Note: This is not an exact transcription of what was said during the panel.
(*Questions asked by yours truly)
*Q) Koichi Mashimo [director of Noir and .hack animes] was a Guest of Honor at AX 2002. During his focus panel, he mentioned that the lyrics for the .hack//SIGN opening song, Obsession, were in English because the it would have been too profane in Japanese. Do you agree with his opinion or do you have a different view?
*A) Originally the song was in English and so he left it in English. The director liked the song in English and it worked well.
Q) How did you become a composer?
A) Kajiura started composing at a early age (around late teens) and it was a hobby. Early in her career she worked in the group See-Saw.
Q) Do you regard yourself as a composer of anime and game soundtracks or as a performer or as a composer of other works?
A) I want to do everything but I do like doing soundtracks and want to continue to do so. She loves it but sometimes gets bored with anime and game soundtracks.
Q) When you compose anime soundtracks, how do you start?
A) I get some scripts and character designs. In most cases the animation is not complete, so I get some story[boards]. Whenever she gets a project, she lacks a lot of materials. She talks to the director and looks at books / pictures.
Q) How do you work out the timing when composing anime music?
A) The director says 5 minutes or gives a specific time. To be honest, she's often not sure. She'll make the soundtrack then edit it to fit the animation. Mashimo is an exception, he listens to the music and fits the animation to it.
*Q) In your group See-Saw, how is it like working with Chiaka Ishikawa [vocalist]?
*A) Chika is my idol. She and I just want to enjoy the music. See-Saw is my playground.
Q) Reviews of your Noir and .hack soundtracks say the songs are overused in the animes. What's your response to that?
A) Honestly, I compose a lot of music but the director has final say. When a piece of music is used a lot, it usually means the director liked that piece. [For instance, Mashimo liked "cante per me" and used it a lot in Noir.]
*Q) Why did you decide to do "Fiction"?
*A) Actually she was offered the project during work on .hack.
Q) How do you choose which instruments to use when composing?
A) In most cases I play piano and decide the melody, then everything begins. Based on melody, I choose the instruments.
Q) What are your favorite anime soundtracks?
A) She doesn't have any because she doesn't listen to them.
Q) Do you use any computer programs for composing?
A) Yes, [using a computer is] very important. She uses a Mac.
Q) Are there other anime and game soundtrack composers you admire?
A) Artist I love most is Michael Feldman [sp]. I don't listen to anime and game soundtracks.
Q) Do you have any plans in LA besides AX?
A) Disneyland.
Q) What are you expectations of the concert?
A) I just hope the listener will enjoy the concert. This is her first solo performance. She has done some live concerts for See-Saw.
Q) Are you surprised your works are so popular outside of Japan?
A) Very Surprised. It's the greatest feeling ever.
Q) Do you plan to market yourself to America?
A) Fiction.
*Q) You composed some songs for Gundam Seed, but a different composer did the soundtrack. Would you be interested in composing music for Gundam?
*A) She has a lot of fun working on Gundam Seed. She wishes to work on more Gundam.
Q) What are your hobbies?
A) I'm the stay-at-home type. I like reading books.
Q) What genres do you read?
A) I love various books, [in particular] sci-fi. She likes the author of "The English Patient".
Q) If you had control of the color of the sky, what color would you make it?
A) I want the sky to be blue, more beautiful blue. Not sure why.
Q) Do you have any questions for us?
A) She didn't know anime was so big in the US. She asks if we are all familiar with her works. Many of the press people say "yes".
Q) Can you compare the convention audiences between the US and Japan?
A) She hasn't been to any conventions in Japan. She saw the fans at the AX opening ceremonies and how they were so excited.
Q) Do you have any plans to collaborate with Japanese singers in the future?
A) No current plans. She likes many artists and would welcome the opportunity [to work with them].
*Q) See-Saw's latest work is on the Gundam Seed suits vol. 5 [character] cd. What are See-Saw's other current / future works?
*A) [Victor Ent. producer] Originally the song on suits vol. 5 was done by See-Saw, but the vocalist was changed.
Written by Jason Yeh.
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