Sound

Kenji Kawai

Born April 23, 1957 · Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan (age 69)

Kenji Kawai is a Japanese music composer for video games, television and movies. He has contributed to the musical scores for numerous films from Japan and other Asian countries, working in film genres as diverse as anime, horror, sci-fi and historical epic.

Known For

Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell · 1995

Ghost in the Shell

MovieActionAnimation

In the year 2029, the barriers of our world have been broken down by the net and by cybernetics, but this brings new vulnerability to humans in the form of brain-hacking. When a highly-wanted hacker known as 'The Puppetmaster' begins involving them in politics, Section 9, a group of cybernetically enhanced cops, are called in to investigate and stop the Puppetmaster.

Ring

MovieHorrorThriller

A mysterious video has been linked to a number of deaths, and when an inquisitive journalist finds the tape and views it herself, she sets in motion a chain of events that puts her own life in danger.

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In · 2024

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

MovieActionCrime

In 1980s Hong Kong, troubled youth Chan Lok-kwun, a mainland refugee, struggles to survive in the Kowloon Walled City by joining underground fights. Betrayed by crime boss Mr. Big while trying to buy a fake ID, he steals drugs from him and seeks refuge in the Walled City, where he encounters Cyclone, a compassionate yet authoritative crime lord.

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms · 2018

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms

MovieAnimationDrama

Fleeing the war, the immortal Maquia, graced with eternal youth, finds a baby abandoned in the forest and decides to raise it as her own child, sparking a moving story between a mortal and a being who does not age.

Resident Evil: Vendetta

Resident Evil: Vendetta · 2017

Resident Evil: Vendetta

MovieActionAnimation

When a fearless enemy out for revenge unleashes a brutal and deadly new virus, BSAA captain Chris Redfield enlists the help of Agent Leon S. Kennedy and Professor Rebecca Chambers to bring down the death merchant and save New York City.

Death Note

Death Note · 2006

MovieFantasyMystery

Light Yagami finds the "Death Note," a notebook with the power to kill, and decides to create a Utopia by killing the world's criminals, and soon the world's greatest detective, "L," is hired to find the mysterious murderer. An all out battle between the two greatest minds on earth begins and the winner will control the world.

RE:BORN

RE:BORN · 2016

MovieActionCrime

A former special forces operative struggling to contain the destructive impulses of his past goes on a rampage against a squad of ruthless assassins.

Patlabor EZY: File 1

Patlabor EZY: File 1 · 2026

Patlabor EZY: File 1

MovieAnimationScience Fiction

Patlabor EZY: File 1 is the first of a 3-part theatrical series taking place in 2036, 38 years after the events of Patlabor on Television and The New Files.

Filmography

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Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell · 1995

Ghost in the Shell

MovieActionAnimation

In the year 2029, the barriers of our world have been broken down by the net and by cybernetics, but this brings new vulnerability to humans in the form of brain-hacking. When a highly-wanted hacker known as 'The Puppetmaster' begins involving them in politics, Section 9, a group of cybernetically enhanced cops, are called in to investigate and stop the Puppetmaster.

Original Music Composer

Ring

MovieHorrorThriller

A mysterious video has been linked to a number of deaths, and when an inquisitive journalist finds the tape and views it herself, she sets in motion a chain of events that puts her own life in danger.

Original Music Composer

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In · 2024

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

MovieActionCrime

In 1980s Hong Kong, troubled youth Chan Lok-kwun, a mainland refugee, struggles to survive in the Kowloon Walled City by joining underground fights. Betrayed by crime boss Mr. Big while trying to buy a fake ID, he steals drugs from him and seeks refuge in the Walled City, where he encounters Cyclone, a compassionate yet authoritative crime lord.

Original Music Composer

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms · 2018

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms

MovieAnimationDrama

Fleeing the war, the immortal Maquia, graced with eternal youth, finds a baby abandoned in the forest and decides to raise it as her own child, sparking a moving story between a mortal and a being who does not age.

Original Music Composer

Resident Evil: Vendetta

Resident Evil: Vendetta · 2017

Resident Evil: Vendetta

MovieActionAnimation

When a fearless enemy out for revenge unleashes a brutal and deadly new virus, BSAA captain Chris Redfield enlists the help of Agent Leon S. Kennedy and Professor Rebecca Chambers to bring down the death merchant and save New York City.

Original Music Composer

Death Note

Death Note · 2006

MovieFantasyMystery

Light Yagami finds the "Death Note," a notebook with the power to kill, and decides to create a Utopia by killing the world's criminals, and soon the world's greatest detective, "L," is hired to find the mysterious murderer. An all out battle between the two greatest minds on earth begins and the winner will control the world.

Original Music Composer

RE:BORN

RE:BORN · 2016

MovieActionCrime

A former special forces operative struggling to contain the destructive impulses of his past goes on a rampage against a squad of ruthless assassins.

Original Music Composer

Patlabor EZY: File 1

Patlabor EZY: File 1 · 2026

Patlabor EZY: File 1

MovieAnimationScience Fiction

Patlabor EZY: File 1 is the first of a 3-part theatrical series taking place in 2036, 38 years after the events of Patlabor on Television and The New Files.

Original Music Composer

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence · 2004

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

MovieAnimationDrama

Cyborg detective Batou is assigned to investigate a series of murders committed by gynoids—doll-like cyborgs, which all malfunctioned, killed, then self-destructed afterwards. The brains of the gynoids initialize in order to protect their manufacturer's software, but in one gynoid, which Batou himself neutralized, one file remains: a voice speaking the phrase "Help me."

Original Music Composer

Ip Man 3

Ip Man 3 · 2015

MovieActionDrama

When a band of brutal gangsters led by a crooked property developer make a play to take over the city, Master Ip is forced to take a stand.

Original Music Composer

Seven Swords

Seven Swords · 2005

MovieActionDrama

In the middle of the 17th century, the Manchus conquered China and founded the Ching dynasty. Due to widespread uprisings against the new rulers, the study and practice of traditional martial arts is forbidden and punishable by death. The unscrupulous leader of a troop of mercenaries takes advantage of this situation to make a fortune with the bounty on his head.

Original Music Composer

Ghost in the Shell 2.0

Ghost in the Shell 2.0 · 2008

Ghost in the Shell 2.0

MovieActionAnimation

In the year 2029, Section 9, a group of cybernetically enhanced cops, are called in to investigate and stop a highly-wanted hacker known as 'The Puppetmaster'.

Original Music Composer

Dark Water

Dark Water · 2002

MovieHorrorMystery

A woman in the midst of an unpleasant divorce moves to an eerie apartment building with her young daughter. The ceiling of their apartment has a dark and active leak.

Original Music Composer

Gantz: Perfect Answer

Gantz: Perfect Answer · 2011

Gantz: Perfect Answer

MovieActionMystery

Summoned by the black sphere, Kei and Masaru fight against extraterrestrials until Masaru grows tired of fighting and refuses to continue.

Original Music Composer

Gantz

MovieHorrorAction

After trying to rescue a man on the subway tracks, two teens wake up in a room dominated by a mysterious black sphere that sends them to hunt down and kill aliens hiding on Earth.

Original Music Composer

Death Note: The Last Name

Death Note: The Last Name · 2006

Death Note: The Last Name

MovieFantasyThriller

In the second installment of the Death Note film franchise, Light Yagami meets a second Kira and faithful follower Misa Amane and her Shinigami named Rem. Light attempts to defeat L along with Teru Mikami (a Kira follower) and Kiyomi Takada (another Kira follower) but in the end will Light win? or will a Shinigami named Ryuk make all the difference in Light's victory or his ultimate death?

Original Music Composer

Death Note: L Change the WorLd

Death Note: L Change the WorLd · 2008

Death Note: L Change the WorLd

MovieFantasyAction

"The human whose name is written in the Death Note shall die." After making the hardest decision ever, another serious case confronts L. There are only 23 days left and without his best partner Watari, L has to solve the case all by himself for the very first time.

Original Music Composer

Ip Man

MovieDramaAction

A semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun. The film focuses on events surrounding Ip that took place in the city of Foshan between the 1930s to 1940s during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Directed by Wilson Yip, the film stars Donnie Yen in the lead role, and features fight choreography by Sammo Hung.

Original Music Composer

Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield

Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield · 2017

Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield

MovieRomanceAction

An imperial guard searches for the truth behind a conspiracy that framed him and his partners. The proof of his innocence lies with a wanted woman named Bei Zhai... but will she reveal what she knows? In this intense prequel to BROTHERHOOD OF BLADES, the only thing he can truly trust is his sword.

Original Music Composer

Ring 2

MovieHorrorMystery

While investigating the horrifying death of her boyfriend, Mai Takano learns about a videotape haunted by the spirit of a disturbing girl named Sadako, which kills anyone who watches it exactly one week later. When her boyfriend’s son, Yoichi, starts to develop the same psychic abilities as Sadako, Takano must find a way to keep the boy and herself from becoming the next victims.

Original Music Composer

Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial

Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial · 2010

Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial

MovieActionAdventure

Ultraman Zero, the rookie Ultraman from Tsuburaya Productions’ 2009 theatrical movie returns, and getting full-fledged. However, he is confronted with the empowered Kaiser Belial, back from the evil Ultraman Belial whom he and other Ultraman warriors battled so hard on the m-78 Planet. Can Ultraman Zero live to the expectations of his legendary father Ultra Seven? Check it out in the latest Tsuburaya Productions’ action packed movie.

Original Music Composer

Dragon Tiger Gate

Dragon Tiger Gate · 2006

Dragon Tiger Gate

MovieActionThriller

Three young martial arts masters emerge from the back streets of Hong Kong to help the powerless fight injustice.

Original Music Composer

Patlabor: The Movie

Patlabor: The Movie · 1989

Patlabor: The Movie

MovieActionAnimation

A mysterious suicide and a series of unmanned robot run-aways sparks off a Police investigation into the suspicious software on-board thousands of industrial robots around Tokyo.

Original Music Composer

Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works

Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works · 2010

Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works

MovieActionFantasy

In the World before, novice mage Shirou Emiya summoned and bonded with beautiful heroic spirit Saber as they became enmeshed in the battle for supremacy known as the fifth Holy Grail War. Fate, however, is a fickle mistress, and there was more than one way for that story to transpire. Now, in an alternate timeline, the pairing’s destiny becomes more tightly intertwined with that of high school student/secret Mage Rin Tohsaka and her Servant Archer. Even if you think you know what will happen next, prepare to be surprised as new twists await at every turn.

Original Music Composer

Kamen Rider

Kamen Rider · 1971

SeriesAction & AdventureSci-Fi & Fantasy

Takeshi Hongo is a promising young man with a passion for motorcycle racing. However, his dreams are suddenly ruined when he gets kidnapped by Shocker, the evil secret organization planning to dominate the world. After being remodeled into a cyborg, Takeshi escapes and swears to protect the world from the inhuman monsters.

Music

Mob Psycho 100

Mob Psycho 100 · 2016

SeriesAnimationAction & Adventure

Shigeo Kageyama, a.k.a. "Mob," is a boy who has trouble expressing himself, but who happens to be a powerful esper. Mob is determined to live a normal life and keeps his ESP suppressed, but when his emotions surge to a level of 100%, something terrible happens to him! As he's surrounded by false espers, evil spirits, and mysterious organizations, what will Mob think? What choices will he make?

Original Music Composer

The Woman of S.R.I.

The Woman of S.R.I. · 1999

The Woman of S.R.I.

Mariko is a forensic scientist working at the Kyoto PD Crime Lab. Her credo is “science never lies” and she delves into the truth of the case with her colleagues with their specialized skills and knowledge in forensic medicine, physics, chemistry etc. Mariko’s steadfast belief in science makes her stand against conventional institutional ethics of the police department, diehard detectives averse to scientific investigation and sometimes even with her own colleagues, but she stays faithful to her belief in science and continues to pursue the truth.

Original Music Composer

Higurashi: When They Cry

Higurashi: When They Cry · 2006

Higurashi: When They Cry

SeriesAnimationDrama

After moving into the quiet town of Hinamizawa, Maebara Keiichi spends his days blissfully in school often playing games with his local friends. However, appearances can be deceiving. One fateful day, Keiichi stumbles upon news of a murder that had occurred in Hinamizawa. From this point on, horrific events unfold in front of Keiichi, as he soon learns his close friends may not be all that they seem.

Original Music Composer

The Fire Hunter

The Fire Hunter · 2023

The Fire Hunter

SeriesAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy

Outside the magical barriers lies a world overrun by fiery beasts known as Flame Demons, and the only ones who can protect humanity are the Fire Hunters. In the dark woods where the beasts roam is where Touko, a young villager, is rescued from attack by one of these skilled trackers, Koushi. But their meeting was no accident, and a new destiny begins.

Original Music Composer

Higurashi: When They Cry - NEW

Higurashi: When They Cry - NEW · 2020

Higurashi: When They Cry - NEW

SeriesAnimationMystery

New kid Keiichi Maebara is settling into his new home of peaceful Hinamizawa village. Making quick friends with the girls from his school, he's arrived in time for the big festival of the year. But something about this isolated town seems "off," and his feelings of dread continue to grow. With a gnawing fear that he's right, what dark secrets could this small community be hiding?

Original Music Composer

Eden of the East

Eden of the East · 2009

Eden of the East

SeriesAnimationDrama

When Saki Morimi gets into trouble with the police while in Washington D.C., she is helped by a Japanese man who calls himself, Akira Takizawa. Akira has only two things, a gun and a cell phone loaded with 8.2 billion yen in digital money.

Original Music Composer

Umamusume: Cinderella Gray

Umamusume: Cinderella Gray · 2025

Umamusume: Cinderella Gray

SeriesAnimationDrama

Unbeknownst to those around her, the staggering potential of this ashen-haired “Beast” will soon catapult her to the national stage—and down the path of a legend.

Original Music Composer

World Trigger

World Trigger · 2014

SeriesAnimationAction & Adventure

A gate to another world opens in Mikado City, and monsters called Neighbors emerge. It's up to Border Defense agent Osamu Mikumo to fight them.

Music

Fate/stay night

Fate/stay night · 2006

Fate/stay night

SeriesAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy

Shirou Emiya lost his parents in a fire when he was young and was later adopted by the sorcerer Kiritsugu Emiya. Shirou is drawn into the Holy Grail War summons a female "Servant" known as Saber to protect him and obtain the Holy Grail.

Original Music Composer

JOKER GAME

JOKER GAME · 2016

SeriesDramaAnimation

Taking place in the year 1937 on the eve of World War II, the story involves a mysterious spy training organization known as the "D Agency." The organization is established by Lieutenant Colonel Yuuki from the Imperial Japanese Army. His ideals lead him to recruit people beyond military academy graduates and personnel, while training them to become skilled agents in arts of manipulation. These agents would become a specialized team to conduct operations. One such antihero agent, under the name Jirou Gamou, goes on a harrowing mission to uncover secret documents titled "Black Notes," while battling forces from within and without his own ranks.

Original Music Composer

The Ryuo's Work is Never Done!

The Ryuo's Work is Never Done! · 2018

The Ryuo's Work is Never Done!

SeriesAnimationComedy

The story is about a teenage boy who happens to be a shougi master. One day, a nine-year-old girl turns up at his house, requesting to be taken as his disciple. From there, all kinds of wacky hijinks ensue.

Original Music Composer

Patlabor: The TV Series

Patlabor: The TV Series · 1989

Patlabor: The TV Series

SeriesComedyAnimation

Patlabor: The TV Series is an anime television series, created by Headgear, animated by Sunrise, and based on the Patlabor anime franchise.

Music

Samurai Pizza Cats

Samurai Pizza Cats · 1990

Samurai Pizza Cats

SeriesAnimationComedy

The setting is a Japanese looking village named "Little Tokyo" where the Pizza Cats run a pizza fast food business. Little Tokyo is populated by all kinds of animals. The official governor of the town is the Emperor, but since he has gone bananas a council takes care of the well-being of the village. One of the members of this council is called Seymour "Big" Cheese, who secretly wishes to take over control of the village. The pizza take away restaurant is merely a cover for their true job... Whenever evil is afoot, the Pizza Cats are launched towards the danger from the gun-lookalike clock tower that emerges from the top of their restaurant.

Music

My Home Hero

My Home Hero · 2023

SeriesAnimationCrime

An unassuming father becomes a target when he kills his daughter's abusive boyfriend — who happens to be the son of a cold-blooded crime boss.

Original Music Composer

Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger

Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger · 2012

Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger

SeriesAction & AdventureComedy

A beautiful-yet-awkward genius recruits three otaku to protect Akihabara. Powered only by their own delusions, and aiming to be acknowledged as a true Sentai team, they become the Unofficial Sentai, Akibaranger!

Music

Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture

Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture · 2024

Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture

SeriesAnimationAction & Adventure

Year Seven of the Kowa Period, in the former Hokkaido Block, live brothers known as the Nameless Mercenaries. The Emperor, Callis al Britannia, tries to plunge the world into chaos with the help of his servant, Norland, and his Einberg Knights. Rozé and Ash take action from the Northern lands.

Music

The Perfect Insider

The Perfect Insider · 2015

The Perfect Insider

SeriesAnimationMystery

Souhei Saikawa is a college professor who is obsessed with genius Shiki Magata’s work. He, Moe Nishinosono, and a group of his other students plan a retreat to the remote island where Magata currently resides, which may put them in danger’s way...

Original Music Composer

Barakamon

Barakamon · 2014

SeriesAnimationComedy

After punching a famous curator in the face for criticizing his work as "textbook and lifeless," Handa Seishuu is sent to Gotō Island to calm his nerves and find new inspiration for his calligraphy. Growing up in the city all his life, though, Handa must adapt to country life while meeting an assortment of quirky people during his tenure.

Original Music Composer

Vlad Love

Vlad Love · 2021

SeriesAnimationComedy

Mitsugu Bamba is a high school girl who is crazy about donating her blood, to the point that she feels compelled to visit a local blood bank despite the unfriendly nurse. One day, Mitsugu encounters a beautiful girl there who looks like she has come from overseas. The girl is so pale that she appears ready to faint. Instead, she suddenly starts trashing the blood bank. The girl then loses consciousness and so Mitsugu takes her home...

Original Music Composer

Blue Seed

Blue Seed · 1994

SeriesAnimationAction & Adventure

Momiji Fujimiya, is a descendant of the mythical Princess Kushinada. When Japan is menaced by Aragami spawned by Yamato-no-Orochi, Momiji is intended to be sacrificed to appease the Aragami. She instead, however, becomes a member of the Terrestrial Administration Center, a secret agency charged with fighting them.

Original Music Composer

Border

SeriesCrimeMystery

Ishikawa Ango is a very capable detective that lives only for his job. One day, while investigating a crime scene, he gets shot in the head by the criminal that was still lurking about. Ango gets thrown over that line that divides life and death but, though he dies, doctor's are able to reanimate him and he pulls through. Yet, the bullet remains stuck in his head as the operation to remove it is very dangerous. Shortly after, he goes back to work and soon realizes that he's now able to see and talk with the recently departed.

Music

Sorcerer Hunters

Sorcerer Hunters · 1995

Sorcerer Hunters

SeriesAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy

In the continent of spooner, sorcerers, who are the continent's aristocrats, have begun to abuse their powers. Under the guidance of Big Momma (their boss) Carrot (who turns into a giant monster every time he's placed under a magic spell), Gateau (a bodybuilder), Marron (a mage), Chocolate and Tira (who can transform into dominatrix's at will) must stop the evil sorcerers from picking on the weak. However, none of them (except maybe Marron) have a clue to what’s going on.

Original Music Composer

No Guns Life

No Guns Life · 2019

SeriesAnimationAction & Adventure

Humans that have been physically altered and turned into dangerous weapons are known as the Extended. Juuzou Inui awakens as one of these weapons — with amnesia. But his job as an agent investigating the Extended leads to a mysterious child with Extended ties showing up at his office. Now Inui must keep the child away from street gangs and the megacorporation Berühren, and it won't be easy.

Original Music Composer