Masaru Setsumaru

From Sega Retro

MasaruSetsumaru.png
Masaru Setsumaru
Place of birth: Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan
Date of birth: 1970-08-07 (age 54)
Employment history:
Sega Enterprises (1991-04-01[1] – )
Divisions:
Role(s): Composer, Musician
Education: Ishikawa College
Twitter: @MasaruSetsumaru

Masaru Setsumaru (瀬津丸 勝) is known (among other things) for doing sound effects for many Mega Drive games, including Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic & Knuckles and Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island. He is also known as Bossanova Oyz, M.Sets. and Setsu.

Along with Tatsuyuki Maeda, Setsumaru is one of Sega's main sound designers for consumer games, as well as an occasional music composer.

Setsumaru is a big fan of retro Sega game such as Pengo[2] and late 80's game soundtrack is general[3], which has to him helping out with retro releases by Wave Master and even writing the commentary for SNK Arcade Sound Digital Collection Vol.10[4]. His love of the game Gain Ground lead to him being involved with Sega Ages Gain Ground.[5]

Career

1991~2000

Masaru Setsumaru in 1998, shortly after the development of Burning Rangers.

SuperMonacoGPII GG Title.png

Title screen of Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II for Game Gear, another of Setsumaru's earliest games.

Masaru Setsumaru joined Sega Enterprises in 1991, his earliest known work being the obscure Sega Game Toshokan title Sonic Eraser. He became attached to the main Sonic series after this, creating sound effects and programming sound for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and 3[6]. He also worked on music for the cancelled SegaSonic Bros., with some of his work later being reused in the Mega-CD version of Teddy Boy Blues included with SING!! Sega Game Music Presented by B.B. Queens, Japan's Sega Channel and Sonic Darts. He contributed to the last Sonic game released on the Mega Drive, which was Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island.

In-between the development of the earlier Sonic games, Setsumaru began working on several games released for the Mega-CD, such as the aforementioned version of Teddy Boy Blues, and also creating music and sound effects for Panic! and Dark Wizard, and creating music for Formula One World Championship: Beyond the Limit[6]. As the fourth video game console generation came to a close and the Sega Saturn hit the market, Setsumaru instead mainly worked on the Mega Drive's short-lived add-on, the 32X[7]. This included Tempo, a Mega Drive game converted to 32X mid-development; Stellar Assault, a 32X original; and Virtua Fighter, a Model 1 to 32X port. He would not debut on Saturn until 1996 with Sakura Taisen, but was more notable for his later work on Sonic Jam, which features his most well-known piece of music, the Sonic World theme, Zen Nihon Pro Wres Featuring Virtua, where he made his debut as director; and Burning Rangers, where he edited both the Japanese and English version's dialogue (he also makes an appearance in Mission 3 of the game[8]..

Setsumaru would instead be involved with Dreamcast games from the start with Sonic Adventure, creating music, sound effects and voice data, which he would also do for the Dream Passport 2[6]. He also worked on his first arcade game (besides SegaSonic Bros.) in Samba de Amigo, which would still be considered one of his most notable works 20 years later[3].

2001~2010

With 10 years of experience and being one of the most senior members at Sega's audio-focused subsidiary Wave Master, Masaru Setsumaru started taking on roles more to do with overseeing other people's work, both within and outside of Sega, beginning with Saka Tsuku Tokudaigou: J.League Pro Soccer Club o Tsukurou! in 2000 where he was Sound Technical Director. This included Segacon: The Best of Sega Game Music, Shinobi and Capcom's Onimusha: Blade Warriors, which had a soundtrack co-created by Wave Master[9], and helped in some way with the albums Sega Arcade 80's and Shooting Game Omnibus (both released in 2 volumes). He was still responsible for some of his older duties, however, like making music for the i-mode version of OutRun (fitting as he had previously been offered to work on the Mega Drive port of OutRunners, but had to decline due to schedule conflicts[10].) sound effects for Jet Set Radio Future (which found him doing inline skating for the first time in 6 years[11].)

After the late 2004 corporate restructures which coincided with the establishment of Sega Sammy Holdings, Setsumaru was moved from Wave Master back into Sega, with the last few of Wave Master era jobs releasing shortly thereafter, those being Sonic Team's Sonic Mega Collection Plus, and Artoon's Yoshi Topsy-Turvy and Swords of Destiny. In 2005, Setsumaru instead mainly built off of his previous experience with Sega Arcade 80's and Shooting Game Omnibus, helping out with the games and albums in the Sega Ages 2500 line. He also worked on a couple modern games in the field of effects (Phantasy Star Universe, Sonic and the Secret Rings), editing (NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, Sonic Unleashed) and music (Phantasy Star 0, Puyo Puyo 7). While the earliest of these games were worked on when Masaru Setsumaru was housed in the Sega Creative Center[12], he would later be moved to New Entertainment R&D Dept..

2011~2020

Masaru Setsumaru in 2013.
Yakuza 4 playing on a FORIS FX2301TV.

Up to this point, Masaru Setsumaru usually worked on games in short-running franchises or a single entry in a franchise, the one exception being Sonic. He became associated with another long-running series in the 2010's: Yakuza, which he was involved with starting with Yakuza 3 in 2009.

In 2010 he was interviewed about Sega's use of the FORIS FX2301TV when creating the 5.1ch surround sound for the cutscenes in Yakuza 4[13]. In 2013, Masaru Setsumaru and Takenobu Mitsuyoshi participated in a presentation for CEDEC where they demonstrated sound development live[14]. In 2017 Setsumaru organized and presented an event in his hometown Kanazawa, entitled Sega-ryuu Game no Oto wa douTsukuru? Tsukutte Asonde Game Taikai! (SEGA流ゲームの音はどう作る？作って遊んでゲーム大会!, lit. How do you create SEGA-style game sounds? Create, play, and have a game tournament!)[15].

Just like his mid-2010's help with Sega Ages 2500 albums, and other retro compilation albums released by Wave Master, Masaru Setsumaru helped with their Taito Digital Sound Archives starting in 2014, which was released over 6 volumes. This project evolved into a series of company-focused retro albums released by City Connection, and while Setsumaru was not involved with these later albums as a whole, he would write the album commentary for some albums like Toaplan Arcade Sound Digital Collection Vol. 5[16] and SNK Arcade Sound Digital Collection Vol. 10[4]. The latter album was given a spotlight by Setsumaru in a 4Gamer.net article in which 64 video game composers were asked to name an album that left an impact on them in 2020[3]. This was part of 4Gamer's Music from Game World in series, and in 2018, Setsumaru had also participated in this series, naming Toaplan Arcade Sound Digital Collection Vol. 10[17].

Artistry

As a composer, Masaru Setsumaru specializes in latin genres[18] such as bossa nova and mambo, most evident in games like Sonic Jam, Samba de Amigo and Phantasy Star 0. He also often makes fusion music.[19]

Production history

Games

Videos

Music

Hardware

Song credits

Main article: Masaru Setsumaru/Song credits.

Sonic Eraser

  • Puzzle — Music & Arrangement
  • V.S — Music & Arrangement
  • Ending — Music & Arrangement

Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II (Game Gear and Master System Versions)

  • Title — Arrangement
  • Mode — Arrangement
  • Select — Arrangement
  • Setting — Arrangement
  • Result — Arrangement
  • Ending — Arrangement

SING!! Sega Game Music Presented by B.B. Queens

  • Funky Brothers ~Image from "Teddy boy blues" — Music[53]

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

  • 1-Up — Arrangement
  • All Clear — Arrangement

Sonic & Knuckles

  • Title — Arrangement
  • Knuckles' Theme — Arrangement
  • Invincible — Arrangement
  • 1-Up — Arrangement
  • All Clear — Arrangement
  • Staff Roll — Arranged & Remixed by

Sonic 3 & Knuckles

  • Staff Roll [Unused] — Arranged & Remixed by [NOTE: 517 beta version]

Virtua Fighter (32X Version)

  • Sega Logo — Arrangement
  • Opening — Arrangement
  • Selector — Arrangement
  • Theme of Jacky — Arrangement
  • Win — Arrangement
  • Theme of Jeffry — Arrangement
  • Theme of Sarah — Arrangement
  • Theme of Kage — Arrangement
  • Theme of Pai — Arrangement
  • Theme of Wolf — Arrangement
  • Theme of Lau — Arrangement
  • Theme of Akira — Arrangement
  • Theme of Dural — Arrangement
  • Ending — Arrangement
  • Name Entry — Arrangement
  • Result — Music & Arrangement
  • Lose — Arrangement
  • Continue — Arrangement
  • Begin Tournament — Music & Arrangement
  • Victory — Music & Arrangement
  •  ??? — Music & Arrangement
  •  ???? — Music & Arrangement
  •  ????? — Music & Arrangement

Shadow Squadron

  • Title — Music & Arrangement
  • Mission 4 Original — Music & Arrangement (with Teruhiko Nakagawa)

Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Mega Drive Version)

  • Boss 2 — Arrangement
  • Boss 2 [Unused] — Arrangement [NOTE: 825 beta version; 819 version reused in Sonic the Hedgehog 4]
  • The Final Fight — Music & Arrangement
  • All Clear — Arrangement

Sonic Jam

  • Opening — Music & Arrangement, Voice
  • Sonic World — Music & Arrangement
  • Gallery — Arrangement
  • Mission List — Arrangement
  • Mission Clear — Music & Arrangement
  • Mission Result 1 — Music & Arrangement
  • Mission Result 2 — Music & Arrangement
  • Staff Roll — Music & Arrangement

Burning Rangers

  • Darkness — Music & Arrangement
  • Myriad Crisis — Music & Arrangement

Sonic Adventure

  • Welcome to Station Square — Music (with Jun Senoue)
  • Event: Fanfare for "Dr. Eggman" — Music & Arrangement, Programming
  • Tornado Scramble ...for Sky Chase — Music & Arrangement, Programming
  • Danger is Imminent — Music & Arrangement, Programming
  • Militant Missionary ...Boss: Egg Walker & Egg Viper — Music (with Kenichi Tokoi)

Radio DC

Samba de Amigo

  • El Camino al Maestro — Music & Arrangement
  • Ahora Si! — Music & Arrangement
  • Miro Lo Bien! — Music & Arrangement
  • Oiga Lo Bien! — Music & Arrangement
  • Juego Poco Segundo — Music & Arrangement
  • Jugamos Mas — Music & Arrangement
  • Minigame End — Music & Arrangement
  • Fanfare 1 — Music & Arrangement
  • Fanfare 2 — Music & Arrangement
  • Fanfare 3 — Music & Arrangement
  • Fanfare 4 — Music & Arrangement
  • Fanfare 5 — Music & Arrangement
  • Fanfare 6 — Music & Arrangement
  • Fanfare 7 — Music & Arrangement
  • Fanfare 8 — Music & Arrangement
  • Fanfare 9 — Music & Arrangement
  • Fanfare 10 — Music & Arrangement
  • Result — Music & Arrangement
  • Sonic Team Jingle — Music & Arrangement
  • Title Call — Music & Arrangement
  • Hey! We're the Sonic Team! — Music & Arrangement, Voice
  • Bienvenido a Samba de Amigo — Music & Arrangement
  • Mambo de Verano — Music, Arrangement & Lyrics
  • Que Alto! — Music & Arrangement
  • Costa Del Oeste La — Music & Arrangement
  • Salsa De Amigo Segunda — Music & Arrangement
  • Juego Poco — Music & Arrangement
  • Jugamos Con Fuego — Music & Arrangement
  • Que Es Su Nombre? — Music & Arrangement
  • Salsa De Amigo — Music & Arrangement

OutRun (Mobile Version)

  • Magical Sound Shower — Arrangement
  • Passing Breeze — Arrangement
  • Splash Wave — Arrangement

Shinobi

  • Ceremony — Music & Arrangement
  • Reminiscence — Music & Arrangement
  • Swift Hand ~ Executioner — Music & Arrangement

Nightshade

  • Ascetic Practice — Music & Arrangement

Sonic Mega Collection Plus

  • Staff Roll — Music & Arrangement

Phantasy Star 0

  • Take a Breather — Music & Arrangement

Photographs

Main article: Photos of Masaru Setsumaru

External links

References

  1. ↑ @MasaruSetsumaru on Twitter (archive.today)
  2. ↑ http://www.wave-master.com/promo/sega/segakon1.html (Wayback Machine: 2002-06-15 21:42)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 https://www.4gamer.net/games/296/G029627/20201217034/index_3.html#31 (Wayback Machine: 2020-12-29 01:06)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://vgmdb.net/album/93016
  5. ↑ https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/interview/1159665.html
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 htt (Wayback Machine: 2003-11-28 10:08)
  7. ↑ @MasaruSetsumaru on Twitter
  8. ↑ @memory_fallen on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2023-11-24 04:29)
  9. ↑ https://vgmdb.net/album/872
  10. ↑ OutRun 20th Anniversary Box
  11. ↑ Jet Set Radio Future Original Sound Tracks
  12. ↑ Phantasy Star Universe
  13. ↑ http://www.itmedia.co.jp/pcuser/articles/1007/28/news002.html (Wayback Machine: 2012-10-28 12:01)
  14. ↑ http://cedec.cesa.or.jp/2013/program/SND/12260.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-10-14 19:01)
  15. ↑ https://dmmlabodesign.hatenablog.jp/entry/2017/05/24/123308 (Wayback Machine: 0-- :)
  16. ↑ https://vgmdb.net/album/76874
  17. ↑ https://www.4gamer.net/games/296/G029627/20181211107/index_3.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-08-07 01:10)
  18. ↑ http://www.wave-master.com/staff/setsu.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-07-14 19:10)
  19. ↑ http://www.wave-master.com/samba/ (Wayback Machine: 2002-08-08 18:11)
  20. ↑ File:Sonic Eraser MD credits.pdf
  21. ↑ File:Switch MCD credits.pdf
  22. ↑ File:Panic MCD credits.pdf
  23. ↑ File:Sonic CD MCD JP credits.pdf
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 File:Dark Wizard MCD JP credits.pdf
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 File:Dark Wizard MCD credits.pdf
  26. ↑ File:Heavenly Symphony MCD credits.pdf
  27. ↑ File:Sonic & Knuckles MD credits.pdf
  28. ↑ File:Tempo 32X credits.pdf
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 File:Stellar Assault 32X credits.pdf
  30. ↑ File:Tempo Jr GG credits.pdf
  31. ↑ File:Pro Striker Final Stage MD credits.pdf
  32. ↑ File:Virtua Fighter 32X credits.pdf
  33. ↑ File:Sonic CD PC DirectX good ending credits.pdf
  34. ↑ File:Sakura Taisen Saturn credits.pdf
  35. ↑ File:Sonic 3D Blast MD credits.pdf
  36. ↑ File:Riglordsaga 2 Saturn credits.pdf
  37. ↑ File:Virtua Fighter 2 MD credits.pdf
  38. ↑ File:S&KC US manual.pdf, page 14
  39. ↑ File:Sonic Jam Saturn credits.pdf
  40. ↑ File:ZenNihonProWres Saturn JP SSEnding.pdf
  41. ↑ File:Sega Ages Columns Arcade Collection Saturn credits.pdf
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 File:Burning Rangers JP Saturn credits.pdf
  43. ↑ File:Sonic 3D Blast Saturn credits.pdf
  44. ↑ File:ChuChu Rocket! GBA credits.pdf
  45. ↑ File:Sonic Advance 3 GBA credits.pdf
  46. ↑ File:ShinobiOST CD JP Booklet.pdf, page 11
  47. ↑ File:Sega01 book.pdf
  48. ↑ File:PS1SCA CD JP Booklet.pdf, page 8
  49. ↑ File:LGATVGDUSAAB Music JP inlay back.jpg
  50. ↑ File:Super32X15thAA Booklet.pdf, page 15
  51. ↑ File:SpaceHarrier VinylUK le back.jpg
  52. ↑ File:GoSega60thAnniversaryAlbum CD JP Booklet.pdf, page 20
  53. ↑ @okunari on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2022-12-03 14:17)
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