There's some incredibly sad news coming out of the Super Smash Bros. community today, with the unfortunate announcement on Twitter that composer Kenichi Okuma has passed away at the age of 56.
Okuma passed away last week on 22nd July after a battle with esophageal cancer. He was best known as the composer and arranger of some of remixes featured in Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii, including Pokémon Gym / Evolution (Pokémon Red/Pokémon Blue), Flat Zone 2 and Gyromite.
This news was shared via Okuma's social media, here's a rough Google translation:
"[Notice] Kenichi Okuma fell asleep on July 22 due to esophageal cancer. He was 56 years old. His time and funeral will be held at his family funeral. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who loved Okuma's music and all the people involved for their long-standing kindness. Thank you very much. (All family members)"
Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai has also shared his condolences via social media - noting how the legacy of the songs Okuma wrote live on in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Here's what he had to say:
"Best wishes for your soul ... Thank you for your support in "Smash Bros. X", but there are some songs that will be used in later series."
On behalf of the community here at Nintendo Life, our thoughts go out to Kenichi Okuma's friends and family during this difficult period.
[source gonintendo.com]
Comments 34
incredibly tragic. he will be missed dearly
Aw dang, that's sad. He will be missed
May he Rest In Peace.
Rest in Peace. Flat Zone 2 is one of my favorite songs in the ENTIRE GAME.
That's absolutely terrible. I still hold Flatzone 2 as one of the greatest Smash remixes of all time simply from how they were able to take the simplest of bleeps and bloops and turn them into an incredibly catchy song and we have Mr. Okuma to thank for that. Rest In Peace, your legacy will always live on through your brilliantly creative music.
56 is too young. RIP.
That really sucks to hear. Flat Zone 2 is one of my favorite remixes in the series.
I'm sorry to hear that. People really enjoyed this game and have nostalgia towards the soundtrack. Thanks.
Man that’s a real shame, still relatively young too. Love his remixes in Smash Bros.
He’s smash bros remixes are amazing, and I love so many of them, And it’s sad to hear of his passing My he Rest In Peace.
Gone too soon, may he rest in peace and condolence to his family.
Tragic to hear another influential Japanese person pass away too soon in their life.
After hearing what happened to Kazuki Takahashi, I'm hoping more people out there try to preserve themselves and including their health.
Everyone be sure to pour one out for this man and his music, be sure to listen to pay respects for all the effort he's put into making one of the best crossover game soundtracks in history.
Godspeed, Kenichi Okuma.
Rest in Peace. i liked the music that he did for all of the Smash Bros games that he was involve in.
This is incredibly sad.. waaaaaaaaay too young!!! F CANCER WITH THE BIGGEST MOTHER F YOU CAN GIVE!!!!
RIP you will be missed
RIP. Too young.
Sad to hear. There are a lot of themes in Smash Bros that I enjoyed and he was a part of that. May he Rest In Peace.
My sincere condolences to his family and those fortunate enough to work with or know him. I'm sorry to hear this.
May he rest in peace and condolences to his family. Cancer sure is a bad thing. I am listening to some of his tracks right now and they are good. Flat Zone 2 is strangely soothing.
Rest in peace
I hope he left this world satisfied. His work will not be forgotten.
His music will leave his mark for years to come. RIP.
Awful news. RIP.
gone too soon was way too young 😭
So sorry to hear. RIP. 😭
Really saddened by this news. Way too young to pass away. Rest in Peace and condolences to his family and friends.
Thanks for the music... rest in peace
Smash music is legendary, RIP
Way too young... Rest in peace Mr. Okuma
Thoughts go to his family and friends.
Flatzone 2 is incredible
That’s too bad! So sort to hear. The theme from Brawl was amazing! Imo a masterpiece.
So sad may he R.I.P and my condolences go out to his friends and family
My dad will be 56 this year, so that’s far, far too young as far as I’m concerned
Hope his work lives on in future instalments.
RIP
Rest in peace, Mr. Okuma. You will not be forgotten.
Okuma must've been a great man, sad to see him go... Hopefully he'll still hear the banging remixes he created up there
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