An annual tradition, we are now accepting submissions for music to be used in Taiko no Tatsujin game! All genres of music are OK! Vocal songs (including voice synthesis software) and instrumental songs are also welcome. In addition to traditional judging by our panel, this year we will also implement a 'voting' process open to the general public to determine the selected songs! We will also continue the popular 'first-time selection' category! Don't miss this chance to shine in the music scene with Taiko no Tatsujin! Before submitting, please ensure you check all the details on this page! We look forward to receiving many submissions and participation from all of you!

July 14 2024 (Sunday) ~ August 26 2024 (Monday) 18:00

Starting this time, we will conduct both a judging process by a panel of judges (Judge's Evaluation) and a voting process open to the general public (General Public Voting).

• 1Evaluation Method 1: Evaluation method of the judges

  Besides Taiko no Tatsujin Development Team, the following members will be judges:

  [Development Producer / Director]

  • Eto

  [Planner / Level Designer]

  • Sue P

  [Sound Director / Designer]

  • Masubuchi (Sound Director / Manager)
  • Rihito Tsuboi (Sound Designer)

  As well as the development team members.

• 2Evaluation Method 2: Evaluation Method for General Public Voting

  The voting process will commence after the completion of the judges' evaluation and the announcement of the selected songs from the judges' panel.Therefore, voting will be limited to songs other than those selected by the judges.
  The voting process will be conducted in two stages:

  • In the first stage, a voting button will appear on the page where the submitted songs can be listened to, and the songs with the highest number of votes will proceed to the next stage.
  • In the second stage, a final voting will be conducted on the "Donder Hiroba" website, which is linked to the Taiko no Tatsujin arcade version. Players can vote by playing the game, and the ultimate voting will determine the selected songs.

  The songs chosen in the final voting of the second stage will be adopted. Details such as the duration of each voting stage and the number of selections will be announced at a later date. Please stay tuned for more information.

▼ [Development Producer / Director] Eto

Hello everyone! It's Eto from the Taiko Team! For this music contest, we have decided to include a public voting (General Public Voting) targeting the general audience! To all creators, listeners, players of the game, and our development team (the judges), let's all get excited together!!

Now, getting down to business, our judging panel is eagerly looking forward to discovering new music. Of course, music that's fun to play along with is ideal, but novelty itself is incredibly appealing. We're excited about encountering various types of music! Thank you all, and let's make this a blast, Donder!

▼ [Planner / Level Designer] Sue P

Hello, I'm Sue P, Notes Designer! I'm thrilled to once again be responsible for judging this year's submissions.

Through the judging of public entries, I'm deeply moved by the effort and passion conveyed through the submitted music. It inspires me to strive harder as a creator myself, and I'm truly grateful for this opportunity once again this year. I look forward to your continued support!
Starting this year, alongside our panel's evaluations, we will also include evaluations based on votes from listeners and Donders. This is a new adoption method, potentially offering unprecedented opportunities.

Please share your fascinating music that will captivate all Donder out there! We look forward to your entries!

▼ [Sound Director / Manager] Masubuchi

Hello, I'm Masubuchi.

Last year, I was complaining about being busy with childcare, but I'm used to do it... Either way, if you're busy, might just dance as well! So, I'm honored to serve as a judge again this year. TYIA!

It's really hot this year, isn't it? Every day, I'm out with my kids at the park, sweating like crazy (hoping some fat melts away while I'm at it). In this weather, I think it's best to stay indoors with air conditioning to work on music production and submit entries! Yeah, this should be the trend this summer! Let's make it happen!

(By the way, for those who argue that they get inspired and work better outdoors, especially for creating hot tracks in hot places, please take care not to get heatstroke and keep up the good work!)

▼ [Sound Designer] Rihito Tsuboi

Nice to meet you all! I'm Rihito Tsuboi, a sound designer Lately, I've been leading a busy life, getting hijacked by radio waves on my journey to the year 2765, battling formidable rival who is reborn repeatedly, and suddenly finding myself stranded on deserted islands.

Despite being quite the rookie among the Taiko Team...! I'm grateful to be serving as a judge this time! I have a deep love for "NAMCO Original." I first came into contact with this game as a player when I was young, and NAMCO Original was the trigger for me to start making music. Reflecting on it, I think NAMCO Original taught me about "new world."

The genres of music are all over the place. Nevertheless, each one is enjoyable to play, with such unique personalities that sometimes make me smile... Among those were songs recorded through a public song contest. The "new world" depicted by the free ideas of people all over the world was just fascinating to me as a child.

And now, as a judge... why am I here?! I'm truly, truly excited to witness "new world" from this position. And this time, we judges aren't alone! Everyone watching Donders right now! You too!

Let's create an unprecedented "new world" and celebrate the encounter! Let's have a blast!!

To all creators and Donders, I'm counting on you!

To apply, register as a creator with "NIPPON COLUMBIA CO., LTD.".
* If you have already registered as a creator, no need to re-register.

• ①First, " Register as a creator of "NIPPON COLUMBIA CO., LTD."."
  * It may take more than a week to complete the registration, so please register as soon as possible.
• ②Submit the music using the "Enter" button at the bottom of this page.

• Please check all the terms of creator registration and the contents of this page, and apply only if you agree.
• Please check the contents of the music production guide carefully before applying. 　★Click here for the music production guide.
• In addition to the sound source mp3 (192kbps recommended), artist name, artist image (please use an image that does not infringe the rights of others), comments can also be uploaded for application.
• The submitted sound source mp3, artist name, and artist image thumbnail will be published on the viewing page for a certain period of time (comments will not be published).
• Submitted works will be published together after the application period has ended.
• Once submitted, the sound source may not be able to respond to requests such as withdrawal or change from the viewing page.
• In order to carry out the examination accurately, we may ask you to correct the sound source trouble or adjust the balance even before the adoption is confirmed.

First, a jury review will be conducted and the results will be announced. After that, voting (general judging) will be conducted and the results will be announced.

• 1 Announcement of Judges' Evaluation
  • The results of the Judges' Evaluation will be announced around September 2024 during the official live broadcast of Taiko no Tatsujin arcade version and on this page.
  • In addition to announcing the selected songs, the judges may also select excellent songs that were not selected as "Honorable Mentions."
• 2 Announcement of General Public Voting Results
  

  Details will be announced at a later date. Please wait for a while.

There will be separate processes for Judges' Evaluation and General Public Voting as follows:

• 1Judges' Evaluation Slots

  There are two types of selection categories available:

  • Regular Selection Category
  • Taiko no Tatsujin First-Time Selection Category

  *Details about the First-Time Selection Category:

  • In order to welcome the participation of many people in this contest, we will guarantee to accept at least one song submitted by a person who is being accepted for Taiko no Tatsujin for the first time.
  • "First-time selection" applies exclusively to individuals who have not previously had their music selected for gameplay in Taiko no Tatsujin. If the submission involves multiple collaborators, all contributors must meet the criteria for "first-time selection."
    We enthusiastically encourage participation from a wide range of individuals for this music contest, so please apply!
• 2General Public Voting Slots

  The selections will be based solely on the number of votes, and there will be no specific slots reserved for first-time selections in this process.

The song will be recorded as a music for performance games in "Taiko no Tatsujin" for amusement facilities. It also may be recorded by other Taiko no Tatsujin games. If your submission is adopted, we will pay the prescribed amount of money for transfer of rights.

*For both the Judges' Evaluation and General Public Voting in this contest, the following terms regarding rewards and rights apply uniformly:

It will be recorded as the theme music for performance games in "Taiko no Tatsujin”. It may also be recorded by Taiko no Tatsujin for other purposes. If your submission is chosen, we will pay the prescribed amount of money for the transfer of rights. In addition, the judges may evaluate excellent submissions as "honorable works" even if it is not chosen.

• Production progress and direction will be conducted by Taiko no Tatsujin development team and MAKES (by "NIPPON COLUMBIA CO., LTD." )
• After adoption, we will request the final delivery data after receiving support such as brushing up and correction if necessary.
• Mixdown will be arranged separately after receiving the final delivery data.

After the final delivery, we will check the following credits etc.

• Song title (In some cases, we may consult with you about changes).
• Credits (composition, arrangement, lyrics, demonstrations (vocals, guitar, etc.), collaborators, etc.).

* Please include kana reading and foreign notation.
*For both the Judges' Evaluation and General Public Voting in this contest, the following terms regarding rewards and rights apply uniformly:

For songs that are chosen and adopted, the copyright and master copy rights of the songs will be fully purchased at the amount set at that time, and the songs and master copyrights will be transferred to NIPPON COLUMBIA CO., LTD.. The adopted songs may be used in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, soundtracks, and other games. Remuneration might be paid in installments.

*For both the Judges' Evaluation and General Public Voting in this contest, the following terms regarding rewards and rights apply uniformly:

• Please apply with original music that does not infringe on the rights of third parties.
• If you use voice synthesis softwares or cooperate on production with others, you may be asked to submit confirmations that the rights holders and cooperators of the software permit and agree to the application rules. Covering, sampling, quoting, etc. of other songs is prohibited
• Those who have an exclusive contract with a specific company and those who are trust members of copyright management organizations cannot apply.
• You can apply from stock, but only unpublished ones.
• After the submission, the submitted music cannot be published or used (paid or free) until the results are announced.
• It might take some time after your submission to page release.
• We cannot respond to any inquiries regarding the selection process.
• After submitting your work, please refrain from announcing it until it has been made public on this site.
• Please refrain from submitting content that violates or may violate public order and morals.
• Songs that are determined to violate the contents listed on this page and the terms and conditions for creator registration may be disqualified.

• The final adjustment and mixing of the adopted songs may be done by the Taiko no Tatsujin development team. During that time, the performance and singing may be replaced if necessary. In addition, please note that there may be modifications and arrangements.
• Depending on the voice synthesis software used, we may ask for another voice synthesis software.
• We will consult with you regarding the final delivery schedule depending on the progress.
• In case both parties cannot reach a satisfactory agreement regarding the compensation or work details, the adoption may be canceled.