Softlock presents:

lv. 8: retrofemme, Pt. 1 (8bit & 16bit)

Some of Capcom Sound Team, late 1980s. L-R: Kumi Yamaga, Manami Matsumae, Tamayo Kawamoto, Harumi Fujita, Junko Tamiya.

Starting this week on Softlock we’re going to be taking a long retrospective look at the history of Japanese video game music through its many female composers. As history is being written on video games as an art form, it’s important to remember that a lot of franchises (Castlevania, Mega Man, and many others) had a variety of sonic architects, but on the forefront of a lot of these were female, often credited as being part of a sound team or under pseudonyms. So, it’s about time we did a three-part series: “retro femme.” レトロな女性.

Proper credit is due, and while this is not the first show of its kind, this is definitely one where the music itself made such a showcase imperative. Just listen to this stuff: ear worms, motivational bangers, cartoon tie-ins, and cracking sound chips open for days. This episode will touch on the 8-bit (Famicom, Master System) and 16-bit (Super Famicom, Mega Drive) eras. While the women of Capcom Sound Team are (rightfully) front and center of this episode, there are pit stops at both Konami and Nintendo along the way.

Speaking of credit: in the episode Tamayo Kawamoto is given credit for Sector Z. Kumi Yamaga actually composed the music used.

You may notice there’s one name (and company) missing from this episode. That’s because…

Next week on Part 2: Yoko Shimomura, from her start at Capcom to Kingdom Hearts and Xenoblade.

Show Archive

Play show / Add show to playlist

Playlist:

Time: November 30 - 2:00:28 am

• Kinuyo Yamashita, “Vampire Killer (from Castlevania)”

  from Castlevania

  Konami - 1986

Time: November 30 - 2:01:55 am

• Michiru Yamane, “Simon's Theme”

  from Castlevania: Bloodlines

  Konami - 1994

Time: November 30 - 2:04:03 am

• Michiru Yamane, “The Theme of the "Cobras"”

  from Vendetta aka Crime Fighters 2

  Konami - 1991

Time: November 30 - 2:05:10 am

• Yoko Shimomura, “Bonus Stage”

  from The Punisher

  Capcom - 1993

Time: November 30 - 2:07:39 am

• Junko Tamiya, “Encounters & Puzzles”

  from Sweet Home

  Capcom - 1989

Time: November 30 - 2:08:39 am

• Junko Tamiya, “1Stage / Snow in Savanna - Strider Hiryu ARRANGE Version-”

  from Strider Hiryu -G.S.M. CAPCOM 2-

  Pony Canyon - 1989

Time: November 30 - 2:12:20 am

• Mari Yamaguchi, Yuki Iwai, “Carve a Dragon Wood”

  from Final Fight 2

  Capcom - 1993

Time: November 30 - 2:14:24 am

• Harumi Fujita, “Type J”

  from Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers

  Capcom - 1990

Time: November 30 - 2:16:07 am

• Harumi Fujita, “The Beginning of the Journey / Gateway to the Eastern Plain”

  from Skyblazer

  Capcom - 1994

Time: November 30 - 2:18:38 am

• Harumi Fujita, “Sacred Tower”

  from Willow

  Capcom - 1989

Time: November 30 - 2:19:58 am

• Manami Matsumae, “Front Line Zone”

  from UN Squadron (aka Area 88)

  Capcom - 1991

Time: November 30 - 2:21:21 am

• Manami Matsumae, “Area 2 "Enemy Tank Area"”

  from MERCS

  Capcom - 1990

Time: November 30 - 2:25:05 am

• Manami Matsumae, “Opening Cinematic / Corral”

  from Derby Stallion III

  Nintendo - 1995

Time: November 30 - 2:27:27 am

• Kumi Yamaga, “Area 1”

  from Sector Z

  Capcom - 1987

Time: November 30 - 2:30:02 am

• Tamayo Kawamoto, “Stage 1 (Arranged)”

  from Ghosts n Goblins SPECIAL

  Capcom - 1994

Time: November 30 - 2:32:30 am

• Tamayo Kawamoto & Zutata, “G”

  from Layer Section (JPN) / Galactic Attack (PAL)

  Taito - 1995

Time: November 30 - 2:36:04 am

• Manami Matsumae, “Stage Select”

  from Mega Man (aka Rockman)

  Capcom - 1986

Time: November 30 - 2:36:37 am

• Manami Matsumae, “Air Man (Mega Man 2, techno ver. & original)”

  from 20th Anniversary Rockman 1~6 Techno Arrange Ver

  TEAM Entertainment - 1988

Time: November 30 - 2:41:12 am

• Harumi Fujita, “Snake Man (original & techno ver.)”

  from 20th Anniversary Rockman 1~6 Techno Arrange Ver

  Capcom / Team - 1989

Time: November 30 - 2:45:16 am

• Yuki Iwai, “Stage Select / Spark Mandrill / Storm Eagle”

  from Mega Man X

  Capcom - 1993

Time: November 30 - 2:48:18 am

• Yuki Iwai, “Wire Hetimarl”

  from Mega Man X2

  Capcom - 1994

Time: November 30 - 2:49:56 am

• Kinuyo Yamashita, “Zero”

  from Mega Man X3

  Capcom - 1996

Time: November 30 - 2:51:05 am

• Soyo Oka, “Rainbow Road”

  from Super Mario Kart

  Nintendo - 1992

Time: November 30 - 2:53:29 am

• Soyo Oka & Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra, “Village (from SimCity, SNES/SFC)”

  from Game Music Concert 2 -The Best Selection-

  Warner Music Japan - 1992

Time: November 30 - 2:57:49 am
• 

  Yoko Shimomura, “Captain Square”

  from Live-a-Live (Original Soundtrack)

  SQUARE ENIX - 1994

Straw    Softlock    November 30th, 2024

Posted In: Music, Music Shows