I love this Artist - Hiroki Kikuta

I love this Artist - Hiroki Kikuta

Hiroki Kikuta is a composer of game music. He had been interested in music from an early age but he didn't go to music college. He studied religious studies, philosophy, and cultural anthropology at university.

For several years after graduating from college, he first worked as a manga illustrator and then as a composer of anime series.

He then joined Square (now Square Enix) in 1991.

He had never taken formal music education, but instead read a book on music theory, listened to a wide variety of music genres, and learned music on his own.

He had never played a Square's game, so he applied for Square without expecting to pass, but Nobuo Uematsu made him pass because of his music preference(Progressive music).

His famous works are the Secret of Mana and Secret of Mana 2.

Still, I often listen to them sometimes.

"Secret of Mana 2"

According to Mr. Kikuta, making music is "like breathing" and natural.

He likes traveling and music can be influenced by such things. For example, the Mana series is said to have been inspired by the nature of Fiji.

"Secret of Mana"

He seems to be less influenced by other game music composers, but he seems to praise Mr. Hitoshi Sakimoto who worked in the same square.

He also seems to be particularly influenced by progressive rock, among which Pink Floyd's influence is immeasurable.

He also lists guitarist Allan Holdsworth as the artist he most wanted to collaborate with, although he's gone.