G4 Icons Episode #48: Nobuo Uematsu

[@MajorGeneralPanic]

His prediction that gamer kids will grow up to be nostalgic gamer parents, and games will be sold alongside TV and movies, was 100% correct. I plan to include this video in a history assignment for my ninth grade students.

[@danLyoutube]

"The games are played by kids, but when the kids grow up, games will be played by parents too. When we get to that point, games will be lined up on the same shelves as the TVs and the movies." Prophetic.

[@Red88Rex]

He is so humble - speaks of "limitations" on the Super Nintendo, yet he composed "Dancing Mad"....simply incredible!

[@mopeybloke]

Maybe that's a brag.

[@zulimhelstrom6540]

this man is a musical god. no other sound track can actually bring tears to my eyes, some of his stuff is so damn amazeing. for me though, ff6 is my personal favorite, every song brings to a place or memories of that character it is for.

[@SnuSnu91]

This person has changed my life

[@danielpaul9523]

Uematsu is a great musician. Very good works on Final Fantasy games which I still listen to today. He's inspired me as an artist as well along with many video game musicians like Michiru Yamane(Castlevania ),Yasunori Mitsuda(Chrono Trigger,Chrono Cross) and Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage). Great job Nobuo!

[@CC.M]

11:43 the way he explains how he composed FF7 opening theme based on the transitions of the scenes, is quite stupendous.

[@kaseywestbrook8564]

Nobuo Uematsu is a god among composers.

[@lucassage1332]

InstaBlaster

[@rue9414]

nobuo uematsu is the greatest musical composer of the 21st century, I hope he is always remembered as the best classical of our time.

[@mattkirkhamm]

Playing these games as a 8-10 year old it was absolutely mind blowing. Hearing this music, having this huge world to explore. Compared to all the other games you would play. Final fantasy at the time was the peak of gaming

[@gokusondbz]

He is definitely the Japanese John Williams.

[@jaiguru9538]

John WIlliams is the American Nobuo Uematsu.

[@lordshardik]

Oh, snap!

[@tillerbeetrill7794]

Uematsu will always be a legend in my eyes. His music speaks to my soul.

[@sebastiansfeci1305]

My life would not be the same without FFIX and its' incredible soundtrack

[@EmeraldaKasim]

Same

[@TonyChurch112]

FF VIII is better by miles. This isn’t even up for debate

[@Torrybobs]

@@TonyChurch112FFVIII is a mix of amazing elements, and very convoluted and weak elements, especially compared to FFIX, but it’s still great overall. The story and integration of CGI during gameplay in FFVIII is amazing even today, but the Draw mechanic is really poorly implemented and pulls the whole experience to a crawl. Not to mention levelling up your character being mostly pointless since enemies level with you 😬

[@TBSConvos]

His music has been an inspiration as well as a friend as long as I can remember. It stills sings and sounds in my heart everyday. I can't imagine my life without it.

[@jacobbxd]

description is totally misleading..one of gaming's greatest composers..--->*one of the greatest composers*

[@KasperVigen]

+Jacob Kim The greatest composer*

[@alureon1]

Right, as if anybody else even comes close lol

[@papito2lindo]

Glad they did this video on him. I just finished FFX and the music was so perfect I had to find out more about the composer.

[@dWalrus]

Ever since Uematsu left Square-Enix, FF games started degrading ... His music was like 50% of those games, I will always appreciate all of his works !

[@MaxMiller614]

This dude drops nothing but bangers.

[@knockturnalemissons4454]

Happy 57th Birthday Nobuo Uematsu!

[@NefariousDreary]

Nobuo Uematsu is the greatest composer of all time! !!!

[@PazuChill]

Vinny Raptor He really is.

[@LudeUwe]

i love you Nobuo Uematsu !

[@tonyrosam]

I cant believe the true story of the first final fantasy and how beautiful it is. Bless you universe for letting me smile at the irony of it all.

[@KawaiiKaabii1993]

I can't believe Uematsu retired from Square Enix and went to Level 5 to compose the soundtrack for Fantasy Life. But still the game itself was enjoyable thanks to him. You rock Uematsu-san!!!😻

[@juanlash]

how can a human being have so much creativity in his brain to create so much music? 😵😵, he is a genius!!

[@__-tz6xx]

I went to search for Stravinsky and Jimi Hendrix music after this, now I understand where One Wing Angel is coming from. I feel enlightened.

[@deralmighty8011]

Sure, just glaze over the masterpiece that was Final Fantasy IX's soundtrack.

[@deralmighty8011]

InfiniteFire1988 Well, he should be.

[@gjoerulv]

My favorite soundtrack. Sure, many tracks were based on older tracks, but still...

[@mobious01]

@@gjoerulv well is thematic, back to the source, the crystal it was a perfect remake

[@Joshpipes]

That was a wonderful little documentary. Shows you that square once cared more about making really good art over profits. I miss the 90s

[@entheosx4502]

All of Uematsu San`s awesome themes are ingrained within my soul. But none moves me more than the ones he composed for FFVI... The prevailing melody (you know which one I`m talkin bout) is so hauntingly unforgettable it puts a smile on my face just mentally recalling it. Anytime I hear the orchestral editions I`m pretty much transported to auditory heaven.

[@ctrlaltQQ]

+Entheos X Celes theme? Terra theme?

[@entheosx4502]

the opening theme

[@hotman718]

I think music makes the Final Fantasy games. I mean could you imagine all the classic Final Fantasy games without the awesome music? They wouldn't be the same.

[@__-tz6xx]

So many great quotes from Uematsu, sounds very wise. I wish he becomes a composer again for a future Final Fantasy game.

[@KMoney159_]

a living legend

[@meta4four]

While Uematsu's extent of greatness is impressive, I always felt that Yasunori Mitsuda's work (Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, Chrono Cross) was the peak of music for Square games.

[@frozenaorta]

One could argue that his departure from the series was one of the more major reasons for its decline. Seriously, does anyone really talk about the soundtracks from FFXII or FFXIII? No. I'm not saying there aren't quality tracks, but none that reach the majesty of games like VI or VII. And FFVIII may be a maligned game, but it's hard to deny that the game doesn't have a pretty kickass soundtrack (except for Balamb Garden and the damn Triple Triad theme...Ha). The orchestrated version of Aerith's Theme still makes my eyes well up. And not for any correlation to the events of the game. Simply because of it's sheer beauty. And songs like Anxious Heart from VII and Under Martial Law from VI will always inspire more emotion in me than anything mainstream pop has had to offer in a very long time.

[@kuspiskAzZutin]

I must disagree about VIII. Have you ever listened the soundtrack? Because it's one of the greatest thing Uematsu has done and you can't really compare it with Snes game (VI). VII soundtrack is one of the best too but some songs aren't that great, same goes for every FF. You are probably a fan of VI and VII and there's nothing wrong about it...but your comment is too biased. It's your opinion of course but putting those 2 above everything is exaggerating. I'm not starting a discussion here, I just wanted to tell a different point of view.

[@frozenaorta]

kuzpis 天 I think you misunderstood. I argued that, in spite of all the criticism the game receives for storyline/gameplay, FFVIII has a superb soundtrack. How could anyone listen to Liberli Fatali and not enjoy it? Some of Uematsu's best stuff. I joked that the Balamb Garden and Triple Triad themes are pretty annoying, but I definitely meant to imply that I truly enjoyed the soundtrack overall. Sorry for the miscommunication, but we are actually in agreement on this one. :)

[@deancripps2060]

Dont forget that the games after ten were just shit, soundtrack or not.

[@solidsnake434]

to be fair FF XIII soundtrack is really good probably the best part of the game

[@solidsnake434]

of course not to par from older FF themes

[@asean_fresh4052]

Pure genius

[@hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh6898]

If it wasn't for Nobuo, I probably wouldn't even play those games.

[@biglipelijah4747]

Me too

[@mynameswouldntwork]

I picked one up to try it out; Uematsu kept me buying them.

[@elizabethtopia4693]

0:28 "its one of the most well known sounds" *does it wrong immediately*

[@Ungermax7]

People will all have their own favorites, but FF9 was hands down some of the best stuff I've ever heard. Don't get me wrong, FF7 is still an absolutely legendary soundtrack (Cosmo Canyon anyone?) but FF9 did something that just brought you back to a simple time, albeit a magical time. It was such a brilliant piece of work. I love Uematsu's work because I can't fathom what he thought when he was coming up with such beautiful music.

[@gjoerulv]

13:28 SPOILER ALERT! lol Nobuo Uematsu cannot be human btw. 160 tracks for a video game... O.O

[@szkonk]

He's Japanese. That explains everything.

[@SaigaTenshi]

that Mr. Uematsu, he almost forgot that he composed that Eyes on Me and he didnt know that music haha

He is my hero of lifetime !

[@diamondeyes4430]

I remember when I was in 4th grade, I recorded this on vhs to take to school for music class....too bad by the next year, we all had to play recorders for the entire year.

[@khenti7]

tears of joy ... thank you Nobuo Uematsu

[@SheikhSoundz]

Got goosebumps when hearing about how Final Fantasy got its name

[@Valientlink]

Lol I love how they used super old emulators for all their footage. They used Nesticle (from 1997) for their NES footage on virtually every episode. Why I have no idea, because by 2002-2004 there were much better ones available. I can forgive the bad sound on the SNES emulators.

[@Datlef2008]

My all time favorite composers

[@MBlayze]

Before I ever played a FF game, I saw a friend with the score to FFIX on his computer and started giving him crap for buying a score to a video game. He looked at me with sincere shock that turned to pity understanding I never heard because I never played. He then immediately put FFIX on and made me play it. I lost myself in that game and that beautifully crafted sound. I am supremely grateful for the immense work Uematsu puts into all his games but especially into FFIX. That game shaped the way I judge games from then forward. "Yes the graphics are beautiful and the plot is interesting.. BUT HOW DOES IT SOUND!!?!? CAN IT PULL ME IN, KEEP ME SPELLBOUND?!"

[@jeffreyslater6717]

Nobuo Uematsu and Koji Kondo wrote the soundtracks to my childhood

[@frozenaorta]

Also...the guy doing the translation for Nobuo could have put a little more effort into his read. Freaking Siri has more emotion in her voice.

[@ismolaitela6666]

0:58 "he's right up there with madonna and britney spears..." wow... I already know this documentary blows.

[@stonethemason12]

Lmao..um..yeah..im just trying to find different nobuo quotes

[@Masamune_91]

Please tell me somebody slashed my man's tires after he compared Nobuo to fucking Britney Spears and Madonna.

[@greghauser742]

I hope so.

[@josgor9061]

Tens soundtrack is the most underrated of the series.

[@taffysaur]

Watching this on a break from playing Chrono Trigger. =0P One of my favourite composers, anywhere, not just in games.

[@SktMew]

13:30 SPOILEEEEEEERS!!!!!

[@wyrwshwsrey463y]

holy fuck what was the editor on!? - it just keeps on cutting and zooming in and tilting and oh god I feel sick

[@antjamnow1286]

GEM! Thank you.

[@FabX6]

Technically the only reason he was with square was that they were hiring him. All Square-Enix has to do is just hire him and they are golden. Nobuo said he will continue to work on the Final Fantasy series. all square-Enix has to do is just hire him.

[@Sephirajo]

Oh I see Mr Talarico. His mother must be very very proud. But not as proud as Uematsu's mother who actually has REASON to be proud.

[@ToruKun1]

I'm so butt-frustrated that he's not working for Square anymore

[@IzunaSlap]

13:30 i like how this interview spoils FF7 for anyone who hasn't played it yet

[@coldinfusion]

The game out in 1997, its already all over the internet.

[@E.Humperdinck]

Both 7 and 9 have the best music in the series. There are great songs from the other games in the title, but as a whole, 7 and 9's OST's are the best. But look how long they talked about IX, in my opinion the best music in the series. They gave IX like 20 seconds of screen time.

[@c.j.8263]

+Jay Uematsu also said, in multiple interviews, that IX was his best work. Why would they only give 20 seconds of his BEST WORK? What were these people thinking. Not hating on VII, but it got a VERY large chunk of time. They could've cut that a bit to even it out, if they want to be fair here.

[@moisescorral8297]

Who disliked this!!? ILL HAVE YOUR HEAD!!!!!

[@gjoerulv]

A legend...

[@spacewizard3984]

nobuo is a genius!

[@dillanhayes2240]

They got the origin of the name wrong, It was going to be called "Fighting Fantasy" but the name was already taken

[@Matthewsavant]

lol Tommy tallarico said there are about 500 people in the world who do music composition...five hundred? Wtf is he on about 😂 Uematsu is an absolute legend though and a major musical inspiration to me.

[@agfdsa123]

Where can we see the Dear Friends concert video?

[@xLevyGSx]

"This is the story of Nobooey-Whoee-Matzu"

[@mogensschmidt2498]

kinda makes you when you say it like that

[@Alex_Tremist]

u-ee-matsu

[@gabrielsylvestre3708]

Rad Racer was the first for me before Final Fantasy and The Last Story

[@moisescorral8297]

They really should do one on Masashi Hamauzu.

[@coldinfusion]

he is definitely a great composer, I love many songs of his. He just doesn't have the pedigree of nobuo uematsu.

[@randumo24]

X was the best imo.

[@dag20029]

Song at 10:11?

[@gasketfaceperson]

ウイマツじゃねぇぞな！

[@TheAdvocate619]

Nobuo is a legend BUT there are some others that rival him.

[@frankgervasi3325]

WHO ARE THE 6 PEOPLE THAT DISLIKED THIS VIDEO?!

[@LyonsBradley]

Name of song at 14:55?

[@WhiteAgro]

eyes on me

[@LyonsBradley]

I meant the song playing in the background. I can't find it.

[@AlejandroVidalCastillo]

did you found it?

[@clearymallard4076]

RIP cheat codes

[@jmstnr55]

What's the music at 8:31 ?

[@lordshardik]

It's the FFV opening scene music. I think the title of the song is "A Presentiment"

[@lemnlime66]

I gotta disagree with the narrator. I don't want to see game OSTs become more like film scores b/c, frankly, most film music is totally generic and instantly forgettable.

[@stonethemason12]

Theres exceptions. Like the movie Up by dreamworks. Which had an actual memorable motif. But its true that without that you will forget pretty much everything lol

[@greghauser742]

True.

[@TBearify]

Make sure you don't forget to fill in a great spoiler for every single game in the series!

[@erikbergstrom9392]

Feeetus.

[@adibeniacz3598]

No 1

[@seryi9447]

so when did he study music?

[@Valientlink]

He did not study music, he was naturally talented.

[@mg9138]

..... they skipped ff9?

[@Ezixea]

Madonna and Britney Spears huh

[@mmx2731]

How can FF6 have the best score? There's no way it computes with FF7

[@KooriGraywolf]

I just realized how bland much of NES music was, and how Nobuo's situation-dependent style was what contrasted so much with the rest of the music

[@Feelin_DanDy]

The biggest reason why I loved FF and now why I hate it.

[@AreYouCerealBRO]

ugh this episode is edited so badly.

[@stevevondoom4140]

Spears, unlike Nobuo, does not really write her own music , so brittany has nothing on uematsu...

[@greghauser742]

It was a really dumb comparison to begin with. What was Tommy smoking

[@1manorgy]

I know the games are decades old but every time they show a spoiler I cringe.

[@DarkKnghtZ]

The way this narrator is pronouncing Uematsu's name is making my ears bleed. Why do you say "oo-ee matsu."

[@greghauser742]

The narrator's voice is annoying.

[@kazuna07]

I saw this amazing man when Distant Worlds debutet in germany. I was in the same hall as this god...this evening will be one of the best moments in my life. I can't describe how much his music means to me!

[@TonyChurch112]

Whatever man. Shut up