Hirokazu Tanaka

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Hirokazu Tanaka (田中宏和 Tanaka Hirokazu), also known by his alias Hip Tanaka, is one of the most prolific sound engineers and composers who has worked at Nintendo. Currently he serves as the president of Creatures Inc.

History

Hirokazu Tanaka joined Nintendo in 1980 after graduating with a degree in electronic engineering, where he soon would be in charge of sound effect design from some early arcade games. Starting with Donkey Kong 3, he would also provide music.

Working at Gunpei Yokoi's R&D1 department, Tanaka was put in charge of music composition for all of the games that R&D1 would release for the Famicom, including some of his most famous scores such as Metroid, Kid Icarus and Mother. He also helped design the sound hardware of the Game Boy, and later was the main developer behind the Game Boy Camera peripheral.

Tsunekazu Ishihara, president of Creatures, who worked alongside Tanaka on EarthBound, asked him to compose music for the Pokémon anime series; however, since Nintendo didn't allow employees to work for other companies, he was forced to resign from the company in 1999. He then joined Creatures, where he would be the composer of several songs heard in the Pokémon series.

In 2001, he succeeded Ishihara as president of Creatures, since he founded The Pokémon Company. Tanaka's current job consists on supervision of Pokémon products and, ocassionally, composing some more songs on the anime (although the amount of new songs has been decreasing over the years). He has also performed on Japanese dance clubs under the name "Chip Tanaka", and has provided guest arrangements on the Super Smash Bros. series.

Production History

Space Firebird (1980) - Sound Effects
HeliFire (1980) - Sound Effects
Radar Scope (1980) - Sound Effects
Donkey Kong (Arcade Version) (1981) - Sound Effects
Donkey Kong Jr. (Arcade Version) (1982) - Sound Effects
Donkey Kong Jr. (Game & Watch) (1982) - Sound Effects
Mickey & Donald (1982) - Sound Effects
Donkey Kong II (1983) - Sound Effects
Mario's Cement Factory (1983) - Sound Effects
Mario Bros. (Arcade Version) (1983) - Sound Effects
Snoopy (1983) - Sound Effects
Popeye (Game & Watch) (1983) - Sound Effects
Donkey Kong 3 (Arcade Version) (1983) - Music, Sound Effects
Mario's Bombs Away (1983) - Sound Effects
Pinball (Game & Watch) (1983) - Sound Effects
Spitball Sparky (1984) - Sound Effects
Wild Gunman (1984) - Sound Composer
Duck Hunt (1984) - Sound Composer
Hogan's Alley (1984) - Sound Composer
Donkey Kong 3 (NES Version) (1984) - Sound Composer
Urban Champion (1984) - Sound Composer
Balloon Fight (1984) - Sound Composer
Wrecking Crew (1985) - Sound Composer
Stack-Up (1985) - Sound Composer
Gyromite (1985) - Sound Composer
Gumshoe (1986) - Sound Composer
Metroid (1986) - Music (as Hip Tanaka)
Kid Icarus (1986) - Sound (Music) (as Hip Tanaka)
Nakayama Miho no Tokimeki High School (1987) - Staff
Ginga no Sannin (1987) - Music Supervision [Note: uncredited]
Famicom Tantei Club: Kieta Kōkeisha (1988) - Sound Director (as Kenji Tanaka)
Famicom Wars (1988) - Sound (Music) (as Hip Tanaka)
Super Mario Land (1989) - Sound (Music)
Yakuman (1989) - Sound Composer
Tetris (Game Boy) (1989) - Sound Composer
Mother (1989) - Musical Effects (Music)
Golf (Game Boy) (1989) - Sound Program / Sound Effects
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (1990) - Music [Note: supervision only]
Knight Move (1990) - Sound Composer
Dr. Mario (1990) - Sound Composer
Balloon Kid (1990) - Music
Fire Emblem Gaiden (1992) - Supervisor
Hello Kitty World (1992) - Sound Programmer
X (1992) - Music [Note: only sound effects and sound program]
Mario Paint (1992) - Sound Staff (Music)
EarthBound (1994) - Music, Sound Director, Sound Programmer
Donkey Kong Country (1994) - Support
Tetris & Dr. Mario (1994) - Music Supervisor
Snoopy Concert (1995) - Sound Staff [Note: sound effects, some music and sound program]
Teleroboxer (1995) - Virtual Boy Staff
Game & Watch Gallery (1997) - Adviser
Wrecking Crew '98 (1998) - Music Supervisor
Game Boy Camera (1998) - Director, Graphic Designer, Sound Composer [Note: sound program and music]
Game Boy Printer (1998) - Sound Composer
Super Smash Bros. (1999) - Original Game Staff ("Metroid" Original Sound Composing)
Balloon Fight GB (2000) - Music
Chee-Chai Alien (2001) - Planning, Director, Some Music
Dr. Mario 64 (2001) - Original Sound Composer
Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001) - Original Game Staff (Music Composition: Metroid)
Balloon Fight-e (2001) - Sound Composition
Machop At Work (2001) - Director
Kingler's Day (2001) - Director
Mother 1+2 (2003) - Music
Pokémon Channel (2003) - Supervisor
Nonono Puzzle Chairian (2005) - Producer, Game Design
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008) - Music Arrangement (as Hirokazu Tanaka. ex), Senior Supervisor
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure (2009) - Producer
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond (2010) - Producer
Pokémon Dream Radar (2012) - Producer
Pokémon Art Academy (2014) - Pokémon Trading Card Development
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U (2014) - Music Arrangement (as Hirokazu Tanaka. ex), Senior Supervisor
Great Detective Pikachu (2016) - Producer

Special Thanks

Mario & Wario (1993)
Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem (1994)
Mario's Tennis (1995)
Metroid: Zero Mission (2004)
Pokémon Ranger (2006)
Mother 3 (2006)
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia (2008)
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs (2010)
Kid Icarus: Uprising (2012)
Pokémon X and Y (2013)
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014)
Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016)

Song Credits

Wild Gunman

Title Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Game A Start -- Composition & Arrangement
Jingle -- Composition & Arrangement
Foul!! -- Composition & Arrangement
Fire!! -- Composition & Arrangement
You Won -- Composition & Arrangement
Game B Start -- Composition & Arrangement
Game C Start -- Composition & Arrangement
You Lose -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement

Duck Hunt

Title Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Game A / B Start -- Composition & Arrangement
Miss -- Composition & Arrangement
Duck Get! -- Composition & Arrangement
Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
Perfect -- Composition & Arrangement
Game C Start -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement

Hogan's Alley

Title Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Demo Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Game A Start -- Composition & Arrangement
Miss -- Composition & Arrangement
Success -- Composition & Arrangement
(Super) Sharp Shooter! -- Composition & Arrangement
Game B Start -- Composition & Arrangement
Scene Change -- Composition & Arrangement
Game C Start -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement

Donkey Kong 3 (NES Version)

Title Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Theme A -- Composition & Arrangement
Potted Plant Pinch Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Clear Theme A -- Composition & Arrangement
Theme B -- Composition & Arrangement
Super Spray -- Composition & Arrangement
Clear Theme B -- Composition & Arrangement
Danger! -- Composition & Arrangement
Miss -- Composition & Arrangement

Urban Champion

Title Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage Start A -- Composition & Arrangement
Theme A -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage Start B -- Composition & Arrangement
Theme B -- Composition & Arrangement
Theme C -- Composition & Arrangement
Winner! -- Composition & Arrangement
Title Theme B -- Composition & Arrangement

Balloon Fight

Game Start -- Composition & Arrangement
Dropping Enemy Sound -- Composition & Arrangement
Eaten Sound -- Composition & Arrangement
Restart -- Composition & Arrangement
Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
Perfect -- Composition & Arrangement
Balloon Trip -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement

Wrecking Crew

Game Start -- Composition & Arrangement
Theme A -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
Bonus Stage -- Composition & Arrangement
Power-Up Music -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement

Stack-Up

Title Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Test Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Direct Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Memory Start -- Composition & Arrangement
Memory Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Bingo Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Hurry Up! -- Composition & Arrangement
Time Up -- Composition & Arrangement

Gyromite

Title Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Test Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Direct Mode -- Composition & Arrangement
Game A Start -- Composition & Arrangement
Game A Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Hurry Up! -- Composition & Arrangement
Game A Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement
Game B Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Game B Clear -- Composition & Arrangement

Gumshoe

Title -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage 1 -- Composition & Arrangement
Dead -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement
Black Panther -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage 2 -- Composition & Arrangement
Phone Call -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage 3 -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage 4 -- Composition & Arrangement
Ending -- Composition & Arrangement

Metroid

Title Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Samus Appearance Jingle -- Composition & Arrangement
Brinstar (Rock Stage) -- Composition & Arrangement
Mini Boss Room (I) ~ Kraid -- Composition & Arrangement
Norfair (Flame Stage) -- Composition & Arrangement
Mini Boss Room (II) ~ Ridley -- Composition & Arrangement
Silence -- Composition & Arrangement
Item Acquisition Jingle -- Composition & Arrangement
Tourian (Base Stage) -- Composition & Arrangement
Zebetite -- Composition & Arrangement
Escape -- Composition & Arrangement
Ending -- Composition & Arrangement

Kid Icarus

Title Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage 1 (Underworld) -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage 2 (Overworld) -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage 3 (Skyworld) -- Composition & Arrangement
Labyrinth -- Composition & Arrangement
Boss -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage 4 (Palace in the Sky) -- Composition & Arrangement
Last Boss -- Composition & Arrangement
Reaper's Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement
Ending -- Composition & Arrangement

Super Mario Land

Ground Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Muda Kingdom Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Underground Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Chai Kingdom Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Coin Room -- Composition & Arrangement
Invincibility Theme -- Arrangement
Level Complete -- Composition & Arrangement
Bonus Chance -- Composition & Arrangement
Get Bonus -- Composition & Arrangement
Shooting Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
In Front of the Enemy -- Composition & Arrangement
Enemy Transformation Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Lost a Life -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement
Tatanga's Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Princess Daisy's Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Credits -- Composition & Arrangement

Yakuman

Title -- Composition & Arrangement
Options -- Composition & Arrangement
Mahjong Play -- Composition & Arrangement
Yakuman -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement

Tetris (Game Boy Version)

Title -- Composition & Arrangement
Type A (Initial Version) -- Composition & Arrangement
Type A -- Arrangement
Type B -- Composition & Arrangement
Type C -- Arrangement
Stage Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement
Level 9 Ending -- Arrangement
Ending -- Composition & Arrangement
High Score -- Composition & Arrangement
Multiplayer (Danger!) -- Arrangement
Multiplayer Round Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
Multiplayer Results -- Composition & Arrangement

Mother

Mother Earth -- Composition & Arrangement
Battle Against an Opponent -- Composition & Arrangement
Battle Against an Odd Opponent -- Composition & Arrangement
Humoresque of a Little Dog -- Composition & Arrangement
Magicant -- Composition & Arrangement
Twinkle Elementary School -- Composition & Arrangement
Snowman -- Composition & Arrangement
Fallin' Love, and... -- Composition & Arrangement
Eight Melodies -- Composition (w/Keiichi Suzuki), Arrangement (w/Keiichi Suzuki)

Knight Move

Options -- Composition & Arrangement
Start -- Composition & Arrangement
Train -- Composition & Arrangement
Horse Man -- Composition & Arrangement
Umasakuraba -- Composition & Arrangement
Ranking -- Composition & Arrangement
Champion Score -- Composition & Arrangement
Congratulations! -- Composition & Arrangement
Multiplayer Victory -- Composition & Arrangement

Dr. Mario

Title Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Select -- Composition & Arrangement
Fever -- Composition & Arrangement
Fever Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement
VS Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement
Chill -- Composition & Arrangement
Chill Clear -- Composition & Arrangement
Level 20 HI Clear (UFO) -- Composition & Arrangement
Ending -- Composition & Arrangement

Balloon Kid

Title -- Composition & Arrangement
Intro -- Composition & Arrangement
Stages 1 & 5 -- Composition & Arrangement
Bonus Stage -- Composition & Arrangement
Perfect! -- Composition & Arrangement
Invincibility Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage Cleared -- Composition & Arrangement
Stage 2 -- Composition & Arrangement
Approaching the Boss -- Composition & Arrangement
Boss Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Boss Defeated -- Composition & Arrangement
Stages 3 & 6 -- Composition & Arrangement
Stages 4 & 7 -- Composition & Arrangement
Boss Theme 2 -- Composition & Arrangement
Bonus Failed -- Composition & Arrangement
Boss Theme 3 -- Composition & Arrangement
Final Stage -- Composition & Arrangement
Final Boss Theme -- Composition & Arrangement
Final Boss Defeated -- Composition & Arrangement
Jim Rescued -- Composition & Arrangement
Ending -- Composition & Arrangement
Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement
Balloon Trip -- Composition & Arrangement
Pause -- Composition & Arrangement
End of Trip -- Composition & Arrangement

Mario Paint

Opening Demo A (Fan Chant) -- Composition & Arrangement, Performer
Opening Demo B -- Composition & Arrangement
Falling Star -- Composition & Arrangement
Mysterious -- Composition & Arrangement
Flyswatter ~ Level 2 -- Composition & Arrangement
Big Robo Bug -- Composition & Arrangement
Beat the Robo Bug! -- Composition & Arrangement
Beat the Robo Bug! (Final) -- Composition & Arrangement
Master Externimator -- Composition & Arrangement
Beaten by Bugs -- Composition & Arrangement

EarthBound

Gyigas Strike Back -- Composition & Arrangement
This is no Time to Be Sleeping -- Composition & Arrangement
Battle Against a Weird Opponent -- Composition & Arrangement
Battle Against an Unsettling Opponent -- Composition & Arrangement
Sanctuary Guardian -- Composition & Arrangement
Your Sanctuary -- Composition & Arrangement
Flash of Memory -- Composition & Arrangement
Dead-End Chaos Theatre -- Composition & Arrangement
Flash of Memory -- Composition & Arrangement
Happy Happy is Blue -- Composition & Arrangement
Threed, Zombie Central -- Composition & Arrangement
In Winters, There is a Genius -- Composition & Arrangement
Snowman -- Composition & Arrangement
Super Dry Dance (Dusty Dunes Desert Theme) -- Composition & Arrangement
Boris' Cocktail -- Composition & Arrangement
Moonside Swing (Moonside Theme) -- Composition & Arrangement
The Discipline of Mu -- Composition & Arrangement
Bazaar -- Composition & Arrangement
Morning in the Desert -- Composition & Arrangement
Megaton Walk -- Composition & Arrangement
Enjoy the Dungeon (Dungeon Man Theme) -- Composition & Arrangement
Yellowish Submarine -- Composition & Arrangement
The Tendas' Cave -- Composition (w/Keiichi Suzuki), Arrangement (w/Keiichi Suzuki)
Falling Down, Falling Down -- Composition & Arrangement
Lava Springs -- Composition & Arrangement
Eight Melodies (From the Bottom of the Memories) -- Composition (w/Keiichi Suzuki), Arrangement
Welcome, Me (Magicant Theme) -- Composition & Arrangement
Labyrinth of a Dream -- Composition & Arrangement
Sea of Eden -- Composition & Arrangement
Power -- Composition & Arrangement
Crossing Time and Space -- Composition & Arrangement
Becoming Robots -- Composition & Arrangement
Space Tunnel -- Composition & Arrangement
The Place -- Composition & Arrangement
Please Disappear (Final Battle Theme) -- Composition & Arrangement
Good Friends / Bad Friends -- Composition (w/Keiichi Suzuki), Arrangement (w/Keiichi Suzuki)
Smiles and Tears (Ending Theme) -- Composition (w/Keiichi Suzuki), Arrangement (w/Keiichi Suzuki)