Generasia would not be possible without tokyograph and all the wonderful people who've contributed over the past 15 years. Thank you!

Difference between revisions of "Okazaki Ritsuko"

m
m
 
(40 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko (2004).jpg|thumb|250px|Okazaki Ritsuko (2004)]]
 
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko (2004).jpg|thumb|250px|Okazaki Ritsuko (2004)]]
 
<div align="justify">
 
<div align="justify">
'''Okazaki Ritsuko''' (岡崎律子) was a [[J-Pop|Japanese pop]] singer-songwriter and well known composer who was under the [[Universal Music]] sub label [[Universal Music|PloyGram]]. She was well known for her soft vocals.
+
'''Okazaki Ritsuko''' (岡崎律子) was a [[J-Pop|Japanese pop]] singer-songwriter and well known composer who was under the [[Universal Music]] sub label [[Universal Music|PloyGram]]. She was well known for her soft vocals and happy lyrics.
  
 
After surviving stomach cancer in 2003, Okazaki later died on May 5th 2004 at the age of 44 due to [[Wikipedia:Septic Shock|septic shock]].
 
After surviving stomach cancer in 2003, Okazaki later died on May 5th 2004 at the age of 44 due to [[Wikipedia:Septic Shock|septic shock]].
Line 7: Line 7:
 
==Profile==
 
==Profile==
 
*'''Name:''' Okazaki Ritsuko (岡崎律子)
 
*'''Name:''' Okazaki Ritsuko (岡崎律子)
 +
*'''Nicknames:''' Ritsu, Ritz
 
*'''Birthdate:''' December 29, 1959
 
*'''Birthdate:''' December 29, 1959
 
*'''Date of Death:''' May 05, 2004 (aged 44)
 
*'''Date of Death:''' May 05, 2004 (aged 44)
 
*'''Birthplace:''' Hashima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, [[Japan]]
 
*'''Birthplace:''' Hashima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, [[Japan]]
 
*'''[[Blood Type]]:''' B
 
*'''[[Blood Type]]:''' B
 +
*'''Height:''' 158cm
  
 
==Information==
 
==Information==
Okazaki Ritsuko first starting playing music when she was a teenager. During her freshmen year of high school she started a band with with fellow classmate called, ''Eleanor''. Her role in the band was composer and keyboardist. Okazaki first entered the mainstream music in 1993 with her debut single, "[[Kanashii Jiyuu]]", which was released under the [[Universal Music|PloyGram]] record label.
+
Okazaki Ritsuko started composing music since her school days. In her first year of high school, Okazaki joined a band called, ''Eleanor'' (named after [[Wikipedia:The Beatles|the Beatles']] song [[Wikipedia:Eleanor Rigby|Eleanor Rigby]]). Okazaki played the keyboard as well as helped write songs and sing the chorus. The had participated in the 31st Popular Song Contest in 1986. Two years later after graduating from school, when she was 23, she decided that she wanted to make music. She started out composing music for commercials. After she became well known she started writing songs for artists. She also composed songs for Yamaha Music.
  
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko Sincerly Promo.jpg|thumb|200px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[Sincerely Yours|Sincerely yours]]'' (1993)]]
+
During the early 1990s Okazaki started composing tracks for [[Anime|anime]] series. One of the first series she worked on was ''[[Mahou no Princess Micky Momo]]'', where she contributed  images song. She also composed the music for a couple song that where sung by the series lead seiyuu, [[Hayashibara Megumi]], including the opening and ending theme songs. Okazaki went on through the 1990s contributing songs to a variety of different animes. Okazaki impressed her staff one day when they heard her singing a song she was composing for another artist. They felt that her voice suited the song best and urged that she sing instead. Okazakis major debut in Japan with the release of her first single "[[Kanashii Jiyuu]]", and within the same month her first album ''[[Sincerely Yours|Sincerely yours]]'',. Her soft vocals and happy lyrics gained her a big fan following.  
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko Joyful Promo.jpg|thumb|200px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[Joyful Calendar]]'' (1994)]]
 
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko A Happy Promo.jpg|thumb|200px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[A Happy Life (Okazaki Ritsuko album)|A Happy Life]]'' (1996)]]
 
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko Ritzberry Promo.jpg|thumb|200px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[Ritzberry Fields]]'' (1997)]]
 
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko Ohayou Promo.jpg|thumb|200px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[Ohayou]]'' (1998)]]
 
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko Lovely Promo.jpg|thumb|200px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[Life is Lovely.|life is lovely.]]'' (2003)]]
 
  
During the early 1990s Okazaki started composing tracks for [[Anime|anime]] series. One of the first series she worked on was ''[[Mahou no Princess Micky Momo]]'', where she contributed the images songs "[[Promise (Okazaki Ritsuko)|Promise]]" and "[[Fuyu no Nai Karundaa]]". She also composed the music for a couple song that where sung by the series lead seiyuu, [[Hayashibara Megumi]], including the opening and ending theme songs. Okazaki went on through the 1990s contributing songs to a variety of different animes.
+
Okazaki's next big work came in 2000 when she was asked to become the musical director for the ''[[Love Hina]]'' anime. The series became really popular and launched many musical CDs which featured her compositions. For the series she worked with [[Hayashibara Megumi]] and up-and-coming seiyuu, [[Horie Yui]] whom was playing her first major role. Okazaki later worked Horie, writing and composing  songs for her solo career. After the anime ended Okazaki released, ''[[Love Hina Okazaki Collection|Love Hina OKAZAKI COLLECTION]]'', which was a self-cover album of her songs, which were previously sung by the anime's seiyuus.
  
Okazaki's next big work came in 2000 when she was asked to become the musical director for the [[Love Hina]] anime. The series became really popular and launched many musical CDs which featured her compositions. For the series she worked with [[Hayashibara Megumi]] and up-and-coming seiyuu, [[Horie Yui]] whom was playing her first major role. Okazaki later worked Horie, writing and composing  songs for her solo career. After the anime ended Okazaki released, ''[[Love Hina Okazaki Collection|Love Hina OKAZAKI Collection]]'', which was a self-cover album of her songs, which were previously sung by the anime's seiyuus.
+
Okazaki's big break came was when she was hired to compose and sing the theme song for the 2001 anime ''[[Fruits Basket]]''. The director wanted her to come up with "a anime theme song no one has ever heard," and she came up with "[[For Fruits Basket]]", which claimed an award for the Anime Theme Song category in the 7th Animation Kobe in 2002. Following the success, Okazaki maintained the same singing style when she recorded the theme song for ''[[Princess Tutu]]'' titled "[[Morning Grace]]". In 2002, Okazaki Ritsuko formed the singing and chorus unit [[melocure]] with [[Hinata Megumi]].  
  
Not long after the end of ''[[Love Hina]]'', Okazaki became the musical director for the ''[[Fruits Basket]]'' anime. Once again she worked with [[Horie Yui]], whom once again was voicing the leading role. Aside from her compositions that were used in the series, she also sang the opening and closing themes herself.
+
Among the very last works Okazaki Ritsuko worked on is the game ''symphonic rain''. She wrote and composed all the songs and music for the game, and she also sang the theme songs. Okazaki's 9th album was slated for a June release the same year, but unfortunately, Okazaki was diaognosed with stomach cancer in 2003. As she was overcoming it she came down with [[Wikipedia:Septicemia|septicemia]]. From this she went into [[Wikipedia:Septic Shock|septic shock]] and died on May 5th 2004. She was unable to speak any last words.
 +
</div>
  
In 2002, Okazaki teamed up with fellow singer-songwriter and [[Anison|anison]] composer, [[Hinata Megumi]] to form the group [[Melocure]]. The group released several singles, all of which were used as theme songs to [[Anime|anime]] such as ''[[Ultramaiden Valkyrie]]'' and ''[[Stratos 4]]''.
+
==Discography==
 +
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko Sincerly Promo.jpg|thumb|220px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[Sincerely Yours|Sincerely yours]]'' (1993)]]
 +
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko Joyful Promo.jpg|thumb|220px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[Joyful Calendar]]'' (1994)]]
 +
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko A Happy Promo.jpg|thumb|220px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[A Happy Life (mini-album)|A Happy Life]]'' (1996)]]
 +
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko Ritzberry Promo.jpg|thumb|220px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[Ritzberry Fields]]'' (1997)]]
 +
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko Ohayou Promo.jpg|thumb|220px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[Ohayou]]'' (1998)]]
 +
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko Love Hina Promo.jpg|thumb|220px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[Love Hina Okazaki Collection|Love Hina OKAZAKI COLLECTION]]'' (2001)]]
 +
[[File:Okazaki Ritsuko Lovely Promo.jpg|thumb|220px|Okazaki Ritsuko promoting ''[[Life is Lovely.|life is lovely.]]'' (2003)]]
 +
[[Image:Melodic Promo.jpg|thumb|220px|Okazaki Ritsuko in melocure promoting ''[[Melodic Hard Cure]]'' (2004)]]
  
Unfortunately, Okazaki was diaognosed with stomach cancer in 2003. As she was overcoming it she came down with [[Wikipedia:Septicemia|septicemia]]. From this she went into [[Wikipedia:Septic Shock|septic shock]] and died on May 5th 2004.
 
</div>
 
==Discography==
 
 
===Studio Albums===
 
===Studio Albums===
 
*[1993.03.24] [[Sincerely Yours|Sincerely yours]]  
 
*[1993.03.24] [[Sincerely Yours|Sincerely yours]]  
Line 38: Line 41:
 
*[1998.11.06] [[Ohayou]] (おはよう; ''Good Morning'')  
 
*[1998.11.06] [[Ohayou]] (おはよう; ''Good Morning'')  
 
*[2003.02.05] [[Life is Lovely.|life is lovely.]]
 
*[2003.02.05] [[Life is Lovely.|life is lovely.]]
*[2004.12.29] [[For Ritz|For RITZ]]  
+
*[2004.12.29] [[For Ritz|for RITZ]]
  
 
===Other Albums===
 
===Other Albums===
Line 44: Line 47:
 
*[1997.08.21] [[Ritzberry Fields]] <small>(Self Cover Album)</small>
 
*[1997.08.21] [[Ritzberry Fields]] <small>(Self Cover Album)</small>
 
*[1997.10.25] [[Rain or Shine]] <small>(Best Album)</small>
 
*[1997.10.25] [[Rain or Shine]] <small>(Best Album)</small>
*[2001.12.16] [[Love Hina Okazaki Collection|Love Hina OKAZAKI Collection]] <small>([[Love Hina]] Self Cover Album)</small>  
+
*[2001.12.16] [[Love Hina Okazaki Collection|Love Hina OKAZAKI COLLECTION]] <small>([[Love Hina]] Self Cover Album)</small>  
*[2005.05.05] [[Love&Life ~Private Works 1999-2001~|Love&Life ~private works 1999-2001~]] <small>(Fanclub Collection)</small>
+
*[2005.05.05] [[Love & Life ~Private Works 1999-2001~|Love & Life ~private works 1999-2001~]] <small>(Fanclub Collection)</small>
  
 
===Singles===
 
===Singles===
Line 57: Line 60:
 
*[2001.07.25] [[For Fruits Basket]] (For フルーツバスケット)
 
*[2001.07.25] [[For Fruits Basket]] (For フルーツバスケット)
 
*[2002.10.23] [[Morning Grace]]
 
*[2002.10.23] [[Morning Grace]]
 +
 +
===Other===
 +
*[1991.11.21] [[Ichigatsu ni wa Christmas: Original Soundtrack]] (#1 ''Yoake no Aoi Sofa'', #14 ''Fuyu no Nai Calendar'')
 +
*[1992.05.02] [[Yuki Ga Yandara...]] (#1 ''Shigatsu no Yuki'', #6 ''Ma Memire ~Sayonara wa Mada Ienai~'', #9 ''Shigatsu no Yuki  (a capella ending version)'')
 +
*[1994.05.25] [[Tabidachi no Eki]] (#7 ''Yakusoku'', #13 ''Ma Memire ~Sayonara wa Mada Ienai~''))
 +
*[1998.07.24] [[Rebis - C.T.i.A O.S.T]] (#17 ''Cynthia. Aisuru Hito'')
 +
*[2001.03.16] [[Love Hina Vocal Best]] (#14 ''Hajimari wa Koko Kara'')
 +
*[2001.10.30] [[Fruits Basket -Four Seasons-]] (#2 ''Chiisa na Inori'', #4 ''Serenade'', #6 ''Aisubeki Ashita (Fruits Basket Version)'', #10 ''For Fruits Basket'')
 +
*[2001.12.05] [[Fruits Basket Original Soundtrack Memory For You|FRUITS BASKET Original Soundtrack Memory for you]] (#1 ''For Fruits Basket (On Air Ver.)'', #28 ''Chiisa na Inori (On Air Ver.)'')
 +
*[2003.06.25] [[B Part Soundtrack CD]] (#1 ''A Girl in Love'')
 +
*[2003.08.27] [[Starchild Premium Memories]] (#6 ''Shigatsu no Yuki'')
 +
*[2004.03.03] [[Kizukeba Ongaku Kiiteita]] (#17 ''a peace of mind'')
 +
*[2004.03.03] [[Jubei-chan 2]] (#17 ''Asa ~What's goin' on~'')
 +
*[2012.11.07] [[Sukitte Iinayo Vol.1]] (#1 ''Friendship ~For Sukitte Iinayo~'')
  
 
==Composed Works==
 
==Composed Works==
: ''Note: This is not a complete list of compositions''
 
 
; [[Hayashibara Megumi]]
 
; [[Hayashibara Megumi]]
 +
* [[Dabadaba Fallin' Love]] (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[4 Gatsu no Yuki|4 Gatsu no Yuki <MOMO Version>]] (4月の雪) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Yume wo Dakishimete]] (music)
 +
* [[Suki Yori Daisuki Minky Smile]] (好きより大好きミンキースマイル!) (music)
 +
* [[Yakusoku (Hayashibara Megumi)|Yakusoku]] (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Ma Memoire ~Sayonara wa Mada Ienai~]] (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Yumemiru Heart]] (夢みるハート) (lyrics)
 +
* [[-Life-]] (lyrics & music)
 
* [[Bon Voyage!]] (lyrics & music)
 
* [[Bon Voyage!]] (lyrics & music)
* [[Dabadaba Fallin' Love]] (lyrics & music)
+
* [[Sunao na Kimochi]] (素直な気持ち) (lyrics & music)
* [[Good Luck!]] (lyrics & music)  
+
* [[Hanareteite mo (Hayashibara Megumi)|Hanareteite mo]] (はなれていても) (lyrics & music)
* [[Hanarete Ite mo]] (はなれていても) (lyrics & music)  
+
* [[Good Luck! (Hayashibara Megumi)|Good Luck!]] (lyrics & music)  
 +
* [[Ano Koro]] (あの頃) (music)
 
* [[Hikkoshi]] (引っ越し) (lyrics & music)
 
* [[Hikkoshi]] (引っ越し) (lyrics & music)
* [[Kimi Sae Ireba]] (君さえいれば) (lyrics & music)
 
* [[-Life-]] (lyrics & music)
 
* [[Ma Memoire ~Sayonara wa Mada Ienai~]] (lyrics & music)
 
 
* [[Sakura Saku (Hayashibara Megumi)|Sakura Saku]] (lyrics & music)
 
* [[Sakura Saku (Hayashibara Megumi)|Sakura Saku]] (lyrics & music)
* [[Suki Yori Daisuki Minky Smile]] (好きより大好きミンキースマイル!) (music)
+
* [[Kimi Sae Ireba (Hayashibara Megumi)|Kimi Sae Ireba]] (君さえいれば) (lyrics & music)  
* [[Sunao na Kimochi]] (素直な気持ち) (lyrics & music)   
+
* [[Hajimari wa Koko Kara]] (はじまりはここから) (lyrics & music)   
* [[Yakusoku (Hayashibara Megumi)|Yakusoku]] (lyrics & music)   
+
* [[Cynthia Aisuru Hito]] (シンシア・愛する人) (lyrics & music)
* [[Yume wo Dakishimete]] (music)
+
    
* [[Yumemiru Heart]] (夢みるハート) (lyrics)
+
; [[HI*MA*WA*RI]]
 +
* [[Choukyori Denwa (HI*MA*WA*RI)|Choukyori Denwa]] (長距離電話) (lyrics)
 +
 
 +
; [[Hidaka Noriko]]
 +
* [[Hitori Dewa nai]] (ひとりではない) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Power of Love (Hidaka Noriko)|Power of love]] (lyrics)
  
 
; [[Horie Yui]]
 
; [[Horie Yui]]
 +
* [[Haru da Mono! (Horie Yui)|Haru da Mono! -Naru Version-]] (春だもの! -なるVersion-) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[For Fruits Basket (Horie Yui)|For Fruits Basket]] (For フルーツバスケット) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Chisa na Inori (Horie Yui)|Chisa na Inori]] (小さな祈り) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Sakura Saku (Horie Yui)|Sakura Saku -Ho? version-]] (サクラサク -ほっ? version-) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Itsumademo Dokomademo|Itsumademo♡Dokomademo -Ho? version-]] (イツマデモ♡ドコマデモ -ほっ? version-) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Romantic Flight]] (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Angel Koi wo Shita]] (Angel 恋をした) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Kokoro Harete yo mo Akete]] (心晴れてよも明けて) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Clover (Horie Yui)|Clover]] (クローバー) (lyrics & music)
 
* [[A Girl in Love]] (lyrics & music)
 
* [[A Girl in Love]] (lyrics & music)
* [[Angel Koi wo Shita]] (恋をした) (lyrics & music)
 
* [[Clover (Horie Yui)|Clover]] (クローバー) (lyrics & music)
 
 
* [[Egao no Rensa]] (笑顔の連鎖) (lyrics & music)  
 
* [[Egao no Rensa]] (笑顔の連鎖) (lyrics & music)  
 
* [[Cocolo Harete Yo mo Akete|CocoLo Harete Yo mo Akete]] (心晴れて 夜も明けて) (lyrics & music)
 
* [[Cocolo Harete Yo mo Akete|CocoLo Harete Yo mo Akete]] (心晴れて 夜も明けて) (lyrics & music)
* [[Romantic Flight]] (lyrics & music)
 
  
 
; [[Iizuka Mayumi]]
 
; [[Iizuka Mayumi]]
 +
* [[Shoshuu]] (初秋) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Kuchibue de Lu La La]] (口笛でル・ラ・ラ) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Itsumo Kimi wo Mitsumeteru]] (いつ君をみつめてる) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Babyblue]] (lyrics)
 +
* [[Everyday|everyday]] (lyrics & music)
 
* [[Hoshizora ni Oinori]] (星空にお祈り) (lyrics & music)  
 
* [[Hoshizora ni Oinori]] (星空にお祈り) (lyrics & music)  
* [[Itsumo Kimi wo Mitsumeteru]] (いつ君をみつめてる) (lyrics & music)  
+
* [[Gomen ne]] (ごめんね) (music)
 
* [[Kouen Doori]] (公園通り) (lyrics & music)  
 
* [[Kouen Doori]] (公園通り) (lyrics & music)  
* [[Kuchibue de Lu La La]] (口笛でル・ラ・ラ) (lyrics & music)
 
* [[Shoshuu]] (初秋) (lyrics & music)
 
  
 
; [[Inoue Kikuko]]
 
; [[Inoue Kikuko]]
 
* [[Douzo Yoroshiku ne.]] (どうぞよろしくね。) (lyrics & music)  
 
* [[Douzo Yoroshiku ne.]] (どうぞよろしくね。) (lyrics & music)  
 +
* [[Kimi no Uta (Inoue Kikuko)|Kimi no Uta]] (きみのうた) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Kotae wa Koko ni]] (答えはここに) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Shiawase no Waltz]] (しあわせのワルツ) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Ashita wa Ashita]] (明日は明日) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Mizuumi (Inoue Kikuko)|Mizuumi]] (みずうみ) (lyrics & arrangement)
 +
* [[Douzo Yoroshiku ne.]] (どうぞよろしくね) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Kotae wa Koko ni]] (春のぽかぽか) (lyrics & music)
 
* [[Shall We Step in the Rain|Shall we step in the rain?]] (lyrics & music)  
 
* [[Shall We Step in the Rain|Shall we step in the rain?]] (lyrics & music)  
* [[Haru (Inoue Kikuko)|Haru]] (春) (lyrics & music)  
+
* [[Haru (Inoue Kikuko)|Haru]] (春) (lyrics & music & arrangement)  
* [[1mm no Shinpai mo]] (1mmの心配も…) (lyrics & music)  
+
* [[Ichimiri no Shinpai mo...]] (1mmの心配も…) (lyrics & music)
* [[Kimi no Uta (Inoue Kikuko)|Kimi no Uta]] (きみのうた) (lyrics & music; duet with [[Kyoudou Sakushi]])
+
 
 +
; [[Komori Manami]]
 +
* [[Dabadaba Fallin' Love]] (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Marine Marine Marine]] (マリン・マリン・マリン) (music)
 +
* [[Heart Beat (Komori Manami)|Heart Beat]] (music)
 +
* [[Kanashii Usagi]] (かなしい うさぎ ) (music)
 +
* [[Sugao no Alice]] (素顔のアリス) (music)
 +
* [[Orion no Shita de Aimashou]] (オリオンの下で逢いましょう) (music)
 +
* [[Oyasumi Baby]] (おやすみBaby) (music)
 +
* [[Noel]] (music)
 +
* [[Kimi ni Aete Boku wa Boku ni Naru]] (君に逢えてボクはボクになる) (music)
 +
* [[Holy Eyes -Kimi no Yume wa Boku no Yume-]] (Holy Eyes -あなたの夢は私の夢です-) (music)
 +
* [[Little Courage]] (music)
 +
* [[Sangatsu Hakusho]] (三月白書) (music)
 +
* [[Presage]] (music)
 +
* [[Sakura no Shita de]] (桜の下で) (music)
 +
 
 +
; [[Machiko Toyoshima]]
 +
* [[Kaze no Mieru hi]] (風の見える日) (lyrics & music)
 +
 
 +
; [[melocure]]
 +
* [[Itoshii Kakera]] (愛しいかけら) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Agape]] (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[So Far, So Near|So far, so near]] (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Meguriai]] (めぐり逢い) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[All In All|ALL IN ALL]] (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Pop Step Jump!]] (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Kogarashi no Hodo wo Hana no Saku Haru wo]] (木枯らしの舗道を 花の咲く春を) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Sunday Sundae]] (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Shiawase (melocure)|Shiawase]] (しあわせ) (lyrics & music)
 +
* [[Agape|Agape (Mizu no Wakusei Ver.)]] (Agape (水の惑星Ver.)) (lyrics & music)
  
 
; [[Ogata Megumi]]
 
; [[Ogata Megumi]]
* [[Tada Ashita no Tame ni]] (ただ明日のために)  
+
* [[Tada Ashita no Tame ni]] (ただ明日のために) (lyrics & music)  
* [[Can You Hear Me|Can you hear me?]]  
+
* [[Can You Hear Me (Ogata Megumi)|Can you hear me?]] (lyrics & music)
  
 
; [[Yamato Nadeshiko]]
 
; [[Yamato Nadeshiko]]
* [[Merry Merrily]]
+
* [[Merry Merrily]] (lyrics & music)
 +
 
 +
; [[Yukino Satsuki]]
 +
* [[Nante Suteki na]] (なんてステキな) (lyrics & music)
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 +
*[http://www.ne.jp/asahi/okazaki/book/ Okazaki Guest Book]
 +
*[http://www.starchild.co.jp/artist/okazaki/ Starchild Profile]
 +
*[http://www.ritzstar.jp/ Ritzstar]
 +
*[http://www11.plala.or.jp/tsukiyume/ritz/frame.html Ritz Collection]
 +
*[http://www.ritzstar.jp/ Ritzstar]
 +
*[http://www.oocities.org/widoshiku/index.html WHISPERS of the SKY... (outdated)]
 
*[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B2%A1%E5%B4%8E%E5%BE%8B%E5%AD%90 Japanese Wikipedia: 岡崎律子]
 
*[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B2%A1%E5%B4%8E%E5%BE%8B%E5%AD%90 Japanese Wikipedia: 岡崎律子]
  
 
{{Okazaki Ritsuko}}
 
{{Okazaki Ritsuko}}
 
[[Category:Artists]]
 
[[Category:Artists]]
[[Category:J-Pop]]
 
 
[[Category:Songwriter]]
 
[[Category:Songwriter]]
 
[[Category:Composers]]
 
[[Category:Composers]]
 +
[[Category:Lyricists]]
 +
[[Category:Pianist]]
 +
[[Category:1991 Debut]]
 +
[[Category:J-Pop]]
 
[[Category:Nagasaki Artists]]
 
[[Category:Nagasaki Artists]]
 
[[Category:Blood Type B]]
 
[[Category:Blood Type B]]
 
[[Category:1959 Births]]
 
[[Category:1959 Births]]
 
[[Category:2004 Deaths]]
 
[[Category:2004 Deaths]]
 +
[[Category:Former Japanese Vocal Group Members]]

Latest revision as of 01:53, 16 December 2013

Okazaki Ritsuko (2004)

Okazaki Ritsuko (岡崎律子) was a Japanese pop singer-songwriter and well known composer who was under the Universal Music sub label PloyGram. She was well known for her soft vocals and happy lyrics.

After surviving stomach cancer in 2003, Okazaki later died on May 5th 2004 at the age of 44 due to septic shock.

Profile

  • Name: Okazaki Ritsuko (岡崎律子)
  • Nicknames: Ritsu, Ritz
  • Birthdate: December 29, 1959
  • Date of Death: May 05, 2004 (aged 44)
  • Birthplace: Hashima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
  • Blood Type: B
  • Height: 158cm

Information

Okazaki Ritsuko started composing music since her school days. In her first year of high school, Okazaki joined a band called, Eleanor (named after the Beatles' song Eleanor Rigby). Okazaki played the keyboard as well as helped write songs and sing the chorus. The had participated in the 31st Popular Song Contest in 1986. Two years later after graduating from school, when she was 23, she decided that she wanted to make music. She started out composing music for commercials. After she became well known she started writing songs for artists. She also composed songs for Yamaha Music.

During the early 1990s Okazaki started composing tracks for anime series. One of the first series she worked on was Mahou no Princess Micky Momo, where she contributed images song. She also composed the music for a couple song that where sung by the series lead seiyuu, Hayashibara Megumi, including the opening and ending theme songs. Okazaki went on through the 1990s contributing songs to a variety of different animes. Okazaki impressed her staff one day when they heard her singing a song she was composing for another artist. They felt that her voice suited the song best and urged that she sing instead. Okazakis major debut in Japan with the release of her first single "Kanashii Jiyuu", and within the same month her first album Sincerely yours,. Her soft vocals and happy lyrics gained her a big fan following.

Okazaki's next big work came in 2000 when she was asked to become the musical director for the Love Hina anime. The series became really popular and launched many musical CDs which featured her compositions. For the series she worked with Hayashibara Megumi and up-and-coming seiyuu, Horie Yui whom was playing her first major role. Okazaki later worked Horie, writing and composing songs for her solo career. After the anime ended Okazaki released, Love Hina OKAZAKI COLLECTION, which was a self-cover album of her songs, which were previously sung by the anime's seiyuus.

Okazaki's big break came was when she was hired to compose and sing the theme song for the 2001 anime Fruits Basket. The director wanted her to come up with "a anime theme song no one has ever heard," and she came up with "For Fruits Basket", which claimed an award for the Anime Theme Song category in the 7th Animation Kobe in 2002. Following the success, Okazaki maintained the same singing style when she recorded the theme song for Princess Tutu titled "Morning Grace". In 2002, Okazaki Ritsuko formed the singing and chorus unit melocure with Hinata Megumi.

Among the very last works Okazaki Ritsuko worked on is the game symphonic rain. She wrote and composed all the songs and music for the game, and she also sang the theme songs. Okazaki's 9th album was slated for a June release the same year, but unfortunately, Okazaki was diaognosed with stomach cancer in 2003. As she was overcoming it she came down with septicemia. From this she went into septic shock and died on May 5th 2004. She was unable to speak any last words.

Discography

Okazaki Ritsuko promoting Sincerely yours (1993)
Okazaki Ritsuko promoting Joyful Calendar (1994)
Okazaki Ritsuko promoting A Happy Life (1996)
Okazaki Ritsuko promoting Ritzberry Fields (1997)
Okazaki Ritsuko promoting Ohayou (1998)
Okazaki Ritsuko promoting Love Hina OKAZAKI COLLECTION (2001)
Okazaki Ritsuko promoting life is lovely. (2003)
Okazaki Ritsuko in melocure promoting Melodic Hard Cure (2004)

Studio Albums

Other Albums

Singles

Other

Composed Works

Hayashibara Megumi
HI*MA*WA*RI
Hidaka Noriko
Horie Yui
Iizuka Mayumi
Inoue Kikuko
Komori Manami
Machiko Toyoshima
melocure
Ogata Megumi
Yamato Nadeshiko
Yukino Satsuki

External Links