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Hajime Wakai (born July 5, 1973) is a sound director and composer at Nintendo EPD's Sound Management Group, mostly known for his work on the Star Fox, Pikmin, and The Legend of Zelda franchises.
History[]
Wakai originally joined Nintendo in the Nintendo 64 era and originally worked on Star Fox 64 alongside Koji Kondo, where Wakai composed all of the planet and battle themes; afterwards he worked on other N64 titles, such as the Pokémon Stadium series.
On the GameCube, Wakai became the sole composer of the original Pikmin, where he also provided the voice for the titular creatures. Afterwards, he was in charge of most of the battle themes for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, which were characterized for their interactivity with the on-screen actions of Toon Link against the enemies.[1]
Following his work on titles such as Nintendogs and Star Fox: Command, Wakai became sound director for some Wii titles, until he was appointed as lead composer for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, where he also coordinated the overall sound team; this title was characterized for being the first entry in the Zelda franchise to make an extensive use of a real orchestra.
After his work on some further titles, Wakai became sound director of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, while also contributing to the soundtrack; this title was characterized by forgoing the traditional musical direction of the Zelda series and instead focusing on ambient music and sound effects to fit the "open-air" concept of the title. After his work on this title, Wakai became an overall sound supervisor for the Zelda series, later reprising his sound director role on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Game Works[]
- Star Fox 64 (1997) - Sound Composer
- Yoshi's Story (1997) - Sound Effects
- F-Zero X (1998) - Sound Composer
- Pokémon Stadium (1999) - Sound Composer
- Pokémon Stadium 2 (2000) - Sound Composer
- Pikmin (2001) - Music
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002) - Music
- Pikmin 2 (2004) - Music
- Nintendogs (2005) - Music
- New Super Mario Bros. (2006) - Music
- Star Fox Command (2006) - Music Composition
- Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree (2007) - Sound Director
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008) - Music Arrangement
- Mario Kart Wii (2008) - Sound Support
- Wii Music (2008) - Sound Director
- New Play Control! Pikmin (2008) - Music
- New Play Control! Pikmin 2 (2009) - Music
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011) - Music (Sound Director)
- Nintendo Land (2012) - Sound Director
- Pikmin 3 (2013) - Music
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (2013) - Music
- Pikmin Short Movies (2014) - Sound & Music
- Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (2014) - Music Arrangement
- Star Fox Zero/Star Fox Guard (2016) - Sound Supervisor
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) - Sound Director [note: also some music]
- Expansion Pass (2017) - Supervisor: Sound [note: also one song]
- Hey! Pikmin (2017) - Sound Supervisor
- Starlink: Battle for Atlas (2018) - Sound Supervision
- The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Switch) (2019) - Sound Supervisor
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (2020) - Supervisor
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (2021) - Sound Supervisor
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023) - Sound Director
Special Thanks[]
- Star Fox Adventures (2002)
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (2014) - Supervisor (Original Games)
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018) - Original Game Supervisor
- Cadence of Hyrule (2019)
Song Credits[]
Star Fox 64[]
- Training Mode -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Corneria -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Fichina/Sector Z -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Meteo -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Sector Y/Solar -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Katina -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Aquas -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Sector X -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Zoness -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Titania/Macbeth -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Area 6 -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Bolse -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Venom -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Warp Zone -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Determination -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Underground Base -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Star Wolf's Theme -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Boss Battle One -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Boss Battle Two -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Boss Battle Three -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Andross Battle -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Ultimate Andross -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Versus Battle One -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
- Versus Battle Two -- Composition & Arrangement[2]
F-Zero X[]
Pokémon Stadium[]
- Pika Cup 2 -- Composition (w/Junichi Masuda), Arrangement[4]
Pokémon Stadium 2[]
Hajime Wakai was the sole composer of this title
Pikmin[]
Hajime Wakai was the sole composer of this title
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker[]
- Boss Clear Fanfare -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Gohdan -- Composition & Arrangement[1]
- Phantom Ganon -- Arrangement[1]
- Helmaroc King -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Molgera -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
Nintendo Sound Selection vol.1 Peach & Healing Music[]
- Aryll's Theme -- Alto Saxophone
Nintendo Sound Selection vol.3 Luigi <B - Side Music>[]
- Luigi's Mansion -- Arrangement, Piano
- K.K. Soul -- Saxophone
Pikmin 2[]
While Hajime Wakai is the only person credited under "Music" in the game, the game files seem to contain data suggesting that sound director Kazumi Totaka also worked on the soundtrack[7]
- Flora and Fauna -- Composition & Arrangement[8]
Nintendogs[]
Hajime Wakai was the sole composer of this title
New Super Mario Bros.[]
According to the credits from the Japanese manual, Hajime Wakai was the sole composer for the minigame mode
Star Fox: Command[]
Hajime Wakai was the sole composer of this title
Super Smash Bros. Brawl[]
- Area 6 (Star Fox 64) -- Composition & Arrangement[9]
- Area 6 Ver. 2 (Star Fox 64) -- Composition & Arrangement[9]
Touch Generations Soundtrack[]
- Nintendogs Theme - Live Ver. (nintendogs) -- Composition, Flute
- Title - Live Ver. (Wii Sports) -- Flute
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword[]
- Ballad of the Goddess (Main Theme) -- Composition (arr. Takeshi Hama)[10]
- Finding the Loftwing -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Wing Ceremony: Fanfare -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Wing Ceremony -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Receiving a Stone Tablet -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- A Column of Light Appears -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Bazaar -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- The Sky ~Together with the Loftwing~ -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Toward the Surface for the First Time -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Sealed Grounds -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Battle -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- A Strong Enemy -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Inner Sanctum -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Eldin Volcano -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Encounter with the Mogmas -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Eldin Volcano: Underground -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Earth Temple -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Fierce Battle -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- The Dragon Head -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Approaching Boulder -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Scaldera Appears -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Battle with Scaldera/Tentalus -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Lanayru Mining Facility -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Verse from the "Ballad of the Goddess" -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Learning the "Ballad of the Goddess" -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- The Imprisoned Appears -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Battle with the Imprisoned -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- The Sealing Spike Appears -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Sealing Successful -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Harp Performance: "Ballad of the Goddess" -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Harp Performance: "Farore's Courage" -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Spirit Vessel -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Guardians -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- The Spirit Vessel is Filled -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- End of the Silent Realm -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Lake Floria -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- The Water Dragon is Restored -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- The Dragon's Hall -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Harp Performance: "Nayru's Wisdom" -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Harp Performance: "Din's Power" -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Din's Silent Realm -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Volcano Summit -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- The Mogma Elder -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Talking to the Mogmas -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Plats Escapes -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Battle with Levias, the Great Spirit of the Skies -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Flight of the Imprisoned -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Tadtones: Complete -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Verse from the "Song of the Hero": Water Dragon -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Sneaking Around Eldin Volcano -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Verse from the "Song of the Hero": Fire Dragon -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Verse from the "Song of the Hero": Thunder Dragon -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Last Verse from the "Song of the Hero" -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Learning the "Song of the Hero"? -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Harp Performance: "Song of the Hero" -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Sky Keep -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- The Evil One Awakens -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Demise -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Demise: Crashes of Thunder -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Epilogue -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Batreaux's Theme -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Batreaux Becomes Human -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Rest Until Morning -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Rest Until Night -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Fanfare: Got Material -- Arrangement[10]
- Fanfare: Got an Item -- Arrangement[10]
- Treasure Chest -- Arrangement[10]
- Fanfare: Got a Valuable Item -- Arrangement[10]
- Fanfare: Got a Heart Container -- Arrangement[10]
- Fanfare: Got a Rupoor -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Sound for Solving a Puzzle -- Arrangement[10]
- Game Over -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
- Wii Channel Logo -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[]
- Tour (Animal Crossing: New Leaf) -- Arrangement[11]
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild[]
- The Story of Calamity Ganon -- Composition (w/Manaka Kataoka & Koji Kondo), Arrangement (w/Manaka Kataoka)[5]
- Kakariko Village -- Composition (w/Koji Kondo), Arrangement[5]
- Impa's Story -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Hateno Ancient Tech Lab -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Great Fairy: Revival -- Composition (w/Manaka Kataoka & Koji Kondo), Arrangement (w/Manaka Kataoka)[5]
- Hinox Battle -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Wetlands -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Watch Out for the Flowers -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- A Heart Container Appears -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- The Grand Divine Beast -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Mipha and the Divine Beast -- Arrangement[5]
- Revali and the Divine Beast -- Arrangement[5]
- Daruk and the Divine Beast -- Arrangement[5]
- Urbosa and the Divine Beast -- Arrangement[5]
- Race Start -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Mini-Game: Sand-Seal Rally -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Regrettable Race -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- New Record -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Sand-Seal Rally Award Ceremony -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Molduga Battle -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Encounter with the Deku Tree -- Composition (w/Yasuaki Iwata, Koji Kondo), Arrangement[5]
- Memories of a Sacred Sword -- Composition (w/Koji Kondo, Takeshi Hama), Arrangement[5]
- Master Sword ~ The Deku Tree's Words -- Arrangement[5]
- Hestu Dance! -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Akkala Ancient Tech Lab -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Blood Moon -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Link's Memories: "Return of Calamity Ganon" -- Arrangement[5]
- When the Twelve Memories are Collected -- Arrangement[5]
- Hyrule Castle Town Ruins -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Staff Credits -- Composition (w/Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, & Koji Kondo), Arrangement (w/Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata)[5]
- Kilton -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Malanya Revival -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Malanya's Dance -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Killing Time -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Inn (Regular) -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Inn (Expensive) -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Cooking Failure -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Cooking Success -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Major Cooking Success -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Korok Challenge Complete -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Dyeing -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- Decolorizing -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
- 2014 E3 Trailer BGM -- Composition & Arrangement[5]
Expansion Pass[]
- Larger than Life: Daruk -- Composition (w/Yasuaki Iwata), Arrangement[5]
Gallery[]
Interviews[]
- N.O.M.: The Wind Waker
- N.O.M.: Pikmin 2
- Iwata Asks: Skyward Sword
- The Making of Breath of the Wild
- CEDEC 2017: Breath of the Wild
- Ask the Developer Vol. 9: Tears of the Kingdom
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://web.archive.org/web/20221026122530/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0301/sound/index.html
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 https://vgmdb.net/album/133
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://vgmdb.net/album/205
- ↑ https://vgmdb.net/album/1401
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24 5.25 5.26 5.27 5.28 5.29 5.30 5.31 5.32 5.33 5.34 5.35 5.36 5.37 5.38 5.39 5.40 5.41 5.42 5.43 5.44 5.45 https://vgmdb.net/album/75831
- ↑ https://vgmdb.net/album/19867
- ↑ https://www.pikminwiki.com/Music_in_Pikmin_2
- ↑ https://vgmdb.net/album/4341
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl sound test
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 10.16 10.17 10.18 10.19 10.20 10.21 10.22 10.23 10.24 10.25 10.26 10.27 10.28 10.29 10.30 10.31 10.32 10.33 10.34 10.35 10.36 10.37 10.38 10.39 10.40 10.41 10.42 10.43 10.44 10.45 10.46 10.47 10.48 10.49 10.50 10.51 10.52 10.53 10.54 10.55 10.56 10.57 10.58 10.59 10.60 10.61 10.62 10.63 10.64 10.65 10.66 10.67 10.68 10.69 10.70 10.71 10.72 https://vgmdb.net/album/114738
- ↑ Super Smash Bros. for Wii U sound test