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Yôko Kanno

Yôko Kanno

Composer · Born March 18, 1963 (63) · Sendai, Miyagi, Japan

Yoko Kanno (菅野 よう子, Kanno Yōko, born March 18, 1963) is a Japanese composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks of anime films, television series, live-action films, video games, and advertisements. She was born in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. She has written scores for Cowboy Bebop and its live-action adaptation, Darker than Black, Macross Plus, Turn A Gundam, The Vision of Escaflowne, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Wolf's Rain, Kids on the Slope, Genesis of Aquarion and Terror in Resonance, and has worked with the directors Hirokazu Kore-eda, Yoshiyuki Tomino, Shinichirō Watanabe and Shōji Kawamori. Kanno has also composed music for pop artists Maaya Sakamoto and Kyōko Koizumi. She is also a keyboardist, and is the frontwoman for the Seatbelts, who perform many of Kanno's compositions and soundtracks.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 18, 1963 (63)
From
Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Works as
Composer
Titles
32 on MovieCove · 66 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 25% in 30 days

What are Yôko Kanno's films like?

Across their 22 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Animation10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 92nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 80th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
31%
Self
28%
Ideas
13%
Society
11%
Survival
9%
Power
6%
Morality
1%
Romantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 15 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 4 · Dark 6

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 2 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 10

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 3 · Intense 8

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 4 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 3

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 6

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 5 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Melancholic
9
Thrilling
8
Contemplative
7
Romantic
6
Other
16

How their films linger

Bittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Yôko Kanno's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 23 of their 32 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Yôko Kanno's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

66 credits, 32 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House(2023)

    Show 9 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Spy x Family(2022)

    Show 12 episodes · Theme Song Performance

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Cowboy Bebop(2021)

    Show 10 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Sangokushi 30th Anniversary Concert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Composer

  • Naotora: The Lady Warlord (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 50 episodes · Composer

  • Our Little Sister(2015)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Terror in Resonance(2014)

    Show 11 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • The World of Kanako(2014)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Space Dandy(2014)

    Show 4 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Gochisousan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 150 episodes · Composer

  • Petal Dance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Composer

  • Ein's Summer Vacation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Composer

  • Cowboy Bebop: Don't Bother None (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Composer

  • Kids on the Slope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 12 episodes · Composer

  • Macross Frontier: The Wings of Farewell(2011)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Maaya Sakamoto 15th Anniversary Live "Gift" at Nippon Budokan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Surely Someday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Composer

  • Macross Frontier Galaxy Tour Final in Budokan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Macross Frontier: The False Songstress(2009)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Ring of Gundam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Composer

  • Macross Frontier(2008)

    Show 25 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Aoi Yū × Yottsu no Uso Camouflage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 12 episodes · Composer

  • Genesis of Aquarion: Wings of Genesis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Composer

  • Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society(2006)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Genius Party(2007)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Say Hello for Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Composer

  • Darker than Black (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 25 episodes · Composer

  • The Show Must Go On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Composer

  • Honey & Clover(2006)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Ōban Star-Racers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 26 episodes · Theme Song Performance

  • Su-ki-da (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Composer

  • Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG - Individual Eleven(2006)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • A Melody for My Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Composer

  • Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - The Laughing Man(2005)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Blood Gets in Your Eyes(2005)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Genesis of Aquarion(2005)

    Show 78 episodes · Composer · Lyricist · Theme Song Performance

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Mind Game(2004)

    Musician

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Kamikaze Girls(2004)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Wolf's Rain(2003)

    Show 26 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Macross Zero(2002)

    Show 5 episodes · Additional Music

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Woman of Water (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Composer

  • tokyo.sora (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Composer

  • Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex(2002)

    Show 52 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Turn A Gundam: Movie II: Moonlight Butterfly(2002)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Turn A Gundam I: Earth Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Composer

  • Tachikoma na hibi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 26 episodes · Actor

  • Future Blues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Composer · as Self

  • Cowboy Bebop: The Movie(2001)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Earth Maiden Arjuna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 13 episodes · Composer

  • Seatbelts: Souvenir of Tokyo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Escaflowne: The Movie(2000)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade(1999)

    Musician · Theme Song Performance

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Turn A Gundam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 50 episodes · Composer

  • Beautiful Sunday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Composer

  • Brain Powerd (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 26 episodes · Composer

  • Cowboy Bebop(1998)

    Show 26 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Noiseman Sound Insect (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Composer

  • Happy-Go-Lucky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Composer

  • I Can’t Study (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Composer

  • The Vision of Escaflowne(1996)

    Show 26 episodes · Composer · Musician

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Memories(1995)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Macross Plus Movie Edition(1995)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Macross 7(1994)

    Show 49 episodes · Additional Music

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Macross Plus(1994)

    Show 4 episodes · Composer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Yamato Takeru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 37 episodes · Composer

  • Please Save My Earth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 6 episodes · Composer

Career shape

A full career of 66 titles from 1993 to 2023.

Biggest box office

Our Little Sister (2015)

$16M worldwide

Highest rated

Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG - Individual Eleven (2006)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Genesis of Aquarion (2005)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting4 of 66: 4 only acting, 0 with another roleWriting1 of 66: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleMusic58 of 66: 56 only music, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score83rdOther crew6 of 66: 4 only other crew, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score91st

By decade

1990s15 · crew2000s34 · 3 acting · 31 crew2010s14 · 1 acting · 13 crew2020s3 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Yôko Kanno's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 90th percentile, the median of all 18; across their 15 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 89th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

89thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Approval · how many liked their films

86thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Reach · how many have seen their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 32 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up23
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th4

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 32 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · composer

Turn A Gundam: Movie II: Moonlight Butterfly (2002)

72nd percentile spread · 22% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · composer

Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG - Individual Eleven (2006)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the sound and music 75/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 61. The element that speaks to their work as a composer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Yôko Kanno's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, every category sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Sex & Nudity5 titles14–41 · median 25 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Yôko Kanno work with?

People who share at least 2 of Yôko Kanno's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Shôji Kawamori shares the most, 10.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles