Meet Final Fantasy XV's Legendary Composer: Yoko Shimomura

[@Dixavd]

I like to imagine she was actually replying in third person.

[@cometmoon4485]

Shimomura likes to compose new musicses, yes she does, precious! *Yoko! Yoko!*

[@greensmurf9623]

Greensmurf likes to think so too.

[@MarcoLongoMusic]

Hahahaha

[@jordanrettich5999]

Master has given Shimomura a sock...! Shimomura is freee!

[@matthewlee4834]

Dixavd hahaha

[@kairinoa4200]

Nobuo Uematsu AND Yoko Shimomura... In my opinion the legends in game music composition! Both are so cute and polite. Thanks for your beautiful, unforgettable and breathtaking OSTs. Arigato my idols! :3

[@Hazamatoxin]

+KaiRinoA Yoko Shimomura is so amazing!!! Love her work so much, and so humble as well =) !!

[@OzwellSpencer]

also akira yamaoka

[@Darkcosmic7]

You forgot Masashi Hamauzu, the true legendary Final Fantasy composer

[@zedetach]

The legend. Far better than both nobuo and yoko combined.

[@dwightschrute3712]

Along with Koji Kondo.

[@Feelin_DanDy]

Yoko Shimomura is one of the greats.

[@HenriqueMelo1989]

Man, I love this woman so much! I'm a huge, HUGE fan of her work, specially in Kingdom Hearts and Mario & Luigi RPG games. I'm really happy she's composing for FFXV. She's definitely my favorite game composer EVER!

[@oneish7454]

Henrique Melo Give a listen to the soundtrack of Last Ranker, it's a Capcom RPG that never left Japan and didn't do very well financially, but it contains some of her best work to date.

[@HenriqueMelo1989]

Oneish thanks for the tip. I'm gonna check it out

[@shawnconner5186]

Huge fan of her. Very much looking forward to hearing the whole soundtrack.

[@realnovadamus]

She is absolutely amazing. I can't wait to experience Final Fantasy XV and hear all of the music she has created for us. Thanks for the coverage, GI.

[@bcsurf7]

The best work of any composer of all time of all existence. The Final Fantasy XV soundtrack is untouchable.

[@tylerburgett8541]

The Final Fantasy XV coverage you guys have been doing this month is amazing. Great Job!

[@TheNintendoNerd668]

Yoko Shimomura is the most awesome and badass woman ever!

[@cristianmaldonado852]

Oh shit it's link ooooooooooo

[@HylianTicipated]

I hate dubs. I'd rather hear her voice and read subtitles. Might as well paste a photo of someone else's face over her if I can't experience getting to actually know her.

[@johnvonshepard9373]

weeb.

[@tri1937]

John von Shepard I dont give a shit if its been 7 months since but how the FUCK are you calling him a weeb. Do you even know the definition of a weeb? Just because he would rather listen to someones real voice instead of a translator? foh.

[@ILikeTrainsKid1122]

Azure Triedge I think it's mostly just a joke on the whole "subs, not dubs" thing with anime fans. I actually didn't mind the voice over that much. You could clearly see quite a bit of Shimomura's personality from her body language/the video itself, and the translator sort of naturally bounced off of her positive personality. Other than switching between third person and first person, I think the translator did a good job. :)

[@Donzelin]

It is not a dub, it is an "overaudio".

[@eileen88]

for games, i 100% prefer english dub, the dub quality of game is top notch.. unlike anime, i wont watch dub at all, its gross..

[@TheNintendoNerd668]

My favourite piece of music from Yoko is "The final battle" from Mario and Luigi: Bowser's inside story. Such a legend!

[@SizzlingOne]

Seriously what a humble living legend! Been exposed to her work since StreetFighter II, then Xenoblade Chronicles many years later. She is and always has been an amazing composer. Actually, she was one of the reasons why FFXV became a purchase priority for me :-)

[@romancorrea9511]

On the other hand... beautiful interview. All the FFXV epic moments are epic thanks to her music. As she said, music instilled in my memory. Thank you Shimomura.

[@CardhouseAnimal]

She's so nice and her music is beautiful! Best video game soundtrack composer

[@ThatNateGuy]

I still think Nobuo Uematsu is the best, but she's definitely in my top.

[@behemothokun]

If there is one to succeed Uematsu, it's her. She has a different style than Uematsu's which is very much a product of it's time, but I like her style which is both more traditional and more modern at the same time (if that makes any sense).

[@skafazzation666]

This woman is fucking phenomenal! I have no words to describe her music.

[@matthewlee4834]

What an amazing composer. She deserves so much more recognition for her work. Oh and by the way, this interviewer's questions were terrible

[@LionheartMindExplosion]

Yoko you have done an amazing job girl, well done so far.

[@indiegamerradio1906]

Ladies and Gentlemen, this the lady that made us cry for over 20 years lmao

[@ACLKingLeonard]

she is so awesome :D

[@craiganderson7085]

Wow, she seems so lovely, relaxed and humble. Thankyou Ms Shimomura, your amazing talent has given me and my friends so many wonderful memories and nostalgia growing up :) You are a true legend of the videogame industry.

[@Unforbidden]

The music that I've heard so far from FFXV has me really excited

[@geisapires4868]

Don't worry! Your work on FFXV was worth the wait. It is majestic. Dawn theme is my favorite piece (I cry everytime ;_;). Please! Do all FF soundtracks from here on.

[@HorazioZan]

she composed guile's theme , she can do anything.

[@sunheart123]

She's a massive inspiration.

[@Purfunxion]

I got to meet Yoko a few days ago at a retro convention signing, she was really nice 🥺

[@shredoorz]

The ost is amazing for this game. I am grateful for her great work on the soundtrack.

[@MrWinnieP]

the translator referring to the person she's translating for as she/her is very jarring.

[@The_RedVIII]

+Ness Roman Just wanted to say the same thing. It's very irritating. I don't like it. Especially since the translator seems to recreate the emotions of her as if she was the english dub of her, but she still says she/her instead of I....

[@alexanderreading8943]

the translator changes from third into first person like half way through as well. wtf is happeninggggg

[@LoiValdes]

In my head humble opinion, she's the best videogame composer ever. I just love her work

[@williamflint8006]

It's so crazy. Her music is so transcendent throughout the years. That's gotta go through her mind sometimes. I can go on sound cloud and listen to remixes from any her street fighter 2 themes

[@PhobeBarrymore]

I wonder if we will get character themes, like "Terra's theme" or "Cloud's theme". I'd love to hear a theme for Noctis! Either way from what we've heard so far we're in for a beautiful treat.

[@Vilis_Farthuk]

We're rooting for you, Shimomura-san!

[@adamazmi6340]

Although FFXV is not the best game, but the soundtrack is the best out of all games existed.

[@macybautista9719]

AdamRonaldo1903 absolutely agreed!

[@macybautista9719]

Say what you will about the imperfections of FFXV but the music of that game is phenomenal. Gosh, so much emotion even without lyrics, the pieces were so moving.

[@BigBoss7777777]

So she listens to her own music for inspiration...can't blame her.

[@kyokusei]

KHII, Dearly Beloved. Genius.

[@tonertonki]

game informer, just put subtitles next time, the one translating is annoying, she uses she instead of I. When translating vocally, it should be as if Yoko is the one talking in first person view not third person. smh

[@Baqsam]

There isn't a set rule about this. What's uncommon isn't necessarily wrong. I actually found third person a refreshing change of pace that actually made more sense to me than the translator pretending to be the interviewee.

[@ryndym]

there should be a set rule of not doing dubs.

[@skyphoenixdown]

No wonder GI went under

[@sandonhuynh3545]

Kingdom Hearts music is pretty good, but the original Xenoblade had one of the best video game OSTs I've ever heard. Honestly I'm glad she's in charge of XV's music rather than Uematsu this time around. Shimomura is a bit more versatile and definitely more suited to contemporary scores imo. I think Keichii Okabe (Nier, Drakengard 3) would have been a fine choice as well. You know with the supposedly "tragic" tone Tabata says XV is going for.

[@rafagrupp4953]

Okabe has a stile very distinctive, but I think ff has to keep that mixture between classic and bluesy

[@venti2773]

I love her OST work for the Mana series and the Kingdom Hearts series. It's high time for her to contribute to Final Fantasyyyy!

[@ThatNateGuy]

I also would have preferred subtitles, however I didn't think the translator did a bad job at all. I found her voice pleasant.

[@MonadoBoyFlameRock]

She also did some of this music of the Original Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii Amazing lady!

[@tyke7324]

Monado Boy even if it's a super late reply, she made my favourite track in the game, unfinished battle!

[@Eyedunno]

Man, just learning that she did the music sorta makes me wanna play this despite basically giving up on Final Fantasy after XIII. Street Fighter II and Live A Live have ridiculously great music.

[@grt002]

Eyedunno XIII sucks. XV is really great. You should give it a chance if you have time.

[@godofwar2k6reborn]

I just found out that my favorite RPG of all time was composed by her (Parasite Eve). Not really a fan of her other OSTs, but PE has one of the greatest video game soundtracks of all time.

[@juan54321]

thank you so much,

[@oopopp]

Her Battle Theme is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Good!!!

[@louie2988]

five fav composers Yoko Shimomura , Nobou Uematsu Yasunori Mitsuda yuzo koshio and koji kondo five legends of video games

[@BigBoss7777777]

Everyone's talking about Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy but her best work is actually Street Fighter 2. Ryu's theme is a masterpiece, as is Guile's theme.

[@hunterkiller4578]

Yeah

[@t.b.m.5718]

My god its the composer of scherzo di notte. I am glad she decided to work for game companies regardless of what what her parents though.

[@beatyoudown234]

*froths at mouth immediately at the mention of the legendary yoko shimomura*

[@bos7038]

Even from the demo and game plays we've had Ivan already tell this soundtrack will be epic

[@bos7038]

I can

[@NYYanks2003040506]

Some fantastic game soundtracks on her resume but the one that will always be my favorite is Street Fighter II. Can listen to that soundtrack on a constant loop and never get tired of it.

[@Toonami4EvaX]

Didn't even read the title, just saw Yoko's photo and clicked ^^

[@Toku92]

The best composer I know... No one is like her... So much better than Uematsu, sorry xD

[@arandom1311]

she should be cause i want her to succeed uematsu as ff composer

[@Toku92]

Lezard Valeth Me too!

[@zedetach]

Guess you have not heard of Yasunori Mitsuda. He owns both of them combined.

[@TenchiHawkwing]

Nah. Mitsuda is great but he's never created anything that made me feel the same feels as Hometown Domina. Shimomura has been the greatest since the 90s.

[@i.147]

Keiichi Okabe is pretty great too. Glad he got to work a bit for FFXV.

[@chovue2363]

translation is fine! id feel weird if the interveiwer were looking at me like im talking about someone elses work like it's mine and shimomura san sitting right there next to me.

[@TheRealBlackRed100]

YOKO!! YOU FUCKIN ROCK!!!!

[@Ayufanboy01]

Yoko you are awesome

[@chinessgirl]

greatest vgm composer in the world imo

[@felipematheus270]

OMG! I love this woman!

[@stardustfire1]

a godeess in human clothing

[@cloudsephies]

A true legend!

[@lupelozano4516]

I love this woman!!

[@sterlingraynor655]

So this is the lady that does the music for The Kingdom Hearts series is that correct

[@RoxasMeatloaf]

Sterling Raynor yes

[@crazyfire9470]

Sterling Raynor and Final fantasy and Mario and Luigi rpg

[@JimothyRoss]

AND Xenoblade

[@sdlock83]

I believe Yoko Shimomura is considered the highest regarded female game composer, even more so than other famed female composers like Michiru Yamane (Vampire Killer, Castlevania - Nocturne in the Moonlight, etc.).

[@eweinma0029]

My new gaming dream. 0:19 a remake of this game on the FFXV engine :DDDDDD

[@Redwolfxx]

honesty loved the music!

[@nas5858]

Put subtitles for fuck sake

[@tce222]

Yoko = legend of mana as well (everybody forget it snif)

[@SamanthaIreneYTube]

Best FF composer since Uematsu. Hands down

[@axel88er19]

The goddess!

[@khawajaali933]

whats the name of the music on 6:58

[@hatakekakashi3385]

if only i had a White Chronicle to go back in time when something bad happened

[@EasterlyArt]

Because it's so hard for a translator to just type out the text and apply that to the KZbin captions setting? Seriously... Red Bull did it.

[@marioaguero6855]

Very nice comments

[@cristianmaldonado852]

Fuk yea do yo thang yoko

[@diluted8]

please akira yamaoka and masami ueda next!!

[@kaga2788]

Everyone in this comment section talking about I love her music in kingdom Hearts I'm just sitting here like no love for her music in xenoblade? I loved time to fight

[@tyke7324]

gmstr 27 i prefered the main theme and unfinished battle. God those are amazing!

[@millanrocks]

I love u 😄😃😀😊☺️

[@tonyrosario2164]

don't forget about masashi hamauzu

[@LiveToRapRapToLive93]

The third person is ugh.. enjoyed it none the less.

[@BringerOfMoisture]

Oh shit, she did Xenoblade? Damn. Love that game.

It feels so weird to hear her talk in third person. Does she really do that? Or were you sort of explaining what she said?

Raluca Boldan Thank you :)

[@Jericko427]

A fuckn' leeegeeend!

[@thecontinuousone3183]

shoryuken , monado

[@mycholeprice9636]

Legend of Mana is the only one I care about and PE.

[@seansumbreon7879]

shimomura is hot af.

[@amazo88]

she is pretty good too, but the only one legendary is nobuo uematsu.

[@arthrisis9629]

Yasunori Mistuda ?

[@amazo88]

Rei Ayanami is trash what about him? i like his music in xenogears, not so much in the others. lol

[@mackzhang]

damn translator

[@OrangesAreOutrageous]

360p club!

[@xXShizukanaXx]

She speaks like Shiva LMAO

[@DettolObsessed]

Why is the translator using the "third person"? It's really annoying.

[@aguy1988]

MGE finally someone who noticed it.

[@brianj436]

just put subbed the translators voice is incredibly irritating.

[@MohawkGaymer]

3rd person dubbing is just so awful and weird...

[@tymcbee]

I think this is her most generic, copied work to date. Final Fantasy XV music is even more forgettable for me than FFXII. Just too generic and has no real melodies. It's like she just did an orchestral jam session and then added her "bang the piano keys" style she spammed in KH.

[@blendernoob64]

I often compare Yoko Shimomura to Hans Zimmer. Both are very versatile, and have made AMAZING soundtracks for great works. They also happen to be my favorite composers ever! But as time goes on, I think that they are starting to lose steam. Zimmer's work sounds more and more like the Inception soundtrack and Shimomura's work sounds more like the Kingdom Hearts soundtracks. But I think that FFXV is her best work in ages because of the variety of tracks she's made. But yeah, some of the tracks aren't as catchy as the Mario and Luigi games or the Kingdom Hearts games.

[@romancorrea9511]

Totally annoying. Not only it was best to simply have subtitles, the translator uses third person? WTF? It is the fist time in my life I have seen such a nonsense.