Anime composer Shunsuke Kikuchi dies at 89
Apr 30, 2021 8:06 PM PHT
Rappler.com
Dragon Ball Z, and
Doraemon composer Shunsuke Kikuchi died on Saturday, April 24, at the age of 89 due to pneumonia, Japanese music industry group Oricon Music
said in a post on its Oricon News arm.
Co-workers and fans offered their condolences via social media, including American
Dragon Ball voice actor Christopher Sabat, who was the voice behind Vegeta.
The acclaimed musician began his career in the 1960s, working on his first film
The Eighth Enemy in 1961. Kikuchi’s career boomed when he composed for the classic anime
Dragon Ball in 1986, gaining worldwide popularity. His work carried over to the sequel series,
Shunsuke Kikuchi, Dragon Ball Music Composer, Dies at 89
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According to Oricon, Kikuchi was undergoing medical treatment for aspirational pneumonia.
More from Variety
Kikuchi began his composing career in the 1960s, and the first film he worked on was 1961’s “The Eighth Enemy.” He went on compose the music and theme songs for several long-running anime series and TV dramas into the 2010s.
The Japanese anime “Dragon Ball,” produced by Toei Animation, premiered in 1986, and Kikuchi composed the music for the series, which gained massive popularity around the world. He also joined the sequel series “Dragon Ball Z” in 1989, a follow-up movie and the remastered series “Dragon Ball Z Kai,” and composed the music for them as well.
Stardust Children still
The film is based on Stardust Children （Hoshikuzu no ko), which was inspired by Ikimonogakari s hit song Kirakra ni Hikaru & was chosen from submissions to Sony Music Entertainment s platform for user generated contents, monogatary.com.
Story: Annin Gogatsu
Directed by: Eiji Uchida Cinematography: Maki Itō Written by Eiji Uchida & Lee Nawon
Cast: Haru Nakamura (Maruta), Ryōka Minamide (Senebu), Mai Kikuchi (Bella)
Genre: Sci-fi, Fantasy 24min.
Synopsis: Maruta is driven out of his land after he is considered to be cursed. After wandering through the forest, he encounters stardust children who are righteous & pure. Maruta befriends Senebu & Bella & the children but as the Star festival approaches…