by In memory of the passing of composer Michiaki Watanabe, Mikio Takashima, a freelance director who had a lot of work with Watanabe during his lifetime, looked back on his outstanding achievements. In addition, we will also post memorial comments from artists who are related to Mr. Watanabe. (Editorial department)
See the artists who made memorial comments to him (6 photos)
Michiaki Watanabe, a composer who produced many theme songs and insert songs for special effects and anime works, and many masterpieces of BGM in the play over Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa. He died on June 23 at a hospital in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, due to heart failure due to senility. He is 96 years old. Born August 19, 1925. Born in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. He graduated from the Department of Psychology, University of Tokyo.
Michiaki Watanabe became a composer because of his harmonica when he was a boy. He feels a little about using harmonica, such as the insert song of the 70’s anime “Mazinger Z” and the special effects “Inazuman.”
After making a lot of film music since his debut in 1956, especially after the special effects TV movie “Android Kikaider” and TV animation “Mazinger Z” that started airing in 1972, the sound centered on the horn section and rhythm. So, I have added color to many heroes with music. In 2021, he was in charge of music for the Super Sentai series “Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger.” An active composer in his 90s. he was busy all his life.
When working at a record company, I worked on a recording with Michiaki Watanabe and all the musicians (Tomokazu Seki’s original draft, starring the song “Galaxy Lloyd Cosmo X”). When asked about Ming Sound, he said: “My music isn’t just about melody. The music I arrange is more of a Michiaki sound than a Michiaki Watanabe.”
As far as I know, he is a type of composer who wants to not only compose but also arrange by himself. Michiaki Watanabe, at the time of production, three types of CD BOX that he planned and produced to commemorate his graduation at the age of 90, and a 7-disc CD BOX that is a special edition of “Mazinger Z / INFINITY” released in 2018. Memories with Mr. come and go.
At the end of the article, Michiaki Watanabe picked up the titles of the leading special effects and anime works from the numerous works that Michiaki Watanabe worked on as the theme song, insert song, or BGM in the play. There must be a song of your memory and a song you still like.
My father, Michiaki Watanabe, died of heart failure due to senility at dawn on June 23, 4th year of Reiwa. While he was asleep, he left in peace. He was so suddenly shocked as his son, but I think he was a big mess given his age of 96.
His father spent 65 years as an active composer until he was 96 years old since he was in charge of the film music for “Ningyo Sasana Catchbook Bewitching Six Deaths” (Shintoho) in 1956 when he was 31 years old. Was completed. I think it’s thanks to many people who loved and supported his father’s music. Thank you.
Even after I was 90 years old, my motivation to continue composing did not diminish, but last year when I was in charge of the music for “Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger” in collaboration with Kenichiro Oishi, my father’s energy at that time was 95 years old. I was surprised by the power.
I think his father’s life as a musician, who left many works in various fields such as movies, TV dramas, special effects, and animation, and continued to be loved by many fans worldwide, was truly happy.
I sincerely hope that the music left by his father will continue to be loved by many people for a long time.
