Legendary Anime Composers: Kow Otani

The Legacy of Japanese Composers
Kow Otani

Samples:

Raiders of the Galaxy Empire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gOxcSO7-Ec&index=10&list=UUGIF4LgWcoYajfvST2pQ1Yw) / Gundam Wing (http://picosong.com/pQq6) / Popolocrois (http://picosong.com/pQyz) / Wild Arms (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hjaPPT2ZwE&list=UUGIF4LgWcoYajfvST2pQ1Yw&index=13) / Shadow of the Colossus (http://picosong.com/pQkx) / The Pilot’s Love Song (http://picosong.com/pQYs)

Kow Otani is a genius, an eclectic genius to be exact, with a very distinctive voice. This may come to someone’s surprise but when during the Echoes of War footage the words “he is the John Williams of Japan” were uttered some of you might have shaken your head and thought “yeah, right…”

BUT that statement is completely true (in a sense). Kow Otani absolutely loves John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith perhaps more so than any other Japanese composer and holds them in the greatest of respect. We’re talking about a Japanese composer who has contributed a piece to honor Jerry Goldsmith after his death: “Hymn for J.G. (dedicated to Jerry Goldsmith)”. He has a very distinctive voice with much esoteric and electronic touch but don’t be fooled… a classic film composer breaths under it with as many John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith influences and references than one can possibly count. Whether it is the opening title of Star Wars, Duel of the Fates, Indiana Jones or 80s Goldsmith… all can be found if you pay close attention. Not to mention the numerous winks to other legendary composers like Morricone. And just like James Horner he has his own four note danger motif 😀

In my opinion Otani wrote his greatest music before the 2000s but that does not mean I dismiss his 21st century works, quite the contrary. Still, I just had to remaster the “old recording” sound out of these gems and I think I succeeded with flying colors in presenting the scores in a new light that will please anyone used to the classic Hollywood sound.

Raiders of the Galaxy Empire (with guest appearance by Toshiyuki Watanabe, another Williams lover) is a great Star Wars homage and not with a bad taste like Gundam F91 but expressed with genuine love. So I’ve taken it upon myself to remaster it as close as I possibly can to the sound of the original “Star Wars”.

The orchestral score for Gundam Wing continues the epic SciFi saga sound with a classical touch. Likewise, it received the same remastering treatment.

Popolocrois Story is classic 70s and 80s film score to the max in fusion with concert-grade classical pieces with a finale Williams would be proud of. I consider it to be his Magnum Opus. Here Otani’s trademarks appear at their very strongest. I love it to pieces. If you haven’t heard it before you’re in for a treat as I’ve carefully remastered the TV score to Hollywood standard with much love and attention to detail that I fear not even a potential “official” remaster will be able to achieve.

The Gamera trilogy is a brilliant homage to Ifukube and classic 70s SciFi film. Again full of little Williams references and a thunderous roar of the orchestra’s lower register.

Wild Arms: Twilight Venom is the greatest western score in the anime business. John Williams, Elmer Bernstein, Jerry Goldsmith and Morricone are all thrown into a giant Mexican standoff. It’s so great I just had to remaster it to match it to classic Hollywood sound. Now it truly sounds like a score from that era. I dearly thank Otani for this marvel. Hearing all those classic scores arranged together with the distinguishable voice of a talented composer is pure joy.

Shadow of the Colossus is probably his most known work and for many the first introduction. It’s a great game score all things considered, but prepare for an onslaught of captivating nonstop action and poetic tragedy. He used his danger motif in this score perhaps more so than in any other. I’ve also remastered it to Hollywood standard.

The Pilot’s Love Song is romantic war score with some truly aviating moments and much use of his trademark motif and electronics. Again remastered.

Kow Otani also has a funky “crazy” side to him which can be heared in his TV anime work. Outlaw Star stands out with its classic SciFi score buried under an onslaught of funky beats and electronic noises that give it a truly unique touch. The same can be said for Soul Taker which is Shadow of the Colossus clothed in electronics and beats. Pumpkin Scissors continues in this style but with a much more classical touch.

Another side to Otani is an incredibly reflective and emotional voice at home in esoteric sounds and beautiful chamber string and piano pieces. His best work in that regard is Haibane Renmei, followed by the emotional understated beautiful film score for Colorful. All full of soul-touching moments and pieces best taken in on a rainy day. Unfortunately as of this moment, his solo piano album with a homage to Jerry Goldsmith is impossible for me to find. I’ve used much of my CD-rips for this collection but that one is still missing from my shelf.

Still, here is another brilliant Japanese composer that should get far more work that allows for classic Hollywood writing.

Also, his Children of the Worldstone is a masterpiece of orchestral fusion with electric guitar and ethnic vocals.

LINK IN DESCRIPTION (https://mega.nz/#!V6R1BTTR!DzHHqxb9bqiaifcv3YyyNzfRiDr_a7QM70dcAZDb5J4)

Forgot to add this:

A bit of an appendix for everyone, if you don’t shy away from non-orchestral soundtracks by Otani (of which I own very few), I highly recommend Tetsuwan Birdy and Vampire Hunter the Animated Series (Darkstalkers). Jazzy, funky and so very 80s at times.

Orie pretty much has it all covered in that regard:

Thread 55776
Thread 55173

Thanks mate. I love what you’re doing. I will check out as much as I can of your uploads!

Thanks for the share…

Thank you

gundam wing!? awesome! this is my favourite gundam series~hahahahah
Thanks for sharing!!

you know-…. I had made a koh ohtani colelction thread………
why not ….. share there? or this just your own pick … as usual?

Apologies. I totally forgot to copy-paste the last paragraph with a link to your thread.
To clarify, yes you’re right. This collection and selection has its focus on Otani, the "orchestral/film" composer, since that is my jam. He has countless references to western film work in his music and is one of the few Japanese composers to directly pay tribute to a Hollywood composer so I wanted to highlight that.

His other side, the wonderful fruity, funky and jazzy Otani with his onslaught of 80s synth sounds (in that regard I think Darkstalkers and Birdy are his best work) is of course better presented in your thread, for the full picture.

i am not sure if its his writing style or orchestra arrangement or the remaster process, the brass section is unbearably loud and sharp, like "shouting" in Gamera… so aggressive…

afterwards, i jumped to the afrika game soundtrack. beautiful brass there. sounds more hollywood to me 😉

will get back to Mr. Otani another day i guess.

Thanks so much for sharing this.