Hey everyone,

Kahori (from CocoeBiz) and I have been talking about trying an interview with Falcom Sound Team jdk for a long time.  And, thanks to a little encouraging from a friend, we're finally going to try to make that a reality.  There's no guarantee what we'll get yet (who will speak on their behalf or how much information or history they will reveal), but given this is such a great opportunity, we would like to extend the invitation to other Falcom Sound Team jdk fans out there to get involved. 

If you have any particular questions that you would like us ask Falcom Sound Team jdk, please send them to me via my STC mail link.  There's no guarantee your question will be included in the interview or answered, but we figured we'd at least give people the opportunity to submit ideas since this is a such a long time coming.  I'm going to set the deadline for questions to November 29th, meaning you have through Sunday to submit questions.  Let em' rip!

- Justin Pfeiffer

I think the most important question is what does jdk stand for.

Mine won't be on a common-sense questionnaire, but I'd still like to know if it's true that Ryo Takeshita was kicked out because of his objectionable abuse of Miku Hatsune voice that Crypton got pissed off with.

My questions sent. Thanks so much for making this happen Justin!

I'd like to know if Falcom has any intention to publish any more music cds you can buy. The last one is jdk Band 2008 Spring (M047) and it came out more than a year and a half ago. For example, why can't I buy the Ys 7 soundtrack? Also, any chance for more special boxes? 2010 maybe? I'll try to think of more questions as I'm a huge Falcom fan.

You mean this Ys Seven soundtrack that I believe came out a few days ago?  Or the Chronicles ost?

http://www.falcom.co.jp/mailorder/category/cd.html

Ah... I didn't know about that. From time to time, I just go to falcom.com and click on the cd icon on the left to see if they have any new releases. That page (Falcom CD Catalog) has not been updated recently. But thanks for the tip, I'll be placing an order soon. Or does it end out cheaper ordering from cocoebiz? I'm sure Justin would say so

Not only would Justin say so. I do, too. Why? Because Falcom ships everything via EMS. At VGM world (or CocoeBiz if you prefer) you have a number of cheaper options along with your EMS. I haven't ordered CDs from Falcom's site since Kahori made a deal with them. Unless, of course, Falcom has had some special offer. Besides, when you order from VGM world, everyone wins.

Thanks for all the questions so far.  Feel free to post any others here on this thread or mail them to me.  Either is fine.

That is how I would answer that question as well.   And as far as I know, Falcom still ships only EMS, so Jousto makes a good point.

- Justin Pfeiffer

You should ask them if there's any plans to continue the divergence of style that is Zwei!!/Zwei!! 2 (AMAZING) and VM Japan (not so amazing but different at least).  Are the team members that composed them still part of jdk? Obviously their rock style is tried and true so it works, however change is good every once and a while.

Justin, sorry I couldn't contribute any questions. I've just been too busy with things. In fact, still have to complete questions for three interviews I have been persistently working on, so I'm all questioned out! Good luck with the interview. I look forward to reading it!

JB, here are credits for those games:

VM Japan - Atsushi Shirakawa, Hayato Sonoda, Wataru Ishibashi, Maiko Hattori
Zwei! - Atsushi Shirakawa, Hayato Sonoda, Wataru Ishibashi, Maiko Hattori   
Zwei! 2 - Hayato Sonoda, Takahiro Unisuga, Saki Momiyama, Masanori Osaki
Ys Seven - Hayato Sonoda, Takahiro Unisuga, Saki Momiyama, Masanori Osaki

So the current sound team of Falcom consists of these four. Sonoda has been a relative mainstay, who has been there since Vantage Master in 1997. He succeeded Atsushi Shirakawa as head of the team in 2003 (resulting in three of my all-time favourite Falcom scores, Ys VI, Gurumin, and Legend of Heroes VI). Unisuga has been there since Xanadu Next in 2005.