Yoko Shimomura

Yoko Shimomura is a renowned Japanese composer known for her remarkable contributions to the video game music industry. Born in 1967 in Hyogo, Japan, Shimomura began her musical journey at a young age, learning to play the piano as a child. She later studied composition at the Osaka College of Music. In the 1980s, she joined Capcom, where she composed music for popular games such as Street Fighter II and Final Fight. Her distinctive and melodic style quickly gained recognition, and she became one of the industry's leading composers. One of her most significant works is the music for the Kingdom Hearts series, a collaboration with Disney and Square Enix. Shimomura's emotionally captivating compositions are highly regarded by fans of the franchise. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Game Audio Network Guild. Yoko Shimomura continues to compose and inspire with her beautiful and memorable melodies, leaving an indelible mark on the world of video game music.