Trivia

Has stated in interviews that he composed the much famed "The Prelude", a musical theme used in all Final Fantasy games, in a matter of minutes.

Is a self-taught musician.

His video game music compositions are incredibly popular, particularly in Japan, where live orchestras have put on concerts of his music.

Some of his Final Fantasy music "Liberi Fatali", was used at the synchronised swimming event at the Athens Olympic Games.

Has his own band, called the Black Mages (after a character class from many Final Fantasy games). This group specializes in, unsurprisingly, Final Fantasy remixes and original scores.

Regarded by most gaming magazines as the "John Williams of the Gaming Industry" for his amazing music composition abilities.

There are more than two dozen music albums by Uematsu that focus on the music in Final Fantasy games. Although many are original soundtracks, there are also many remix albums, such as Final Fantasy VI's "Reunion" and "Love Will Grow" albums. Although these music compilations are almost always wildly popular in Japan, they are rarely exported to the US, to the dismay of many fans of Uematsu's music.

Solely responsible for the composition of all music scores used in Final Fantasy 1 through 9. He was listed as a co-composer for the first time in Final Fantasy 10.

Preparing a collection of his Final Fantasy music orchestrations for performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in May of 2004. This will be the first live concert of his music in the United States. (February 2004)

Resigned from Square-Enix, after almost two decades, with plans to start his own company. (November 2004)