Ritsuko Okazaki
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Wikipedia:Translation/Ritsuko Okazaki
Ritsuko Okazaki (岡崎 律子 Okazaki Ritsuko, 29 December 1959–5 May 2004) was a Japanese singer-songwriter and author, known for her contribution to various anime series such as Fruits Basket.
[edit] Biography
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Ritsuko Okazaki was born in Nagasaki, Japan, on 29 December 1959. As is the case with many Japanese artists, her privacy was well guarded; little is known about her life apart from her artistic achievements.
Okazaki made her debut as a singer-songwriter in 1993. During the nineties, she continued her singing career and also wrote for anime seiyuu. From 2000 she became involved in earnest with anime and composed several songs for Fruits Basket. In 2001, together with Hinata Megumi she formed the duo Melocure. From 2001 to 2004, the duo had great success with several singles. In 2004, the duo releases its first album Melodic Hard Cure.
Her work constisted mainly of ballads, and can probably be categorised within the spectrum of Japanese music as most closely related to J-Pop. According to many of her fans, Okazaki's songs were characterised by poetic imagery, depth of emotion, gentle optimism and simplicity. Her voice was considered to be of a particularly remarkable litheness and subtlety. For these reasons, some describe her as an "angelic singer."
On May 5 2004, at the age of 44, Ritsuko Okazaki died suddenly and unexpectedly from septic shock, caused by blood poisoning. She was unable to utter any last words, and left her work unfinished.
[edit] Discography
- Sincerely yours (1993)
- Joyful Calendar (1994)
- A Happy Life (1996)
- Ritzberry Fields (1997)
- Rain or Shine (1997)
- Ohayou (おはよう, 1998)
- For Fruits Basket (For フルーツバスケット, 2001)
- Fruits Basket -Four Seasons- (フルーツバスケット― 四季 ―, rearranged soundtrack, 2001)
- Love Hina Okazaki Collection (2001)
- Princess Tutu: Opening theme (Morning Grace) (2002)
- Life is lovely (2003)
- 12 endings (12人のエンディング, Soundtrack for Sister Princess)
- Melodic Hard Cure Melocure (メロディック・ハード・キュア, 2004)
- For RITZ (2004)
- Love & Life - private works 1999-2001 (5th May, 2005)
[edit] External links
- Okazaki Rituko's homepage (Japanese)
- Announcement of her death (Japanese)
- MELOCURE's homepage (Japanese)
- Memorial page and list of CDs
