Iconic Japanese Videogame Music Incorporated Into Olympic Opening Ceremony (huffpost.com) 23
"Fans of Japanese video games couldn't believe their ears as Olympic athletes paraded into Tokyo's National Stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Games on Friday..." reports the Huffington Post.
During the Parade of Nations section of the ceremony, "The orchestra was playing tunes from some of their favorite games."
In a celebration of Japanese popular culture that is appreciated worldwide, the entry parade was set to tunes from games developed by Sega, Capcom and Square Enix. It kicked off with "Overture: Roto's Theme" from Dragon Quest. Next up was "Victory Fanfare" from Final Fantasy. The parade featured more tunes from Monster Hunter, Soulcaliber and Sonic the Hedgehog. According to Classic FM, the music from Kingdom Hearts was composed by Yoko Shimomura, who is responsible for the music for some of the biggest video games ever made. Fans were delighted to hear her work being incorporated into the ceremony.
While the list didn't feature widely recognized tunes from cultural juggernauts like Mario Bros. or The Legend of Zelda, the music helped give a sense of atmosphere to the ceremony, which was held in almost an empty stadium due to coronavirus restrictions.
There's even an elaborate doodle at Google.com commemorating the Opening Ceremonies with an anime animation that leads to a multi-level 1980s-style videogame in which Lucky the cat competes in various sporting events. (Though the Huffington Post notes that in the real world, about 1,000 people sat in the 68,000-capacity stadium.)
The Washington Post reports the Japanese public "overwhelmingly opposed hosting the Olympics as a new wave of the pandemic hit the country." But unfortunately, host city Tokyo signed a contract agreeing the event could only be cancelled by the International Olympic Committee, and now "There's the possibility — once utterly remote — that Japanese voters could kick Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga out of power in parliamentary elections later this year."
While the list didn't feature widely recognized tunes from cultural juggernauts like Mario Bros. or The Legend of Zelda, the music helped give a sense of atmosphere to the ceremony, which was held in almost an empty stadium due to coronavirus restrictions.
There's even an elaborate doodle at Google.com commemorating the Opening Ceremonies with an anime animation that leads to a multi-level 1980s-style videogame in which Lucky the cat competes in various sporting events. (Though the Huffington Post notes that in the real world, about 1,000 people sat in the 68,000-capacity stadium.)
The Washington Post reports the Japanese public "overwhelmingly opposed hosting the Olympics as a new wave of the pandemic hit the country." But unfortunately, host city Tokyo signed a contract agreeing the event could only be cancelled by the International Olympic Committee, and now "There's the possibility — once utterly remote — that Japanese voters could kick Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga out of power in parliamentary elections later this year."
Misdirection. (Score:2)
The survey was conducted by contacting landline and mobile phone numbers selected at random.
Hear that ringing? Not on the contact list? Don't answer.
Re: (Score:2)
On my phone, I have a setting that lets me send unknown callers straight to voicemail. It's very handy.
I learn to re-appreciate it every time I have to disable it - like now, when we've got a tradesman who'll be doing some work for us (but once he calls, I can add him to my list and then re-enable the feature).
only be cancelled by the Olympic Committee?? (Score:2)
only be cancelled by the Olympic Committee??
But the city did that and city can't be over powered by an higher level of government??
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But the city did that and city can't be over powered by an higher level of government??
Your concept of what government is is hilariously simplistic and constructed mostly from derp. "but it's the gubermint?!" "Can't they just stamp their feet and make everybody do what they say?"
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In Japan, yes. Sadly.
What is pissing me off is that the LDP will cruise to reelection soon. No accountability from the voters. Kind of amazing, too.
There is a lot of Olympic coverage. The main thing I recall watching was about 10 minutes of the soccer match between Brazil and Germany. Much as I enjoy soccer, it was not delicious. [sic] The news reports showing all the empty streets around the venues are more interesting. Maybe even more exciting.
So why did they force these Olympics to happen? Sunk cost fall
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Oh I'm sure the city can cancel the Olympics. It's called "breaching the contract". I highly suspect a wealthy first world government would have to fork over many millions if not billions of dollars in the resulting court case though.
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A court case in... which court? Following whose law?
Since the Japanese national government never signed any contracts, they can cancel it without breaching the contract. If the IOC tries to sue, they can claim sovereign immunity. Alternatively, they can pass a law rendering that particular contract void.
There's no particular reason for the IOC to be harsh to Japan either, since they do need the good will of various countries to continue hosting the Olympics in the future.
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A court case in... which court? Following whose law?
I don't know of any 1st world country where the national laws contain provisions for contracts to be arbitrarily voided without repercussion because "government". So let's just say the Japanese courts following Japanese laws.
Since the Japanese national government never signed any contracts, they can cancel it without breaching the contract.
They can. Now as to whether the actual contract signed by the local government contains a force majeure clause, that is a different question entirely. I'm willing to bet it doesn't.
Alternatively, they can pass a law rendering that particular contract void.
I suppose in America the government can just pass laws banning speech? You realise that governments are no
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They can. Now as to whether the actual contract signed by the local government contains a force majeure clause, that is a different question entirely. I'm willing to bet it doesn't.
You're correct. They did not, which is stupid of them.
Alternatively, they can pass a law rendering that particular contract void.
I suppose in America the government can just pass laws banning speech? You realise that governments are not all powerful entities who can do whatever the fuck they want right? The legal system of nearly every democracy has checks and balances that prevent governments from doing precisely what you propose.
The First Amendment is a part of the US Constitution and it takes a lot to change it, though not impossible with enough public support. Contract law isn't anywhere close to that. Like I said, they can pass a law to do this, which could be done without overstepping their constitution. Maybe a law that automatically adds a force majeure clause to every government contract.
Countries fall over themselves trying to host the Olympics. The chance that they may have to fulfill contractual obligations or pay harsh penalties presents an incredibly minor risk.
Not anymore. See how many bids [wikipedia.org] they're getting. 2 bids for 2024, 1 for 2028 and 1 for
Videogame music for the Olympics (Score:3)
I have to say, that's very Japanese. Videogames have some very fine music, for anyone who cares to avoid turning up their nose at the prospect. Classical concerts featuring videogame music has been a thing for a while now.
Also, holding an Olympic games in a nearly empty stadium is just sad. I guess I'm sort of glad for the athletes that it's not cancelled outright, but it definitely feels like it's lost something in the process. Hopefully most athletes aren't as gullible as many here in the US and actually got vaccinated. Because you're not going to stop the socialization of the athletes.
Re:Videogame music for the Olympics (Score:4, Interesting)
Sad, but not as sad as when athletes can't go due to...political reasons.
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The Olympics is nothing but political reasons.
Video Game History Documentary (Score:2)
Whale Lives Matter (Score:2)
I certainly hope that some high profile winning athletes will take their podium opportunity to raise awareness about Japan's whale slaughtering.
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Why are the Japanese stubborn about whales? It's their American equivalent of guns?
Pokemon vintage "gotta catch 'em all" (Score:1)
They must play that. It's obligatory.
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The ending ceremonies will feature the "Pokemon Rap" from the original episodes.
(my young-at-the-time kid was really, really into that show)
Zero Wing (Score:2)