Dark Souls, Tales, and Star Ocean Composer Motoi Sakuraba Joins Scarlet Moon
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 7:23 pm
Dark Souls, Tales, and Star Ocean Composer Motoi Sakuraba Joins Scarlet Moon
Legendary composer Motoi Sakuraba now available to score indie games around the world, joining Scarlet Moon's other talents such as Hiroki Kikuta, Emi Evans, and more
SAN DIEGO - July 9, 2025 - Scarlet Moon is pleased to announce legendary composer Motoi Sakuraba has joined their roster of audio talent. Sakuraba--best known for his progressive rock and orchestral stylings across the Dark Souls, Tales, Star Ocean, and Mario Sports--is looking forward to partnering with game developers to bring his signature sound to games around the world. Getting his first break in music as a member of the popular Japanese rock band Deja Vu, Sakuraba has also released numerous solo works over the years and is a highly sought out arranger, having collaborated with Nintendo, Konami, Atlas and more on franchises ranging from from Super Mario Bros., Super Smash Bros., Castlevania, Shin Megami Tensei, and more. Sakuraba's biography and extensive credits are listed on his Scarlet Moon Artists page:
https://scarletmoon.com/bio-motoi-sakuraba
”I have composed music for games in other Asian countries and Europe," notes Motoi Sakuraba. "I want to compose as many songs as possible for those who need my music, regardless of their country. I am happy if my music can be useful for games.
This is my philosophy, whether it is for indie game makers or major game makers.
I am looking forward to meeting many new people through my work with Scarlet Moon.
I am eagerly looking forward to creating music for the Scarlet Moon project! Thank you for your consideration!"
"Some of my favorite game music ever has been written by Motoi Sakuraba," reflects Scarlet Moon founder Jayson Napolitano. "In fact, one of the first birthday gifts my partner ever gave me was an imported DVD of one of his Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile concert performances that I desperately wanted! I have so many fond memories enjoying his work and sharing it with others. It's always been a dream to bring his signature sound to developers outside of Japan, and I am so thankful to Sakuraba-san for placing his trust in his to make this happen."
Learn more about Scarlet Moon Artists: https://www.scarletmoonartists.com
About Motoi Sakuraba
Motoi Sakuraba is a veteran videogame composer and progressive rock perfromer based in Japan. He got his start in music at a young age, enjoying a variety of artists ranging from Pink Floyd and J.S. Bach to Yellow Magic Orchestra and Chick Korea during his formative years in the 1970s and '80s. Throughout the 1980s, he performed with the popular Japanese rock band, Deja Vu, and several other acts.
After becoming an in-house game composer and working on dozens of titles, he struck out on his own as a freelance composer, building strong relationships with several studios, kicking off one of the most prolific careers in game music. From his earliest hit, Tales of Phantasia, and 16 titles in Namco Bandai's Tales series, and up through his iconic work on the Dark Souls franchise, Sakuraba is a go-to name for RPG music. Other credits include Star Ocean, Valkyrie Profile, Golden Sun, Baten Kaitos, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Phantasy Star Nova, and Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. He's responsible for many Nintendo sports titles including Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, and Mario Sports, and has also contributed multiple times to the Super Smash Bros. series.
Given his status in the industry and unique progressive rock-infused sound, Sakuraba has is a highly sought-after arranger, contributing to arrangement albums for Monster Hunter, Ragnarok Online, Etrian Odyssey, Castlevania, Shin Megami Tensei, and Phantasy Star, among others. He also had the pleasure of remixing the Super Mario Bros. theme on the official Nintendo Famicom 20th anniversary album.
Sakuraba is pleased to partner with Scarlet Moon to work partner with studios outside of Japan who may have a need for his signature sound.
Learn more: https://www.sakuraba-motion.com
Follow Motoi Sakuraba on Twitter and Instagram
About Scarlet Moon
Scarlet Moon is a music label supporting creators big and small. They are an artist roster of
acclaimed musical talents available to handle all audio needs, including music, vocals, sound
design, and VO; a record label distributing game soundtracks and cover albums; and a public relations partner promoting game music. Scarlet Moon's sister brand, Violet Moon, promotes independent videogames.
Learn more: https://www.scarletmoon.com
Follow Scarlet Moon on Discord and Spotify
Legendary composer Motoi Sakuraba now available to score indie games around the world, joining Scarlet Moon's other talents such as Hiroki Kikuta, Emi Evans, and more
SAN DIEGO - July 9, 2025 - Scarlet Moon is pleased to announce legendary composer Motoi Sakuraba has joined their roster of audio talent. Sakuraba--best known for his progressive rock and orchestral stylings across the Dark Souls, Tales, Star Ocean, and Mario Sports--is looking forward to partnering with game developers to bring his signature sound to games around the world. Getting his first break in music as a member of the popular Japanese rock band Deja Vu, Sakuraba has also released numerous solo works over the years and is a highly sought out arranger, having collaborated with Nintendo, Konami, Atlas and more on franchises ranging from from Super Mario Bros., Super Smash Bros., Castlevania, Shin Megami Tensei, and more. Sakuraba's biography and extensive credits are listed on his Scarlet Moon Artists page:
https://scarletmoon.com/bio-motoi-sakuraba
”I have composed music for games in other Asian countries and Europe," notes Motoi Sakuraba. "I want to compose as many songs as possible for those who need my music, regardless of their country. I am happy if my music can be useful for games.
This is my philosophy, whether it is for indie game makers or major game makers.
I am looking forward to meeting many new people through my work with Scarlet Moon.
I am eagerly looking forward to creating music for the Scarlet Moon project! Thank you for your consideration!"
"Some of my favorite game music ever has been written by Motoi Sakuraba," reflects Scarlet Moon founder Jayson Napolitano. "In fact, one of the first birthday gifts my partner ever gave me was an imported DVD of one of his Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile concert performances that I desperately wanted! I have so many fond memories enjoying his work and sharing it with others. It's always been a dream to bring his signature sound to developers outside of Japan, and I am so thankful to Sakuraba-san for placing his trust in his to make this happen."
Learn more about Scarlet Moon Artists: https://www.scarletmoonartists.com
About Motoi Sakuraba
Motoi Sakuraba is a veteran videogame composer and progressive rock perfromer based in Japan. He got his start in music at a young age, enjoying a variety of artists ranging from Pink Floyd and J.S. Bach to Yellow Magic Orchestra and Chick Korea during his formative years in the 1970s and '80s. Throughout the 1980s, he performed with the popular Japanese rock band, Deja Vu, and several other acts.
After becoming an in-house game composer and working on dozens of titles, he struck out on his own as a freelance composer, building strong relationships with several studios, kicking off one of the most prolific careers in game music. From his earliest hit, Tales of Phantasia, and 16 titles in Namco Bandai's Tales series, and up through his iconic work on the Dark Souls franchise, Sakuraba is a go-to name for RPG music. Other credits include Star Ocean, Valkyrie Profile, Golden Sun, Baten Kaitos, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Phantasy Star Nova, and Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. He's responsible for many Nintendo sports titles including Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, and Mario Sports, and has also contributed multiple times to the Super Smash Bros. series.
Given his status in the industry and unique progressive rock-infused sound, Sakuraba has is a highly sought-after arranger, contributing to arrangement albums for Monster Hunter, Ragnarok Online, Etrian Odyssey, Castlevania, Shin Megami Tensei, and Phantasy Star, among others. He also had the pleasure of remixing the Super Mario Bros. theme on the official Nintendo Famicom 20th anniversary album.
Sakuraba is pleased to partner with Scarlet Moon to work partner with studios outside of Japan who may have a need for his signature sound.
Learn more: https://www.sakuraba-motion.com
Follow Motoi Sakuraba on Twitter and Instagram
About Scarlet Moon
Scarlet Moon is a music label supporting creators big and small. They are an artist roster of
acclaimed musical talents available to handle all audio needs, including music, vocals, sound
design, and VO; a record label distributing game soundtracks and cover albums; and a public relations partner promoting game music. Scarlet Moon's sister brand, Violet Moon, promotes independent videogames.
Learn more: https://www.scarletmoon.com
Follow Scarlet Moon on Discord and Spotify