Game Symphony Japan, an orchestral concert series, recently announced plans for a performance exclusively featuring SEGA music. This SEGA-themed concert will take place on October 10th, 2015 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theater, and tickets will range from ¥6,500 to ¥8,500. Kenichi Shimura will be conducting, the Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus will provide choral accompaniments, and the Tokyo Chamber Orchestra will work the instruments.
GSJ started in 2014 with a performance focused on Final Fantasy VII that was arranged to create the sensation of playing through the game itself. Since then, the concert series has at times played arrangements from a variety of franchises and at other times focused on specific themes. This Crunchyroll article notes that before now, pieces from the Phantasy Star Online series and the Sakura Wars franchise were featured in past performances. Phantasy Star Online 2 is a successful MMORPG running since 2012 and localized for South East Asia in 2014, although the game has not yet been localized for Western audiences. The Sakura Wars franchise was massively popular in Japan while it was active, evolving into a prominent multimedia franchise for a time.
The Game Symphony Japan concert series’ official website can be seen here. The concert page for the upcoming performance attaches this subtitle to the event: “SEGA Special Vol. 1.” Perhaps there may be plans for a second event in the future? SEGA has many franchises that can be tapped for inspiration. In any case, the page also mentions that SEGA itself will be cooperating with GSJ for the event, probably as advisors. In addition GSJ also proudly proclaims the event to be the first exclusively SEGA-themed orchestral concert.
Personally, I have a hard time believing that the Valkyria Chronicles franchise and Skies of Arcadia won’t be represented. Those two, especially the former, feature memorable orchestral pieces. And for that I am excited, because I loved Valkyria Chronicles and Skies of Arcadia. Beyond that, there should definitely be a Shenmue piece performed.
What would you like to see?
