upon graduating, he went to work with Sugiyama.
Career
Matsuo began his career arranging Sugiyama's pieces for Dragon Quest anime shows and albums. His first work as a composer came in 1991, with the video game Master of MonstersMaster of Monsters
Master of Monsters is a turn-based strategy game created by Japanese software developer System Soft for the MSX and NEC PC8801 later ported to a variety of consoles and PCs including the PC Engine, NEC PC9801, Sega Mega Drive , Sega Saturn and PlayStation...
. His first better-known work came in 1993 with Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
is a 1993 real-time strategy role-playing video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, directed by Yasumi Matsuno with artwork by Akihiko Yoshida...
, which he co-composed with Hitoshi Sakimoto
Hitoshi Sakimoto
is a Japanese video game composer and arranger. He is best known for scoring the games Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy XII, though he has composed soundtracks for over 70 games and arranged music for more than 40 others. He began playing music and video games in elementary school, and began...
and Masaharu Iwata
Masaharu Iwata
is a Japanese video game composer. After graduating from high school, where his musical projects included composing on a synthesizer and playing in a cover band, he joined Bothtec as a composer. He composed the soundtrack to several games there, beginning with 1987's Bakusou Buggy Ipatsu Yarou, and...
. Since then, he has worked on over 15 other video games, both as a composer and in the role of arranging compositions for orchestration. His latest work was the orchestration for NiGHTS into Dreams...
NiGHTS into Dreams...
Nights into Dreams... , is a video game released by Sega in 1996 for the Sega Saturn video game system. The game's story follows two children entering a dream world, where they are aided by the main character, Nights...
, while his latest composition work was as co-composer on Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy XII
is a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2. Released in 2006, it is the twelfth title in the Final Fantasy series and the last in the series to be released exclusively on the PlayStation platform...
.
Beginning in 1994, Matsuo has also worked as a composer for anime series. His first was Magic Knight Rayearth
Magic Knight Rayearth
is a Japanese manga series created by Clamp, a manga artist team made up by Satsuki Igarashi, Ageha Ohkawa, Tsubaki Nekoi and Mokona. Rayearth combines elements from the magical girl and mecha anime genres with parallel world fantasy....
, which he considers to be a turning point in his career. His latest is 2007's Les Misérables - Shoujo Cosette. In 2003 he composed the soundtrack for the live-action television show Kamen Rider 555
Kamen Rider 555
is a Japanese tokusatsu television series. It is the 13th installment in the Kamen Rider Series. It is a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei, and was broadcast on TV Asahi from January 26, 2003 to January 18, 2004...
, and in the early 1990s he arranged pieces for orchestration for the Orchestral Game Music Concerts
Orchestral Game Music Concerts
The were a series of Japanese video game music concerts. The events took place in Tokyo from 1991 to 1996 and were performed by different orchestras. Recordings of the concerts were released as a series of albums, which are known for their rarity....
. While his early work was done as an entirely freelance composer, in 1995 Matuso was recruited by Kohei Tanaka
Kohei Tanaka (composer)
is a Japanese composer, arranger and singer. He is affiliated with the music production company Imagine. He has created numerous musical scores for famous anime TV series, OVAs, movies, computer games and tokusatsu series. Tanaka was born in Ebisubashi, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture on February 14,...
to join Imagine. Imagine is an independent music composition and sound effect group for video games, consisting of nine employees. While Matsuo has never released an album of original works himself, he has released numerous original tracks on six albums released on Shinji Hosoe
Shinji Hosoe
, also known as MEGATEN and SamplingMasters MEGA, is a Japanese video game composer and musician most famous for scoring Ridge Racer, Keyboardmania 3rd mix and many early 1990s Namco arcade games. He also created the in-game music for Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse...
's Troubadour Records
Troubadour Records
Troubadour Records is an independent Japanese record label, founded in 1992 by Shinji Hosoe.The label was set up to release original work by numerous video game composers...
label.
Video game soundtracks
- Master of MonstersMaster of MonstersMaster of Monsters is a turn-based strategy game created by Japanese software developer System Soft for the MSX and NEC PC8801 later ported to a variety of consoles and PCs including the PC Engine, NEC PC9801, Sega Mega Drive , Sega Saturn and PlayStation...
(1991) - Mercury - The Prime Master (1991) — with Taku IwasakiTaku Iwasakiis a Japanese composer and arranger. His hometown is Tokyo, Japan. He is a graduate of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Iwasaki is generally known for his jazz-like score music.-Anime:...
, Seiro Okamoto and Tsushi Yamaji - SyvalionSyvalionis an arcade video game released by Taito in 1988. The player controls a metal dragon with shooter gameplay. This game was designed by Fukio Mitsuji, creator of Bubble Bobble.It was re-released for PC, PS2 and Xbox as a part of Taito Legends 2 in 2006.-Trivia:...
(1992) — SNES version - Ogre Battle: March of the Black QueenOgre Battle: March of the Black Queenis a 1993 real-time strategy role-playing video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, directed by Yasumi Matsuno with artwork by Akihiko Yoshida...
(1993) — with Hitoshi SakimotoHitoshi Sakimotois a Japanese video game composer and arranger. He is best known for scoring the games Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy XII, though he has composed soundtracks for over 70 games and arranged music for more than 40 others. He began playing music and video games in elementary school, and began...
and Masaharu IwataMasaharu Iwatais a Japanese video game composer. After graduating from high school, where his musical projects included composing on a synthesizer and playing in a cover band, he joined Bothtec as a composer. He composed the soundtrack to several games there, beginning with 1987's Bakusou Buggy Ipatsu Yarou, and... - Classic Road (1993)
- Sword Maniac (1994) — with Hitoshi Sakimoto
- Super Hockey '94Super Hockey '94Super Ice Hockey, released in Japan as , is an ice hockey video game that enjoyed a release in Japan and Europe for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It is based on the international level of ice hockey with teams from 1994 as opposed to domestic ice hockey leagues.-General:There are...
(1994) - Classic Road II (1995)
- Tengai Makyō: Kabuki Ittou Ryoudan (1995)
- Master of Monsters: Neo GenerationMaster of MonstersMaster of Monsters is a turn-based strategy game created by Japanese software developer System Soft for the MSX and NEC PC8801 later ported to a variety of consoles and PCs including the PC Engine, NEC PC9801, Sega Mega Drive , Sega Saturn and PlayStation...
(1996) - Chou-Mahsin Eiyuuden Wataru: Another Step (1997)
- Dragon Force IIDragon ForceDragon Force is a real-time strategy and tactics video game from Sega created for the Sega Saturn. It was created in Japan and translated for U.S. release by Working Designs in 1996, a translation that was also used by Sega in Europe under license from Working Designs. The USA release has four...
(1998) — with Kohei TanakaKohei Tanaka (composer)is a Japanese composer, arranger and singer. He is affiliated with the music production company Imagine. He has created numerous musical scores for famous anime TV series, OVAs, movies, computer games and tokusatsu series. Tanaka was born in Ebisubashi, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture on February 14,... - Let's Smash (1998)
- Front Mission 3Front Mission 3is a tactical role-playing game for the PlayStation developed by and published by Square Co., Ltd., and was released in Japan on September 2, 1999, and later in North America on March 22, 2000, and in Europe on August 11, 2000. Front Mission 3 is the third main entry and the fifth entry overall in...
(1999) — with Koji Hayama - Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly CaliberOgre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber, sequel to Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen, is a real-time strategy role-playing video game developed by Quest and published by Atlus for the Nintendo 64 in 2000. Though basically similar to the original Ogre Battle, it has borne some notoriety for significant game play tweaks that...
(1999) — with Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata - ShenmueShenmueis a 1999 open-world adventure video game developed by Sega AM2 and published by Sega for the Dreamcast, produced and directed by Yu Suzuki. Suzuki coined a genre title, "FREE" , for the game, based on the interactivity and freedom he wanted to give to the player...
(1999), orchestration - Shenmue IIShenmue IIis a adventure game for the Dreamcast and Xbox. It is the sequel to Shenmue, and was produced and directed by Yu Suzuki of Sega AM2.Due to exclusivity rights obtained by Microsoft, the North American Dreamcast version was cancelled. Because of this, no English dub was recorded for the Dreamcast...
(2001), orchestration - HomelandHomeland (video game)is a role-playing video game for the Nintendo GameCube developed by Chunsoft and released in Japan only.The game can be played offline in single-player mode or online in multiplayer mode over the internet or on a LAN. In online mode the player can assume the role of gamemaster and create an online...
(2005) - Final Fantasy XIIFinal Fantasy XIIis a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2. Released in 2006, it is the twelfth title in the Final Fantasy series and the last in the series to be released exclusively on the PlayStation platform...
(2006) — with Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata - NiGHTS into Dreams...NiGHTS into Dreams...Nights into Dreams... , is a video game released by Sega in 1996 for the Sega Saturn video game system. The game's story follows two children entering a dream world, where they are aided by the main character, Nights...
(2008), orchestra arranger
Anime
- Magic Knight RayearthMagic Knight Rayearthis a Japanese manga series created by Clamp, a manga artist team made up by Satsuki Igarashi, Ageha Ohkawa, Tsubaki Nekoi and Mokona. Rayearth combines elements from the magical girl and mecha anime genres with parallel world fantasy....
(1994) - Saint TailSaint Tail, is a magical girl manga and anime series. Originally a twenty-four part manga by Megumi Tachikawa, the story was brought to television anime by producer Tokyo Movie Shinsha, with forty-three episodes and one short, broadcast by ABC...
(1995) - Golden Brave Goldran (1995)
- Magic Knight Rayearth 2 (1995)
- Landlock (1996)
- Haunted JunctionHaunted Junctionis a comedy anime and manga series created by Nemu Mukudori. The manga was serialized in the monthly manga magazine Dengeki Comic Gao! by MediaWorks from 1996 to 2001. The anime, produced by Bandai Visual and Studio Deen, aired between 2 April 1997 and 25 June 1997.- Themes :This series explores...
(1997) - Street Fighter Alpha (1999)
- Spirit of Wonder Scientific Boys Club (2001)
- Transformers: ArmadaTransformers: ArmadaTransformers: Armada, known in Japan as , is a Transformers animated series, comic series and toy line which ran from 2002–2003. It was originally scheduled for 2001, however was delayed until early-2002...
(2002) - Guyver: The Bioboosted ArmorGuyver: The Bioboosted Armoris a Japanese anime series based on the long-running manga series, Bio Booster Armor Guyver, written by Yoshiki Takaya, adapting chapters 1 - 59 of the manga. The production was in association with ADV Films and Kadokawa Shoten...
(2005) - Hellsing Ultimate (2006)
- Yomigaeru Sora - Rescue WingsYomigaeru Sora - Rescue Wingsis a Japanese anime series produced by J.C. STAFF which aired on TV Tokyo in 2006. The main character is 2nd Lieutenant Uchida Kazuhiro, a helicopter pilot in a search and rescue wing of the Japan Air Self Defense Force . A live-action movie adaptation was produced in 2008, with the original...
(2006) - Les Misérables - Shoujo Cosette (2007)
- The World God Only Knows (2010)
Other works
- Be filled with feeling (1992) - "Chromatic Beast"
- G.T.R (1993) - "G.U.T"
- Great Wall (1993) - "The Manic Depressive", "A Planet's Death"
- KAKI-IN 1993 SUMMER (1993) - "Salmon Roe"
- T·O·U·R·S (1994) - "Mindful of Midnight Flying"
- 2197 (1999) - "Old Pork"