Gamertell

Japanese music is starting to get more popular among gamers, thanks to titles like The World Ends with You, Persona 3: FES and Persona 4. In order to recreate the Japanese environment and experience, the soundtracks for all three of these games was filled with Japanese hip hop, rap, pop and rock.

And while these three games seem to be getting the majority of the credit for bringing Japanese music to the attention of a wider audience, there are quite a few other games which include Japanese rock to round out the experience. The majority of games with Japanese songs included are JRPGs, but this isn’t a hard and fast rule.

Important Importables today is looking at a handful of video games which feature Japanese rock, or JRock songs by well known artists. The context in which the song appeared in the game will be discussed, as well as a little information on the artist and some songs of his, hers or theirs that may be similar to the track in question. Who knows, you may end up finding some new songs for your iPod or mp3 player.

Tales of Versperia - “Ring a Bell”

Tales of Vesperia for the Xbox 360’s theme song was “Ring a Bell”, by Bonnie Pink. It’s an optimistic tune that could be considered either pop or rock, by a famous Japanese pop star. Since it’s more of a rock song, with strong guitar riffs and a wonderful drum presense throughout the song. It’s completely in English, something that isn’t uncommon in a Bonnie Pink song. It also is an incredibly catchy tune.

Bonnie Pink is very well known in Japan, and has released a total of 14 albums. Overall, her songs fall very clearly into the “Pop” catagory, but she does have quite a few famous songs that can be considered Rock. Since it’s very common for her songs to include a substantial amount of English, or be completely in English, she’s a good pick for someone who is just starting to get interested in Jrock.

If you liked “Ring a Bell,” you might also enjoy:

• “Private Laughter” from Even So
• “5 More Minutes” from Even So
• “Last Kiss” from Even So
• “Call My Name” from Let Go
• “Broken Hearts, Citylights and Just Me Thinking Out Loud” from Thinking Out Loud

Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus - “Redemption”

Theme for the PS2 shooter Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus, a story spin-off starring Vincent Valentine, featured the Gackt song “Redemption” as the main theme. While the lyrics and message of the song is downright depressing, the music is a solid rock song that goes full force for the most part. The only slow portion is over the bridge, before the song returns full force to the chorus. It fits the game perfectly.

Since Gackt was already covered extensively in a previous Important Importables, we’ll just say here that he’s an incredibly established Japanese rock star, and has released nine solo albums and four compilation albums.

If you liked “Redemption,” you might also enjoy:

• “Black Stone” from DIABOLOS
• “Speed Master” from Moon
• “Vanilla” from The Sixth Day
• “Returner ~Yami no Shuuen~ from the Returner ~Yami no Shuuen single
• “Nine Spiral” from the Secret Garden single

Rock Band 2 - “I.V.”

X Japan’s “I.V.” is unique in that it is not only a downloadable track (dlc) for Rock Band 2, but it also appeared in Saw 4. Like most of the X Japan songs, it is a ballad, with a strong focus on Toshi’s haunting vocals. In a way, you could almost call it reminiscent of a classic Journey ballad.

X Japan’s most famous members are the singer Toshi, the pianist, drummer and man behind all the music Yoshiki and the deceased, former guitarist Hide, who is also famous solo work and participation with Zilch. It’s also one of the oldest and most established groups, starting out in 1989 as X, disbanding in 1997 and reuniting in 2007. The group released five studio albums, six live albums, one remix album and eight compilation albums.

If you liked “I.V.,” you might also enjoy:

• “I’ll Kill You” from Vanishing Vision
• “Rusty Nail” from Dahlia
• “Longing” from either the Longing ~Togireta Melody~ or Longing ~Setsubou no Yoru~ singles
• “Crucify My Love” from Ballad Collection
• “The Last Song” from Ballad Collection

Thousand Arms - “Depend on You”

Considering “Depend on You” as a rock song is kind of pushing it. There’s enough electric guitar in there though that I’m willing to let it slide on the list. It’s an incredibly up-beat and catchy song, with a definite pop and rock influence to it. So much so, that it can fall in between the two genres.

Ayumi Hamasaki is known not only for being a huge pop star, but also for her line of clothing called MTRLG (Material Girl), a collaboration with Sanrio that paired her character Ayupan with Hello Kitty and a TV show called Ayuready?. Her songs are often remixed, and find popularity in clubs overseas. She also did the theme songs “Startin’” and “Rainy Day” for the Japanese version of Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams. The Euro-pop group Sweetbox has also covered a number of her songs, in particular “Ladies Night,” “Rainy Day,” “Pride” and “Bold & Delicious.” She’s released 11 albums, four compilation albums and 19 remix albums.

If you liked “Depend on You,” you might also enjoy:

• “STEP you” from (miss)understood
• “Ladies Night ~another night~” from the Blue Bird single
• “fated” from the glitter/faded single
• ”(don’t) Leave me alone” from Guilty
• “Dearest” from A Ballads

COMING NEXT WEEK: Expect to see a review of the PSP game HimeHibi: Princess Days Portable.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Important Importables talked about practical Japanese DS programs that should be localized.

Site [Ayumi Hamasaki] Site [Bonnie Pink (Japanese)] Site [Gackt] Site [Puffy AmiYumi] Site [X Japan]