Bandai Namco Group, one of Japan’s leading entertainment companies, has made a name for itself in the world of video games. With popular titles such as Tekken, Pac-Man, and Dragon Ball, the company has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. But it’s not just the games themselves that have gained attention, it’s also the music that accompanies them. Billboard Japan recently had the opportunity to speak with Norihiro Fukuda and Natsuko Kaneko, the minds behind Bandai Namco Game Music, the music label operated by the Bandai Namco Group.
Fukuda, who serves as the president of Bandai Namco Game Music, started his career at Bandai Namco in 2007. He was initially involved in the production of game soundtracks, but soon realized the potential for a music label dedicated solely to video game music. In 2010, he proposed the idea to the company and Bandai Namco Game Music was born.
Kaneko, who joined the label in 2015, is in charge of artist management and music production. She brings with her a wealth of experience in the music industry, having previously worked at a major record label. Her love for video games and music made her the perfect fit for the job.
One of the main goals of Bandai Namco Game Music is to showcase the talented composers behind the music of their games. Fukuda and Kaneko believe that game music is just as important as the game itself and should be recognized as such. Through their label, they hope to bring more attention to the brilliant musicians who create the soundtracks for Bandai Namco’s games.
The label has released over 150 albums since its inception, featuring music from popular games such as Tales of series, Ace Combat, and Dark Souls. They also collaborate with well-known artists to create original songs for their games. One such collaboration was with Japanese rock band, B’z, for the theme song of Tekken 7.
In addition to producing music for video games, Bandai Namco Game Music also hosts live concerts, giving fans the opportunity to experience their favorite game soundtracks in a whole new way. The label has held concerts in Japan, Europe, and the United States, with plans to expand to other countries in the future.
Fukuda and Kaneko are constantly looking for ways to innovate and expand their label. They understand the importance of adapting to the ever-changing music industry and are not afraid to take risks. One of their latest ventures is a partnership with Spotify, making Bandai Namco Game Music’s albums available for streaming on the popular music platform.
The success of Bandai Namco Game Music can be attributed to the passion and dedication of Fukuda and Kaneko. They have created a platform for game music to be recognized and appreciated, not just by gamers, but by music lovers as well. Their hard work has not gone unnoticed, as the label has received numerous awards and recognition for their contributions to the video game industry.
In the future, Fukuda and Kaneko hope to continue expanding the label’s reach and collaborating with more artists. They also have plans to create original music outside of video games, showcasing their versatility and creativity.
Bandai Namco Game Music is not just a music label, it’s a celebration of the art of video game music. Fukuda and Kaneko’s passion for their work and dedication to their craft have made it possible for game music to be recognized as a legitimate and important part of the music industry. As they continue to pave the way for game music, we can only expect great things from this dynamic duo and their label.
