Over at Japanese website Game*Spark, reader nek5195 has sent in a lighthearted Saints Row clip that features a chubby Hironobu Sakaguchi (Blue Dragon, Final Fantasy) and the bittersweet Blue Dragon score from legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu. Thing is, the combination really, really works! Brian Ashcraft

Saints Row With The Gooch [Game*Spark]

If you end up attending, let me know how that went. I loves me some video game music, especially when Nobuo Uematsu is concerned, I'm not sure how to get there and can't see to ask directions without bursting into song, which is in direct conflict with my parole agreement. Michael Fahey

Lost Odyssey to premiere at game symphony [CVG]

San Francisco-based anime and manga giant VIZ Media announced that it has acquired the Blue Dragon television, home video and non-video game merchandising rights for the Americas, Europe and Oceania. Kids in Fiji, your prayers have been answered! The cartoon is based on the Xbox 360 game, which is the first time Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama and Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu have collaborated since Chrono Trigger. The anime is from the studio responsible for Naruto and is helmed by Rave Master director Yukihiro Matsushita and the character designer for Ichi the Killer: Episode 0. Lead character Shu is voiced by the same actor who does Shizune in Naruto. No word as to when the anime will hit American television screens, but it's bound to be way after the fan subs. Brian Ashcraft

Blue Dragon Anime Rights Acquired [AnimeNewsNetwork]

Of course, the next big Hironobu Sakaguchi RPG after Blue Dragon is Lost Odyssey. Both games are scored by legendary game music composer Nobuo Uematsu. Makes sense that music from Lost Odyssey will be performed at PLAY! From the press release:

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., December 1, 2006 - Jason Michael Paul Productions, Inc. announced today that Nobuo Uematsu's music from Lost Odyssey will be a permanent part of the regular PLAY! A Video Game Symphony-series concert programm. The video game is designed by Final Fantasy series originator Hironobu Sakaguchi. PLAY! A Video Game Symphony is a highly acclaimed symphony concert world-tour featuring music from a catalogue of blockbuster video game titles.

Says Jason Michael Paul: 'We are very proud to be able to present the works of Hironobu Sakaguchi and Nobuo Uematsu as part of our concert for the first time. From the sweeping score to the awesome graphics and crisp battle effects this game promises to be something special.'

Can't wait! Brian Ashcraft

Uematsu Music at PLAY! [Japanator]

Nobuo Uematsu, who composed the music for the Final Fantasy games and some of the music for Chrono Trigger, signed on to compose the official opening fanfare for PLAY! A Video Game Symphony.

You can listen to the fanfare at Play's website.

Play Symphony [Official Site]