Yoko Kanno

Japanese composer (born 1963) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yoko Kanno

Yoko Kanno (菅野 よう子, Kanno Yōko, born 18 March 1963) is a Japanese composer, arranger and music producer of soundtracks for anime series, video games, television dramas and movies. She has written scores for Cowboy Bebop, Terror in Resonance, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Wolf's Rain, Turn A Gundam and Darker than Black. Kanno is a keyboardist and the frontwoman for Seatbelts, who perform many of her compositions.

Quick Facts Born, Other names ...
Yoko Kanno
菅野 よう子
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Kanno at Anime Expo 2010
Born
菅野 洋子

(1963-03-18) 18 March 1963 (age 61)[1][2]
Sendai, Japan
Other namesGabriela Robin
Occupations
  • Composer
  • arranger
  • music producer
Years active1985–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
LabelsCaptain Duckling Records
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Early life

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Yoko Kanno was born on 18 March 1963, in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Her earliest experiences with music came from attending church with her parents. She studied keyboard on both the piano in her home and the organ at her kindergarten. In elementary school, she began participating in composition contests, but in high school, Kanno began to take more of an interest in literature than in music.[3]

Kanno attended Waseda University, where she majored in literature, but she transcribed music for various student groups at Waseda in her free time. During this time, Kanno—whose parents had only allowed her to listen to classical music—was introduced to rhythm by a friend who played drums in a school band.[3] She spoke of this experience in an interview with Akihiro Tomita:

I thought my friend was a genius. I had heard drums on the radio before, but it was like I had never really noticed them. Then I see drums performed live, and was able to experience a beat for the first time. I started to take heavy interest in music that wasn’t classical and joined the band elective.[3]

While with this band, she studied the composition and style of popular music.

While at Waseda, the Japanese video game company Koei asked Kanno to compose the soundtrack to Nobunaga's Ambition. The game turned out to be a hit, and Kanno's music career was launched.[3]

Career

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Yoko Kanno's soundtrack themes include "Kiseki no Umi" (Lodoss War), "Voices" (Macross Plus), "Tank!" (Cowboy Bebop), "Yakusoku wa Iranai" (Escaflowne), "Gravity" (Wolf's Rain), the whole soundtrack of Turn A Gundam, "Inner Universe" (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) and Stand Alone Complex O.S.T. In regards to making the Stand Alone Complex soundtrack, she said:

I had this image of a formal and rigid 'manly' world for the original comic. So I tried to think of ways to destroy that world. The theme I had in mind was, 'be human.' It represented the sentiment of 'why don't we take it easy and be more like a human being?'—instead of being a workaholic salaried man working for his company. Or be it Tachikoma wishing to become human. I wanted to express these 'tangible fuzziness,' sort of. For the opening theme song called 'inner universe,' I had an image of digital bits and composed a score consisting of recurrent quick beats.[4]

Having composed in various genres, including blues, classical, jazz, techno and J-pop, she was once asked if she favored a particular genre:

Ah ... I hear everyone talk about how many genres [I work in] like classical, jazz and others, but personally, I don't divide music by genre when creating. I don't create by saying, 'I must create a classical piece here,' or 'I must create a jazz piece here.' When I create music, I don't consider at all which genre I like best, but what the scene or the anime calls for, like a love [theme] or a mood. There isn't one genre I like more than the others. I find all of them satisfying and all inspire me in different ways.[5]

Since she works in the animation industry, she only receives instructions and storyboards from directors which helps her with composing. However, it is uncertain if all of her works are to be included in the finished project. She once said that this is a way she likes to work, for she does not have to deal with rules during composing.[citation needed] In reference to this, she once stated:

In my case, the creators talk to me and ask me to do a soundtrack a year or two before the animation is finished. At that time, I think of the plot in my brain, when the characters' names—everything about the characters—has not been decided yet. This is even when the title has not be decided yet.[5]

She was the lead member of the project band Seatbelts, which regrouped in 2004 to compose the soundtrack for the PlayStation 2 Cowboy Bebop video game (released in Japan in 2005).

She has composed for Koei games released during the late 1980s to early 1990s and for Napple Tale, a Dreamcast game. Due to her close involvement in the Cowboy Bebop anime, the game released by Bandai also features her work.

Apart from anime and games, Kanno also composes for live-action films and television commercials. Some popular brands she has composed for are Canon, DoCoMo, Fuji Xerox, 7-Eleven, Microsoft, Nissan, Toyota, Shiseido, Avon and MasterCard to name a few. Her contributions to films started in the 1990s but only since 2002 has there been a trend towards the medium, with some of the latter being shown in international film festivals.[6]

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Kanno at Otakon 1999
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Yoko Kanno (left) with Megumi Nakajima performing at Anime Expo 2010

She attended Otakon and Anime Expo in 1999, as well as Anime Expo New York in 2002. In 2010, she made a surprise appearance at Anime Expo.[7] Yoko Kanno performed her solo PianoMe concert at Otakon 2013.[8]

She composed a three-movement suite, entitled "Ray of Water," for the ascension of Emperor Naruhito. It was performed for him and Empress Masako at the enthronement celebration on 9 November 2019. Yoshikazu Okada wrote the lyrics for the vocal portion, which was performed at the celebration by the idol group, Arashi.[9][10][11]

Gabriela Robin

On many of Kanno's tracks, "Gabriela Robin" was credited as a lyricist and vocalist, but whenever these songs were performed in concert, either Maaya Sakamoto or Origa would perform them. In a 2009 written interview, Robin said that she would perform live for the first time at Kanno's 2009 Tanabata Sonic concert. However, at the end of the concert - which featured Kanno directing the Warsaw Philharmonic - Kanno turned to the audience and sang "Moon", a song previously attributed to Robin from the Turn A Gundam soundtrack, revealing that "Gabriela Robin" was simply a pseudonym Kanno used to write songs mixing English and Japanese freely. In a later interview, Kanno said she picked the name because the first orchestral recording she had heard was the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and at the time Yitzhak Rabin served as Israel's Prime Minister.[12][13]

Personal life

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In addition to Japanese, she speaks a little English and some French, but her English is poor and she needs translation help to converse in French.[5]

Commenting on spirituality and religion, Kanno has said:

I'm not religious at all. But Japanese don't believe in one God, but in gods everywhere in plants and animals. That's right. In Japan, Christianity has a wonderful image. People enjoy the image of Christ and Christianity in picture books, but not as a religion.[14]

Kanno enjoys music, photography, and writing. She has penned several journals for Newtype magazine, accompanying her articles with her own photographs for illustrations. Additionally, a collection of photographs taken by Kanno of her protégé and former production partner, Maaya Sakamoto, was showcased in the special event program for Sakamoto's thirtieth birthday concert at Nippon Budokan in 2010.

In 2011, Yoko Kanno expressed her support for the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, composing a song titled "Kimi de Ite, Buji de Ite" (きみでいてぶじでいて, Stay With Me, Stay Safe).[15] Later, she composed NHK's official support song on the occasion of the first anniversary of the earthquake entitled "Hana wa Saku" (花は咲く, Flowers Will Bloom), including lyrics by Sendai film director Shunji Iwai. The song features notable natives from the affected areas of Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate.[16][17]

Discography

Studio albums

More information Date, Title ...
DateTitleNotes
1 January 1998 Song to Fly All songs composed and conducted by Yoko Kanno; track 8 performed by Yoko Kanno.
(Tracks 1–7, 9–11 performed by Cosmic Voices from Bulgaria, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra,
Warsaw Chorus, Tulivu-Donna Cumberbatch, Franco Sansalone, Krzysztof Ciupinsky,
Steve Conte, Jadwiga Rappé and Gabriela Robin).
[18]
22 May 2002 23-Ji no Ongaku All songs composed and conducted by Yoko Kanno. Vocals performed by Maaya Sakamoto. Album released by Victor Entertainment.
The title translates as "11:00 pm music".
[19]
2 May 2008 CM Yoko Compilation album of music for commercials done by Yoko Kanno over the years. All songs composed by Yoko Kanno.
22 April 2009 CM Yoko 2 Compilation album of music for commercials done by Yoko Kanno over the years. All songs composed and/or arranged by Yoko Kanno.
27 May 2009 Space Bio Charge Compilation album of Yoko Kanno with Seatbelts.[20]
8 June 2011 Yoko Kanno produce Cyber Bicci Compilation album of previous works with Ilaria Graziano, along with new materials.[21]
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Other involvements

More information Artist, Album ...
ArtistAlbumYearRole(s)
Tetsu 100% Tokyo Taco Blues1986Composer for one track
Tetsu 100%1987Composer for four tracks
Ato3cm1987Composer for five tracks
Jack in the Box1988Composer for three tracks
Manatsu no Santa Claus1988Composer for one track
Sunao1989Composition credited to band
Chiyono Yoshino Montage1988Composer for two tracks
Song Bird1989
  • Composer for three tracks
  • arranger for two tracks
Melanger1990
  • Composer for one track
  • performer on two tracks
Keiko Nakajima Keiko Nakajima1990Composer for four tracks
Kyoko Endo Renai1990Arranger for seven tracks
Kobitori ni Naritai1993Arranger for all tracks
Fuyu no Miwa1993Arranger for all tracks
Hashire Hashire1999Arranger for two tracks
Aki Okui Lost Melodies1994Arranger for two tracks
Straw Color1997Arranger for one track
Tsuki no Mayu2000Composer for all tracks
Hitomi Mieno Hajimari no Boukenshya-tachi
~Hikari no Chizu~
1995Composer for two tracks
Miki Imai Love of my Life1995Arranger for four tracks
Thank You1996Arranger for four tracks
IMAI.MIKI from 19861998Arranger for one track
Blooming Ivory2000Arranger for one track
Yuri Shiratori Atarashii Kutsu1995
  • Composer for two tracks
  • lyricist for one track
Caramel Pop1995Composer and lyricist for two tracks
Samply Red Perfect Rouge1996Composition credited to band
Ah-ra ii Kimochi1996Composition credited to band
Kiseki to Taitsuku1996Composition credited to band
Happy Go Lucky OST1997Composer for eight tracks
Kemeko no Uta (Happy Go Lucky)1997Arrangement credited to band
It's for my Ego1997Composition credited to band
Perfect Rouge I, II, III2002Composition credited to band
Kyōko Koizumi Otokonoko, Onnanoko1996
  • Composer for eight tracks
  • arranger for all tracks except 9
For my Life (Single)1999Composer for two tracks
Maaya Sakamoto Grapefruit1997Composer for all tracks
DIVE1998Composer for all tracks
Single Collection+ Hotchpotch1999Composer for all tracks
Lucy2001Composer for all tracks
Easy Listening2001Composer for all tracks
Single Collection+ Nikopachi2003Composer for all tracks
Shōnen Alice2003Composer for all tracks
Kazeyomi2009Composer for two tracks
You Can't Catch Me2011Composer for one track
Akino Arai Sora No Mori1997Composer for five tracks
Sora No Miwa1997Composer for two tracks
Hiru No Tsuki1998Arranger for two tracks
RGB2002Composer for one track
Yasui Inoue Kyuu Dan1998Composer for one track
Crystal Kay Eternal Memories1999Composer for two tracks
Komichi no Hana1999Composer for one track
C.C.L. Crystal Lover Light2000
  • Composer for one track
  • arranger for one track
Kei Kobayashi Nagashime Play2003Composer for all tracks
SMAP Say What You Will2005Composer for two tracks
super.modern.artistic.performance2008Composer for one track
Yukawa Shione Yuki No Waltz2007Composer for one track
AKINO from bless4 Lost in Time2007Composer for all tracks
Chitose Hajime Cassini2008Composer for one track
Origa The Songwreath2008Composer for one track
Yoshika World2008Composer for one track
May'n May'n☆Street2009Composer for two tracks
Natsumi Kiyoura Juuku Iro2010Composer for one track
Megumi Nakajima Be with You2012Composer for one track[22]
Clammbon yet2015String arranger for one track
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Works

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Anime

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRole(s)
1992 Porco Rosso Ending theme song arranger
1994 Please Save My Earth Composer
(other tracks by Hajime Mizoguchi)
[23]
Macross Plus Composer
1995 Memories: Magnetic Rose Composer
1996 The Vision of Escaflowne Composer
(other tracks by Hajime Mizoguchi)
X Clamp Character File Composer
(other tracks by various others)
1997 Clamp School Detectives Second ending theme song composer
Noiseman Sound Insect Composer
1998 Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight Opening theme song composer
Macross Dynamite 7 Insert song composer
Cowboy Bebop Composer
Cardcaptor Sakura Third opening theme song composer[24]
Brain Powerd Composer[25]
1999 Turn A Gundam Composer[24]
Jin-Roh Pianist[24]
Neo Tokyo Composer[24]
2000 Escaflowne Composer
(other tracks by Hajime Mizoguchi)
2001 Earth Maiden Arjuna Composer
Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door Composer
2002 RahXephon Opening theme song composer
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Composer[26]
2003 Wolf's Rain Composer[27]
2004 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG Composer
2005 Genesis of Aquarion Composer
(other tracks by Hogari Hisaaki)
2006 Ōban Star-Racers Opening and ending theme song composer
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society Composer
2007 Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha Composer[28]
Genius Party Insert song composer
Genesis of Aquarion Composer
2008 Macross Frontier Composer
2009 Ring of Gundam Composer[24]
2012 Aquarion Evol Composer
Code Geass: Akito the Exiled Theme song composer[29]
Kids on the Slope Composer
2014 Space☆Dandy
  • Composer
  • Ending theme song arranger

(other tracks by various others)
[30]
Terror in Resonance Composer[31]
2015 Aquarion Logos Opening theme song composer[32]
2021 Macross Frontier Film Short: Labyrinth of Time Theme song composer[33]
2023 Spy x Family Season 2 Opening theme song arranger[34]
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Video games

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Original system(s) Role(s)
1985 Romance of the Three Kingdoms PC-8801, Sharp X1, FM-7 Composer
1986 Nobunaga's Ambition Zenkokuban PC-8801, PC-9801 Composer[24]
1987 Genghis Khan PC-8801, PC-9801 Composer
1988 Nobunaga's Ambition Sengoku Gunyūden PC-8801, PC-9801 Composer
1989 Ishin no Arashi PC-9801 Composer
1990 Uncharted Waters PC-8801, PC-9801 Composer
Nobunaga's Ambition Bushō Fuunroku PC-9801 Composer
1992 Nobunaga's Ambition Haōden PC-9801 Composer
1993 Uncharted Waters 2: New Horizons PC-9801 Composer
1994 Nobunaga's Ambition Tenshōki PC-9801 Composer
2000 Napple Tale: Arsia in Daydream Dreamcast Composer[35]
2005 Cowboy Bebop: Tsuitou no Yakyoku PlayStation 2 Composer
2007 Ragnarok Online 2 MS Windows Composer[36]
2011 Continent of the Ninth MS Windows Theme song composer
2012 Ragnarok Online 2: Legend of the Second MS Windows Composer
2018 Starwing Paradox Arcade Theme song composer[37][38]
2023 Volzerk: Monsters and Lands Unknown MS Windows, iOS, Android Composer[39]
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Television dramas

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRole(s)
2001 Yo ni mo Kimyou na Monogatari – Mama Shinhatsubai Composer
2002 Mayonaka Betsu no Kao Composer
2004 X'smap~Tora to Raion to Gojin no Otoko~ Composer
2006 Chichi ni Kanaderu Merodi Composer
2008 Camouflage Composer
2009 Kaze ni Mai Agaru Vinyl Sheet Composer
2013 Gochisōsan Composer
2017 Naotora: The Lady Warlord Composer[40]
2021 Cowboy Bebop Composer
2023 The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House Composer[41]
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Movies

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRole(s)
1994 Yamato Takeru Composer
1996 Asalto Composer
Boku wa Benkyo ga Dekinai Composer
1997 Natsu Jikan no Otonatachi Composer
2002 Tokyo.sora Composer
Mizu no Onna Composer
2003 03 + Composer
2004 Kamikaze Girls Composer
2005 Ashura Composer
Su-ki-da Composer
2006 Honey and Clover Composer
2007 The Show Must Go On Composer
Say Hello! Composer
2010 Surely Someday Composer
2013 Petal Dance Composer
2015 Our Little Sister Composer[42]
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Publicly commissioned works

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Occasion Role(s)
2019 "Ray of Water" Enthronement of Naruhito Composer
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Commercial music

Companies that have commissioned Kanno for commercial music include:[43]

Hired vocalists

Artists who have performed at least one of Kanno's vocal tracks:

References

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