Ritsuko Okazaki

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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.

Contents

[edit] Biography

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Ritsuko Okazaki was born in Hashima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, on 29 December 1959.[1] As is the case with many Japanese artists, her privacy was well guarded; little is known about her life apart from her artistic career.

Okazaki made her debut as a singer-songwriter in 1993. During the nineties, she continued singing and also wrote for anime seiyū. From 2000, she became involved in earnest with anime and composed several songs for Wedding Peach, Fruits Basket and Love Hina. She formed the duo Melocure in 2002 with singer-songwriter Megumi Hinata, and in the following two years, the duo released several singles and an album, Melodic Hard Cure. Okazaki also produced songs during these years for artists such as Megumi Hayashibara, Mayumi Iizuka, and Yui Horie.

Her work consists mainly of ballads, and can be categorised within the spectrum of Japanese music as most closely related to J-Pop. According to her fans, the lyrics of Okazaki's songs are characterized by poetic imagery, depth of emotion, gentle optimism and simplicity.

On May 5, 2004, Ritsuko Okazaki died suddenly at the age of 44 from septic shock as a result of septicemia.[2] She was unable to speak any last words, and left her work unfinished.

[edit] Discography[3]

[edit] Singles

  • 1993.03.03: Kanashii Jiyū / Koi ga, Kiete Yuku (悲しい自由 / 恋が、消えてゆく?)
  • 1994.02.23: Saiai / Jūnigatsu no Yuki no Hi (最愛 / 12 月の雪の日?)
  • 1994.09.16: Chōkyori Denwa / Girlfriend (長距離電話 / Girlfriend?)
  • 1996.04.25: Regret ~Koibito Nara~ / Shigatsu no Yuki (リグレット～恋人なら～ / ４月の雪?)
  • 1996.08.25: A Happy Life / ~Humming~ (A Happy Life / ～ハミング～?)
  • 1997.10.25: Rain or Shine -Futte mo Harete mo- / White Land (Rain or Shine －降っても晴れても－ / White Land?)
  • 1999.12.08: L'aquoiboniste (Muzōsa Shinshi) / Moonshadow (L'aquoiboniste(無造作紳士) / Moonshadow?)
Japanese cover of "L'aquoiboniste" by Jane Birkin
  • 2001.07.25: For Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket opening theme
  • 2002.10.23: Morning Grace
Princess Tutu opening theme

[edit] Albums

  • 1993.03.24: Sincerely yours
  • 1994.03.23: Joyful Calendar
  • 1996.05.25: A Happy Life
  • 1997.08.21: Ritzberry Fields
  • 1997.10.25: Rain or Shine
her first "best of" album
Sister Princess RePure endings collection album
contains all songs from the game Symphonic Rain
  • 2005.05.05: Love & Life - private works 1999-2001
includes songs from three promotional CDs previously released only to members of her fan club

[edit] Sources

  1. ^ Profile on her official website, "Okazaki Ritsuko BOOK". Accessed March 30, 2008.
  2. ^ Announcement of her death on "Ritsuko Okazaki Mailing List 'Ritzmail'"
  3. ^ Discography on "Okazaki Ritsuko BOOK". Accessed March 30, 2008.

[edit] External links

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