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Kazumi Totaka is a veteran Nintendo composer and sound director, who has been behind the music of several games since the Game Boy era. He mostly works on the Animal Crossing and Yoshi franchises.

He is mostly known for inserting a hidden song into many of the games he worked on as an easter egg, as well as for being the voice of Yoshi, Birdo, Professor E. Gadd, and Captain Olimar.

History[]

Totaka joined the company in the Nintendo R&D1 department, where he composed on games like Mario Paint and Super Mario Land 2. However, in the Nintendo 64 era, he was transferred to the Nintendo EAD Sound Group, where he worked under supervision from Koji Kondo. After his work on Yoshi's Story and Animal Crossing, he has been the sound director of most of the games of those series. He also composed the music for most of the Wii's channels and was the director for Wii Music.

While working on Yoshi's Story, Totaka recorded 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 voiced other characters, like Professor E. Gadd and Birdo in the Mario series, and Olimar, Louie, the President of Hocotate Freight, the Hocotate Ship and many other characters in Pikmin 2.

Outside of Nintendo, Totaka plays the vibraphone as a member of the jazz band A Slice of Life (formerly Spiritual Vibes), which occasionally provides concerts through Japan. He lent his vibraphone talent for Mario Kart 8[1].

The character K.K. Slider (Totakeke) in the Animal Crossing series is based on him. Additionally, Totaka has also arranged the majority of K.K. Slider's "aircheck" repertory into live versions that the character will play upon request on Saturday nights.

Game Works[]

Special Thanks[]

Voice[]

Song Credits[]

Except where indicated, all K.K. Slider songs across the Animal Crossing series correspond only to his live performances

X[]

Due to Hirokazu Tanaka working only on sound effects and programming[3], Kazumi Totaka was the sole composer of this title.

Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru[]

Kazumi Totaka was the sole composer of this title

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins[]

Kazumi Totaka was the sole composer of this title

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening[]

  • Guardian Acorn -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Middle Boss Battle -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Boss Battle Victory: Heart Get -- Composition (w/Minako Hamano), Arrangement (w/Minako Hamano)[6]
  • Instrument of the Sirens: Full Moon Cello -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Mr. Write's House -- Arrangement[6]
  • Instrument of the Sirens: Conch Horn -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Richard's Villa -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Instrument of the Sirens: Sea Lily's Bell -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Christine's House -- Arrangement[6]
  • Ballad of the Wind Fish (Ocarina Practice Version) -- Composition (w/Minako Hamano), Arrangement (w/Minako Hamano)[6]
  • Angler's Tunnel Opens -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Instrument of the Sirens: Surf Harp -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Manbo's Mambo -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Instrument of the Sirens: Wind Marimba -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Instrument of the Sirens: Coral Triangle -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Flying Rooster Revived -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Hen House -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Instrument of the Sirens: Organ of Evening Calm -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Turtle Rock Battle -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Instrument of the Sirens: Thunder Drum -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Ballad of the Wind Fish (Instrumental Version) -- Composition (w/Minako Hamano), Arrangement (w/Minako Hamano)[6]
  • Shadows Battle Victory -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Ascent -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Koholint Island Disappears -- Composition (w/Minako Hamano), Arrangement (w/Minako Hamano)[6]
  • Ocarina (I Don't Remember Anything) -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Ocarina "Ballad of the Wind Fish" -- Arrangement[6]
  • Ocarina "Manbo's Mambo" -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Ocarina "Frog's Song of Soul" -- Arrangement[6]
  • Puzzle Solved Jingle -- Arrangement[6]
  • Item Get Fanfare -- Arrangement[6]
  • Important Item Get Fanfare -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Level 2 Sword Get -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Enter Name Hidden BGM "Totakeke" -- Composition & Arrangement[6]
  • Enter Name Hidden BGM "Zelda" -- Arrangement[6]
  • Richard's Villa Hidden BGM -- Composition & Arrangement[6]

Virtual Boy Wario Land[]

Kazumi Totaka was the sole composer of this title

Wave Race 64[]

Kazumi Totaka was the sole composer of this title

Yoshi's Story[]

Kazumi Totaka was the sole composer of this title

Mario Artist: Polygon Studio[]

Kazumi Totaka was the sole composer of this title

Doubutsu no Mori / Animal Crossing[]

  • K.K. Chorale -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. March -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Waltz -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Swing -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Jazz -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Fusion -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Étude -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Lullaby -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Aria -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Samba -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Bossa -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Calypso -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Salsa -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Mambo -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Reggae -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Ska -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Tango -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Folk -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • Aloha K.K. -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • Lucky K.K. -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Condor -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Steppe -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • Imperial K.K. -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Casbah -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Safari -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Faire -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Rock -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • Rockin' K.K. -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Ragtime -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Gumbo -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • The K. Funk -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Blues -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • Soulful K.K. -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Soul -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Cruisin' -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Love Song -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. D&B -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Technopop -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • DJ K.K. -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • Only Me -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Country -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • Surfin' K.K. -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Ballad -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • Comrade K.K. -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Lament -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • Go K.K. Rider! -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Dirge -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Western -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • Mr. K.K. -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • Café K.K. -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Parade -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • K.K. Mariachi -- Arrangement[7][8] [note: previously named "Señor K.K."]
  • K.K. Song[9] -- Composition & Arrangement[7][8] [note: based upon Totaka's Song]
  • I Love You -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • Two Days Ago -- Arrangement[7][8]
  • My Place -- Arrangement[8] [note: originally only available as live version]
  • Forest Life -- Arrangement[8] [note: originally only available as live version]
  • To the Edge -- Arrangement[8] [note: originally only available as live version]

Luigi's Mansion[]

  • Main Theme -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
  • Professor E. Gadd's Laboratory -- Composition & Arrangement[10]
  • Boo Release -- Composition & Arrangement[11]

Animal Crossing (Western release)[]

  • Meteor Shower -- Composition & Arrangement[12]
  • New Year's Wish -- Composition & Arrangement[12]

Doubutsu no Mori e+[]

  • Pondering -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Dixie -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Marathon -- Arrangement[8]
  • King K.K. -- Arrangement[8]
  • Mountain Song -- Arrangement[8]
  • Marine Song 2001 -- Arrangement[8]
  • Neapolitan -- Arrangement[8]
  • Steep Hill -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Rockabilly -- Arrangement[8]
  • Agent K.K. -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Rally -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Metal -- Arrangement[8]
  • Stale Cupcakes[9] -- Composition & Arrangement[13][8] [note: originally only available as a live version]
  • Spring Blossoms -- Arrangement[8] [note: originally only available as a live version]
  • Wandering -- Arrangement[8] [note: originally only available as a live version]
  • K.K. Birthday[9] -- Composition & Arrangement[14][8] [note: originally only available as a live version]

Nintendo Sound Selection vol.1 Peach <Healing Music>[]

  • Main Theme (Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru) -- Composition, Guitar, Piano, Bass
  • Aryll's Theme -- Vibraphone
  • Title (Animal Crossing) -- Guitar (as Totakeke)

Mario & Zelda Big Band Live CD[]

  • Yoshis on the Beach -- Composition, Performer
  • Encore -- Performer

Nintendo Sound Selection vol.2 Koopa <Loud Music>[]

  • Fortress Boss (Super Mario Bros. 3) -- Arrangement, Digital Guitar

Nintendo Sound Selection vol.3 Luigi <B - Side Music>[]

  • K.K. Soul -- Vibraphone, Piano, Guitar (as Totakeke)

Animal Crossing: Wild World[]

  • Title -- Composition & Arrangement[15]
  • Heavy Rotation -- Composition & Arrangement[15]
  • The Roost -- Composition and Arrangement[16]
  • 12 AM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 1 AM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 2 AM -- Composition & Arrangement[15][17]
  • 3 AM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 4 AM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 5 AM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 6 AM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 7 AM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 8 AM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 9 AM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 10 AM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 11 AM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 12 PM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 1 PM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 2 PM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 3 PM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 4 PM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 5 PM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 6 PM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 7 PM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 8 PM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 9 PM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 10 PM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]
  • 11 PM -- Composition & Arrangement[17]

Mii Channel[]

  • Mii Plaza -- Composition & Arrangement[5]

Wii Shop Channel[]

  • Main Theme -- Composition & Arrangement[5]

Wii Sports[]

Kazumi Totaka was the sole composer of this title

Kenkou Ouen Recipe 1000: DS Kondate Zenshuu[]

Kazumi Totaka was the sole composer of this title

Check Mii Out Channel[]

  • Submission Plaza -- Composition & Arrangement[5]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[]

  • Title (Animal Crossing: Wild World) -- Composition & Arrangement[16]
  • The Roost (Animal Crossing: Wild World) -- Composition & Arrangement[16]

Touch! Generations Soundtrack[]

  • Nintendogs Theme - Live Ver. (nintendogs) -- Vibraphone, Guitar
  • Title - Live Ver. (Wii Sports) -- Composition, Guitar

Animal Crossing: City Folk[]

  • First Trip to the City -- Composition & Arrangement[13]
  • Daytime in City Square -- Composition & Arrangement[18][13]
  • K.K. Island -- Arrangement[8] [note: originally only available as a live version]

Animal Crossing - Your Favourite Songs - Original Soundtrack[]

  • Town Square (K.K. Live Version) -- Composition & Arrangement[13]

X-Scape[]

Kazumi Totaka was the sole composer of this title

Animal Crossing: New Leaf[]

  • Space K.K. -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Adventure -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Oasis -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Bazaar -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Milonga -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Groove -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Jongara -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Flamenco -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Moody -- Arrangement[8]
  • Bubblegum K.K. -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Synth -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Disco[9] -- Composition & Arrangement[14][8]
  • Animal City[9] -- Composition & Arrangement[13][8] [note: originally only available as a live version]

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[]

  • Wii Sports Resort -- Arrangement[19]
  • Wii Sports Resort Ver. 2 -- Arrangement[19]

Yoshi's Woolly World[]

  • Main Theme (Yarn Yoshi Takes Shape!) -- Composition & Arrangement[20]

Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer[]

While Kazumi Totaka is credited as "Sound Director", due to the lack of other music staff it is inferred that he was the sole composer of this title

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]

  • Title Theme (Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer) -- Composition & Arrangement[21]

Animal Crossing: New Horizons[]

  • 2:00 AM[22] -- Composition (w/Yasuaki Iwata), Arrangement[23]
  • 5:00 AM[22] -- Composition (w/Yasuaki Iwata), Arrangement[23]
  • 7:00 AM[22] -- Composition (w/Yasuaki Iwata), Arrangement[23]
  • 8:00 AM[22] -- Composition (w/Yasuaki Iwata), Arrangement[23]
  • 9:00 AM[22] -- Composition (w/Yasuaki Iwata), Arrangement[23]
  • 12:00 PM[22] -- Composition (w/Yasuaki Iwata), Arrangement[23]
  • 2:00 PM[22] -- Composition (w/Yasuaki Iwata), Arrangement[23]
  • 5:00 PM[22] -- Composition (w/Yasuaki Iwata), Arrangement[23]
  • 7:00 PM[22] -- Composition (w/Yasuaki Iwata), Arrangement[23]
  • Island Life Orientation 4 (Campfire Evening) -- Arrangement[23]
  • amiibo Invitation -- Composition & Arrangement[23]
  • Welcome Horizons -- Arrangement[8]

Version 2.0[]

  • Kapp'n's Song[24] -- Arrangement[8] [note: unknown composition credit]
  • Harv's Island (Day) -- Composition & Arrangement[8]
  • Harv's Island (Night) -- Composition & Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Fugue -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Polka -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Slack-Key -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Chorinho -- Arrangement[8]
  • Chillwave -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Dub -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Lovers -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Bashment -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Hop -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Break -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Khoomei -- Arrangement[8]
  • K.K. Robot Synth -- Arrangement[8]

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.

Gallery[]

Interviews[]

References[]

  1. [1]
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Listed on the Canadian Copyright Database entry for this title
  3. 3.0 3.1 According to his website, Hirokazu Tanaka only worked in sound effects and programming on X
  4. https://www.pikminwiki.com/Music_in_Pikmin_2
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 https://vgmdb.net/album/10379
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 6.28 6.29 6.30 6.31 6.32 6.33 6.34 https://vgmdb.net/album/96462
  7. 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 7.28 7.29 7.30 7.31 7.32 7.33 7.34 7.35 7.36 7.37 7.38 7.39 7.40 7.41 7.42 7.43 7.44 7.45 7.46 7.47 7.48 7.49 7.50 7.51 7.52 7.53 7.54 https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0105/kaibo/talk/index.html
  8. 8.000 8.001 8.002 8.003 8.004 8.005 8.006 8.007 8.008 8.009 8.010 8.011 8.012 8.013 8.014 8.015 8.016 8.017 8.018 8.019 8.020 8.021 8.022 8.023 8.024 8.025 8.026 8.027 8.028 8.029 8.030 8.031 8.032 8.033 8.034 8.035 8.036 8.037 8.038 8.039 8.040 8.041 8.042 8.043 8.044 8.045 8.046 8.047 8.048 8.049 8.050 8.051 8.052 8.053 8.054 8.055 8.056 8.057 8.058 8.059 8.060 8.061 8.062 8.063 8.064 8.065 8.066 8.067 8.068 8.069 8.070 8.071 8.072 8.073 8.074 8.075 8.076 8.077 8.078 8.079 8.080 8.081 8.082 8.083 8.084 8.085 8.086 8.087 8.088 8.089 8.090 8.091 8.092 8.093 8.094 8.095 8.096 8.097 8.098 8.099 8.100 8.101 8.102 8.103 https://vgmdb.net/album/119941
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Aircheck and live versions
  10. 10.0 10.1 https://vgmdb.net/album/4341
  11. https://vgmdb.net/album/2426
  12. 12.0 12.1 https://vgmdb.net/album/2043
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Interview in Nintendo DREAM vol 182
  14. 14.0 14.1 https://www.ymm.co.jp/p/detail.php?code=GTP01097949&dm=d#song
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 https://vgmdb.net/album/3990
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl sound test
  17. 17.00 17.01 17.02 17.03 17.04 17.05 17.06 17.07 17.08 17.09 17.10 17.11 17.12 17.13 17.14 17.15 17.16 17.17 17.18 17.19 17.20 17.21 17.22 17.23 http://www.nintendo.co.jp//nom/0511/12/index.html
  18. https://www.ymm.co.jp/p/detail.php?code=GTP01089680&dm=d#song
  19. 19.0 19.1 Super Smash Bros. for Wii U sound test
  20. Yoshi's Woolly World credits
  21. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate sound test
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.8 Includes "Sunny", "Rainy" and "Snowy" versions
  23. 23.00 23.01 23.02 23.03 23.04 23.05 23.06 23.07 23.08 23.09 23.10 https://vgmdb.net/album/109718
  24. includes "Outbound" 01~05 and "Inbound" 01~05

External links[]

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