The Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra conducted by composer Kouichi Sugiyama performed a total of 18 Dragon Quest-related themes at its New Year Dragon Quest Special Concert in Ueno, Tokyo today. Among the 18 songs, 13 were taken from Dragon Quest V: Tenguu no Hanayome, while four more were songs Sugiyama composed for the recently released Dragon Quest VIII: Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norowareshi Himegimi. The final song performed today was Dragon Quest II's ending theme. Prior to the concert, Sugiyama sat down with the Japanese media to detail some of his plans for the new year. His first priority was to record an orchestra version of Dragon Quest VIII's soundtrack and if possible, Dragon Quest VI's as well. Over the next couple of years, Sugiyama wants to record orchestra versions of the soundtracks of all eight Dragon Quest installments with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. Furthermore, he wants to continue his live performances and work on projects related to Torneko, Shiren and Hanjuku Eiyuu (Half-boiled Hero).

• Famitsu