Key Takeaways
- Hiroyuki Sawano is a renowned composer in the anime industry, creating memorable soundtracks for popular series.
- Sawano’s unique musical style includes heavy electronic sounds, piano, and distorted guitar, creating intense tracks.
- Some of Sawano’s most famous works include Attack on Titan and Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, enhancing epic stories.
As a music enthusiast and avid anime fan, I find myself utterly captivated by the enigmatic world of Hiroyuki Sawano. His unique blend of classical, hard rock, pop, and techno creates an electrifying symphony that resonates deep within the soul. The way he seamlessly merges his music with iconic stories like Attack on Titan or Gundam Unicorn is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
If you’ve taken notice of some highly praised anime from the last ten years, you might have come across some extraordinary tunes in them. The musical score plays a significant role in a series or film, and that applies to anime too. Exceptional music can greatly enhance the impact of key scenes or even make a particular story more memorable. And when it comes to this craft, few do it better than Hiroyuki Sawano, a well-known composer who frequently works on anime and has created some of the most unforgettable soundtracks from this era.
It’s indisputable that Sawano is a virtuoso in his field, and his work is cherished by anime enthusiasts worldwide. He has been instrumental in creating shows such as Attack on Titan, Kill la Kill, and Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, making them as popular as they are today. His unique soundtrack adds depth to the most dramatic or emotional scenes.
Hiroyuki Sawano, A Gifted Musician
The Man Behind The Incredible Music
Hiroyuki Sawano hails from Tokyo, Japan, born on the 12th of September, 1980. His love for music began during his elementary school years, where he played the piano. At the age of 17, he was tutored in composition, arrangement, and orchestration by Nobuchika Tsuboi. As he neared the end of high school, a fascination with soundtracks emerged, leading him to enroll in a vocational school specializing in composition. His musical influences, particularly during his formative years, were deeply rooted in the soundtracks of Studio Ghibli movies and the works of fellow Japanese musician Joe Hisaishi.
2004 marked the beginning of his career, where he penned tunes for fellow artists. In 2006, he ventured into creating soundtracks, with his debut being for the visual novel Soul Link. His first anime soundtrack was for Kishin Taisen Gigantic Formula, a Mecha anime from 2007. However, it was in 2010 that he truly broke through, composing the soundtrack for the OVA series Mobile Suit Gundam: Unicorn, which received widespread acclaim. This project served as a stepping stone, leading him to work on other series. In 2011, he composed the soundtracks for Blue Exorcist and Guilty Crown, solidifying his reputation in mainstream anime, contrasting with Gundam. Then, in 2013, he worked on Studio Trigger’s Kill La Kill and the series that would soon become synonymous with him: Attack on Titan.
When composing the music for Blue Exorcist, he built working relationships with singers Mika Kobayashi and Aimee Blackschleger. Working on Gundam Unicorn, he collaborated with an up-and-coming young singer named Aimer. She had already worked on anime openings or endings, her breakthrough being “Re:Pray”, the 29th ending song for Bleach. Aimer provided the vocals for “Re: I Am” and “Star Ring Child”, which were used as the ending songs for Gundam Unicorn episodes 6 and 7. Since then, Sawano would very often collaborate with recurring vocalists for insert songs or openings and endings.
Sawano acknowledges artists such as Hanz Zimmer, Joe Hisaishi, Yoko Kanno, and Ryuichi Sakamoto as his primary inspirations. He tends to label his compositions unconventionally, employing numbers, symbols, and various alphabets. His intention behind this is to encourage listeners to experience the music individually, without tying their interpretation to what’s visually presented on screen through a title.
In the majority of his songs, you’ll find English lyrics. However, he occasionally employs Japanese and, notably, German, particularly in “Attack on Titan” and “Kill La Kill.” This might be because these works have a strong Germanic imagery. He frequently incorporates choruses and breaks, amplifying the intensity of each track. His music is unique due to its heavy reliance on electronic sounds, piano, and distorted guitar. As a result, his music can be described as a fusion of Classical, Hard Rock, Pop, and Techno genres.
Sawano’s Most Famous Works
Enhancing Great Stories with Great Music
It’s clear that Sawano’s most celebrated soundtrack belongs to Attack on Titan. He primarily collaborated with WIT Studio during the series seasons, while his colleague Kohta Yamamoto worked on the MAPPA Final Season. Sawano’s music amplified the emotional narrative and added greater intensity. The track “Vogel Im Käfig” was used for Eren’s mother’s death, marking a significant turning point in the series. “The Reluctant Heroes” became synonymous with the Survey Corps, its lyrics echoing their selfless acts. “Call Your Name” carries indirect implications for Eren and Mikasa, with lyrics hinting at events from the finale years ago. However, the song most emblematic of the series might be the main theme “ətˈæk 0N tάɪtn”. For Attack on Titan, Sawano teamed up with MPI, Mika Kobayashi, Gemmie, and Laco for various vocal tracks.
In a more contemporary phrasing: Sawano’s compositions for Gundam Unicorn have a classical vibe. The music, combined with the intense battles between Banagher Links and Neo Zeon, enhances the emotional impact of scenes like “Mad-Nug”. Full Frontal’s theme mirrors his character’s combat prowess and sinister lineage. “RX-0” is associated with Banagher, symbolizing Unicorn as a beacon of hope for him. The series’ main theme, “Unicorn”, reflects the mighty, man-made mechanical deity that is the Unicorn Gundam, as well as Banagher’s longing for peace.
Sawano has previously worked on the feature film “Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash,” which marked a fresh start for the Universal Century. His most recent project was the adaptation of the popular Korean Manhwa, “Solo Leveling.” Additionally, he has contributed to anime original films such as “Promare” and “Bubble.” Furthermore, he composed the ending song for “Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Part 1,” titled “Saihate,” with Senna Rin providing the vocals.
Hiroyuki Sawano’s musical discography stands out as an integral component to the series’ success, filled with remarkable and memorable tunes. Presently, Hiroyuki Sawano continues his work in composing music for anime, with his latest endeavor being the upcoming score for the new adaptation of “The Rose of Versailles“.
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2024-09-25 22:05