BEMANI-Pokémon Connections

Music games and I, specifically my Pokémon interests, go very well; there are quite a few posts on this blog on this topic. One of the biggest names in music games, at least in Asia, is Konami with their line of music games called BEMANI. DanceDanceRevolution, a game that I've mentioned in the past with a Pokémon connection, is one game within this line of games. There are, actually, a few more connections between Pokémon and a few other things related to this line of games. Many are indirect or in jest, but they're connections nonetheless.

A couple of those "in-jest" connections involve a couple of songs that are featured in some or many games in the line. The two songs are "smooooch・∀・" and "Fushigina kusuri (ふしぎなくすり)". The zeal and jest of fans of these songs have produced animations based on the lyrical content for the latter and visuals for the former, some of which are parodies involving Pokémon. There are too many of these for them all to be highlighted, but I can at least highlight a few of them: two examples for the former are ones involving various Pokémon from the first few generations and various characters in the anime, and two for the latter are ones involving Pikachu and Lucario. All of these look interesting and well-done, but most importantly, they are sure to be pleasing for Pokémon fans.

Recently, another game in this line has forged another connection to Pokémon: GITADORA, the unified name for the guitar (GuitarFreaks) and drum (DrumMania) simulation games in this line, has included another song from the Pokémon anime, which would be "1-2-3", the first Japanese opening for the "World saga", else called Pokémon Journeys in English. Meanwhile, an insightful fact has emerged about one particular piece of music from the past. "DROP OUT", one of the music pieces featured in DanceDanceRevolution, contains samples from a sample pack that also ultimately became developed into the cry sounds for a few Pokémon of the fourth-generation games. Sound-wise, these are neat relationships, and I look forward to playing the songs that are involved in the relationships.

The BEMANI line is well-known for its line of in-house musicians, but it's also supported by a host of commissioned ones, especially today - though this last bit isn't too pertinent for this blog. What is pertinent, however, is one such musician from earlier times. Arata Iiyoshi in the past often contributed to different games in this line, and though he hasn't been seen recently in any game in this line, his contributions have remained significant. He's also significant for a particular Pokémon connection: he developed much of the music for the Mystery Dungeon series of Pokémon games, particularly the Rescue Team and Explorers sub-series. His music has been described as a fusion of human emotion and nature, and that seems to be quite true for both Pokémon Mystery Dungeon and BEMANI overall.

I enjoy some music games, including some from the BEMANI line, besides enjoying Pokémon as my primary interest. Even then, it becomes evident that some things from BEMANI do have relationships to Pokémon, which pleases me to no end as a fan of the latter. Whether the connections are humorous as with the video parodies or substantial as with the music and artist connections, I feel at least compelled to enjoy the music games as an aside from Pokémon before jumping right back in to the latter.

One year ago: The State of Nominations, Part 2

Two years ago: A Raid Group Gathering

Three years ago: On Cosplay Props and Prop Makers