Last Ranker Original Soundtrack

	Album Title:	Last Ranker Original Soundtrack
	Record Label:	Suleputer
	Catalog No.:	CPCA-10218/9
	Release Date:	July 28, 2010
	Purchase:	Buy at CDJapan

Commentary

Yoko Shimomura – Composer

To those of you I’m meeting for the first time, those of you I haven’t kept in contact with, and those of you who always help me out, hello. Thank you very much for getting these CDs! This is Shimomura, the composer of this game.

I am overwhelmed by the fact that this time, I was able to work at Capcom, my former home. How should I put this? It feels like getting the chance, by some miracle, to return to an elementary school that you’ve graduated from, from which you had moved far away, never to return. Wait a second, what kind of example is that?

At any rate, this time it was daunting. I feel like “this time,” I’m always saying that same thing — that is, always writing that same thing (laughs). As the years have passed (cries), it becomes increasingly daunting. In the week before recording, I never made it to bed, staring at my Mac every day (laughs), and my fingers were usually on top of one of the keyboards or the trackball (even when I accidentally fell asleep…). Up until morning of the scheduled day, I was writing out scores. Just remembering it makes me cry… Even I thought that, if I were that daunted, I should take a rest. That’s right, there are a lot of ways one can relax. Wait, how, why are all of the people on this team butting in so cheerfully? All of you are as daunted as I am! I’m the only one who feels like relaxing; I’ll get left behind!

So, day after day, my thoughts went to the Cantalera, and focusing on Zig’s feelings when he comes to Gandoa, on my own feelings upon arriving in Tokyo for the first time, I composed diligently, so that I could do my best, so that I could become the person most suited to writing music for this game, Last Ranker.

I’ve mentioned it many times before, and I’m sure many of you already know, but some of the music meetings lasted until late at night (over seven hours!). I still remember one time when, while at one of these meetings, I came to a decision about the way a piece should be composed. The meeting had ended when, for some reason, I suddenly said “I’ve got it!” gleefully; it’s a good memory. I’m sure that everyone else thought “why is this woman butting in so cheerfully,” just like I had been.

This time, we got to do a lot of orchestral recording, and it was great! I am truly grateful to everyone who supported me during the rigorous schedule. Although I have no way of returning your kindness except through music, I composed with all of my might, with my spirit and my feelings, so that I would not feel unworthy of your responses. I am very satisfied with the way it turned out. I would be pleased if you listened to the music carefully.

Also, I have an impudent request for all of you (and it truly is impudent). On the next pages there is a section for “Composer Track Explanations,” and when you first listen to the music, I would prefer if you did not look at it, and just listen. After that, you may read the story behind the pieces. If you read the explanations at the beginning, wouldn’t it predispose you to listen a certain way? I would like it if at first you just let your ears guide you, without any explanation or introduction.

Here at the end, I would like to thank the producers of Last Ranker, everyone on the game’s development staff, everyone who supported me with the composition and soundtrack production, Osone-san who provided amazing orchestrations, the players who provided wonderful performances, and to all of you who have these CDs. It would be the greatest joy if you were to allow at least one of these pieces that you come to like to accompany you. Thank you all very much.

Thanks Mom and Dad,
my brother, friends, loved ones, and most importantly,
the whole Last Ranker staff,
and also the staff of the Last Ranker Original Soundtrack.
Thanks for giving me a stage on which to perform,
and for all the joys that have made me who I am.
Thanks for the ocean, the mountain, the earth, the wind,
the sky, the sun, music…
…and you.

Translated by Ben Schweitzer. Edited by Ben Schweitzer and Chris Greening. Please do not republish without written permission.

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Ben Schweitzer. Last modified on March 8, 2014.

Tags: Capcom, Last Ranker, Orchestral, Yoko Shimomura