After being delayed by the pandemic, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is now officially underway with tonight’s opening ceremony which unfortunately is taking place without any fans in the stadium as COVID-19 is still at large even in Japan. Interestingly, the ceremony is paying tribute to the video games world by using music from several world-famous franchises made by Japanese game studios.
Among the game franchises that were chosen for the ceremony include Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and Chrono Trigger from Square Enix. There is also Capcom’s Monster Hunter and Sega’s Sonic The Hedgehog as well as Ace Combat and Soul Calibur from Bandai Namco.
Here is the full list of video games songs played at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, according to Nikkan Sports:
- Dragon Quest – Introduction (Lotto Theme)
- Final Fantasy – Victory Fanfare
- Tales Series – Sley’s Theme -Guru-
- Monster Hunter – Proof Of Hero
- Kingdom Hearts – Olympus Coliseum
- Chrono Trigger – Frog’s Theme
- Ace Combat – First Flight
- Tales Series – Royal Capital-Dignified
- Monster Hunter – Wind of Departure
- Chrono Trigger – Robo’s Theme
- Sonic the Hedgehog – Star Light Zone
- Pro Evolution Soccer – eFootball Walk-On Theme
- Final Fantasy – Main Theme
- Phantasy Star Universe – Guardians
- Kingdom Hearts – Hero’s Fanfare
- Gradius (Nemesis) – 01 Act 1-1
- Nier Automata – Song of the Ancients
- Saga Series – Makai Ginyu Poetry-Saga Series Medley 2016
- Soul Calibur – The Brave New Stage Of History
The move by the team behind Tokyo 2020 Olympics to feature these songs is not exactly surprising though as video games are not only one of the country’s most well-known export but a big part of its culture as well. Even back in Rio 2016 Olympics, Mario and Pac Man were also featured during the handover portion of the event’s closing ceremony.
Our superheroes are finally here @Olympics #Tokyo2020 #OpeningCeremony! 👋 🤩 Look at those vibrant colours of their attire inspired by the famous Hang Tuah accompanying our national flag, Jalur Gemilang 🇲🇾#KitaJagaKita #unifiedMalaysians #DemiMalaysia pic.twitter.com/1xDKqIZ3an
— Yunni (@unifi) July 23, 2021
Meanwhile, there are 30 Malaysian athletes that will compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics across 10 different sports including archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, diving, golf, gymnastics, sailing, shooting, and swimming. We wish them all the best in their pursuit of the first-ever gold Olympic medal for Malaysia.
(Image: RTM via Khairul Aming / Twitter.)
