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— CH. 1 · TOKYO BIRTH AND TRAINING —

Kentarō Haneda

~2 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
6 sections
  • Kentarō Haneda entered the world in Tokyo, Japan. His musical journey began at the Toho Gakuen School of Music. He completed his formal studies there before moving into professional work. The institution provided a foundation for his future career as a pianist and composer. This early education shaped the technical skills he would later apply to anime and video game scores.

  • Haneda secured a position teaching at the Tokyo College of Music after graduation. Students learned from him during this period of his life. The role allowed him to share knowledge while continuing his own creative output. Teaching duties coexisted with his growing reputation in the entertainment industry. This academic tenure marked a significant phase between his student days and his commercial success.

  • The year 1982 brought major opportunities for Haneda in animation. He composed music for Space Cobra that same year. The following year saw him working on The Super Dimension Fortress Macross series. These projects established his name within the genre. He also contributed to Final Yamato in 1983. His style became recognizable through these high-profile television and film productions throughout the decade.

  • Ascii ported the Wizardry series to NES and SNES consoles around 1990. Haneda arranged the music for these versions. The Super Famicom release followed shortly after. Later work included arrangements for the Suikoden franchise on Nintendo systems. These contributions introduced his orchestral sensibilities to interactive media audiences. The games reached millions of players who heard his compositions without knowing his name immediately.

  • Haneda expanded into live-action films during the early 1980s. Virus appeared in theaters in 1980 with his score. By 1984, he worked on Bye-Bye Jupiter. Television shows like Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger received his musical direction in 2003. His versatility allowed him to transition between animated worlds and real-world filming environments seamlessly. Each project required adapting his classical background to different visual mediums.

  • Liver cancer took hold of Haneda's health in his later years. He fought the illness until the 2nd of June 2007. The date marked the end of a life that spanned 58 years. His death was reported by various sources covering the entertainment industry. Fans remembered him as Haneken, a nickname reflecting his popularity among peers and listeners alike.

Common questions

Where was Kentarō Haneda born and what school did he attend?

Kentarō Haneda entered the world in Tokyo, Japan. His musical journey began at the Toho Gakuen School of Music where he completed his formal studies before moving into professional work.

When did Kentarō Haneda compose music for Space Cobra and The Super Dimension Fortress Macross series?

The year 1982 brought major opportunities for Haneda in animation when he composed music for Space Cobra that same year. The following year saw him working on The Super Dimension Fortress Macross series to establish his name within the genre.

Which video game consoles received music arrangements by Kentarō Haneda around 1990?

Ascii ported the Wizardry series to NES and SNES consoles around 1990 and Haneda arranged the music for these versions. The Super Famicom release followed shortly after with later work including arrangements for the Suikoden franchise on Nintendo systems.

What live-action films did Kentarō Haneda score during the early 1980s?

Haneda expanded into live-action films during the early 1980s when Virus appeared in theaters in 1980 with his score. By 1984, he worked on Bye-Bye Jupiter while television shows like Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger received his musical direction in 2003.

When did Kentarō Haneda die from liver cancer and how old was he?

He fought the illness until the 2nd of June 2007 which marked the end of a life that spanned 58 years. His death was reported by various sources covering the entertainment industry before fans remembered him as Haneken.