The Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony featured video game music and gamers are losing their s**t
Twitter: aitaikimochi
JRPGs are among Japan’s greatest exports, so to hear music from the greatest series at the Tokyo Olympics was a real joy for gamers.
Just imagine walking out into an Olympic stadium to the Hero’s Fanfare from Final Fantasy.
That’s exactly what happened for this year’s Olympians, with the Parade of Nations flag-bearing parade accompanied by orchestral versions of video game music.
The Final Fantasy fanfare is played at the end of each battle; now it’s the soundtrack to sporting heroes.
Anyone else humming along to the #Tokyo2020 #OpeningCeremony?
— FINAL FANTASY (@FinalFantasy) July 23, 2021
The lengthy orchestral medley also included songs from other great Japanese series, from Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts to Sonic the Hedgehog, Monster Hunter and even NieR.
Here’s a full list of songs at the Olympics according to Nikkan Sports and translated by VGC.
Dragon Quest – Introduction: Roto Theme
Final Fantasy – Victory Fanfare
Tales of Series – Sley’s Theme
Monster Hunter – Proof of Hero
Kingdom Hearts – Olympus Coliseum
Chrono Trigger – Frog Theme
Ace Combat – First Flight
Tales of Series – Royal Capital
Monster Hunter – Wind of Departure
Chrono Trigger – Robo’s Theme
Sonic the Hedgehog – Star Light Zone
Winning Eleven (PES) – eFootball Walk-On Theme
Final Fantasy – Main Theme
Phantasy Star Universe – Guardians
Kingdom Hearts – Hero’s Fanfare
Gradius (Nemesis) – 01 Act 1-1
NierR – Initiator
Saga Series – Makai Ginyu Poetry Saga Series Medley 2016
SoulCalibur – The Brave New Stage of History
Sadly there was no Nintendo music included, despite Japan’s Prime Minister arriving at the Rio Olympics closing ceremony from a warp pipe back in 2016.
Gamers lose their sh*t at gaming music at the Olympics
Shocked and surprised at the music, gamers took to social media to collectively lose their sh*t.
Of particular interest was the Kingdom Hearts theme, especially as the series has its own version of Olympus thanks to Hercules.
As one account put it, “it’s cool to think about how video game music can bring together people from all walks of life”.
And, yes, followed up by the victory music from Final Fantasy. Did the #Olympics just level up? #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/zvGcIblhE7— The Japan Times (@japantimes) July 23, 2021
DUDE FINAL FANTASY MUSIC PLAYING NOW- THE OPENING CEREMONY DEFINITELY GOT MY ATTENTION NOW LOL #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/FNtJh2mibY— ☆オードリーAudrey☆ (@aitaikimochi) July 23, 2021
How awesome is it that the entire WORLD is currently listening to music from Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Dragon Quest, Monster Hunter, Tales of, Sonic, and so much more?
It’s cool to think about how video game music can bring together people from all walks of life. #Tokyo2020— ☆オードリーAudrey☆ (@aitaikimochi) July 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/luulubuu/status/1418541028299137034?s=20
https://twitter.com/luulubuu/status/1418540670055329798?s=20
KINGDOM HEARTS MADE IT TO OLYMPICS LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/mmTkUQ1LZ6
— Maku (@TropicalMaku) July 23, 2021
Gamers hearing Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest music playing during the #OpeningCeremony of the #Olympics pic.twitter.com/pNLW62Gxpy— Green Man Gaming (@GreenManGaming) July 23, 2021
