To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Taiko no Tatsujin, we are now accepting submissions for music to be used as gameplay songs!
We plan to select multiple songs that are exciting and fun to play. All genres are welcome! Vocal songs, including those using voice synthesis software, as well as instrumental songs are also accepted.
This time, in addition to the traditional judging by our panel, we will welcome Tatsh, t+pazolite, and LindaAI-CUE as guest judges, and each guest judge will select one song for adoption!
Furthermore, we have established a new “U-25” selection category limited to those aged 25 or younger! Under the U-25 selection category, at least one song by someone aged 25 or younger will definitely be selected.
We will also continue the popular “First-Time Selection Category” and “Voting / General Public Voting.” Don’t miss this chance to shine in the music scene through Taiko no Tatsujin!
Before submitting, please make sure to check all the details listed on this page!
We look forward to receiving many submissions and to your participation!

June 15 2026 (Manday) ~ July 21 2026 (Tuesday) 18:00

We will conduct both a judging process by a panel of judges (Judges’ Evaluation) and a voting process open to the general public, excluding the judges (General Public Voting)..

• 11. Judges’ Evaluation Method

  The following members from the Taiko no Tatsujin development team will serve as judges:

  [Development Producer / Director]

  • Eto

  [Sound Director]

  • Masubuchi (Sound Director / Manager)
  • Licht Tsuboi (Main Music Director)

  As well as the rest of the development team.

  [Guest Judges, honorifics omitted]

  This year, we are inviting the following people, who have been active in creating music for Taiko no Tatsujin, to serve as guest judges.
  Each guest judge will select one song for adoption.

  • Tatsh
  • t+pazolite
  • LindaAI-CUE

• 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.

  Please check as it is listed on the 'Vote' page.

▼ Eto (Development Producer / Director)

Hello everyone! I’m Eto from the Taiko Team!

For this music recruitment, we have prepared a packed event, including the new “U-25” selection category limited to those aged 25 or younger, as well as welcoming Tatsh, t+pazolite, and LindaAI-CUE as guest judges!

I believe this is all thanks to the creators, listeners, and players of the game. Ariga-Don gozaimasu!
We are eagerly looking forward to submissions of songs unlike anything Taiko no Tatsujin has had before—songs that will help create a new era going forward! Thank you, and let’s make this a blast, Don!

▼ Masubuchi (Sound Director / Manager)

Who is this?

...It’s me from 25 years ago....

Well, would you look at that. I had predicted “TAIKO NO 2000” and even created a draft for the jacket design!
...Please excuse me for opening with such a ridiculous tall tale. I’m Masubuchi.

In the summer of 2001, it was decided that I would join the Taiko Team, and around early autumn, I began development on Taiko no Tatsujin 3.
Thanks to that connection, I have continued to be involved in development from then up to the present. For me personally, this marks my 25th anniversary of developing Taiko no Tatsujin.

Looking back now, there were plenty of mistakes born from youth, reckless moments driven purely by momentum, and embarrassing chapters I’d rather cover my eyes from.
But there is no doubt that all of those experiences have become nourishment for who I am today. In fact, I’m glad they happened.

Wouldn’t you like to look back 25 years from now and say, “I submitted a song to the Taiko music contest. It may have been rough, but it had energy. I truly faced the act of creating something with all my heart.”

Now, there’s no need to hesitate. Take that step forward. Let’s make history together.

It’s nothing to be embarrassed about! Though judging from the photo, I may not sound very convincing. :O)

▼ Licht Tsuboi (Main Music Director)

NOOB♡ NOOO...
Huh?! Ahem, sorry, that was a mistake. Hello everyone!
I’m Licht Tsuboi, back again with a renewed title before I even realized it!

Taiko no Tatsujin is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year!
When I think back 25 years, I was at an age where crying was basically my job description. Please refer to the artist photo.
Over such a long span of time, Taiko no Tatsujin and NAMCO Original have been woven together into what they are today. It’s truly amazing.

NAMCO Original, both then and now, is like a “universe.”
It is a collection of endless variations where anything goes: bright burning stars, dark and cold stars, and even stars that are far too bizarre.
Creators freely pour in their own “love,” refine it, and the result shines brightly.
Baby Tsuboi and young Tsuboi were also among those captivated and swallowed up by that universe.

So why not jump into that mysterious universe yourselves?
The full force of the “love” you put into your work might just become a piece that changes someone’s life!
We look forward to your challenge!

▼ Tatsh

Hello everyone!
I’m Tatsuya Shimizu, also known as Zeami and Tatsh.
The “Tatsu” in Tatsuya is the same “tatsu” as in Tatsujin.

I am honored to be participating as a guest judge this time.
Right now, I’m already very excited, wondering what kinds of songs will arrive.
No matter how many years I’ve been active, the moment when I encounter music from someone I don’t yet know is always special. There may even be submissions from people I already know!

In judging, I would like to value not only the level of completion, but also “sounds that only this person could create.”
More than works that are simply well put together, I am strongly drawn to pieces that convey the feeling of “This is what I love!” and the creator’s own excitement.

I myself have submitted to music contests in the past and experienced being rejected.
Even if you are not selected, there is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about.
I believe the act of taking on the challenge itself has great meaning.

Please enjoy the process and bring us sounds that are uniquely your own!
I sincerely look forward to receiving many submissions!

Just submitting is already something to be proud of!

▼t+pazolite

Hello, I’m t+pazolite!
In Taiko, I’ve done things like chaotic time, dark and chaotic time, and striking stardust.

Since this is the 25th anniversary music recruitment, I was planning to watch comfortably from the sidelines, thinking, “This is probably going to turn into something incredible.”
But before I knew it, I had been entrusted with the important role of judge, and now I myself have become part of something incredible. Since I’m doing it, I’ll give it my best.

Personally, I think Taiko no Tatsujin original songs have an incredible amount of freedom.
Even in genres that are not yet represented among existing songs, I believe there can still be songs that feel truly “Taiko no Tatsujin-like.”
I’d be very happy if songs like that come in! I’ll be waiting!!!

▼LindaAI-CUE

Hello, hello, I’m LindaAI-CUE.
I’m the person who creates and sings, and sometimes even dances to, songs with titles like “◯◯◯◯2000.”
That probably makes you think, “Isn’t this person completely insane?”
No, no. I’m just an ordinary company employee, quietly living while trembling at schedules that suddenly change every day.
I’m not that scary, you know?
At most, I’m just the kind of person who sets up a microphone and screams in an empty company building at night, and not even in a recording studio.
Everyone at the company already knows this, so it doesn’t count as one of the seven mysteries.

That introduction got a bit long, but this time, it seems I’ve been called in as the person responsible for receiving everyone’s unrestrained creative impulses.
So I’d be grateful if you would hit me with all the feelings that overflow from the peak meter, with a big Dodon!
How much of all that can I pick up and recognize?
I’ll set that as a challenge for myself as I listen to everyone’s submissions.
...Yeah, if I wrap it up like this, I sound like a proper company employee, right, Tsuboi-kun?

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 creator registration terms and the contents listed on this page, and apply only if you agree to them.
• Submissions of songs that use music-generation AI, including AI used in creative elements such as melodies, lyrics, or accompaniment, are prohibited.
  When applying, you must agree to a checkbox pledging that you have not used music-generation AI, and you must upload MIDI data. This MIDI data will be used only for confirmation by the judges and will not be made public. Please submit MIDI data that includes all programmed parts. It is fine if the MIDI data does not include tracks using live performance or audio materials.
• Please carefully check the contents of the Music Production Guide before applying. ★ Click here for the Music Production Guide.
• In addition to an MP3 audio file (192 kbps recommended), artist name, and MIDI data, you may also optionally upload an artist image (please use an image that does not infringe on the rights of others) and a comment.
• Submitted MP3 audio files, artist names, and artist image thumbnails will be published on the listening page for a certain period of time. Comments will not be published.
• Submitted works are scheduled to be published all at once after the application period ends.
• Once submitted, we may not be able to respond to requests to withdraw or change the audio file from the listening page.
• In order to conduct the judging accurately, we may ask you to fix audio issues or adjust the balance even before 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 2026 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 Voting / General Public Voting Results
  

  Please check as it is listed on the 'Vote' page, so please check that page as well.

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

• 1Judges’ Evaluation Selection Categories

  In addition to the regular selection category, there will be the following three types of selection categories, including special selection categories:

  • Regular Selection Category
  • Taiko no Tatsujin First-Time Selection Category
  • U-25 Selection Category

  About the Special Selection Categories

  • First-Time Selection: This applies only to those who have never previously had a song selected for gameplay in Taiko no Tatsujin.
  • U-25 Selection Category: This applies to those who are 25 years old or younger, including those who are exactly 25 years old, as of April 1, 2027.
  • At least one song will definitely be selected from each of the above categories.
  • If a song is created by multiple people, all contributors must meet the conditions, including vocalists and performers.
• 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:

• Production progress and direction will be conducted by Taiko no Tatsujin development team and MAKES (by "NIPPON COLUMBIA CO., LTD." ).
• Brush-up: If necessary, we may ask you to revise the song, adjust the balance, change the structure, replace voice synthesis software, or make other adjustments.
• Final delivery: For the final deliverables, please follow the director’s instructions and submit files such as the following:

Data format: Specifications of 16-bit / 44.1 kHz or higher (32-bit Float / 48 kHz WAV recommended)
①2Mix / instrumental 2Mix
②Multitrack, Pro Tools sessions accepted, or stem mix
③MIDI data containing all parts (Standard MIDI File Format 1)
④Chord charts, master rhythm charts, etc.
⑤Lyrics data, for vocal songs
⑥Details of sampling, sound-effect-like voices, etc.

• Mixing: The final mixdown will generally be carried out by the development team using the delivered data.

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

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 selected works, upon payment of the prescribed remuneration, the copyright and master recording rights shall be fully transferred and purchased by NIPPON COLUMBIA CO., LTD.
• Moral rights of authors and moral rights of performers may not be exercised.
• Selected songs may be used in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, as well as in soundtracks, related games, and other media.
• If an agreement cannot be reached regarding remuneration or revision details, the selection may be canceled.

*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.