How does anime and video game composer Kevin Penkin improve and elevate the worlds of Made in Abyss, Tower of God, and more through inspirational soundtracks?
Kevin Penkin’s amazing creative ability to create haunting or ethereal music elevates any anime project he’s involved in. Kevin’s soundtrack often uses classical music elements, but sometimes also uses new age materials to create certain emotional effects.
1. Made in Abyss
The First Layer
The composer’s musical prowess is evident in the sunrise scene as Riko and Reg climb to the point where they can both see The Abyss. The fact that the music is used well in this scene has the effect of sending a message to the viewer that Made in Abyss is going to be something special.
The music adds an element of curiosity to the atmosphere that makes Made in Abyss a complete anime series. As our protagonists descend on the seemingly bottomless The Abyss, the haunting spatial music uses emotional percussion in “The First Layer,” the playful and eerie string sounds in “In The Blind” ” and great vocals in “The Underground River”. Without these songs, Made in Abyss would be a lovely adventure, but it would lack the atmosphere that makes it stand out.
The Underground River
The second season of Made in Abyss shows Kevin Penkin can compose music to a great extent as the investment in him grows even higher. Adding some music for the villain has increased the quality a lot.
Transcendence and Hanezeve
Kevin Penkin responded to this expectation through the tracks “Transcendence and Hanezeve” and “The Rumble of Scientific Triumph”. These songs have electronic music elements and gothic tones that ensure the film and villains have a different nature from the manga.
2. Star Wars Visions
MAGINA x FORCE
With that said, Kevin Penkin is an artist with a knack for making things stand out. Star Wars Visions is a collection of nine animated short films added to the Star Wars universe led by seven different animation studios. Kinema Citrus’ episode, “The Village Bride,” is a gorgeous but slow piece of work, highlighted only by Kevin’s music. John Williams classics were heard through “The Village Bride (ft. Emii Evans)” and “IZUMA”. These familiar motifs bring the necessary Star Wars feel to the soundtrack.
“The Village Bride” features stunning animation and an outstanding soundtrack. The strengths of Kinema Citrus and Kevin Penkin from Made in Abyss shine through forest scenes and planetary exploration combined with something akin to spiritual music. The strength of Penkin’s songs, especially “MAGINA x FORCE”, is responsible for adding much of the emotion to this short.
3. Eden
EDEN 3
Eden is an original anime by Netflix. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are a minority. The world has a lot to do with the Fallout series with giant giant robots living in terrain like the desert. Surprise and tension are built through a track that uses ethereal vocals and emotional piano pieces. Animation in computer-generated Eden is sometimes choppy and can upset viewers who don’t like 3DCG. In return, Penkin’s catchy music does a good job of strengthening that connection.
“Sara”, “VR” and “EDEN 3” showcase the magic that Kevin Penkin can create through music. The elegantly paced ambient music builds suspense and emotion while taking the anime to the next level. The dramatic moments are further accentuated by delicate piano music, such as “The Place Where Everyone Laughs”. These songs build on the emotions and vibes of the world with elegance and expertise distilled from Kevin Penkin’s time on Made in Abyss and other anime works.
4. Tower of God
Irregular God
The special world and its atmosphere are also expressed a lot in Tower of God through music. As if by fate, the Tower of God is another mysterious and splendid world filled with the same mysteries as Made in Abyss and Eden. Kevin Penkin’s knack for creating music that fits this kind of world is coming to fruition, as nearly every piece of music is stunning and impactful thanks to his signature musical tricks. . Ambient elements and electronic music blend well with the fantasy world of Tower of God.
Songs like “Irregular God,” “Church,” “Two Cathedrals,” “Star,” and “Ma” give the Tower of God its timeless setting. Character-specific songs, a trend in shonen anime, are also composed with elements that add depth to their roles without requiring additional dialogue or internal monologue. The songs of the same name “Rachel” by Rachel and “Facing the Enemy” by Shibisu help add a little touch to characters who don’t have much screen time.
Rachel
Kevin Penkin’s anime soundtracks are much more profound through the four examples above. There are many great examples of similar atmospheres and good world-building music. Using the intensity of electronic music, the ethereal vibes of classical tunes and the powerful emotions of new age tunes, Kevin Penkin created the soundtracks to elevate and elevate the series. movies in which he participated.
Creating a sense of surprise or increasing tension through the right selection of instruments and musical styles adds unparalleled charm to a media work.
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