Riichiro Manabe

(born November 9, 1924) [cite web |url=http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/johakyu/manabe/rm-p.htm|title=眞鍋理一郎（まなべ・りいちろう）(Manabe Riichiro, profile)|accessdate=2007-07-12|language=Japanese|work= [http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/johakyu/manabe/manabe-index.htm Riichiro Manabe's homepage] ] is a Japanese composer who wrote the scores for numerous science fiction, horror, and kaiju films from 1956 to 1979. Among fans of these genre films, his music is has gained a less-than-positive reputation. [cite web|url=http://tohokingdom.com/web_pages/m_reviews/anthony_r/vampire_doll.htm|title=Toho Kingdom - "Vampire Doll" review|author=Romero, Anthony] His scores draw from jazz and dissonant modernism.

For instance, Manabe's score for "Godzilla vs. Hedorah" has been described as "atrocious".cite web|url=http://www.tohokingdom.com/web_pages/m_reviews/anthony_r/godzilla_vs_megalon.htm|title=Toho Kingdom - Godzilla vs. Megalon review|author=Romero, Anthony] The same source calls "Godzilla vs. Megalon"'s score "more competent" but at the same time, "none pleasant to listen to". Note, however, that "Megalon" is one of the more maligned entries in the Godzilla canon, and that Manabe's score is only one of several elements that is frequently lambasted.He is often lambasted as one of Toho's worst composers.

Others have described his "Hedorah" score as "unique" and one that "deserved recognition". [cite web|url=http://www.tohokingdom.com/web_pages/m_reviews/vega/gvshedorah_us.htm|title=Toho Kingdom - "Godzilla vs. Hedorah" review|author=Imhoff, Miles] Manabe has composed the scores of numerous other films, including some "Super Giant" films, Oshima's "Cruel Story Of Youth" (1960), "The Vampire Doll", "The Lake of Dracula", "Evil of Dracula", and the Nikkatsu "Roman Porno", "Flower and Snake" (1974).

Notes

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*Riichiro Manabe Homeage [http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/johakyu/manabe/manabe-index.htm]
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*imdb|id=0541240|name=Riichiro Manabe