Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music graduate, Taku Iwasaki, is arguably one of the top ten best Japanese arrangers/ composers to date. During his enrollment at the prestigious fine arts university, he was awarded the Newcomer Prize from the Japan Society for Contemporary Music after being recognized for his exceptional talent and musical style.
He has made it to my list of top ten favorite composers in a relatively short time. If you are an avid music lover, then give some of his songs a try. It might take some getting used to, though.
For a complete list of anime music OST productions,
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He has created a number of anime original soundtracks (OST) since 1991, and is best known for his work on the soundtracks of both Rurouni Kenshin OVAs as well as those of Gurren Lagann, Kuroshitsuji I & II, Soul Eater, and Witch Hunter Robin. Iwasaki has also arranged music for popular videogames such as Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 and Persona 4. He is generally known for his jazz-like score; but I have personally taken a liking to his more orchestral works (particularly from the Kuroshitsuji and Kekkaishi soundtracks) and the techno/ electronica style he uses in the Soul Eater OST collections.
A good anime series has an interesting plot coupled with memorable characters and fluid, aesthetically pleasing animation. However, a great anime is incomplete without an equally amazing OST, which serves to amplify the intensity of a flashy fight sequence, the tension during a dramatic monologue, or the playful atmosphere of a lighthearted scene. The soundtracks Taku Iwasaki produces not only match the mood of the anime it’s paired with, but they often leave a lasting impression on the listener. From the catchy hip-hop-inspired electronica beat of “PSYCHEDELIC SOULJAM,” to the Bollywood-like melody of “The Right Hand of God” (complete with Hindi vocals!), Iwasaki proves to be a versatile composer with a knack for creating unique tracks and mixing musical genres.
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