So many great composers celebrate their birthday’s this week, and we’re starting off with one of our favorites Michiru Oshima. Best known to the anime community for her soundtrack to the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime, Oshima’s classical sensibilities and carefully-crafted melodies can be heard in commercials, theater, TV dramas, films, and video games.
Check-out our top 5 tracks from her discography:
“Chariot’s Theme” (Little Witch Academia, 2013)
Powerful, magical, and “flashy” perfectly sum up the character Chariot and her miraculous theme music. Majestic brass lines and soaring strings fit so well in this new magical girl tale!
“Nostalgia” (Blast of Tempest, 2012)
Oshima’s melancholy OST to this overlooked gem reminds us a little of FMA; but, the classical references within this cue in particular really keep us interested and hungry for more.
“Watashi” no Theme (Tatami Galaxy, 2010)
Oshima certainly knows her way around a violin (she wrote for international soloist Hilary Hahn)! Her jazzy theme for solo violin and orchestra is both heartwarming, mournful, playful, and mature – we love how quick she develops the melody from start to finish.
Sailor Venus ni Make Up (Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, 2003)
In a style complementary to Takanori Arisawa’s, Oshima’s OST for the live-action version of Sailor Moon is deep, fun, and exciting. Her “Sailor Venus” theme is that old Hollywood sound – classic pop groove played by orchestral instruments. C’est Magnifique!
Братья “Brothers” (Fullmetal Alchemist, 2003)
You probably already know this one! The image song from the classic anime is a beautiful summation of the story and the feelings of the two main characters. You’ll cry, you’ll smile, but mostly you’ll cry.
Happy Birthday, Michiru!
(Photo Credit: Michael A. Mariant)