The name Taiko no Tatsujin: The Drum Master may have seemed a little unfamiliar to gamers outside of Japan when it was released at the end of January. Within Japan, however, Taiko no Tatsujin is an established series with a rich history. In these colorful rhythm arcade games, players use bachi sticks to simulate playing a taiko drum. Entries in the series appear on just about every platform, from home consoles to iOS, and their songs range from classical numbers to the Undertale soundtrack. Its latest title, The Drum Master, may not seem like a must-play game, but its music selection will definitely resonate with anime lovers in particular.
Since the franchise is so popular in Japan, producers of the game have had tons of opportunities to collaborate with other IPs. The beauty of rhythm games is that songs from just about any other medium can be borrowed and featured in gameplay, case in point being Hatsune Miku’s rhythm game. So naturally, famous songs from Japan’s pop charts, video games, and anime have made appearances within Taiko no Tatsuji games. The Drum Master sees a total of sixteen songs from various animes, and their arrangements are especially exciting for those familiar with each song’s respective origin.
Taiko no Tatsujin in Japanese Culture
Taiko no Tatsujin’s collaborations with iconic brands are no coincidence, though. Culturally, the game’s identity is rooted within Japan’s history; the eponymous taiko drum’s earliest iterations date back to the 6 century CE. Many soundtracks that feel distinctly Japanese utilize the taiko drum, as well as the shamisen (Naruto’s soundtrack is a great example of this). Plenty of Japanese companies are therefore eager to lend their music to the games. The first Taiko no Tatsujin was released by Bandai in 2001, and the game has been hugely popular ever since. Gamers and anime fans with any interest in Japanese culture whatsoever will most likely enjoy the cutesy fun of Taiko no Tatsujin.
Anime Songs in Taiko no Tatsujin
Collaborations with other Japanese brands have resulted in Taiko no Tatsujin featuring a ton of music from animes, and The Drum Master is a great example of this. The game features a total of over 70 songs, and 16 of those are from animes. Instantly recognizable are classics like “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” from Neon Genesis Evangelion, “Guren no Yumiya” from Attack on Titan, and Naruto’s fourth opening theme song, “GO!!!”. Additionally, The Drum Master features theme songs from less mainstream animes, like Blood Blockade Battlefront’s “Sugar Song to Bitter Step” and A Certain Scientific Railgun’s “only my railgun”.
One of the best parts of a good anime is its opening, and when paired with the snappy clicks of a taiko drum, the resulting sound is exceptionally catchy. Even when the drum peripheral accompanies slower numbers from The Drum Master, like Spirited Away’s “Always With Me”, there’s nothing quite like tapping along to anime classics. Anime fans may be interested in “Opposed Viewpoint” from Scarlet Nexus and the Tales of Arise “Battle Medley”—two games with manga art styles. Of the 19 video game songs in The Drum Master, there are also songs from Katamari and Tekken.
Rhythm games are some of the most unique in the industry, as they promise a different kind of experience. For many, sitting down to play through a couple of songs can be a welcome break between rounds of intense games like Dark Souls or Sifu. Taiko no Tatsujin is a lovable series with an unmistakably Japanese presentation. The likes of Daruma dolls, Oni ogres, and anthropomorphic takoyaki cheer players on throughout each song. Anime fans and those who love Japanese culture should at the very least try out The Drum Master, if for no reason other than the great anime music. If that’s not enough of a sell, then maybe the game’s incredibly cute mascot, Don Wada, is the reason to pick it up.
Taiko no Tatsujin: The Drum Master is available on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
