Kumi Tanioka Plays Fan Festival 2008!

Kumi Tanioka, a composer for FINAL FANTASY XI and member of the Star Onions, took to the stage amid thunderous applause from her devoted fans. Tanioka-san, who was all by herself this year, opened by confessing to the crowd that her solo trek to Fan Festival without the other Onions had left her feeling "a bit lonely." Fortunately, she brought along a video message from fellow FFXI composer Naoshi Mizuta to greet the fans and boost her spirits. Mizuta-san expressed his regret at being unable to attend this year's festivities in person, but then gave the audience reason to rejoice by announcing that he was currently hard at work on the Star Onions' second album!

Once the video ended, Tanioka-san took her place behind the piano and began the concert with a familiar melody: Ronfaure. This classic tune found special favor in the ears of San d'Orians throughout the festival. She then paused between songs to inform attendees that her next piece would be a "slow classic," which turned out to be none other than the timeless theme from Gustaberg. After surely winning the favor of all Bastokans present with that trip down memory lane, Tanioka-san played Sanctuary of Zi'Tah, its soothing melodies no doubt provocative of many fond memories of Zilart yesteryears. Her first three selections set a beautiful and relaxing mood for the evening, but her performance had only just begun!

Taking a moment's respite from the performance, Tanioka-san next agreed to answer some questions posed by the MC, with the translation assistance of Steven Reinhart. The fans listened intently as she spoke in detail about her sources of inspiration and thoughts on FFXI composition.

Q. You have been composing songs for FINAL FANTASY XI since before its release. Tell us, what is it like to have composed for a game with such a wide international audience?
A. It makes me very, very, extremely happy! It's pretty miraculous to think that the music that I have composed is being played, literally, around the world. I really couldn't be more pleased to be participating in this game in the role of composer.

Q. You've also made fans all over the world by performing with the Star Onions. What is it like to play before a live audience?
A. It's an extremely good feeling. It is one of the best feelings I know. I'm very appreciative of the warm welcomes I've received coming to Fan Festival these past few years. Thank you! It kind of gets to me after a while sitting all day in my booth at the office back in Japan, staring at a computer screen, the drudgery of composition, and things like that. So these rare opportunities to come and actually meet the people that I'm composing for and have the chance to perform for them are very important to me.

Q. Of course, many people know that you've also composed for the CRYSTAL CHRONICLES series. What we'd like to know is where you find your inspiration when writing such original songs for all of these different games?
A. When composing the music, one of the things I have to take into account is the overall vision of the game world that I'm composing for. Also, I consider the characters that are in the game and the genre of the game itself. And even the personal preferences of the director of the title (laughter) are unfortunately something I have to work with as well. CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Echoes of Time will be released sometime next year, so please, everybody look forward to it!

As the audience applauded, Tanioka-san resumed her performance with pieces from the soundtracks to the Treasures of Aht Urhgan and Wings of the Goddess expansions, the first of which was the powerhouse Ragnarok. Before beginning the next track, the reflective Flowers on the Battlefield, she regrettably informed attendees that this would be her "last song" of the evening (complete with air quotes). And indeed, upon finishing, she took a humble bow before the crowd to lively cheers and applause. After stepping off stage, the resounding cheers continued and soon congealed into a chant, "Encore, encore!" Never one to disappoint her fans, Tanioka-san reentered the stage are took her seat behind the piano yet again.

The final performance of the evening was a dramatic arrangement of Awakening. As her hands forcefully sounded out the last, abrupt note, audience members jumped from their seats for a standing ovation! The MC returned to the stage one last time to thank Tanioka-san for her concert, and then proceeded to call out the Development Team and other staff members for a final farewell. With everyone on stage giving their final goodbyes and thank-you's, Fan Festival 2008 drew to a memorable end for all.