I didn’t expect to be writing about the Tokyo Olympics today, dear reader, but here we are. Today marks the Tokyo Olympics’ opening ceremony, the Parade of Nations, where oodles of athletes parade and wave their nation’s flags during a lengthy ceremony. The twist this time around, though, is that they’re accompanied by music from some of Japan’s most beloved videogame series.
My ears immediately perked up when Final Fantasy’s Victory Fanfare tune kicked in, but there are heaps of ’em. We’ve got music from Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Tales of, Monster Hunter, Kingdom Hearts, Chrono Trigger, Ace Combat, Sonic the Hedgehog, PES, Phantasy Star Universe, Gradius, Nier, Saga Series, and Soul Caliber. Music from Nintnedo and Pokemon is oddly absent, but prime minister Shinzo Abe did emerge from a pipe in a Mario outfit during the closing show at the Rio Olympics, so it probably works out even.
The Olympic Games were initially set to kick off last year but ended up delayed by 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While it’s now going ahead, it’ll do so without spectators at venues in and around the capital.
Here’s the full rundown of tunes from Nikkan Sports:
- Dragon Quest – Introduction: Roto Theme
- Final Fantasy – Victory Fanfare
- Tales of Series – Sley’s Theme
- Monster Hunter – Proof of Hero
- Kingdom Hearts – Olympus Coliseum
- Chrono Trigger – Frog Theme
- Ace Combat – First Flight
- Tales of Series – Royal Capital
- Monster Hunter – Wind of Departure
- Chrono Trigger – Robo’s Theme
- Sonic the Hedgehog – Star Light Zone
- Winning Eleven (PES) – eFootball Walk-On Theme
- Final Fantasy – Main Theme
- Phantasy Star Universe – Guardians
- Kingdom Hearts – Hero’s Fanfare
- Gradius (Nemesis) – 01 Act 1-1
- NierR – Initiator
- Saga Series – Makai Ginyu Poetry Saga Series Medley 2016
- SoulCalibur – The Brave New Stage of History
Here are some clips!
Final Fantasy Music at the Olympics haha pic.twitter.com/8MHwS49Rfv
— Sam (@SamMaverickMac) July 23, 2021
Finally something good about the Olympics! Proof of a Hero ^^ pic.twitter.com/JOfNyTVD5A
— Gaijinhunter (@aevanko) July 23, 2021
KINGDOM HEARTS OLYMPUS THEME AT THE OLYMPICS 😭😭😭 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/mGD30ZwUq1
— A★M (@YapapaMirage) July 23, 2021
I’m watching the ceremony on BBC iPlayer – and you can, too, if you’re from these parts in the UK! – though there’s also the option to watch the Olympics on Twitch as NBC provides coverage there.
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