Hiroki Kikuta

Hiroki Kikuta (菊田 裕樹 "Kikuta Hiroki", born August 29, 1962) is one of the best known composers of video game music.

His major works are Seiken Densetsu 2 (known outside of Japan as Secret of Mana), Seiken Densetsu 3, Sōkaigi and Koudelka.

Biography

Kikuta was born in Aichi prefecture, Japan. He earned a degree in philosophy from Kansai University.

quare

After graduating Kansai, he worked as cartoonist and cartoon musician. In 1991, Kikuta was hired by Square Co., Ltd. (now Square Enix Co., Ltd.), as a composer. During that time, he composed the soundtracks for Seiken Densetsu 2 (Known as Secret of Mana outside of Japan) and Seiken Densetsu 3 for the Super Famicom and Sōkaigi for PlayStation. Seiken Densetsu 3 and Sōkaigi were never released outside of Japan.

acnoth, Koudelka, Norstrilia

After Kikuta finished Sōkaigi, he became one of the founders of Sacnoth Co., Ltd. and assumed the position of the President and CEO from 1997 to 1999. During this time, he created Koudelka for the PlayStation, and was credited with Concept Designer, Game Planner, Scenario Writer, Producer and Composer. After the completion of Koudelka in December 1999, Kikuta left Sacnoth.

Kikuta founded Norstrilia Corporation in March 2001.

Bukyo

The Chinese 3D-MMORPG, Bukyo (Japanese/Chinese called 超武侠大戦/超武俠大戰 "Chou Bukyou Taisen") was created for PC in cooperation with Softstar/Square Enix from 2001 to 2004. Kikuta was credited as Concept Designer, Game Planner and Composer. However, development was discontinued after the closed beta test in Taiwan, and the game was never released.

Lost Files

Kikuta released Lost Files, an album of original music, in 2006. The album includes the demo tapes Kikuta submitted when first applying for the job of game composer at Square Co.,Ltd, using the sound source of the Nintendo Entertainment System. The music on Lost Files incorporates a variety of sound styles over 18 tracks.

Alphabet Planet

In August 2007, Kikuta released Alphabet Planet, his second album of original music, including 35 tracks on two discs.

Discography

Release dates are for Japan.
*Secret of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 2) Original Soundtrack (August 6, 1993)
*Secret of Mana+ (October 29, 1993) - A remix album containing arrangements from Secret of Mana and Seiken Densetsu 3 in one continuous track.
*Seiken Densetsu 3 Original Sound Version (August 25, 1995)
*Sōkaigi Original Soundtrack (June 11, 1998)
*Koudelka Original Soundtrack (December 1, 1999)
*Sora no Iro, Mizu no Iro Original Soundtrack (2004) - This was a special promo album packaged with the video game, and was never released as a separate publication.
*Sakura Relaxation Original Soundtrack (2005) - ditto.
*Niizuma ha Sailor Fuku -Darling ha Tannin Kyoushi- Original Soundtrack (2005) - ditto.
*Lost Files (March 17, 2006)
*Tennin-So Kitan (August 17, 2006)
*Kaijinki (December 31, 2006)
*Alphabet Planet (August 10, 2007)
*CONCERTO The extraordinary world of Concerto Gate (February 27, 2008)

External links

* [http://www.zephyr.dti.ne.jp/~deadtech/ Angel's Fear] - Hiroki Kikuta's official website
* [http://hirokikikuta.at.webry.info/ kiss twice] - Hiroki Kikuta's official blog
* [http://www.squareenixmusic.com/composers/kikuta/ Comprehensive Hiroki Kikuta Profile at Square Enix Music Online]
* [http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,61509/ Hiroki Kikuta at MobyGames]
* [http://www.ocremix.org/composer/id/8/hiroki-kikuta/ Composer profile] at OverClocked ReMix
* [http://squarehaven.com/news/2007/02/27/The-Pioneers-Hiroki-Kikuta/ The Pioneers: Hiroki Kikuta] - Square Haven's in-depth look at the music of Hiroki Kikuta
* [http://www.vgmworld.com/catalog/index.php?table=cocoebiz_music&item_num=880 Lost Files] - at [http://www.vgmworld.com/ VGM World] - Mail preorder website in the United States
* [http://www.vgmworld.com/catalog/index.php?table=cocoebiz_music&item_num=1259 Alphabet Planet] - - Mail preorder website in the United States
* [http://www.vgmworld.com/catalog/index.php?table=cocoebiz_music&item_num=1663 CONCERTO The extraordinary world of Concerto Gate] - - Mail preorder website in the United States

Interviews

* [http://www.cocoebiz.com/report/kikuta_interview2007_jp.htm Cocoebiz interview in Japanese] - [http://www.cocoebiz.com/report/kikuta_interview2007_en.htm English version]
* [http://squarehaven.com/news/2007/06/09/Where-Angels-Fear-to-Tread-A-Conversation-with-Hiroki-Kikuta/ Square Haven English-language interview] - [http://www.jeriaska.com/?p=3 Japanese version]
* [http://www.sting.co.jp/special/interview/vol2.htm Sting Creator Inspiration] - Interview of Hiroki Kikuta in Japanese
* [http://www.spelmusik.net/intervjuer/hiroki_kikuta.html Spelmusik.net] - Interview of Hiroki Kikuta in Swedish [http://www.spelmusik.net/intervjuer/hiroki_kikuta_eng.html English version]