Yuzo Koshiro

Yuzo Koshiro (古代祐三 Koshiro Yūzō, born December 12, 1967, in Tokyo, Japan) is one of the well-known faces of Japanese video game music. In the 1980s and 1990s, he created the melodies for productions such as the popular Mega Drive titles The Revenge of Shinobi (with his name appearing on the title screen), Bare Knuckle (Streets of Rage) and The Story of Thor (Beyond Oasis), following up with the score for the Super Nintendo game ActRaiser. His latest work includes compositions for the highly acclaimed games Shenmue and Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 2. Koshiro is also partially responsible for composing the original Ys soundtrack for the popular series of roleplaying games. Unfortunately, Koshiro does not own the rights to any of his famous Ys compositions, and has indicated in interviews that he is bitter about that fact and finds their resulting international acclaim ironic.

Yuzo Koshiro is one of the pioneers in releasing soundtracks with his own music. The live orchestral version of ActRaiser was one of the industry's first of its kind. A live performance of this music could be heard in 2004 at the second Symphonic Game Music Concert in Leipzig, Germany and in 2005 at the first Chamber Music Game Concert in Leipzig, Germany. Yuzo Koshiro is participating on PLAY! A Video Game Symphony, a symphonic world-tour featuring video game music. His arrangement of music from the Sonic the Hedgehog series is presented in every concert all over the world. Yuzo Koshiro attended the concert on May 27, 2006, in Chicago. On August 23, 2006, Yuzo Koshiro's music from Revenge of Shinobi was performed at the fourth Symphonic Game Concert in Leipzig, Germany, in an arrangement done by himself.

Production History

Yuzo Koshiro has contributed music to the following games:

• Romancia (1986)
• Ys: The Vanished Omens (PC-88 Version) (1987) — Music Compose
• Ys: Ancient Ys Vanished: Omen (MSX Version) (1987) — Music compose
• Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II (MSX Version) (1987) — Music
• Dragon Slayer IV: Legacy of the Wizard (1987) — Music
• Dragon Slayer 5: Sorcerian (PC-88 Version) (1987) — Composer
• Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished: The Final Chapter (PC-88/MSX Version) (1988) — Music Composed by
• The Scheme (1988)
• Ys: The Vanished Omens (Apple IIgs Version) (1989) — Staff (Original Falcom Ys Team)
• Bosconian (X68000 Version) (1989)
• The Revenge of Shinobi (1989) — Music Composer
• Thrice (1990)
• Misty Blue (1990)
• ActRaiser (1990) — Music Composer
• Crack Down (Mega Drive Version) (1990)
• Algarna (1991)
• The GG Shinobi (1991) — Sound
• Streets of Rage (Mega Drive Version) (1991) — Music
• Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System and Game Gear Versions) (1991) — Re-Arranging and Original Music
• Super Adventure Island (1992) — Sound
• Batman Returns (Game Gear and Master System Versions) (1992) — Sound management
• Streets of Rage (Game Gear and Master System Versions) (1992/1993) — Music
• Shinobi II: The Silent Fury (1992) — Sound
• Streets of Rage 2 (Mega Drive Version) (1992) — Music Composer, Sound Effects
• Streets of Rage 2 (PC-88 Version) (1992)
• Slap Fight MD (1993) — Sound Composed by
• Streets of Rage 2 (Master System Version) (1993) — Music and sound effects
• Streets of Rage 2 (Game Gear Version) (1993) — Music composition, Sound Effects
• ActRaiser 2 (1993) — Sound Composer
• The Stickman is Back (1993) [NOTE: Unreleased]
• Streets of Rage 3 (1994) — Music Producer
• Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Eye of the Beholder (Mega CD Version) (1994) — Music
• Super Adventure Island II (1994)
• The Story of Thor (1994) — Producer, Music composer
• Miracle Casino Paradise (1995)
• Zork I: The Great Underground Empire (Playstation and Saturn Versions) (1996) — Music
• The Story of Thor 2 (1996) — Music Composer, Producer
• Vatlva (1996)
• Culdcept (1997)
• Shenmue (1999) — Music Composer
• Shenmue II (2001) — Music Composer (Sound & Music)
• Car Battler Joe (2001)
• Wangan Midnight (2002)
• Amazing Island (2004)
• Wangan Midnight: Maximum Tune (2004)
• Wangan Midnight: Maximum Tune 2 (2005)
• Namco X Capcom (2005) — Composition/Arrangement (<Opening Theme> "Brave New World"), Composition/Arrangement (<Ending Theme> "Someday, Under the Moon")
• Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2 (2005)
• Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (2006) — Composer (Ancient.Corp)
• Streets of Rage Remake (2006) — Very Special Thanks (for the original soundracks)
• Etrian Odyssey (2007) — Composer, Sound Design
• Katekyo Hitman Reborn! Dream Hyper Battle! (2007)
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008) — Music Arrangement
• Half-Minute Hero (2009) — Composer

He has also recently produced music for the Merregnon 2 project, Ten Plants

Other Works

• All Over Xanadu (1987)
• The Scheme (album) (1989)
• The Super Shinobi & Works (1989)
• Yuzo Koshiro Early Collection 2nd (1998)
• The Scheme Sound Track (2002)
• Street Fighter Tribute Album (2003)

Song Credits

Ys: The Vanished Omens

• Feena (Title) — Music & Arrangement
• The Syonin (Shop 1) — Music & Arrangement
• Tears of Sylph (Shop 2) — Music & Arrangement
• First Step Towards Wars (Grasslands) — Music & Arrangement
• Palace (Temple 1) — Music & Arrangement
• Holders of Power (Powerful Character 1) — Music & Arrangement
• Palace of Destruction (Temple 2) — Music & Arrangement
• Beat of the Terror (Abandoned Mine) — Music & Arrangement
• Tower of the Shadow of Death (Tower) — Music & Arrangement
• The Last Moment of the Dark (Top Floor of the Tower) — Music & Arrangement
• Final Battle (Powerful Character 2) — Music & Arrangement
• Rest in Peace (After the Final Battle) — Music & Arrangement
• The Morning Glow (Ending 1) — Music & Arrangement
• See You Again (Ending 2) — Music & Arrangement
• Devil's Wind (Devil's Wind) — Music & Arrangement
• Dreaming — Music & Arrangement
• Chase of Shadow — Music & Arrangement
• Church — Music & Arrangement
• Over Drive — Music & Arrangement
• Departure — Music & Arrangement
• Crossroad of Sadness — Music & Arrangement
• Battle Ground — Music & Arrangement
• Mysterious Moment — Music & Arrangement
• Theme of Adoru — Music & Arrangement
• Dead-End Street — Music & Arrangement
• Sub-Mission — Music & Arrangement
• Tension — Music & Arrangement
• Fly with Me — Music & Arrangement

The Revenge of Shinobi

• Opening — Music & Arrangement
• Long Distance (Demo) — Music & Arrangement
• The Shinobi (Round 1) — Music & Arrangement
• Round Clear — Music & Arrangement
• Terrible Beat (Boss) — Music & Arrangement
• Sunrise Blvd. (Round 2-1) — Music & Arrangement
• Make Me Dance (Round 2-2) — Music & Arrangement
• Like a Wind (Round 3-1) — Music & Arrangement
• Run or Die (Round 3-2) — Music & Arrangement
• Ninja Step (Round 4) — Music & Arrangement
• The Dark City (Round 5) — Music & Arrangement
• China Town (Round 6) — Music & Arrangement
• Over the Bay (Round 7) — Music & Arrangement
• Labyrinth (Round 8) — Music & Arrangement
• The Ninja Master (Final Boss) — Music & Arrangement
• Silence Night (Bad Ending) — Music & Arrangement
• My Lover (Good Ending) — Music & Arrangement
• Failure — Music & Arrangement
• Game Over — Music & Arrangement

The Super Shinobi & Works

~Arranged Version~

• Flash Flash Flash — Music & Arrangement, Computer Programming & Keyboard
• Make Me Dance — Music & Arrangement, Computer Programming & Keyboard
• China Town — Music & Arrangement, Computer Programming & Keyboard
• Blast Power — Music & Arrangement, Computer Programming & Keyboard

The GG Shinobi

• Opening — Music & Arrangement
• Select — Music & Arrangement
• Start — Music & Arrangement
• Rush (Highway 1) — Music & Arrangement
• Joe (Highway 2) — Music & Arrangement
• Boss 1 — Music & Arrangement
• Round Clear — Music & Arrangement
• Spirit (Valley 1) — Music & Arrangement
• Darkside (Valley 2) — Music & Arrangement
• First Step (Harbor 1) — Music & Arrangement
• Distant Thunder (Harbor 2) — Music & Arrangement
• Cavern (Woodland 1) — Music & Arrangement
• Forest (Woodland 2) — Music & Arrangement
• The Last Dungeon (Neo City) — Music & Arrangement
• Boss 2 — Music & Arrangement
• Ending — Music & Arrangement
• Miss — Music & Arrangement
• Game Over — Music & Arrangement

Streets of Rage

• The Street of Rage — Music & Arrangement
• Player Select — Music & Arrangement
• Fighting in the Street — Music & Arrangement
• Attack the Barbarian — Music & Arrangement
• Round Clear — Music & Arrangement
• Dilapidated Town — Music & Arrangement
• Moon Beach — Music & Arrangement
• Keep the groovin' — Music & Arrangement
• Beatnik on the Ship — Music & Arrangement
• Stealthy Steps — Music & Arrangement
• Violent Breathing — Music & Arrangement
• The Last Soul — Music & Arrangement
• Big Boss — Music & Arrangement
• My little baby (good ending) — Music & Arrangement
• You Became the Bad Guy! — Music & Arrangement
• Up & Up — Music & Arrangement
• The Super Threc — Music & Arrangement
• Name Entry — Music & Arrangement
• Game Over — Music & Arrangement

Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System and Game Gear Versions)

• Title — Re-Arrangement
• Start — Music & Arrangement
• Green Hill — Re-Arrangement
• Power Up — Re-Arrangement
• Stage Clear — Re-Arrangement
• Bridge — Music & Arrangement
• Jungle — Music & Arrangement
• Labyrinth — Music & Arrangement
• Scrap Brain — Music & Arrangement
• Sky Base — Music & Arrangement
• Boss BGM — Music & Arrangement
• Miss — Re-Arrangement
• Bonus Stage — Music & Arrangement
• Item — Music & Arrangement
• Staff Roll — Music & Arrangement

Streets of Rage 2 (Mega Drive Version)

• Opening — Music & Arrangement
• Player Select — Music & Arrangement
• Go Straight — Music & Arrangement
• Go Straight (Beat Mix) — Music & Arrangement
• In the Bar — Music & Arrangement
• In the Bar (Slow Mix) — Music & Arrangement
• Never Return Alive — Music & Arrangement
• Spin on the Bridge — Music & Arrangement
• Ready Funk — Music & Arrangement
• Dreamer — Music & Arrangement
• Alien Power — Music & Arrangement
• Under Logic — Music & Arrangement
• Too Deep — Music & Arrangement
• Slow Moon — Music & Arrangement
• Wave 131 — Music & Arrangement
• Jungle Base — Music & Arrangement (w/Motohiro Kawashima)
• Back to the Industry — Music & Arrangement
• S.O.R Super Mix — Music & Arrangement
• Revenge of Mr. X — Music & Arrangement
• Good End — Music & Arrangement
• Walking Bottom — Music & Arrangement

Streets of Rage 2 (PC-88 Version)

• Go Straight — Music & Arrangement
• In the Bar — Music & Arrangement
• Never Return Alive — Music & Arrangement
• Spin on the Bridge — Music & Arrangement
• Ready Funk — Music & Arrangement
• Dreamer — Music & Arrangement
• Alien Power — Music & Arrangement
• Under Logic — Music & Arrangement
• Too Deep — Music & Arrangement
• Slow Moon — Music & Arrangement
• Wave 131 — Music & Arrangement
• Jungle Base — Music & Arrangement (w/Motohiro Kawashima)
• Back to the Industry — Music & Arrangement
• S.O.R Super Mix — Music & Arrangement
• Revenge of Mr. X — Music & Arrangement
• Good End — Music & Arrangement
• Walking Bottom — Music & Arrangement

Slap Fight MD

• Sortie (Shutu-Geki) — Music & Arrangement
• Flight (Hi-Syou) — Music & Arrangement
• Rush (Tos-Shin) — Music & Arrangement
• Strategy (Saku-Sen) — Music & Arrangement
• Conflict (Kat-Tou/unused) — Music & Arrangement
• Contact (Ses-Syoku/unused) — Music & Arrangement
• Hope (Ki-Bou) — Music & Arrangement

The Stickman is Back

• Demon — Music & Arrangement
• History & Roots — Music & Arrangement
• Local, etc... — Music & Arrangement
• Rogue in the palace — Music & Arrangement
• Bee's Eye — Music & Arrangement
• In the Mountain — Music & Arrangement
• Pop & Deep — Music & Arrangement
• Get More Tea — Music & Arrangement
• Catman — Music & Arrangement
• Born Again — Music & Arrangement
• Who Am I ? — Music & Arrangement
• Clone & Taboo — Music & Arrangement
• Eat Max — Music & Arrangement
• Boo! Pee! — Music & Arrangement

Streets of Rage 3

• Spinning Machine — Music & Arrangement
• Beat Ambiance — Music & Arrangement
• Kama de Coco — Music & Arrangement
• Shinobi Reverse — Music & Arrangement
• Happy Paradise — Music & Arrangement
• Random Cross — Music & Arrangement
• Inga Rasen — Music & Arrangement
• Crazy Train — Music & Arrangement

Yuzo Koshiro Early Collection 2nd

~My First Compositions -1987-~

• About Boss — Music & Arrangement
• About Fusion — Music & Arrangement
• About Happiness — Music & Arrangement
• About Battle — Music & Arrangement
• About Dungeon — Music & Arrangement

Shenmue

• The Sadness I Carry on My Shoulders — Music & Arrangement
• Rain — Music & Arrangement
• Setting off anew / Arranged by Y.Koshiro — Arrangement
• Shenmue ~Sedge Tree~ / Arranged by Y.Koshiro — Arrangement
• Shenhua ~Sedge Flower~ / Arranged by Y.Koshiro — Arrangement
• Hip De Hop — Music & Arrangement

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

• Main Theme (The Legend of Zelda) — Arrangement
• Norfair — Arrangement

Trivia

His sister, Ayano Koshiro, is responsible for many of the character designs in the games for which Yuzo has composed music. One of the more popular examples is the Bare Knuckle (Streets of Rage) series on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. She also worked on character design of Ys and ActRaiser.

External links

• Composer profile at OverClocked ReMix
• "Yuzo Koshiro Interview" Kikizo: (Oct. 14, 2005)
• "The OPCFG Interview with Yuzo Koshiro" Organization for the Preservation of Classic Forms of Gaming: Strangman, Rob (2002)
• Yuzo Koshiro DJ'ing in a Japanese Club (youtube.com video)