Shinji Miyazaki

Biography

Shinji Miyazaki (宮崎 慎二, Miyazaki Shinji; born October 7, 1956) is a Japanese composer and arranger. He was born in Kobe, and lived in a variety of areas on the island of Shikoku for much of his childhood. He developed a taste for pop music, which eventually led him to study musical arrangement and piano instruction at the Shobi College of Music. He took some time in deciding that music would become his career, but eventually decided to become an arranger, and later a composer.
His work has dealt primarily with musical scores for anime. His most well known contributions include music for the Crayon Shin-chan series, as well as music for much of the Pokémon anime series and most of the films in it from 1997 to 2019. His work pulls from many inspirations, among them J-Pop and American pop influences, as well as jazz artist Gil Evans. Many of his compositions utilize string and brass instruments, particularly the french horn.

Life

Miyazaki was born in Kobe, but moved to the Kamiukena District as a small child. Around the age of 12, he moved to Matsuyama, Ehime. His interest in music began as a child. Both of his parents worked, and often left him with a neighbor during the day. The neighbor's older child listened to pop music on his shortwave radio; Miyazaki would listen as with him, particularly to programs like Billboard.

Education

Miyazaki received no formal music training until the age of 20, when he entered the Shobi College of Music to study musical composition with a minor in piano education. In order to pass the university entrance exam, he spent a year teaching himself the material. He spent two years studying for the entrance exams required to attend a true university, but never entered one.

Career

Miyazaki first entertained the thought of making a profession in the music industry after realizing how much the songs he heard on the radio inspired him. When he first became involved with composing works for anime, he worked primarily as an arranger.
Miyazaki admits to not playing the piano well, even though composing on it is his job.

Style and methods

When asked to compose a new piece of music, Miyazaki uses a number of methods, and often works from flashes of inspiration. When deadlines approach and he still has not composed a song, he tries to distract himself by looking at something he finds beautiful or unusual.
He draws much of his inspiration from the songs he heard on the radio growing up, and particularly the compositions of Tōru Takemitsu. He listens to the enka and kayōkyoku genres, as well as classical music, jazz, and more general American-style pop music. When he relaxes, he listens to African-American music from the 1960s and 1970s. Other inspirations include Gil Evans and John Williams.

Music composition

Crayon Shin-chan television series
Crayon Shin-chan: Arashi wo Yobu Jungle
Crayon Shin-chan: Arashi wo Yobu! Yuuhi no Kasukabe Boys
Crayon Shin-chan: Dengeki! Buta no Hizume Daisakusen
Pokémon anime (1997-2019)
Pikachu's Island Adventure
Pokémon: The First Movie
Pokémon: The Movie 2000
Pokémon 3: The Movie
Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns
Pokémon 4Ever
Pokémon Heroes
Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker
Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys
Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon
Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai
Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior
Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life
Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions
Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram
Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice
Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened
Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel
Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution
Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle
Oda Cinnamon Nobunaga

Theme song arrangement

Magical Girl Pretty Sammy
Ojarumaru anime
Sakura Wars 2