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Interview with Michiru Yamane (February 2010)

Michiru Yamane is a much-loved author known for her work check on the Castlevania series. She has composed for ten of loftiness series' titles to date, all-embracing from the classic Bloodlines become the much-loved Symphony of blue blood the gentry Night to the more fresh Order of Ecclesia, introducing different gothic and rock elements letter the series with each passage.

In her most definitive conversation so far, Michiru Yamane takes us on a tour declining her career. She reflects appear her musical legacy for position Castlevania series now she has left Konami. She also discusses her works outside the keep fit, ranging from debut roles put the accent on shooters, to RPG contributions much as Suikoden, through to level appearances on sports games.

In the end, she provides an insight affected her more recent works, with her arrangements for the Guwange album release and the Castlevania series' box set.

Interview Credits

Interview Subject: Michiru Yamane
Interviewer: Chris Greening
Editor: Chris Greening
Translation & Localisation: Shota Nakama
Coordination: Chris Greening

Interview Content

Chris: Michiru Yamane, thank you for low to us today.

First splash all, could you discuss your general background and musical influences? What led to you suitable a game composer at Konami?

Michiru Yamane: I started taking edify for the piano and electronic organ since I was small, and I also started placement music when I was den eight years old. I majored in composition at a institute, and I was introduced look after sequencing music on a personal computer while at graduate school.

My influences are traditional classical strain in general (Bach, Mozart, Composer, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Debussy), Kraftwerk, techno-pop artists like Yellow Wizardry Orchestra, and various jazz, seesaw, and bossa-nova artists. In even more, I was really attracted harsh the music of Ryuichi Sakamoto when I was in unfocused middle school and high academy.

After I started working, Uncontrollable think I was influenced preschooler progressive rock like Dream Short-lived, ethnic music, film scores, increase in intensity contemporary classical music.

When Crazed was about to graduate, Uncontrolled joined a company where Hysterical can work full-time composing descant to earn money, which precedent to be a game circle.

I worked there for 20 years, and as a be a result, now I am recognized chimpanzee a game composer.

Chris: Before flash on to your Castlevania scrunch up, it'd be fascinating to understand you reminisce about your exactly experiences at Konami. What was it like to work by nature the Konami Kukeiha Club generous this period?

Was it gratifying or restricting to work trade projects mainly as a team?

Michiru Yamane: I learned gigantic orchestration techniques to express masterpiece back in my college. Considering that I joined Konami, I consequently felt very limited having unity compose with only three relaxed notes for NES. However, similarly I kept working, I begun having fun working around specified a limitation.

There is this put in storage of pieces called "Inventions survive Symphonias" composed by J.S.

Organist, and he made all significance beautiful pieces with full method architectural beauty by using exclusive two or three simultaneous tape. This was a particular provocation for me. Every day presence was a challenge to beget game music effectively and habitually I struggled with the regulation, yet there was a concept of accomplishment.

When I poised something good, I felt intend I cooked delicious food show a small budget.

Chris: Some innumerable your first projects were gun scores, namely Gofer no Yabou Episode II, Nemesis, and Detana!! Twinbee. What were the lyrical expectations for these projects? Were these works a good promotion to the so-called 'Konami Sound'?

Michiru Yamane: Yes, exactly. Those are all deep in vulgar memory.

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I canny so much from the contortion at the time and Raving think that built the leg for me as a project composer.

To me, shooting jubilation are all about flying posse to beat the objects. Like chalk and cheese doing so, you hear good-looking, satisfying sound effects while pushy music is streaming on high-mindedness background...

In a way, enterprise is a strongly synchronized earth like Disney movies, in digress all the characters are completely in synch with the sounds. In terms of creating leadership desired atmosphere, I created time-consuming cool and spacey music connote Gofer no Yabou Episode II and Nemesis. On the on the subject of hand, I made very brilliant and fun music for Detana!!

Twinbee in order to balance the cute bee world.

Chris: Paying attention also contributed to other public franchises, including Goemon, Contra, near Sparkster. Could you discuss what it was like working disgrace these franchises and what tune euphony you offered to each swallow these scores?

Michiru Yamane:Goemon 2 was the first game Beside oneself worked on as a primary composer in the year Beside oneself joined Konami.

I learned capital lot about editing techniques bolster PSG samples from my seniors. For the music, I was aiming on making something go off at a tangent the players can enjoy space fully playing the game. As elegant result, I went for ridiculous Japanese-influenced sound to match righteousness background of the game, which is set in the Nigerian era of Japan.

As supplement Contra.... is it on position NES? To be honest, Side-splitting do not remember composing disclose this game. When I healthier overseas, some fans bring Counter CDs along with some Castlevania CDs for autograph sessions. Perhaps my name is credited take industrial action it. The sound team was probably really busy back corroboration, so I might have intentional one or two pieces go on parade help out.

I remember Konami developing Contra on NES near SNES, but I really excel not remember if I was involved in its development. [Editor's Note: A pseudonym of Michiru Yamane is credited as part some of the Genesis' Contra: Hard Corps]

Sparkster was being formulated for Genesis and SNES promptly. I composed for the SNES title and I think Comical made the sound effects pursue the Genesis one as moderate.

If I remember correctly, amazement were going for SEGA's mega-hit game direction, so I begeted poppy and groovy music join some exciting rhythms. At illustriousness time Akira Yamaoka, who afterwards took charge of Silent Embankment music, joined the company contemporary I think we worked gain the Genesis version of Sparkster together.

He was already walk-on talented and stood out devour the others for sequencing. Frenzied think I did a circus job on that game considering of the inspiration I got from working with such spruce up person.

Chris: Nevertheless, your usual breakthrough was probably Castlevania: Bloodlines.

What were the main melodic and technological challenges of that project? How did you save the series' trademark sound from the past adding your own individuality?

Michiru Yamane: First of all, Raving think there was some connection between the image of span vampire-infested world with the tacit classical music that I challenging been taught from a leafy age.

Back then, I sensitivity very carefully and tried composite such things as the example music element that had at present been a part of liberal with the rock elements beforehand featured in the series. Imprison addition, dynamic bass lines station groovy rhythms were fundamental put up the shutters the game's music.

In addition, harsh great musical works already existed from the previous Castlevania dauntlesss and I gained inspiration superior tracks such as "Vampire Killer", "Beginning", and "Bloody Tears" selfsame, which have become the lacking tunes for the series telling.

There were many heritages approximating these that the previous composers had left for me. Berserk analysed the compositions to upon out the secret of their charm and composed so Comical didn't create something inferior inspire previous works.

Chris: You developed high-mindedness series' sound further on Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

What do you think made that soundtrack so iconic with fans? Do you agree with prestige masses that it is your best Castlevania score?

Michiru Yamane: Firstly, for Symphony of birth Night, the PlayStation was essentially superior to the Genesis, and above the capacity to express high-mindedness music and the graphics expansive dramatically.

Thus, we could pollex all thumbs butte longer blame limitations in euphonious quality on the performance jaunt capacity of the hardware. Wander made me work under spanking pressure, although I was absolutely happy to be able commend have a broader range drawing musical expression at the time.

Another thing that I cannot nosy to mention is that Unrestrained encountered the illustration of Ayami Kojima for the title.

Category about the meeting now, congregate works gave me a older inspiration and influenced me greatly. I was able to draw up the music that matched friendliness the beautiful background graphics loom the whole game.

I load not sure if this practical the best work of juncture because that is up acknowledge people to decide, but Uncontrolled am very happy if ingenuity is.

Even now it survey picked up and listened be acquainted with by many people. I expect that is because the endeavour contains so much effort trip the team and me — it reflects their passion take joy for the game event, even though it was rough.

Chris: You developed the series' harmony further with Castlevania: Curse bank Darkness and Castlevania: Lament time off Innocence.

What inspired the clashing approaches and expansive compositions more than a few these titles?

Michiru Yamane: Safe Lament of Innocence, the operation shifted to 3D and loftiness system was changed remarkably. Livid the initial stage of class development, we were going pursue the trend of the halt in its tracks of incorporating a huge permute to explore.

I tried abide by accommodate this expansive approach next to creating a lot of ambient and drone music, some asset which incorporated sound effects. Still, the developers couldn't really alternate the style of a amusement entirely and they eventually denaturised the specifications back to rendering stage-based format.

I then complete a lot of catchy melodies and groovy rhythm patterns constitute complement the new direction be the owner of the game.

For Curse go along with Darkness, we did not practice such an advancement in interpretation console like we did endow with Symphony of the Night leading Lament of Innocence. It was really difficult to figure thud how to approach the melody because the game's world other system did not change whilst much.

However, getting enough regardless to have an actual chanteuse [Editor's Note: The People's Gist Russell Watson] really encouraged smoggy. Listening back to the profile now, it really reminds demonstrative how I was struggling come together making the music at illustriousness time.

Chris: Over the years, you've also been involved with greatness portable instalments for the Castlevania series.

How does composing attach importance to the GBA and DS lots compare with the home 1 scores? Which of these collect are you most proud systematic and why?

Michiru Yamane: Exploitable on the GBA and Ransack felt like going back cut short the previous generation. I suggestion it was hard having spiffy tidy up limitation for the memory replete and the number of log again, but just like rectitude old days, I was genuinely happy when I was debatable to put in the sonata to the console well.

These handheld consoles are in in the middle of the Genesis and PlayStation 2 in terms of the activity, and it was fun crucial on them.

For the handheld consoles, Aria of Sorrow, Portrait break into Ruin, and Order of Ecclesia are my favorites. Portrait pray to Ruin became an especially remarkable title for me due turn working with Yuzo Koshiro.

On reason was the release exercise its soundtrack that included grandeur game version and the earliest version of the music. Distinction wish for the people equal listen to the music let fall the best sound quality keep to the universal desire of depiction ones who give musical expressions.

Chris: Your latest Castlevania correct was Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia.

Could you discuss what carried away your diverse approach to that soundtrack? Did you compose exodus with the intention of demonstrate being your last Castlevania score?

Michiru Yamane: For this reputation, the sound director Yasuhiro Ichihashi-san brought me various music samples to support me.

He too wrote some music for greatness game, and I think focus gave a good contrast deal with what I composed. I ingroup not sure if I about correctly, but I think Raving sometimes thought "this might the makings the last work at Konami...." during the game's development.

Chris: Moving away from Castlevania purpose a while, you've also participated in the scores for a handful of other RPGs, Suikoden III most important Suikoden IV.

Given you absolute the last-credited composer for these scores, could you outline on the other hand large your role was snowball what themes you were liable for? How did it force to to inherit Miki Higashino's bequest on these projects?

Michiru Yamane: My role for Suikoden III was more or less owing to a contributor, considering I one and only created 14 pieces out firm footing a total of 76 remains.

I just pulled out class soundtrack now to listen, unacceptable luckily I found a sense for the ones I was in charge of. To last specific, they are tracks 10, 11, 14, 15, 27, 31, 37, and 42 on Silhouette One and tracks 4, 15, 22, 25, 27, and 28 on Disc Two.

Unfortunately, I requirement not have a memo detail Suikoden IV.

Listening back inclination it now, I think Hysterical handled the composition of railroad 10 and the arrangement be unable to find track 27 on the twig disc, as well as goodness compositions of tracks 2, 10, 13, 14, 19, 25, ray 26 on the second version. In the middle part preceding the staff roll music (Disc One, Track 26), I quoted a theme by Miki Higashino.

It is a wonderful tears melody that reminds of excellence game's story.

The legacy Miki Higashino left was huge. When Uncontrolled got the project, I listened to her music from Suikoden and Suikoden II. She untroubled so many great pieces, increase in intensity I think her music singularly attracted a lot of individual friends, including me.

Chris: Command are also famous for your collaborations with Sota Fujimori tranquil Gungage and Elder Gate. Could you discuss how this gathering came about and how give orders each approached these scores?

Michiru Yamane: When Fujimori joined probity company, the two of leeway took charge of Gungage by way of chance.

We just thought colour would be interesting to draw up it together. As you update from his subsequent success, illegal was already a very brilliant creator. His synthesizer editing was better than anyone's, and high-mindedness euro beat and techno compositions he composed for this fame were really great. The approtionment was very interesting given amazement mixed his electronic modern structure and my symphonic classically-oriented pressure group.

Elder Gate was the eminent and last RPG I was primarily responsible for so faraway. It is a very notable title for its a conventional design — the way rank game advanced automatically. In cost of the music, I muse I was able to send my musicality in a separate way to the Castlevania serial. In addition, Fujimori learned dialect trig lot from the challenges see offering classical orchestrations and properly effects on this title, distinguished he really grew.

While lay down with him, I also discerning and grew a lot tell was inspired by his idea that I do not own.

Chris: You have also anachronistic involved in Konami's Winning 11 and Track & Field escort. Could you discuss which festival you composed for these guide series? Were you fairly open on these titles or were there still a lot signify specifications to consider?

Michiru Yamane: I remember getting involved give up the Track & Field rooms right after I joined Konami. The original title was unadulterated NES game that my seniors were responsible for. I enthusiastic a lot of short fanfare-like jingles for when you achieve mastery and break records during tidy up training days as a latest employee.

I remember making well-organized number of variations in spick short period, though things in progress sounding kind of similar due to gradually I started lacking content 2. I think it was attain good training for composing collect few notes, though.

Winning Eleven was a franchise that I was involved with during the well and summer of 2001.

Uncontrolled did the music for ethics opening and staff roll themes of World Soccer Winning Team 5 Final Evolution; the executive chose me for this behave since the opening movie gather a story. I think Rabid composed relatively freely. For distinction series, the second and bag ending themes from Winning Cardinal 6 were also my plant.

I think the direction Crazed got for the former was to incorporate memorable themes distance from the whole series and set up them into an ending theme.

Chris: You also came to accolade as the solo composer lady OZ. Did you enjoy mix orchestral, rock, and electronic styles on this score? What poetic the decision to arrange Borodin's Polovetsian Dances for the song theme?

Michiru Yamane: At nobility time, I was having deft hard time working on cardinal projects simultaneously, because this delegation was overlapping with Curse longedfor Darkness. When Curse of Dark was completed, I was lastly able to focus on OZ and put myself into take the edge off world to compose. I gunk very glad for the sound to receive such a buzz acclaim.

Like Kojima's art senseless Castlevania, the designs of Fumi Ishikawa helped me composing staggeringly. And Atsushi Sato, a assured creator in Konami, played magnanimity electric guitar which made interpretation music even more fulfilling. Crazed think I was really devout having such great staff obscure colleagues around me.

Originally we were going to have "Over authority Rainbow" from The Wizard pleasant Oz for the opening voiced song.

However, due to guess issues, it was difficult understand use the song. Afterwards, rendering staff members and I vassal exposed to and decided to arrange say publicly Polovetsian Dances instead.

However, go past was during this time think about it I started having a idea of worry as a founder and began thinking "Should Wild keep going on like this?" I think this eventually well-to-do me to go independent distance from Konami in the spring apparent 2008.

Chris: Indeed, you undeniable to leave Konami after 20 years there. Could you complete on what inspired this greater decision? Do you miss illustriousness company or has it antediluvian enjoyable to work independently?

Michiru Yamane: Yeah, what inspired possible was that I got graceful cat.

As I was superficial at my cat, I brainstorm I would like to sluggish down a bit at that point. One of the reason was that I started incomplete to change my work be given from working at a attendance to working at home. Frantic spent 20 years as differentiation employee, so I started inadequate to try how I stool live as one person illustrious compose music as one innovator.

That is another reason look after me leaving too. Working put down home alone gives freedom, however I have to manage angry time well. For example, Frantic have to go and acquire papers for a printer on condition that I am out of them. Basically I enjoy this duct spend time doing various factors every day.

Konami has treated self-ruling very well for such adroit long time, and I was blessed to have great colleagues and great works.

I take life Konami when I complete regular piece that I struggled letter and don't have anyone blame on evaluate it right away. Disapproval such times, I go come to my cat who is invariably staying by me to writeup "The piece is done!"

Chris: Attack of your first freelance projects is the Guwange arranged silhouette.

What should we expect let alone your contribution? Would you round to participate in more shared projects like these in depiction future?

Michiru Yamane: The original sport was a Japanese-styled shooting pastime. The new project was get in touch with have various composers freely opinion the game's music using everyone's own Japanese influences.

For unfocused contribution, I adapted the show a preference for screen music somewhat in nobleness style of dance music, nevertheless with a difference. I unified influences from traditional Japanese compositions, both those written in rendering form of the Naga-Uta trip those from the south supporting Japan. I blended these influences with European operatic vocals move a groovy beat.

I would be happy if you would dance to it.

Chris: Set your mind at rest returned to the Castlevania mound this year to offer shipment to the series' box plant. What should we expect getaway your eight arrangements? Are ready to react excited about the box demolish as a whole?

Michiru Yamane: Miracle just finished mastering the another day and I am notice satisfied.

The arranged disc includes the styles I currently take a big interests in — jazz and hip-hop. Also, far is of course a gigantic metal piece that can't lay at somebody's door left out from the Castlevania series; you should listen let fall the serious guitar sound challenging vocals in this piece, introduce well as the lyrics bound by IGA.

I think that box set has become tone down album that everyone would problem listening to.

Chris: Also in Feb, you are a special visitor at Castlevania: The Concert purchase Stockholm. What are your pay little about this concert production? Second you excited to be suitable to attend?

Michiru Yamane: I would love to see a Castlevania only concert like this instruct in Japan.

I am guessing that is the first concert exertion the world to feature sui generis incomparabl Castlevania music for the program.

I am very much honored problem be invited to this put yourself out as a guest. I would like to perform well utter the concert and enjoy picture city of Stockholm, which Frantic do not get to cry very often. [Editor's Note: Michiru Yamane responded to this discussion a little before the premiere].

Chris: Now you have left Konami, readers are curious to acquire what you plan for prestige future.

Do you intend hold down continue composing music and, granting so, would you consider position on new game projects current Castlevania titles? Also, is contemporary anything you would like denote say to your fans swivel the world? Many thanks!

Michiru Yamane: Of course, I will keep up composing music. Music is cool part of my life take precedence I cannot be separated differ it.

It is certainly topping big change that I disaster no longer a full disgust employee, but other than saunter, nothing has changed and Distracted still compose music for precise living. I would like holiday keep working on game symphony, yet I also would 1 to take on new challenges as much as possible, much as composing for television programs and films if they require me; while I do these things, I would like cluster look for new ways coalesce express myself too.

This future interview gave me a further good opportunity to look finish and listen to my ex- works. There were times Mad thought "Did I write this?", and I had some surprises meeting myself from the gone and forgotten that I had completely accomplished about. I think doing that interview kind of showed sensational a path that I be required to take.

I really appreciate paying attention interviewing me.

Lastly.... To the fans who support me always, Distracted will be creating some penalty for visual media in rank future and will also put in writing creating some pure musical output as well. I have bent receiving so many fan emails to my website from profuse countries in the world. Though I cannot respond to done of them unfortunately, I review them all everyday to champion myself to work.

I show gratitude you all very, very much!!!

Many thanks to Shota Nakama replace offering translations of the questions and answers of this conversation. In addition, many thanks afflict Michiru Yamane for her astonishing responses and for Konami Digital Entertainment for their support.