Kōhei Tanaka (田中公平 Tanaka Kōhei?) 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, 1954.
Career[]
Tanaka has played the piano from an early age. After graduating from the Osaka Seiko Gakuin High School, Tanaka attended Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (Music faculty - composition department), studying under Tomojirō Ikenouchi and other professors. Tanaka worked for three years at the advertising department of Victor Music Industries after he had graduated. He attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts for two years after he left Victor. After returning to Japan, Tanaka started his activities as composer in earnest.
While employed playing the piano in a hotel lounge, he was requested to arrange a song in Arcadia of My Youth: Endless Orbit SSX, a 1982 TV anime, and it became his first work as a composer. Afterwards, he produced some songs and arrangements for the Super Sentai series and his first work as the main composer was for the TV anime Konpora Kid (コンポラキッド Konpora Kiddo?) in 1985.
His compositions are especially known for the "hot" strings and piano that he combines masterfully. He often produces orchestral compositions with brass instruments and the timpani that are simple and easy to listen to, and these are often used as the background music in TV programs. Because his early works were a little on the heavy and rock-ish side, it came to be that people would only request such music from him. This disappointed him for a while, as he wanted to create more varied music, but with the computer game Sakura Taisen he was finally able to compose freely and prove his talents in other genres as well.
Notably, the background music in Gunbuster made his name and talent very famous among anime fans and is recognized as one of his most important works.[1] He also handled the composition of Diebuster, a sequel series of Gunbuster, and showed a peculiar arrangement to his own work 17 years ago.
Another one of his most important works is often said to be The King of Braves GaoGaiGar, a 1997 TV anime, and GaoGaiGar Final, 2000 OVA.
He hosted the Dai Anime Hakurankai radio show on Tokai Radio together with the voice actress Konami Yoshida from April 1993 to September 1994. His discussions with Toshio Okada and Hiroshi Yamamoto about anime, originally published in the hm3 seiyū magazine, have been republished in book form.
On February 14, 2008, he opened an official web site and announced his intention to work also as a singer in the future. On July 4th, he released his first album called Kokorone song 1st.
Personal[]
Tanaka occasionally introduces himself as Monrio Erricone Jr. (a reference to the Italian film composer Ennio Morricone who he respects). He is not only a composer but also very good at singing and he is able to reach four octaves. He often sings in the chorus parts in his own orchestral compositions.
Tanaka claims to do the Donald Duck voice well. The current Japanese voice actor for Donald, Kōichi Yamadera, has reportedly requested Tanaka to succeed him in the event that he dies.
He was asked to do the soundtracks for Pokémon and Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, but could not accept the offer because he was busy with other work.
When he worked on the music for Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh, he told about his experiences with an earlier robot anime that he composed the music for. He put his heart and soul into the music used in a scene where the robot combines into a more powerful form. Later, however, he was devastated when the producers asked him to create another piece of music with even more "punch" for a new type of combination.
He is net-savvy, as can be seen in the fact that he sometimes posts about 2channel and Nico Nico Douga on his personal blog.
He is said to be synesthetic, that is, he experiences sounds as colors and vice versa.
When he attended the Berklee College of Music, he studied English at the same school as Akio Toyoda, who later became the president of Toyota Motor Corporation. The two used to hang out together during that time.
His great grandfather is Kazuo Kojima, a Japanese politician and journalist in the Meiji and Taishō eras.
The voices in the eyecatches of Gunbuster and Diebuster are provided by Tanaka.[2]
Works[]
Tanaka is the main composer unless otherwise noted.
| Genre | Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anime | Arcadia of My Youth: Endless Orbit SSX | 1982 | arranger of background music |
| Anime | Ai Shite Night | 1983 | image song |
| Anime | Kinnikuman | 1983 | arranger of ending song, background music |
| Anime | Tongari Bōshi no Memoru | 1984 | arranger of image song |
| Anime | Konpora Kid | 1985 | |
| Anime | Yume no Hoshi no Button Nose | 1985 | |
| Anime | Dragon Ball | 1986 | arranger of opening and ending songs |
| Anime | Doteraman | 1986 | |
| Anime | Lady Lady!! | 1987 | |
| Anime | Esper Mami | 1987 | |
| Anime | The Three Musketeers | 1987 | |
| Anime | Hello! Lady Lynn | 1988 | |
| Anime | Dragon Ball Z | 1989 | image song |
| Anime | Warau Salesman | 1989 | |
| Anime | Chimpui | 1989 | |
| Anime | Manga Nippon Mukashibanashi | 1989 | arranger of image song |
| Anime | Madō King Granzort | 1989 | |
| Anime | Brave Exkaiser | 1990 | |
| Anime | Obatarian | 1990 | |
| Anime | Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water | 1990 | image song |
| Anime | Fujiko Fujio A no Mumako | 1990 | |
| Anime | Happyaku Yachō Hyōri no Kewaishi | 1990 | |
| Anime | Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh | 1991 | |
| Anime | 21emon | 1991 | |
| Anime | Himitsu no Hanazono | 1991 | |
| Anime | Ashita e Free Kick | 1992 | image song |
| Anime | Fujiko Fujio A no Sasurai Kun | 1992 | |
| Anime | Ken'yū Densetsu Yaiba | 1993 | |
| Anime | Mobile Fighter G Gundam | 1994 | |
| Anime | Gulliver Boy | 1995 | |
| Anime | Brave Command Dagwon | 1996 | background music |
| Anime | Violinist of Hameln | 1996 | |
| Anime | Baby and Me | 1996 | singer |
| Anime | The King of Braves GaoGaiGar | 1997 | |
| Anime | Dai-Guard | 1999 | with Kenji Kawai |
| Anime | Super B-Daman | 1999 | |
| Anime | Betterman | 1999 | |
| Anime | One Piece | 1999- | with Shirō Hamaguchi |
| Anime | Gate Keepers | 2000 | |
| Anime | Sakura Taisen TV | 2000 | |
| Anime | Angelic Layer | 2001 | |
| Anime | Banner of the Stars II | 2001 | ending song |
| Anime | Monkey Typhoon | 2002 | |
| Anime | Overman King Gainer | 2002 | |
| Anime | Tenchi Muyo! GXP | 2002 | ending song |
| Anime | Gad Guard | 2003 | with Kazuhiko Sawaguchi |
| Anime | Kaiketsu Zorori | 2004 | |
| Anime | Desert Punk | 2004 | |
| Anime | Animal Yokochō | 2005 | |
| Anime | Majime ni Fumajime Kaiketsu Zorori | 2005 | |
| Anime | Oh My Goddess! | 2005 | opening song |
| Anime | The King of Braves GaoGaiGar Final -Grand Glorious Gathering- | 2005 | |
| Anime | Oh My Goddess! | 2006 | opening song |
| Anime | Buso Renkin | 2006 | |
| Anime | Hayate the Combat Butler | 2007- | all character songs |
| Anime | Saa Ikō! Tamagocchi | 2007 | |
| Anime | Rosario + Vampire | 2008 | with Shirō Hamaguchi |
| Anime | Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan | 2010 | |
| OVA | Dead Heat | 1987 | |
| OVA | Elf 17 | 1987 | |
| OVA | Dirty Pair | 1987 | |
| OVA | MAPS: Densetsu no Samayoeru Seijintachi | 1987 | |
| OVA | Namakemono ga Miteta | 1998 | arranger |
| OVA | Patlabor | 1988 | |
| OVA | Gunbuster | 1988 | |
| OVA | Assemble Insert | 1989 | |
| OVA | Project A-ko: Grey Side/Blue Side | 1989 | arranger of ending song, background music |
| OVA | Shin Mashin Eiyūden Wataru Mashinzanhen | 1990 | |
| OVA | Tengai Makyō Ziria Oborohen | 1990 | |
| OVA | Sengoku Bushō Retsuden Bakufū Dōji Hissatsuman | 1990 | arranger of opening and ending songs |
| OVA | Majū Senshi Luna Varugā | 1991 | singer |
| OVA | Ariel | 1991 | |
| OVA | Otaku no Video | 1991 | |
| OVA | Blazing Transfer Student | 1991 | |
| OVA | Bakumatsu Shōnen Seiki Takamaru | 1991 | |
| OVA | Kyūkyoku Chōjin R | 1991 | |
| OVA | Shin Chō Bakumatsu Shōnen Seiki Takamaru | 1992 | |
| OVA | Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh | 1992 | |
| OVA | Spirit of Wonder: Chaina-san no Yūutsu | 1992 | |
| OVA | Kōryū Densetsu Villgust | 1992 | |
| OVA | Licca-chan no Nichiyōbi | 1992 | |
| OVA | Bastard!! | 1992 | |
| OVA | Dragon Half | 1993 | |
| OVA | Licca-chan to Yamaneko Hoshi no Tabi | 1994 | |
| OVA | Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team | 1996 | |
| OVA | Sakura Taisen: Ōka Kenran | 1997 | |
| OVA | Sakura Taisen: Gōka Kenran | 1999 | |
| OVA | The King of Braves GaoGaiGar Final | 2000 | |
| OVA | Gate Keepers 21 | 2002 | |
| OVA | Sakura Taisen: Kanzaki Sumire Intai Kinen Sumire | 2002 | |
| OVA | Sakura Taisen: École de Paris | 2003 | |
| OVA | Sakura Taisen: Le Nouveau Paris | 2004 | |
| OVA | Diebuster | 2004 | |
| OVA | Sakura Taisen: New York, New York | 2007 | |
| OVA | Ranma ½: Akumu! Shunminkō | 2008 | |
| Movie | Kinnikuman: Counterattack! The Underground Space Choujins | 1985 | arranger of ending song |
| Movie | Choushinsei Flashman: Big Rally! Titan Boy! | 1987 | |
| Movie | Honno 5g | 1988 | |
| Movie | Esper Mami: Hoshizora no Dancing Doll | 1988 | |
| Movie | Lady Lady!! Gekijōban | 1988 | |
| Movie | Hiatari Ryōkō! Kasumi Yume no Naka ni Kimi ga Ita | 1988 | |
| Movie | Dorami-chan Minidora SOS!!! | 1989 | |
| Movie | Anime Sanjūshi: Aramis no Bōken | 1989 | |
| Movie | Chimpui: Eri-sama Katsudō Daishashin | 1990 | |
| Movie | Toriyama Akira Marusaku Gekijō: Kennosuke-sama | 1990 | |
| Movie | Dorami-chan Arara Shōnen Sanzokudan! | 1991 | |
| Movie | Otaku no Video Gekijōban | 1991 | |
| Movie | 21emon: Soraike! Hadashi no Princess | 1992 | |
| Movie | Dorami-chan Hello Kyōryū Kids | 1993 | |
| Movie | Dorami-chan Aoi Straw Hat | 1994 | |
| Movie | Dorami & Doraemons Robot Gakkō Nanafushigi!? | 1996 | |
| Movie | Gekijōban Hameln no violin hiki | 1996 | |
| Movie | Galaxy Express 999 ~Eternal Fantasy~ | 1998 | |
| Movie | Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Miller's Report | 1998 | |
| Movie | Pokémon: The Movie 2000 | 1999 | image song |
| Movie | One Piece | 2000 | |
| Movie | One Piece: Nejimakijima no Bōken | 2001 | |
| Movie | Jango's Dance Carnival | 2001 | |
| Movie | Sakura Wars: The Movie | 2001 | |
| Movie | One Piece: Chinjūtō no Choppā Ōkoku | 2002 | |
| Movie | Digimon Tamers: Runaway Digimon Express | 2002 | |
| Movie | One Piece The Movie: Dead End no Bōken | 2003 | |
| Movie | One Piece: Norowareta Seiken | 2004 | |
| Movie | One Piece The Movie: Omatsuridanshaku to Himitsu no Shima | 2005 | |
| Movie | One Piece The Movie: Karakurijō no Mekakyohei | 2006 | |
| Movie | Majime ni Fumajime Kaiketsu Zorori: Nazo no Otakara Daisakusen | 2006 | |
| Movie | Toppu o Nerae! & Toppu o Nerae 2! Gattai Gekijōban | 2006 | |
| Movie | One Piece Movie: The Desert Princess and the Pirates: Adventures in Alabasta | 2007 | |
| Movie | Tamagotchi: The Movie | 2007 | |
| Movie | One Piece The Movie: Episode of Choppā Plus: Fuyu ni Saku, Kiseki no Sakura | 2008 | |
| Movie | One Piece Romance Dawn Story | 2008 | |
| Movie | One Piece Film: Strong World | 2009 | |
| Game | Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom (FM Towns version) | 1990 | |
| Game | Paladin's Quest | 1992 | |
| Game | Xardion | 1992 | |
| Game | Just Breed | 1992 | |
| Game | Tengai Makyō Fūun Kabukiden | 1993 | |
| Game | Bounty Sword | 1995 | |
| Game | Gulliver Boy | 1995 | |
| Game | Tengai Makyō Zero | 1995 | |
| Game | Lennus II | 1996 | |
| Game | Sakura Wars | 1996 | |
| Game | Alundra | 1997 | |
| Game | Hanagumi Taisen Columns | 1997 | |
| Game | Bounty Sword First | 1997 | |
| Game | Sakura Taisen 2: Kimi, Shinitamoukotonakare | 1998 | |
| Game | Kasei Monogatari | 1998 | |
| Game | Dragon Force 2: Kamisarishi Daichi ni | 1998 | main song |
| Game | Chō Mashin Eiyūden Wataru Another Step | 1998 | |
| Game | The Granstream Saga | 1998 | part of the songs |
| Game | Bounty Sword Double Edge | 1998 | |
| Game | Gate Keepers | 1999 | |
| Game | Alundra 2: A New Legend Begins | 1999 | |
| Game | Ōgami Ichirō Funki -Sakura Taisen Kayō Show Benitokage yori- | 2000 | |
| Game | Sakura Taisen GB: Geki Hanagumi Nyūtai! | 2000 | |
| Game | Gunparade March | 2000 | part of the songs |
| Game | Sakura Taisen 3: Paris wa Moeteiru ka | 2001 | |
| Game | Sakura Taisen GB2: Thunderbolt Sakusen | 2001 | |
| Game | Sakura Taisen Online | 2001 | |
| Game | Sakura Taisen 4: Koiseyo Otome | 2002 | |
| Game | Sakura Taisen: Atsuki Chishio ni | 2003 | |
| Game | Sakura Taisen Monogatari: Mysterious Paris | 2004 | |
| Game | Sakura Taisen V Episode 0: Kōya no Samuraimusume | 2004 | |
| Game | Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love | 2005 | |
| Game | Sakura Taisen 1 & 2 | 2006 | |
| Game | Dramatic Dungeon: Sakura Taisen: Kimi aru ga tame | 2008 | |
| Game | Bionic Commando Rearmed | 2009 | main song |
| Game | Resonance of Fate | 2010 | |
| Tokusatsu | Choudenshi Bioman | 1984 | background music |
| Tokusatsu | Uchuu Keiji Shaider | 1984 | arranger of background music |
| Tokusatsu | Dengeki Sentai Changeman | 1985 | background music |
| Tokusatsu | Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion | 1985 | background music |
| Tokusatsu | Katteni! Kamitaman | 1985 | |
| Tokusatsu | Choushinsei Flashman | 1986 | |
| Tokusatsu | Hikari Sentai Maskman | 1987 | background music |
| Tokusatsu | Choujinki Metalder | 1987 | arranger of main song, background music |
| Tokusatsu | Ultraman vs. Kamen Rider | 1993 | background music |
| TV drama | Unmei Kōkyōkyoku Satsujin Jiken | 1984 | |
| TV drama | Joi no Shibōshindansho | 1985 | |
| TV drama | Yumemita mono wa | 1987 | |
| TV drama | Hyōryūsaiban | 1989 | |
| TV drama | Ultraman o Tsukutta Otokotachi | 1989 | |
| TV drama | Daichūshingura | 1989 | with Kei Wakakusa |
CD[]
- Ginga Kojiki Gundan Hyper CD Book (1992)
- Kimi koso Waga Otaku (1993)
- Tanaka Kōhei 20shūnen na Yoru - Toppu o Nerae! kara Yūshaō Gaogaigā made - (2001)
- Tanaka Kōhei Concert - Sakura na Yoru - (2001)
- Gaō Yūshaō Tanjō! 10renpatsu!! (2005 - includes the Yūshaō Tanjō! demo tape and Yūshaō Tanjō ultimate extra song)
- Kokorone song 1st (2008)
- Kokorone song 2nd (2009)
Books[]
- Sakura Taisen 2 original game music score Mezase! Sound Creator (Doremi Music Publishing, 1999)
- Fūin - Shijō Saikyō no Otaku Zadankai (with Toshio Okada and Hiroshi Yamamoto, Ongaku Senkasha, 1999)
- Kaishū - Shijō Saikyō no Otaku Zadankai 2 (with Toshio Okada and Hiroshi Yamamoto, Ongaku Senkasha, 2000)
- Zeppan - Shijō Saikyō no Otaku Zadankai 3 (with Toshio Okada and Hiroshi Yamamoto, Ongaku Senkasha, 2000)
- Sakura Taisen 3 - Paris wa Moeteiru ka - Piano Hikigatari Kayō Zenshū (with Hiroi Oji, Doremi Music Publishing, 2001)
- Tanaka Kōhei Sakuhinshū (1) Sakura Taisen Kakyokushū Sōfu (Satake Gakufu, 2009)
- Tanaka Kōhei Sakuhinshū (2) Gensen Kyokushū Sōfu (Satake Gakufu, 2009)
Others[]
- Nunokame CM song "Hiyoko no Hiyokokko" (1986-, still being broadcasted, with Fusako Fujimoto)
- Himekun Series Image Album behind (1986)
- Yamamoto Masayuki '88 (1988, arranged part of the songs)
- Uchū Eiyū Monogatari (1989, radio drama)
- Yamamoto Masayuki '89 Shōnen no Yume wa Ikiteiru (1989, arranged part of the songs)
- Seishun Radio Menia (1989-, composed the ending song)
- Yamamoto Masayuki "Colors" (1992, arranged part of the songs)
- Mashin Eiyūden Wataru 4 (1993)
- Star Pinky Q (1996, CD drama)
- Anime Giga (February 19, 2008, appeared as a guest)
- BS Anime Yawa Top o Nerae! (March 18, 2008, appeared as a guest)
- Inazuma Challenger (2008, supervised "Romantic Ageruyo (21st century ver.)" and "Makafushigi Adventure (21st century ver.)")
- BS Necchū Yawa Hero Song Night (July 10 and 17, 2008, appeared as a guest)
- BS Necchū Yawa Anisongu Night (May 22 and 29, 2009, appeared as a guest)
- Keroro Gunsō presents "Pekopon Shinryaku Song, Daishūgō de arimasu!" (2009, arranged part of the songs)
Composed for others[]
- Ari no Mama no Watashi de (1993, included in the album "Cluster")
- Kōkai wa Suteki (1995, included in the album "Shukujo Chōtokkyū")
- Fjord no Komoriuta (1996, included in the album "Saga")
- Konjō Sentai Gattsuman (1996, included in the album "Kenkabanchō")
- Tatakae! Great Gattsu Fighter, Denkō Gattai Regōmā (1996, included in the album "Space Kenkabanchō")
- Ai nante (1998, included in the album "Tamashii")
PPP
- Ko-ko Paradise (1999)
- Fly over to you... Yozora wo Kakete (1999)
Yumi Matsuzawa
- Ari no Mama de (1999)
JAM Project
- Mizu ni Utsuru Tsuki - my heart - (2002, included in the album "JAM First Process")
Masaaki Endō
- Kanzen Muketsu on GO Fighter!! (Theme of Endoh) (2003, included in the album "Chakuriku!!")
- Bara no Namae, Hoshi ni Naru Hi (2007, included in the album "Rose Balcony")
- Tea for Two - Nigai Kokoa to Milk Tea -, Kimi no Inai Valentine's Day (2008, included in the album "chocolat")
Chihiro Yonekura
- Dream on Dream - Yume no Tsuzuki - (2009, included in the album "Departure")
Awards[]
- 2002: Tokyo International Anime Fair 21 Anime of the Year Best Music (TV category, One Piece)
- 2003: 17th Japan Gold Disc Award (Sakura Taisen 4 - Koiseyo Otome - Zenkyokushū "Geki! Tei-Saishūshō (Finale) e-")
Concerts[]
- Tanaka Kōhei Sakka Katsudō 20shūnen Kinen Honoo no Orchestra Concert (November 1, 2000, at the Tokyo Opera City concert hall)
- Tanaka Kōhei Sakura o Utau Hikigatari no Concert (April 16, 2006, at the Nihon University Casals Hall)
- Tanaka Kōhei Kokorone 1st Live (July 21, 2008, at Roppongi Sweet Basil STB139)
- Tanaka Kōhei Kokorone 2nd Live (February 15, 2009, at amHALL Osaka)
- Tanaka Kōhei Kokorone 3rd Live (July 25, 2009, Minami-aoyama Mandara)
- Tanaka Kōhei Sakkaseikatsu 30shūnen Kinen Concert (November 1, 2009 at the Tokyo Kōsei Nenkin Kaikan, big hall)
See also[]
- List of video game musicians
- Seishun Raji Menia
- Kazuo Iwasaki
- Kaori Minami
- Kenji Kawai
- Shirō Sagisu
- Shirō Hamaguchi
- Hayato Matsuo
- Takayuki Negishi
- Ennio Morricone
- Mike Sugiyama
References[]
- ↑ Profile of Tanaka Kohei
- ↑ A interview with Kohei Tanaka from the Diebuster Soundtrack (2006).
External links[]
- Tanaka Kōhei Official Website
- Tanaka Kōhei Official Blog
- Tanaka Kōhei home page (approved by Tanaka)
- heart sound to asuka Kokorone Song lyrics writer Asuka's blog
- Imagine Tanaka Kōhei
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