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A prolific and genre-defying Japanese composer, arranger, and musician renowned for her diverse and influential work in anime, video games, film, and live performances. Born in Sendai, Japan, Kanno displayed musical talent early, learning piano from age three. She studied composition at Waseda University but left before graduating. Her professional career began in the late 1980s composing for commercials and video games. She gained widespread recognition in the 1990s for her groundbreaking scores for anime series like 'Macross Plus' and the globally acclaimed 'Cowboy Bebop', often collaborating with the band The Seatbelts. Her work spans numerous genres including jazz, classical, electronic, pop, rock, and world music, making her one of the most versatile and celebrated composers in animation.

• Kanno frequently uses the pseudonym 'Gabriela Robin' for vocal performances and lyrics on her own compositions, maintaining an air of mystery around the identity for years.
• She formed the band The Seatbelts specifically to perform the diverse jazz, blues, and rock music required for 'Cowboy Bebop', showcasing her ability to assemble and lead talented musicians.
• Her collaboration with lyricist and singer Tim Jensen and vocalist Maaya Sakamoto (e.g., on 'Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex') produced some of her most memorable theme songs.
• Despite her massive success in anime, Kanno has also composed for live-action films (like 'Jin-Roh'), video games ('Napple Tale', 'Nobunaga's Ambition'), and produced albums for J-pop artists like Kyōko Koizumi.