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 (MSX Version) (1987) — Music
Dragon Slayer IV: Legacy of the Wizard (NES Version) (1987) — Music (as Koshiron)
Dragon Slayer 5: Sorcerian (PC88 Version) (1987) — Composer
Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished: The Final Chapter (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
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
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 (Deca 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 (Deca 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

All Over Xanadu

From Mapleford — Music (w/Takahito Abe)
To Altel — Music (w/Takahito Abe)
Monster Collector — Music (w/Takahito Abe)
Dragon Slayer — Music (w/Takahito Abe)

The Scheme

Opening Theme — Music & Arrangement
Death World — Music & Arrangement
The Legend of Hero — Music & Arrangement
Fight the Force — Music & Arrangement
Dark City — Music & Arrangement
Black Scheme — Music & Arrangement
Upper Beat — Music & Arrangement
Underground — Music & Arrangement
Huge Power — Music & Arrangement
The Force Rotted Away — Music & Arrangement
Darkside Sing — Music & Arrangement
The Theme of Hardy — Music & Arrangement

Bosconian (X68000 Version)

Blast Power — Music & Arrangement
Flash Flash Flash — Music & Arrangement
Inner World — Music & Arrangement
Asteroid Memory — 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 Scheme (album)

~Arranged Version~

The Emperor Was Steeped in Vice — Music, Arrangement (w/Ken Morioka)
The Force Rotted Away — Music, Arrangement (w/Ken Morioka)
I'll Save You All My Justice — Music, Arrangement (w/Ken Morioka)
Thousand Eyes — Music, Arrangement (w/Yasuhito Fujimaki)
Perpetual Dark — Music, Arrangement (w/Yasuhito Fujimaki)

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

Thrice

World Wide — Music & Arrangement
That's Thrice — Music & Arrangement
Block Time — Music & Arrangement

ActRaiser

Opening — Music & Arrangement
Sky Castle — Music & Arrangement
Descent — Music & Arrangement
Filmoa — Music & Arrangement
Demon Beast Appears — Music & Arrangement
Round Clear — Music & Arrangement
Bloodpool ~ Casandra — Music & Arrangement
Aitos ~ Temple — Music & Arrangement
Strong Enemy — Music & Arrangement
Pyramid ~ Marana — Music & Arrangement
Northwall — Music & Arrangement
World Tree — Music & Arrangement
Satan — Music & Arrangement
Silence — Music & Arrangement
Birth of Humans — Music & Arrangement
Offering — Music & Arrangement
Peaceful World — Music & Arrangement
Ending — Music & Arrangement

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
Stage Start — Music & Arrangement
Green Hill — Re-Arrangement
Power Up — Re-Arrangement
Stage Clear — Re-Arrangement
Stage BGM A — Music & Arrangement
Stage BGM B — Music & Arrangement
Stage BGM C — Music & Arrangement
Stage BGM D — Music & Arrangement
Stage BGM E — Music & Arrangement
Boss BGM — Music & Arrangement
Miss — Re-Arrangement
Bonus Stage — Music & Arrangement
Item — Music & Arrangement
Staff Roll — Music & Arrangement

Streets of Rage 2

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

The Scheme Sound Track

~Arrange Version~

I'll Save You All My Justice — Music & Arrangement
The Force Rotted Away-Thousand Eyes — Music & Arrangement
Perpetual Dark! — Music & Arrangement

Wangan Midnight

Opening Theme — Music & Arrangement
Car Select — Music & Arrangement
Enemy Car Theme (1) — Music & Arrangement
Enemy Car Appearance (1) — Music & Arrangement
Hiramoto Tokita's Theme — Music & Arrangement
Keiichi Aizawa's Theme — Music & Arrangement
Enemy Car Theme (2) — Music & Arrangement
Takayuki Kurogi's Theme — Music & Arrangement
Age Kamiya's Theme — Music & Arrangement
Jojima Tokita's Theme — Music & Arrangement
Masaki's Theme — Music & Arrangement
Free Traveling BGM — Music & Arrangement
Enemy Car Appearance (2) — Music & Arrangement
R200 Club Theme — Music & Arrangement
Reina Akikawa's Theme — Music & Arrangement
Akio Asakura's Theme — Music & Arrangement
Ending — Music & Arrangement
Intrusion Waiting Mode — Music & Arrangement
Sinking Opening Theme — Music & Arrangement

Street Fighter Tribute Album

M. Bison Stage — Arranged & Remixed by

Wangan Midnight: Maximum Tune

Entry (Maxi1 Version) — Music & Arrangement
Rival and Course Select (Maxi1 Version) — Music & Arrangement
Maximum Acceleration — Music & Arrangement
Feel the Passion — Music & Arrangement
Beyond the Horizon — Music & Arrangement
Driver's Delight — Music & Arrangement
Atheist on the Highway — Music & Arrangement
Decoration for the dement — Music & Arrangement
Fun-Loving Spirit — Music & Arrangement
Stream of Tears — Music & Arrangement
Speed Fanatic — Music & Arrangement
Total Terror — Music & Arrangement
Acid Runner — Music & Arrangement
Destination Blackout — Music & Arrangement
Blue Blazes — Music & Arrangement
Result (Maxi1 Version) — Music & Arrangement
Until the Excitement Cools Down — Music & Arrangement

Wangan Midnight: Maximum Tune 2

Opening Theme — Music & Arrangement
Entry (Maxi2 Version) — Music & Arrangement
Rival and Course Select (Maxi2 Version) — Music & Arrangement
Overdrive Neurotransmitters — Music & Arrangement
Nip and Tuck Race — Music & Arrangement
Upbeat Gas Junkie — Music & Arrangement
Unlawful Temptation — Music & Arrangement
This Is My Destiny — Music & Arrangement
Highway Obsession — Music & Arrangement
Smoldery Guest — Music & Arrangement
Adrenaline Blowouts the Fear — Music & Arrangement
Ghost in the Resonance — Music & Arrangement
Nothing Can Live Forever — Music & Arrangement
Another Dimension — Music & Arrangement
Result (Maxi2 Version) — Music & Arrangement
Last Utopia — Music & Arrangement
Holy Land Anthem — Music & Arrangement

Namco X Capcom

Original [Namco X Capcom] ~ Brave New World — Music & Arrangement
Original [Namco X Capcom] ~ Brave New World ~Piano ver. — Music
Original [Namco X Capcom] ~ Brave New World ~Inst. ver. — Music
Original [Namco X Capcom] ~ Someday, Under the Moon — Music & Arrangement
Original [Namco X Capcom] ~ Brave New World ~Long ver. — Music & Arrangement

Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2

You gotta move it (feat. Julie Rugaard) — 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)