Shibuya Comes Alive with Game Music: Highlights from GAME MUSIC CROSSING TOKYO 2025

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On December 10, NexTone hosted [GAME MUSIC CROSSING TOKYO 2025], a significant live performance and DJ event centered around game music at Spotify O-EAST in Shibuya, Tokyo.

This event was part of NexTone’s Game Music Academy, an initiative aimed at digital distribution of game soundtracks. Featuring a lineup of live performances and DJs, the event was organized in collaboration with Atlus, Sega, and Bandai Namco Entertainment, promoting a sense of unity among these gaming giants.

Sony Interactive Entertainment was also recognized as a collaborator. The evening began with a live award ceremony associated with the PlayStation® Game Music Awards, celebrating the most-streamed game music over the past year, based on Spotify and streaming data.

Despite taking place on a weekday night, the event attracted a substantial crowd. Enthusiasm was palpable, evident in the way attendees posed for photos beside figures like Sonic the Hedgehog and PAC-MAN, as well as in their attire, which featured beloved game characters.

The evening commenced at 6:30 p.m. with the awards ceremony hosted by UK, the acoustic guitarist from the instrumental band MOROHA. The third-place award went to the Monster Hunter Wilds Original Soundtrack, recognized for its expansive representation of the game’s vast world. The second place was captured by the FINAL FANTASY XVI Original Soundtrack, noted for its dark, fantastical undertones. The audience’s excitement peaked with the announcement of the grand prize winner.

In an unexpected twist, the grand prize was awarded to the soundtrack of an indie game, the Urban Myth Dissolution Center Original Soundtrack. With music that has captivated fans on social media and streaming platforms, composer Ada-P expressed gratitude for the win, stating, “Honestly, after the wins by Monster Hunter and Final Fantasy, it came as a huge surprise for our soundtrack to be announced as the grand prize winner.” MURASAKI, who composed the theme song “Kiki Kaitai,” added, “I’d like to say thank you to all of the listeners out there.” This recognition signals a shift in the landscape of game music, where listener appreciation now plays a more crucial role than production budgets or title sales.

Following the award ceremony, UK delivered a special live performance, nervously sharing, “This is my first time playing live since MOROHA went on its hiatus.” He performed a finger-picked rendition of the “Pokke Village Theme” from Monster Hunter Freedom 2, enveloping the audience in a warm nostalgia. DJ Submerse then took the stage, recounting his early fascination with game music and skillfully weaving tracks that resonated with the crowd.

Azumi Takahashi and Lotus Juice followed, performing music from Persona 3 Reload, with “Mass Destruction” heightening the energy. Their performance included the globally popular track “It’s Going Down Now,” amassing over 100 million Spotify plays, and concluded with the world premiere of “Don’t.” Their dynamic presentation clearly showcased the polished, stylish essence of the series’ music.

Next, Tomoya Ohtani and Kanon Oguni delivered a set that celebrated Sega’s musical history, igniting nostalgia with the Sega Saturn startup sound. Their set featured music from iconic titles such as Virtua Fighter and Daytona USA, ultimately leading to a rousing track from the Sonic series, energizing the audience.

The excitement escalated with DJ Hiroshi Okubo and Sho Okada from Bandai Namco Game Music. After acknowledging Sega, Okubo launched into a set that began with the classic sounds of PAC-MAN, swiftly captivating the crowd. They transitioned through beloved melodies from the Katamari Damacy series and powerful beats from Tekken 8, concluding with the vibrant tunes from Once Upon a KATAMARI.

The final performance was by Aiobahn +81, featuring an array of beloved tracks from the Persona series. Fans joined in singing along to hits from Persona 4 and Persona 5, while Sonic and PAC-MAN once again graced the stage, embodying the spirit of collaboration across gaming companies. The set concluded with a nostalgic piece from NiGHTS into Dreams, illustrating a collective love for game music that transcends company rivalries.

Game music has evolved into a crucial element of popular culture, resonating through streaming platforms and live performances. The shared energy between fans and creators at Spotify O-EAST underscored the genre’s potential to shape future music scenes, particularly in Tokyo.

“GAME MUSIC CROSSING TOKYO” ～Collaborated with PlayStation® Game Music Awards～

Venue: Spotify O-EAST

Performers:

・ Azumi Takahashi, Lotus Juice

・ Aiobahn +81

・ Tomoya Ohtani [SEGA](DJ)

* DJ set primarily focused on music from Sonic

VJ: KIKUZO

・ Kanon Oguni [SEGA](DJ)

* DJ set primarily focused on music from Sega

・ Hiroshi Okubo [Bandai Namco Research Inc.], Sho Okada [Bandai Namco Studios Inc.]

* DJ set primarily focused on Bandai Namco Game Music