Kazumi Totaka

Kazumi Totaka is a veteran Nintendo composer who has been behind the music of several games ever since the Game Boy era, specially on those of the Animal Crossing franchise.

History
After attending the Kunitachi College of Music, Totaka joined the company in the R&D1 department, where he would be the composer of games like Mario Paint and Super Mario Land 2. However, in the Nintendo 64 era, he was transferred to the Nintendo EAD Sound Group, a position he still holds to this day. After his work on Yoshi's Story and Animal Crossing, he would serve as the sound director for most of the games of those series. He composed the music for most of the Wii's channels, and also got the chance of being a director with Wii Music.

While working on Yoshi's Story, Totaka would provide the characteristic voice samples of Yoshi, which would be reused in many following games featuring the character (although he sometimes provided new samples over the years). He has also provided the voice of Professor E. Gadd and Birdo, among other characters.

Outside of Nintendo, Totaka is a member of the jazz band A Slice of Life (formerly Spiritual Vibes), which occasionaly provides concerts through Japan.

The character K.K. Slider (Totakeke) in Animal Crossing is based on him. He will even play Totaka's Song on request (as "K.K. Song").

Production History

 * F-1 Race (Game Boy) (1990) - Sound Assist
 * X (1992) - Music
 * Mario Paint (1992) - Sound Staff (w/Hirokazu Tanaka, Ryoji Yoshitomi)
 * Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru (1992) - Sound Composer
 * Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins (1992) - Music Composer
 * The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening  (1993) - Sound Composer (w/Kozue Ishikawa, Minako Hamano) [Note: Sound Programming & Sound Effects]
 * Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (1994) - Testing Player
 * Tetris & Dr. Mario (1994) - Sound Composer
 * Virtual Boy Wario Land (1995) - Music and Sound Effect
 * Wave Race 64 (1996) - Music Composer
 * Wave Race 64 Shindō Pak Taiō Version (1997) - Music Composer
 * Yoshi's Story (1997) - Sound Composer
 * Mario Artist: Paint Studio (1999) - Sound Composition
 * Mario Artist: Talent Studio (2000) - Sound Composition
 * Mario Tennis (2000) - Original Music Composer
 * Mario Artist: Polygon Studio (2000) - Sound Composition
 * Animal Forest (2001) - Sound Director
 * Luigi's Mansion (2001) - Music (w/Shinobu Tanaka)
 * Animal Crossing (2001) - Sound Director
 * Machop at Work (2001) - Sound Designer
 * Kingler's Day (2001) - Sound Designer
 * Animal Forest e+ (2003) - Sound Director
 * Pikmin 2 (2004) - Sound Director
 * Yoshi Touch & Go (2005) - Sound Director
 * Animal Crossing: Wild World (2005) - Sound Director, Music
 * Yoshi's Island DS (2006) - Sound Supervisor
 * Mii Channel (2006) - Music Composition
 * Wii Shop Channel (2006) - Music Composition
 * Wii Sports (2006) - Sound Director / Music
 * Wii Play (2006) - Sound Advisor
 * Check Mii Out Channel (2007) - Sound
 * Kenkou Ouen Recipe 1000: DS Kondate Zenshuu (2007) - Music Composition
 * Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008) - Music Arrangement
 * Wii Music (2008) - Director
 * Animal Crossing: City Folk (2008) - Sound Director, Music
 * X-Scape (2010) - Music
 * Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012) - Sound Director, Music
 * Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (2013) - Sound Supervisor
 * Wii Sports Club (2013) - Music Composition
 * Yoshi's New Island (2014) - Sound Director
 * Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (2014) - Supervisor (Original Games)
 * Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (2014) - Music Arrangement
 * Yoshi's Woolly World (2015) - Main Theme Music and Arrangement
 * Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer (2015) - Sound Director, Music
 * Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge (2016) - Music Supervisor

Special Thanks

 * Snoopy Concert (1995)
 * Nintendogs (2005)

Voice

 * Yoshi's Story (1998)
 * Super Smash Bros. (1999)
 * Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001)
 * Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (2003)
 * Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003)
 * Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003)
 * Mario Golf: Advance Tour (2004)
 * Mario Power Tennis (2004)
 * Super Mario 64 DS (2004)
 * Yoshi Touch & Go (2005)
 * Mario Superstar Baseball (2005)
 * Mario Tennis: Power Tour (2005)
 * Mario Kart DS (2005)
 * Super Mario Strikers (2005)
 * Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (2005)
 * Mario Hoops 3-on-3 (2006)
 * Mario Party 8 (2007)
 * Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (2007)
 * Mario Party DS (2007)
 * Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008)
 * Mario Kart Wii (2008)
 * Mario Super Sluggers (2008)
 * Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (2009)
 * Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010)
 * Mario Sports Mix (2010)
 * Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (2011)
 * Mario Kart 7 (2011)
 * Mario Party 9 (2012)
 * Mario Tennis Open (2012)
 * Paper Mario: Sticker Star (2012)
 * Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (2013)
 * Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games (2013)
 * Mario Party: Island Tour (2013)
 * Yoshi's New Island (2014)
 * Mario Golf: World Tour (2014)
 * Mario Kart 8 (2014)
 * Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2014)
 * Mario Party 10 (2015)
 * Yoshi's Woolly World (2015)
 * Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash (2015)
 * Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam (2015)
 * Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (2016)
 * Paper Mario: Color Splash (2016)
 * Mario Party: Star Rush (2016)
 * Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World (2017)

Song Credits
X Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Mario Paint Virtual Boy Wario Land Wave Race 64 Wave Race 64 Shindō Pak Taiō Version Yoshi's Story Mario Artist: Polygon Studio Mario Artist: Paint Studio Mario Artist: Talent Studio Luigi's Mansion Animal Crossing /  Doubutsu no Mori e+ Nintendo Sound Selection vol.1 Peach  Mario & Zelda Big Band Live CD Nintendo Sound Selection vol.2 Koopa  Nintendo Sound Selection vol.3 Luigi   Animal Crossing: Wild World Mii Channel Wii Shop Channel Wii Sports Check Mii Out Channel Kenkou Ouen Recipe 1000: DS Kondate Zenshuu Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wii Music Touch! Generations Soundtrack Animal Crossing: City Folk X-Scape Animal Crossing: New Leaf Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Yoshi's Woolly World Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer
 * Title -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Demo Mode -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Intro -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Training -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Defense Station -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Junction Base -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Tunnel Scene -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Briefing -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Mission 1 -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Enemy -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Get Back to the Base -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Mission Accomplished -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Mission 2 -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Mission 4 -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Dr. Yamano -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Mission 6 -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Last Mission Briefing -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Mission 10 -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Mission 10 Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Ending -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Title -- Composition & Arrangement
 * What’s Your Name? -- Composition & Arrangement
 * A Princely Duel -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Panic! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Port Saltwater -- Composition & Arrangement
 * The Prince’s Adventure -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Fight! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Item Get! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * The Prince Has Fallen! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Eclair Palace -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Victory! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * A La Mode -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Mandola’s Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Dungeon Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Pretty Girl -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Hop Hop Springs -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Spring Hill -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Foreigner’s Bazaar -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Riding the Waves -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Nantendo Funcenter -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Eskimo Village -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Pudding Town -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Dalarin’s Lair -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Igari Z Summoning -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Healing Dance -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Assault -- Composition & Arrangement
 * The Spring Bell Rings -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Slay the Snake! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * A Hard-Won Victory -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Reunion -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Final Duel -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Richard’s Departure -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Credits -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Choose Your Pipe -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Overworld Map -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Main Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Tree Zone Map -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Treetop -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Turtle Zone Map -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Seashore -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Mario Zone Map -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Machine -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Macro Zone Map -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Pumpkin Zone Map -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Graveyard -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Haunted House -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Space Zone Map -- Composition & Arrangement
 * The Moon -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Star Course -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Mario Down -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Invincibility -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Bonus Chance -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Boss Battle -- Composition & Arrangement
 * World Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
 * The Castle Gates -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Wario’s Castle -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Battle with Wario -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Ending Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Credits -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Select Screen -- Composition (w/Koji Kondo), Arrangement
 * You Found Your Sword! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Piece of Power! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Game Over -- Arrangement
 * Totaka's Song -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Ocarina ~Default~ -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Instrument Get! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Select Screen ~ZELDA~ -- Arrangement
 * Richard's Villa -- Composition & Arrangement
 * L-2 Sword Revealed -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Select Screen ~Totaka's Song~ -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Haunting Ghost -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Ghost House -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Mr. Wright -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Nightmare's Destroyed -- Composition & Arrangement
 * The Wind Fish -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Mario Paint Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Opening Credits -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Rainbow Paintbrush -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Data Robot -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Explosion -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Title Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Level Theme 1 -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Level Theme 2 -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Level Theme 3 -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Miniboss Music -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Boss Music -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Level Theme 4 -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Level Theme 5 -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Level Theme 6 -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Level Theme 7 -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Final Boss Music -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Credits Music -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Main Title -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Config -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Machine Select -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Map Demo -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Dolphin Park -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Tournament Opening -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Sunny Beach -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Sunset Bay -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Drake Lake -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Marine Fortress -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Port Blue -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Twilight City -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Glacier Coast -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Southern Island -- Composition & Arrangement
 * 1st Goal -- Composition & Arrangement
 * 2nd Goal -- Composition & Arrangement
 * 3rd Goal -- Composition & Arrangement
 * 4th Goal -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Bad Goal -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Retire -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Score Display -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Vs. Goal -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Time Attack / Score Attack Goal -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Final Lap -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Ending -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Prize / 4th -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Prize / 3rd -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Prize / 2nd -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Prize / 1st -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Sunny Beach -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Southern Island -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshi's Story -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshi's Song -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshis on the Beach -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshi Curry -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yo-Yo-Yoshi -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshis and the Wind -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Steal into the Tall Tower -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Alpen Yoshi Music -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Come Again Yoshi -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Jungle Yoshi Fever -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshis in the Seabed -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshi Games -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Little Tough Guys -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Dub Master Spider -- Composition & Arrangement
 * The Story's Beginning -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Page 1: Beginning -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Page 2: Buried -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Page 3: Clouds -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Page 4: Jungle -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Page 5: Ocean -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Page 6: Conclusion -- Composition & Arrangement
 * 30 Fruits!! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshi's Mood -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Becoming a Little Happier Again -- Composition & Arrangement
 * To the Boss's Room -- Composition & Arrangement
 * The Boss Enters! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Boss Battle -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshi's Victory! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshi's Disco -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Baby Bowser's Castle -- Composition & Arrangement
 * The Mystery of Baby Bowser's Castle -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Baby Bowser Enters! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Baby Bowser Battle -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Baby Bowser Strikes Back -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshi's Victory! - Baby Bowser's Bluff -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Baby Bowser Escapes -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Happiness -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Let's Try! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Aim for the 7 Melons -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Goal!! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Obtaining 7 Melons! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Falled Down -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Everyone's Gone -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Thank You -White Shy Guy- -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshi Room -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Which "Option"? -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Ending -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Yoshi's Staff -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Title Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Demo -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Main Menu -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Gallery -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Saving, Loading and Inventory Boxes -- Arrangement
 * Simple to Make -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Road to Professional - Photo -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Modeler Rocket - Digital Crystal -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Modeler Rocket - Polygon Beats -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Modeler Rocket - Little Break -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Block Dome - Boom Blocks -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Block Dome - Strange Dome -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Black Hole / Stage UFO -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Coffee Break -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Go Go Paku -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Sound Bomber -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Saving, Loading, and Inventory Screen -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Menu Selection -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Saving, Loading, and Inventory Screen -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Main Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Professor E. Gadd's Laboratory -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Boo Release -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Staff Roll -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Meteor Shower -- Composition & Arrangement
 * New Year's Wish -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Rainy Day - Composition & Arrangement
 * 5:00 P.M. - Composition & Arrangement
 * K.K. Bossa - Composition & Arrangement
 * K.K. Jazz - Composition & Arrangement
 * K.K. Cruisin' - Composition & Arrangement
 * K.K. Love Song - Composition & Arrangement
 * Save Your Game - Composition & Arrangement
 * Steep Hill - Composition & Arrangement
 * Lucky K.K. - Composition & Arrangement
 * Only Me - Composition & Arrangement
 * KK Swing - Composition & Arrangement
 * Two Days Ago - Composition & Arrangement
 * Main Theme (Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru) -- Composition, Guitar, Piano, Bass
 * Aryll's Theme -- Vibraphone
 * Title (Animal Crossing) -- Guitar (as Totakeke)
 * Yoshis on the Beach -- Composition, Performer
 * Encore -- Performer
 * Fortress Boss (Super Mario Bros. 3) -- Arrangement, Digital Guitar
 * K.K. Soul -- Vibraphone, Piano, Guitar (as Totakeke)
 * Title -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Heavy Rotation -- Composition & Arrangement
 * The Roost -- Composition & Arrangement
 * 2:00 a.m. -- Composition & Arrangement
 * KK Rockabilly - Composition & Arrangement
 * Mii Plaza -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Main Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Channel Intro -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Title -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Select -- Composition & Arrangement
 * How to Play -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Tennis Select Position -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Tennis Replay -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Tennis Result -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Baseball Match Start -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Baseball Result -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Bowling -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Bowling Result -- Composition (w/John Mayer), Arrangement
 * Golf Course Select -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Golf Course Intro -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Golf Result -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Boxing Round Start -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Boxing Replay -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Boxing Results -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Training Mode -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Tennis Training -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Baseball Training -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Bowling Training -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Golf Training -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Boxing Training -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Boxing Training Result -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Training Results (Get Medal) -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Training Results (Platinum Medal) -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Wii Fitness Menu -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Wii Fitness Test -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Wii Fitness Results -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Submission Plaza -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Kitchen Bossa -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Cook -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Title (Animal Crossing) -- Composition & Arrangement
 * The Roost -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Main Menu - Composition & Arrangement
 * Nintendogs Theme - Live Ver. (nintendogs) -- Virbaphone, Guitar
 * Title - Live Ver. (Wii Sports) -- Composition, Guitar
 * Plaza -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Harvest Festival - Composition & Arrangement
 * Tunnel Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
 * 5 PM - Composition & Arrangement
 * 1 AM - Composition & Arrangement
 * K.K. Disco - Composition & Arrangement
 * Main Street - Composition & Arrangement
 * Wii Sports Series Medley - Composition (w/Ryo Nagamatsu)
 * Wii Sports Resort -- Arrangement
 * Wii Sports Resort Ver. 2 -- Arrangement
 * Yarn Yoshi Takes Shape! -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Title Screen -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Introduction -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Nook's Homes -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Undertaking the Job -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Tutorial -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Interior Designing -- Composition & Arrangement
 * First Preview -- Composition & Arrangement
 * House Preview -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Nook's Homes (Day's End) -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Lyle and Lottie's Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Exterior Designing -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Tom Nook's Theme -- Arrangement
 * amiibo Phone -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Request Client -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Isabelle's Theme -- Arrangement
 * Isabelle's Theme (Day's End) -- Arrangement
 * Building the Town -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Ceremony -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Downtown -- Composition & Arrangement
 * Credits -- Composition & Arrangement

Totaka's Song
See main article: Totaka's Song

In many Nintendo games where Kazumi Totaka has been a sound/music composer, he has inserted a very simple song in random places that has come to be known as Totaka's Song. It has appeared in most of the games that Kazumi Totaka has worked on, including Mario Paint, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Luigi's Mansion, and Animal Crossing.