Maaya Sakamoto

Artist

Also credited as: Lyricist (27 songs)・Composer (4 songs)

Maaya Sakamoto is one of the most prominent figures in the anime music scene, known equally for her work as a voice actress, singer, and essayist. Since making her singing debut with 'Yakusoku wa Iranai,' the opening theme of 'The Vision of Escaflowne,' she has consistently contributed to anime soundtracks over many years. Her notable works include 'Macross Frontier,' 'Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card,' 'Fate/Grand Order,' 'Amanchu!,' and 'Deaimon,' with a well-balanced repertoire of both opening and ending themes.

A defining characteristic of her music is her role as a songwriter - she has penned the lyrics for a large portion of her anime songs. On the composition side, her long-standing collaboration with Yoko Kanno stands out, spanning numerous songs including works for 'Earth Maiden Arjuna,' 'RahXephon,' and 'Macross Frontier.' Beyond Kanno, she has worked with a diverse range of composers including Shoko Suzuki, Katsutoshi Kitagawa, Tatsuro Yamashita, Yumi Matsutoya, and Ringo Sheena. In arrangement, Yoko Kanno and Shin Kono are her most frequent collaborators.

Her lyrical collaborations with Yuho Iwasato are also noteworthy, alongside contributions from Gabriela Robin, Senri Oe, and Ginji Ito. Seamlessly balancing her voice acting career with her musical endeavors, Sakamoto continues to carve out a unique position in the anime music world through her rich vocal timbre and literary songwriting.