Koji Sakurai
From Sega Retro
Koji Sakurai (櫻井 浩司), born June 2, 1971 in Tokyo, Japan, is a sound composer known for his work in games (particularly for mobiles) and a collaborator for artists such as Masayuki Chiyo, Takayuki Hattori and Yuko Fukushima. While in college he formed the techno unit Mind Design with Sega sound composer Tomonori Sawada in the midst of the Japanese techno movement. Renowned tracks from the group include "Phonetic" and "Skywalk," the latter of which saw a remix by techno DJ Ken Ishii.
Following graduation Sakurai was hired by Taito as a sound creator for both arcade and console titles and also as a member of its in-house band, Zuntata. Sometime later he left the company and opened Cubisme, his own private office.
Through Cubisme Sakurai has had the opportunity to arrange music for J-Rock group Super Soul Sonics on their 2nd album (Hoop) and vocalist aoi ("Happy Pearl March"). Additionally, he collaborated with Daisuke Asakura on the anime adaptation of the manga Gravitation. Work in the video game industry includes Sega (Shenmue II, Rez, Sonic Free Riders), a re-acquaintance with Taito (Energy Airforce series, Space Invaders Extreme 2, Qix++), as well as Sony (Arc the Lad series) and Namco Bandai Games (Tamagotchi series).
Production History
- Gekirindan (1995)
- Gravitation (Anime) (2000) — Additional Production
- Shenmue II (Dreamcast Version) (2001) — Music Composer (Music) (Sound & Music)
- Rez (2001) — Assistant Sound Creator (Cubisme)
- Energy Airforce (2002)
- Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits (2003) — Koji Sakurai Project (Audio Tanaka Inc.)
- Energy Airforce aimStrike! (2003)
- Arc the Lad: End of Darkness (2004) — Music & Arrangement (Koji Sakurai Project)
- Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2 (2006)
- musika (iPod game) (2007)
- Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 (2007)
- Space Invaders Extreme 2 (2009)
- Qix++ (2009/2010)
- Sonic Free Riders (2010) — Music Composer
Discography
- Welcome to Neo-Tokyo (1994)
- View from the Edge (1994)
- Hoop (1999) [collaboration]
- 1991-1994 (2000)
- Happy Pearl March (2004) [collaboration]
- Cozmo ~Zuntata 25th Anniversary~ (2012)
Song Credits
Gekirindan
- Untitled Soldier (BGM 3 / A.D. 1999) — Arrangement
Sonic Free Riders
- Theme of Rocky Ridge — Music & Arrangement
- Theme of Metropolis Speedway — Music & Arrangement
- Theme of Magma Rift — Music & Arrangement
- Theme of Final Factory — Music & Arrangement