PALGN: First of all welcome back to Sydney! How does it feel?
Go Shiina: I will be back!(laughs)
Yasunori Mitsuda: (laughs)
PALGN: The last time we saw A Night in Fantasia was back in 2007. How do you feel about the grand return of this concert series?
Go Shiina: There is a lot more variety in the content of this concert as there are a lot more genres being covered in games, anime and film. The concert tonight will reach a much wider target audience.
Yasunori Mitsuda: This is my second time being involved with Night in Fantasia. I think this upcoming concert is a much grander and greater version of what we saw in 2007. I really want this concert to succeed.
PALGN: Go Shina. We will be hearing music from IdolM@aster in the upcoming concert. The game has been a tremendous success in Japan, do you think tonight’s performance will create more awareness of the game and improve its chances of getting released outside of Japan?
Go Shiina: It’s a secret (laughs). I think it depends on the demand we receive, if many gamers enquire and request about this game to the developers then I think it may be possible for it to get a release.
Yasunori Mitsuda(left) and Go Shiina(right).
PALGN: What was it like to work with Hiroaki Yura, Philip Chu and the Eminence team again?
Go Shiina: I am surrounded by the kindness of Philip Chu and the push I am given by Mr. Yura. Hiro is a real go getter while Philip is not as assertive, but together they make a great team.
Yasunori Mitsuda: (nods in approval)
PALGN: How do you feel about the work Eminence has done in promoting video game and anime music over the years?
Yasunori Mitsuda: It is a great feeling. In Japan there are separate concerts based on games and anime, but to be able to see these two popular cultures combined in one concert is a great feeling and I am very happy.
Go Shiina: It was beautifully summarized by Mitsuda (laughs) but if I have to say something, its that this (Eminence) is a very rare and precious thing.
PALGN:Yasunori Mitsuda. We recently saw the release of Chrono Trigger on the Nintendo DS and it was a success. As the composer of the Chrono Cross soundtrack, how do you feel about the idea of seeing new projects in the Chrono series?
Yasunori Mitsuda: I don’t think there are any plans at this stage for any new games in the series. Chrono Cross was the perfect ending and so to create a new game for the series will be quite a challenge.
PALGN: Go Shiina. With the home version of Tekken 6 coming out soon, what are your thoughts on the game so far?
Go Shiina: The arcade version features only one on one play mode but the home version will feature new modes which I am looking forward to. My general feeling about the game is that men should be as strong as the Tekken characters (laughs).
PALGN: Tonight we will be seeing many guest composers from America, have you had the chance to speak to any of them yet?
Yasunori Mitsuda: I arrived in Sydney just this morning so I haven’t had the chance yet.
Go Shiina: Yes I have spoken to all the guests but only…Hi!...Nice to meet you!...and…that’s it (laughs).
PALGN: What performance are you most looking forward to tonight? Other than your own?
Yasunori Mitsuda: I am very interested in AFRIKA, which was composed by Wataru Hokoyama. I am very much looking forward to it.
Go Shiina: I am looking forward to the arrangement from the animation Laputa.
PALGN: Since we are a video game site, we have to ask, what video games have you been playing recently?
Yasunori Mitsuda: I have been playing Uncharted. I am very much looking forward to the sequel.
Go Shiina: I have been playing Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Dragon Quest IX.
Yasunori Mitsuda: Is Dragon Quest famous outside Japan?
PALGN: Yes the series is quite popular worldwide, it has a strong following. Dragon Quest VIII was very well received outside of Japan.
Go Shiina and Yasunori Mitsuda: We are surprised to hear that because we thought it was only the Final Fantasy series that was popular… wait I think we are now interviewing you(laughter).
PALGN: Thank you very much for participating in this interview. It was great interviewing both of you together! We will see you at the concert!
Go Shiina and Yasunori Mitsuda: Thank you!
*All photographs are courtesy of Evan Stubbs, TindrumFire Photography
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