The Anime Song Genius of Satoru Kosaki: From Past Hits to Nademonogatari’s Latest OP
The Monogatari series, Nademonogatari has aired, and the OP, which seems to be related to “Renai Circulation” and “Mousou Express,” has been well received.
The stylish OP video, unique to the Monogatari series, combined with its distinctive design, entertains fans.
By the way, the one who has composed numerous OPs for the Monogatari series is Satoru Kosaki.
He has worked on music for many anime and games, producing numerous popular songs.
Let’s take this opportunity to look back at Satoru Kosaki’s works.
There are too many to count, so I’ve picked out some of the major ones.
A Brief Biography of Satoru Kosaki
- Born in 1974, turning 50 in 2024
- Started music in a piano class he attended in kindergarten
- Graduated from Kyoto University, joined the university’s music club
- Joined Namco as a sound creator after graduation
- Joined MONACA in 2005
Looking Back at Satoru Kosaki’s Famous Songs
“Futari no Mojipittan”
Release: 2003 (used in-game from 2001~)
Sung by: Nana Furuhara
Lyrics by: Hiroyuki Goto
Composed by: Satoru Kosaki
A popular song from Namco’s game series “Mojipittan.”
Originally used only as BGM for the 2-player mode, it later became synonymous with “Mojipittan.”
A different version was included in a fan disc for another Namco game, it was covered in “The Idolmaster,” and used in “Lucky Star,” gaining fame.
As we will see, all these uses are connected to Satoru Kosaki.
It was a very popular song on Nico Nico Douga during that era, and before YouTube and other video platforms became widespread, there were several popular Flash works that used this song.
Songs Related to “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya”
BGM, “Koi no Mikuru Densetsu,” “God knows…,” and the second season opening “Super Driver,” among others.
He has worked on many songs for the series.
Otaku over 30 likely heard these during their student days.
Songs Related to THE IDOLM@STER
“Kiramekirari,” “GO MY WAY!!,” “M@STERPIECE,” and others.
He has composed many songs for “The Idolmaster.”
Since “The Idolmaster” is outside my scope, I’ll leave it at that!
Songs Related to “Lucky Star”
After “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” exploded in popularity among otaku, “Lucky Star” became popular shortly after.
It aired from April 2007.
This was the period when Satoru Kosaki’s name became known even to otaku not familiar with music.
Starting with the opening song “Motteke! Sailor Fuku,” he handled many songs including BGM and character songs.
The most famous are “Motteke! Sailor Fuku” and “Fun Fun Fun dayo Lucky Star” which is used in many youtube videos in Japan.
Monogatari Series
The first season aired in 2009, so over 15 years have passed.
In the first season of the Monogatari series, “Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari” (which was not composed by Satoru Kosaki) and “Renai Circulation” were very popular.
The distinctively designed openings and animation direction, now familiar, were fresh at the time.
“Nisemonogatari” aired in 2012.
“Platinum Disco” became popular as material on YouTube and Nico Nico Douga.
In the second season in 2013, “Mousou♡Express” aired, sparking discussions comparing it to “Renai Circulation.”
The popular Monogatari series continued with subsequent installments.
In “Koyomimonogatari” in 2016, he was responsible for the BGM, and for the OP theme in the 2016 part of “Owarimonogatari” aired in 2015 and 2016.
In “Zoku Owarimonogatari” in 2019, he composed the opening theme “07734.”
And now, in this off-season, “Caramel Ribbon Custard” in “Nademonogatari.”
Satoru Kosaki’s music is indispensable for Nadeko Sengoku-related works.
Many More
He has also been responsible for the theme songs and in-show songs of many popular anime like “WORKING!!” and “Kannagi,” but there are too many to list.
Anyway, “Caramel Ribbon Custard” is great along with the OP video!
