Written by: Jei Beltrano | Published on: June 14, 2021 at 7:47 PM PHT (GMT+8)
Asei Kobayashi, the veteran Japanese composer widely known for bringing life to anime and TV commercials in Japan through his music and song compositions, has passed away last May 30 according to a news report published by the Mainichi Shinbun on Monday. Kobayashi died due to heart failure at the age of 88.
Born on August 11, 1932, Kobayashi is a Tokyo native and a graduate of Keio University. Aside of being a composer, he is also a lyricist and a multi-talent actor. He is also the director of the Japan Songwriters Association (J-scat) and previously served as the first president of Dai Nihon Piman-sha Renmei (Dai Pi Ren).
His famous compositions include "Kita No Yado Kara" ("From an Inn in the North"), a traditional "enka" Japanese ballad sung by Harumi Miyako, the theme songs for the anime and media such as "Chōdenji Robo Combattler V", "Gatchaman", "Sally the Witch", "Himitsu no Akko-chan", "Dororon Enma-kun", "Hazedon", "Kick no Oni", and many more, and the songs for the TV commercials of Japanese companies such as confectionery giant Meiji Co., food product company Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd., tech company Hitachi Ltd. and convenience store operator FamilyMart Co.
He also starred some voice roles including in the 1983 animated film "Noel's Fantastic Trip" as Sunday and Sanrio's 1985 animated film "A Journey Through Fairyland" as the teacher.
Source: Mainichi Shinbun
Reference: Asei Kobayashi's Wikipedia entry page
