RPG-Kingdom/Zemus (Z): How do you put you in relation to the success of Final Fantasy?
Nobuo (U): To begin with, Mr. Sakaguchi did not expect this success, nobody expected it, initially, Final Fantasy was distributed to businesses, merchants, for sums ridiculous, but today, 15 years after this success I am quite happy, even honored that such success took place.
Z: What do you think of the role of music in video games?
U: It's really basically the music brings emotions, it's really an important point. It may make sentiments...
Z: As soon as the weather permits you I know you like to travel, even to find a source of inspiration or simply to be on vacation?
U: (laughs) I love traveling, in fact, before I was traveling with my wife often, at least once or twice a year. I always negotiated fares (laughs), to a kind of "economic" trip. But today I have a lot less time to travel, although I do see work in the country. For instance there was not so long ago that that I left Los Angeles for a concert. I have just moved to Paris and I have not yet visited the Champs Elysees (laughs).
Z: Your feelings affect your music?
U: Yes, my feelings influence my music, it is a real source of inspiration, the day when I would have more feeling I could do anything with my music.
Z: And what do you think about French music?
U: Honestly, the music does not interest me, either in France, America or anywhere else. On the other hand, when I was in high school, I really liked Polnareff, in fact at that time, Mr. Polnareff Japan was also known as Elton John and much more experienced than the Beatles (laughs). Currently, Japan looks less towards French music. Although everybody knows Polnareff.
In fact I have a colleague in Europe [I think I have understood Belgium, but the focus of the translator is wrong in the voice, I apologize], and when I told her that I loved Michel Polnareff really, she does not believe me! She had known it is impossible to Japan.
....
[At this point the interviewer spoke to someone else who's in the room]
Lui 'to me: Polnareff And he was known in France?
Me: Yes, rather, by his voice and even his fingering on the piano.
[End of conversation, interview resumes]
...
U: Polnareff is still known today?
Z: Now less, even though the public remains fairly french nostalgia of this era (particularly towards him).
U: Your parents listen to Polnareff?
Z: My parents are rather big fans!
After much with Mr. laugh, I take matters into their own hands, as well as issues (but not!) !
Z: There have been rumors that you wanted to retire. Others say that you want to contribute to "The Black Mage, you are not afraid to disappoint the fans?
U: (my dictaphone started making noise, I had great difficulty to decipher what it says). It is true that the craze to own set me to be careful about my actions or my words. But I am a little afraid to disappoint the fans in whatever I do.
Z: What about Please smile?
U: Smile Please. I in fact resign from Square to start Smile Please, and I still have a few contacts, and I will make a few collaborations. So first thing rather amusing, Please Smile is "Smile please," not only because I love to laugh, but the more I want everybody to be able to work for fun.
Otherwise I would make music for film or even concerts, anywhere in the world (even in France and why not!) . I also wrote articles for two years (2 years is a long time!) Among Famitsu. So why not resume writing?
Z: Do you have links with other composers, video games or not?
U: At the time when I had more time, obviously I had relationships, but now I am very busy, and I spend very little time in Japan. By contrast, there are 6 years or so, with other composers of video games we had a project. It has released two series of CDs. After the 3rd Cd we had more time because of work. There was also Ten Plants, 10 plants for the 10 composers. But I think always redo a CD similar, but not universal "with a composer is American, a French, German (these are just examples) to work on the same themes.
Z: One last question, what interesting revelations do you have for us?
U: (laugh) First of all thank you very much for your support. I would love to do a concert Orchestral France, and even save one, to see people's reactions. Thanks again for your support!
Z: Arigato (thanks in Japanese) for kindly answer these questions. Goodbye!
* Note: This interview was conducted Tuesday, November 30, 2004
