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It is with a heavy heart that we report on the passing of composer Michiaki Watanabe (known professionally as Chūmei Watanabe) at the age of 96 due to heart failure at a Tokyo hospital on June 23. Having been trained in jazz composition his music often combined brass instruments with synthesizers to make his signature sound. Among Transformers fans he'd be best known for composing the score to both the Transformers Victory and Zone animated series. However, among fans of Japanese giant robots and superheroes in general he's considered the father of their respective soundtracks. To his anime credit are Getter Robo Go, Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, Kōsoku Denjin Albegas, and Kotetsu Zieg. On the live action side he composed for Jinzo Ningen Kikaida, Mechanical Violator Hakaider, Toei's Spider-man, and perhaps most importantly the first six Super Sentai series. As a man that never formally retired he was still working in his advanced years including 2021's Muteking anime series and Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger.

He lived to a ripe old age and composed some amazing music. May he rest in peace.

The Victory theme was always my favorite out of the Japanese TF series. RIP.

bluecatcinema wrote:The Victory theme was always my favorite out of the Japanese TF series. RIP.

He did the score, not the theme song.

Sabrblade wrote:

bluecatcinema wrote:The Victory theme was always my favorite out of the Japanese TF series. RIP.

He did the score, not the theme song.

My bad. But the score was great, too.