Yasunori Mitsuda: Composing Timeless Worlds
Renowned Japanese composer celebrated for his evocative and influential video game soundtracks.
Born in Tokuyama, Japan, Mitsuda joined Square (now Square Enix) in 1992 as a sound designer. Mentored by Nobuo Uematsu, he transitioned to composing and achieved breakthrough success with 'Chrono Trigger'. Known for blending diverse genres like Celtic, orchestral, and electronic music, he founded his own studio, Procyon Studio, in 1998 and has since scored numerous iconic games and anime.
- Mitsuda is primarily self-taught in composition and orchestration, having studied music theory briefly at a junior college before dropping out.
- He suffered severe health issues due to overwork while composing 'Xenogears', famously working 24-hour shifts and collapsing. This experience led him to establish Procyon Studio for greater creative control and better working conditions.
- He developed a deep love for Celtic music after hearing Ronan Hardiman's work for 'Lord of the Dance'. This passion heavily influenced his scores for 'Chrono Cross' and 'Xenogears'.
- Despite his immense success in video games, Mitsuda has expressed a long-standing desire to compose for film.
