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It is a sad fact that outside of Japan, Koichi Sugiyama has never gotten the recognition he has deserved. Having worked in the Japanese entertainment industry for over 50 years, he has left a significant mark on the musical landscape in Japan. For myself, his music has played a huge roll in developing my tastes and attitudes. In fact, I even learned how to play the piano because of him. Unfortunately the series he is most known for, Dragon Quest, has never taken off outside of Japan. Because of that, many gamers never came to know of the man’s brilliance. Instead, he is known more for his controversial opinions than his music. But make no mistake, the man is a musical god. Today, we’re going to take a look through his career

Early Career

Prior to working in the gaming industry, Koichi Sugiyama was an established composer. A graduate of the prestigious Tokyo University, he has been composing since the 1960s. Initially composing for various television anime, commercials, and live action movies. He was quite busy, especially in the late 70s and early 80s.

One of the noteworthy shows he worked on at the time was the 1978 iteration of Cyborg 009, a popular anime about a team of cyborg teenagers that must work together to fight evil.

Sortie – Cyborg 009 (1980)



Pieces of this song were used in the famous “Daicon III” video. He would also reuse part of the motif from that song in Triumphal Return, the credits theme for Dragon Quest VII.

He even worked on a Godzilla from the Heisei series. 1989’s Godzilla vs Biollante.

Super X2 – Godzilla vs Biollante

But I would be remise to not mention his work on Space Runaway Ideon. His work on that franchise is his true magnum opus. The story of a group of space exiles who are forced to flee across the universe for their lives, Sugiyama absolutely nailed the romanticism and tragedy the series portrayed.

Black Stream of the Galaxy – Space Runaway Ideon

Invoked Introduction – Ideon: Be Invoked

Cantata Orbis – Ideon: Be Invoked

Sailing Fly – The Ideon: A Contact

His background prior to entering the gaming industry is one to be celebrated by itself. Besides the above examples, he had composed a wide portfolio of work: political anthems, parade songs, you name it.

Entering the Industry

Source: Crunchyroll. In 2016, Guiness World Records recognized Koichi Sugiyama as the world’s oldest Game composer. Today, he is 88 years old.



It is by sheer coincidence that Sugiyama entered the gaming industry. Some time in the early 80s Sugiyama, an avid gamer, submitted a comment card for a shogi game Enix had published. The Enix staff were surprised to receive a comment card from a celebrity. They could not believe it was the Koichi Sugiyama, so they responded to his card asking if it was really the famous composer. He verified his identity, so the Enix staff followed up by asking if he’d like to compose for one of their upcoming games.

Sugiyama agreed. However, the first game soundtrack he wrote was not Dragon Quest. It was in fact a game called Wingman 2, for the PC-8801.



Coffee Break – Wingman 2



From the beginning his distinct style was certainly there. Wingman 2 was released in April of 1986. After working on the game, he immediately dove into another project. One that would change his entire career.



The Dragon Quest Series



Dragon Quest I

Dragon Quest was a revolutionary game in the fledgling industry, Koichi Sugiyama played his role in that turning point . Released in November of 1986, the series would eventually become one of Japan’s most beloved series. Musically, Sugiyama experimented with a few interesting approaches for this game.

Cave Theme – Dragon Quest I



There is aspect of the song that I find absolutely fascination. In game, the deeper you go into dungeons, the slower and more ominous the song gets. It’s the same theme, just steadily more and more frightening. The effect works perfectly, providing the player with a building sense of terror.



Unknown World – Dragon Quest I



My favorite track from Dragon Quest I. The melancholy and loneliness really evokes a sort of majestic personal quest the player is on. It is a beautiful theme.



Fight – Dragon Quest I

One of the first JRPG battle themes, Koichi Sugiyama decided to compose a theme that would induce tension instead of a sense of excitement. This world well for the game, since combat focuses on 1 v 1 encounters.



Dragon Quest II



Less than a year later, Dragon Quest II came out and of course Sugiyama returned. What is notable about Dragon Quest II in particular is that it was the first Dragon Quest Sugiyama orchestrated and released as a Symphonic Suite (he would eventually go back and orchestrate Dragon Quest I’s soundtrack). It was around this time that Sugiyama also organized and conducted the very first video game music concert, which was held on August 20, 1987 in Tokyo.



Endless World – Dragon Quest II

Deathfight ~ Dead or Alive – Dragon Quest II

Town – Dragon Quest II



Not all of Dragon Quest II’s songs are orchestrated though. Sugiyama experimented by making pop arrangements of the main theme.

Only Lonely Boy – Anna Makino



Dragon Quest III

By time Dragon Quest III was released in February 1988, Dragon Quest was already a cultural icon. One of the most enduring myths surrounding Dragon Quest III was that the release was so chaotic, the Japanese Diet passed a law preventing Dragon Quests from being released on weekdays. This of course is not true, though the fact so many people believe it shows how popular the series is in Japan.



Adventure – Dragon Quest III

This theme would be featured prominently in the trailer for the Hero joining Super Smash Bros Ultimate.



Heavenly Flight – Dragon Quest III

Heavenly Flight in particular would eventually return in Dragon Quest VIII, as both the song that plays when you’re flying as well as the final boss theme.

Around the World – Dragon Quest III

Dragon Quest III is interesting because it’s world map is a mirror of our own world. To emphasis that fact, Sugiyama composed different themes for various towns and dungeons to reflect the different cultures.



Dragon Quest IV

Source: Crunchyroll. Akira Toriyama drew a portray for Sugiyama’s 87th Birthday





Dragon Quest IV was released in 1990. The game is unique in the series in that it was divided in five chapters (6 in the PSX and DS remakes). Each chapter had a different main character, and to reflect that Sugiyama composed world map themes for each character. It was also the first Dragon Quest to use the piece Intermezzo, the upbeat tune that plays when you select which save file to load.



Comrades – Dragon Quest IV

Elegy ~ Mysterious Shrine – Dragon Quest IV DS version

Frightening Dungeons



If you ask me, I think IV had Sugiyama’s best music. The man was on point with that soundtrack.



Dragon Quest V



The first SNES Dragon Quest, released in 1992, many people consider this their favorite Dragon Quest. Musically, it is also a wonderful game.



Violent Enemies

Magic Carpet ~ The Ocean

Melody of Love



Dragon Quest VI



Released in December 1995, Dragon Quest VI would end up being the last main series Dragon Quest on a Nintendo console until Dragon Quest IX in 1999, over 14 years later. The US would not get this game until it was released on the DS in 2011. It is also worth pointing out that Hitoshi Sakimoto served as the arranger for the SFC version



Through the Field ~ Wandering Through the Silence ~ Another World

Pegasus ~ Saint’s Wreath

Ocean Waves

Ocarina ~ The Saint



Dragon Quest VII

After a troubled production, Dragon Quest VII came out on the Playstation in 2000. America would see the game released in 2001. This game features Sugiyama at his creepiest. Dragon Quest soundtracks are usually pretty upbeat, but this game’s soundtrack is down right ominous. The game would become the highest grossing game in the franchise until Dragon Quest IX.



Memories of a Lost World

With Sadness In Heart

Fighting Spirit ~ World of the Strong

Shadow of Death

Triumphal Return

If you listen at 3:30, you can hear Sugiyama release the main motiff from Cyborg 009’s Sortie theme. In fact, it sounds nearly identical to “After the Battle” from Cyborg 009.



Dragon Quest VIII

Source: Game Composer Wikia. Even today at the age of 88, Sugiyama still performs his music live.





Released in 2004 in Japan, and 2005 in the West, I think this game is what finally got the West’s attention due to its beautiful cell shaded graphics. This game saw somewhat of a departure from Sugiyama’s typical composition formula. Here, he begins composing more cinematically.



Remembrances ~ Cursed Trodain

Travelling with a Wagon

Strange World

Great Battle in the heavens



Dragon Quest IX



Dragon Quest IX is a controversial title. The first main series game to debut on a handheld, as well as the first multiplayer main series game. It garnered a lot of hate from 2ch, but the rest of Japan didn’t seem to mind because it became the highest selling game in the series both in Japan and in America.



Angelic Land

Cross the Meadows, Cross the Mountains

Tragic Prologue

I Won’t Lose



Dragon Quest X



Another controversial entry, due to it being an MMO. This game also features quite a few re-used tracks, such as the train theme from Dragon Quest IX and the shrine theme from Dragon Quest IV. Because the game is about five different races, Sugiyama emphasized that in his work on the soundtrack.



Melody of the Blade ~ Might of the Being

The Puklipo Flower Race ~ The Dwarf Race ~ Over the Hill

The Race of Water ~ The Wind Elf Race ~ The Fire Ogre Race



Dragon Quest XI

Returning to the single player style of Dragon Quest, Sugiyama took a more traditional approach to his style. However, musically the game did experience quite a bit of drama upon release. Western fans were miffed that the Playstation 4 version of the game featured so-called “midi versions” of the soundtrack, instead of orchestral arrangements. The criticism was directed at Sugiyama himself. A copyright holder for the franchise, fans believed he held back the orchestral version from the main game in order to drive up CD sales. Whether or not that is true, we’ll never know but it is worth pointing out that the Nintendo Switch version features an orchestral soundtrack. Another point of contention is that game recycles quite a bit of music from older games in the franchise, while contributing few new songs. Either way, the pieces that were knew are quite good.

Sylvando’s Theme

Unflinchable Courage

Homecoming of the Heroes



The Dragon Quest Overture



Contrary to popular opinion, the Dragon Quest theme song changes in ever game. Even within the symphonic suite they have different arrangements. Some emphasizing strings, other brass. Some having different percussion. There are three main variations of the theme song



The first was used in Dragon Quest I and II.

http://youtu.be/2Yro5plLRZM



The second main variation was used from 3 – 8.

http://youtu.be/5ScHxhWT4JI



Starting with 9, and continuing with 10 the series used this version:

http://youtu.be/3s4gIxXSpk0



The latest version began use with Dragon Quest XI. It is to be seen if the next main series title will also use this theme.

https://youtu.be/47mueG_Wbtk



Dragon Quest Spin Offs



There have been a number of Dragon Quest spin offs over the years, and Sugiyama has wrote the music for all of them, except Dragon Quest Swords. Here are some of my favorite songs.



Neverending Journey – Dragon Quest Monsters

Into the Unknown World – Dragon Quest Monsters 2

Boss Battle – Rocket Slime





Non-Dragon Quest Works

Dragon Quest has dominated Sugiyama’s career gaming-wise, but he has still managed to find time to work on other games from time to time. Here are a few of the games he has worked on.



The Ocean – EVO

Boss Fight – EVO



He has also worked on the Shiren series, part of Chunsoft’s Mystery Dungeon series.



Sugiyama is currently 88 years old. Some have considered his recent offerings to be lackluster and want him to retire, but personally I’d rather he works until he dies (like he wants to). A world without Sugiyama making new music is a sad world, and I’m not looking forward to living in that world. Let us enjoy his works while we can. His body of work has influenced numerous composers such as Nobuo Uematsu, Hitoshi Sakimoto and Yasunori Mitsuda, and because of that he should be celebrated.

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