Shoji Meguro’s ReFantazio music keeps you surprised
When you think of the beloved Japanese role-playing game series Persona, you picture teenagers navigating the stresses of everyday life during the day, only to plunge into a world of supernatural monsters by night. It’s a full-on existence, and thankfully, the soundtrack provides the necessary high-tempo bangers to keep the momentum going, whether you’re tackling homework or battling a snarling hell beast.
At the heart of this sonic experience is composer Shoji Meguro, who has crafted a unique, evolving musical identity for every entry. Since working on the original 1996 game Revelations: Persona, Meguro has given each game its own distinct sound. Persona 3 leaned into sugary pop vocals and a blend of rock and hip-hop to inject modern flavor into the dark coming-of-age tale, while Persona 5’s soundtrack embraced the smooth, vibrant sounds of Jamiroquai-inspired acid jazz.
Meguro’s approach is less about following a formula and more about generating genuine surprise. He strives for that moment when a player hears a track and thinks, “Wait, they can actually have a song like this!?” He wants that initial shock to evolve into deep immersion—a realization that the music perfectly fits the scene, hooking the listener completely.
This philosophy carried into his latest massive undertaking, Metaphor: ReFantazio. While the Persona series is grounded in reality, this newest creation from Atlus is pure otherworld fantasy. Players step into the shoes of an orphan from the magic-wielding Elda tribe, embarking on an epic quest across the United Kingdom of Euchronia to uncover a murder and rescue a cursed prince.
For this massive fantasy world, Meguro envisioned an orchestral epic, but he partnered with boss Katsura Hashino to infuse it with the “distinctive, edgy quality associated with Atlus.” This blend results in a score filled with electronic euphoria woven into traditional orchestral sounds, adding dramatic flair to the adventure. To enhance the battle themes, Meguro even recruited Chief priest Of Myojoji Temple, Keisuke Honryo, to record religious chanting, increasing the urgency and bite of the themes.
To give the music an even more otherworldly feel, Meguro incorporated choral vocals in a specially created language, making the music feel like it’s playing inside the game characters’ minds rather than just serving as a soundtrack.
His musical journey began in childhood with electric organ lessons and tinkering with 8-bit computers, which sparked his interest in game development. Now, over three decades, he has created some of the most celebrated and progressive gaming music, finding that there is no need to take risks; he simply creates what satisfies him.
The attention for Metaphor: ReFantazio’s score is leading to a grand celebration. The world orchestral tour for the game will premiere in Texas, followed by stops in Illinois, California, Asia, and Europe. Meguro believes that hearing this game music live in a concert setting allows fans to relive their gaming experiences and feel a powerful connection to the story.
Beyond the performance, Meguro is motivated by a desire to surprise his audience. He wants fans to experience the magic of the music firsthand, prompting that delightful moment when they realize the composer is actually playing the score live. It’s a reminder that even amidst creative exhaustion, there is always room for inspired, unforgettable music.
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