Shirō Sagisu
MusicianShirō Sagisu is a Japanese composer, arranger, and record producer whose four-decade career includes writing the soundtrack for Hideaki Anno's Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of his signature collaborations with Gainax.
Neon Genesis Evangelion Role
Shirō Sagisu composed the musical score for Neon Genesis Evangelion, working closely with creator Hideaki Anno to shape the series' distinctive blend of orchestral tension and jazz inflected calm. That partnership became one of Gainax's defining creative pairings, running across the original television series and its later film continuations. Sagisu's Evangelion work brought him wider recognition in 2010, when Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance earned him the Tokyo Anime Award in the Best Music category.
Career and Notable Roles
Long before Evangelion, Sagisu started out in 1977 as a member of the jazz fusion group T-Square, recording three albums before moving into composing and arranging full time in 1979. Within two decades he had a hand in more than two thousand songs, commercial jingles, and screen scores, while also producing records for artists such as Misia, Ken Hirai, and Satoshi Tomiie. His arranging skills reached a global audience in 2020, when his version of the Japanese national anthem was performed by Misia at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions
What anime has Shiro Sagisu scored?
Shirō Sagisu composed the musical score for Neon Genesis Evangelion, working closely with creator Hideaki Anno across the original television series and its later film continuations. That partnership became one of Studio Gainax's defining creative pairings and remains his best-known anime scoring credit.
What are Shiro Sagisu's most famous scores?
Sagisu's Evangelion work brought him wide recognition in 2010, when Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance earned him the Tokyo Anime Award in the Best Music category. His arranging skills also reached a global audience in 2020, when his version of the Japanese national anthem was performed by Misia at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony.
How did Shiro Sagisu start his music career?
Sagisu started out in 1977 as a member of the jazz fusion group T-Square, recording three albums before moving into composing and arranging full time in 1979. Within two decades he had a hand in more than two thousand songs, commercial jingles, and screen scores.
What other artists has Shiro Sagisu produced?
Beyond scoring, Sagisu produced records for artists such as Misia, Ken Hirai, and Satoshi Tomiie, work that ran parallel to his composing career. That production side rounds out a four-decade career built on both film scoring and pop music.
Who is Shiro Sagisu?
Shirō Sagisu is a Japanese composer, arranger, and record producer born in 1957, active in the industry since 1978. He is best known for scoring Hideaki Anno's Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of his signature collaborations with Studio Gainax.
Sources & Information
This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series, manga, and official materials. Neon Genesis Evangelion was created by Hideaki Anno, published by Kadokawa, and animated by khara and Gainax. All rights to Neon Genesis Evangelion and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byHideaki Anno
- Published byKadokawa
- Animated bykhara
- Animated byGainax
All rights belong to their respective owners.
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