With the development of new Pokémon games, Masuda took new roles in future projects. He began to produce and direct games, and became responsible for approving new character models. His style seeks to keep games accessible while still adding increasing levels of complexity. His work sticks to older mainstays of the series, including a focus on handheld game consoles and 2D graphics. His music draws inspiration from the work of modern celebrated composers like Dmitri Shostakovich, though he used the Super Mario series as a model of good video game composition. His video game ideas are generally drawn from everyday life and observation.
Life
Masuda was born January 12, 1968 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As a child, his family often vacationed in Kyūshū, where many of his relatives still live. There he spent his time catching fish and insects, an act that later influenced his video game design. Masuda modeled the Pokémon series' Hoenn Region after Kyūshū in an attempt to recapture his memories of summers there. In high school, Masuda played the trombone; he soon discovered classical music, and was drawn in by works like The Rite of Spring and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5.
Masuda attended the Japan Electronics College, a technical school in Shinjuku, Tokyo, where he studied computer graphics and C programming language using a DEC Professional. His daughter Kiri was born in September 2002; he named a character in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire after her.
Masuda has worked at Game Freak since the company's inception in 1989. Masuda has been involved in every title that Game Freak has ever produced, and was one of the original developers of the Pokémon series, beginning with Pokémon Red and Green. He now serves as a member of the Game Freak board of directors.
He was first hired to compose and program video games. His first game at Game Freak was Mendel Palace, a puzzle game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Next, he worked on Smart Ball, and then on Yoshi, the company's first collaboration with Nintendo. When the company first began releasing Pokémon titles, Masuda worked mainly as the composer, though he did minor programming work as well, and later began directing and producing them. His work on the first games included writing the program to play audio in the games, music, and sound effects. He directed and composed the music for Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, and produced Pokémon Platinum. He also produced Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
Masuda has been directly involved in the naming and design of many Pokémon. He has stated that one of the hardest aspects of design is making sure that a Pokémon's name and attributes will appeal to a global audiences. Since Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Masuda has been one of the main employees who approve or reject designs for new Pokémon. Most characters take around six months to design, while more central ones take more than a year. His favorite Pokémon is Pichu, his favorite type is the Water type, and his favorite move is the Water type Surf. He also oversaw the composition of the Pokémon Stadium level music in Super Smash Bros Brawl.
Opening
Junichi Masuda Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hit the sack
I've been too long I'm glad to be back
Yes I'm let loose
From the noose
That's kept me hanging about
Lookin' at the sky
'Cause it's gettin' me high
I got nine lives
Cat's eyes
Abusin' every one of them and running wild
'Cause I'm back
Yes I'm back
Well I'm back
Yes I'm back
Well I'm hey hey hey hey
(Hey hey hey hey)
Well I'm back in black
Yes I'm back in black
Back in the back
Of a Cadillac
Number one with a bullet
I'm a power pack
Yes, I'm in a band, with a gang
They've got to catch me if they want me to hang
Cause I'm back on the track
And I'm beatin' the flack
Nobody's gonna get me on another rap
So look at me now
I'm just makin' my play
Don't try to push your luck
Just get out of my way
'Cause I'm back
Yes I'm back
Well I'm back
Yes I'm back
Well I'm hey hey hey hey
(Hey hey hey hey)
Well I'm back in black
Yes I'm back in black
Well I'm back, Yes I'm back
Well I'm back, Yes I'm back
Well I'm hey hey hey hey
(Hey hey hey hey)
Well I'm back in black
Yes I'm back in black
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Yes I am
Hey yeah, yeah oh yeah
Back in now
Well I'm hey hey hey hey, I'm back
Hey hey hey hey, (I'm back)
Hey hey hey hey, (I'm back)
Hey hey hey hey, (I'm back)
Hey hey hey hey, (I'm back)
Hey hey hey hey
Back in black
Yes I'm back in black
Out of sight
The lyrics of Junichi Masuda's song "Opening" reflect a feeling of triumphant return and liberation following a period of confinement or struggle. The opening lines express this feeling through the analogy of being "back in black," which signifies a return from a difficult or trying time. The following lines paint a picture of the singer's liberation and newfound freedom, as they are "let loose" from a metaphorical noose that has kept them "hanging about."
The lyrics further reinforce this feeling of unconstrained freedom with the line "nobody's gonna get me on another rap", indicating that the singer has already faced some adversity in their life but is now free from it. The mention of having "nine lives" suggests that the singer has overcome previous hurdles and escaped unscathed, hence their confidence in facing any new challenges. It is also noteworthy that the lyrics mention how running wild and abusing their cat's eyes, hinting at a certain level of recklessness and disregard for consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Back in black
Returning with a new attitude and determination
I hit the sack
I have rested enough and now I'm ready to continue
I've been too long I'm glad to be back
I have been away for too long and I am happy to be returning
Yes I'm let loose
I am free from any restrictions
From the noose
From the situation that was holding me back
That's kept me hanging about
That caused me to stay in one place or situation for too long
Lookin' at the sky
Observing the world and life around me
'Cause it's gettin' me high
Because it's bringing me happiness and excitement
Forget the hearse 'cause I'll never die
I am unstoppable and will never give up
I got nine lives
I have many chances and can recover from anything
Cat's eyes
Ability to see in the dark or detect danger
Abusin' every one of them and running wild
Taking advantage of every opportunity presented and living life to the fullest
'Cause I'm back
I am returning and in control
Of a Cadillac
Riding in a fancy car and living a luxurious lifestyle
Number one with a bullet
The most successful and popular
I'm a power pack
I have incredible strength and energy
Yes, I'm in a band, with a gang
I am part of a group of strong, supportive individuals
They've got to catch me if they want me to hang
My enemies will not defeat me easily
Cause I'm back on the track
I am focused and making progress towards my goals
And I'm beatin' the flack
I am overcoming the obstacles and criticism
Nobody's gonna get me on another rap
I will not let anyone falsely accuse or blame me
So look at me now
See how much I have grown and improved
I'm just makin' my play
I am taking control of my life and making my own decisions
Don't try to push your luck
Do not attempt to test or challenge me
Just get out of my way
Stay clear and let me pursue my goals
Oh yeah
Expression of excitement, confidence, or agreement
Yes I am
Confirmation of my identity or status
Out of sight
Too amazing or impressive to comprehend
Contributed by Adrian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
kingskater4
I have so much respect for this guy. I will support Pokemon till the day I die.
ProtoMario
This guy is my Hero, for real. A literal Dream Maker.
KR Mii Gamer
Yo protomario
Oerbyss
This guy is our hero
Yunastacia
Thank you so much, creators of Pokémon, for giving us the (for me) best franchise ever! ^_^ I started to love it in 1999 (when it first came to Germany) and it's still holding a place in my heart now. Thanks to Pokémon, I also got to know awesome people, most of them are lovely PokéTubers and I can't wait to meet them soon! Once again, thank you so, so much! We loyal fans will always support you no matter what and are super excited about the future of this franchise!
PokéMixr92
+Yunastacia My thoughts exactly ^^ #Pokémon20
Yunastacia
+ThePokéMixr92 Pokémon is love, Pokémon is life xD
Nintendojoe
+ThePokéMixr92 ayyy, i saw the ff7 remix on your channel, i loved it
Random Person
+Yunastacia that's right
StardustNobody
Same With Me Pokemon Will Always Be Important To Me Because Of What It's Given Me, Also Looking Forward To See You At The Next Stream Yuna Stay Awesome