Cell Powering Up and "Gathering Energy for the Genkidama"

[Hero]

I can't find a video of it anymore, but when Cell powers up to his full power in the original Kikuchi soundtrack the music M1420 or "Gahtering Energy for the Genkidama" plays.

The theme:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v8R1ET2SpU

Otherwise known as the theme that plays when Kid Buu is defeated. Many people say this theme was misplaced by having it play when Cell is powering up but I disagree big time. How the music went from extremely sinister, twisted and evil right as Cell begins to power up then to M1420 gave the scene a very apocalyptic feel. And not the usual everything is blowing up apocalypse. The clouds moving over the scared crowds, Chi Chi and Master Roshi watching in silence at the static on their TVs, it all fit perfectly with the music and made it feel as if this was the end. And what better way than to signify the end of everything then a beautiful and emotional piece of music such as M1420. Having some a cool theme (ala Faulconer) would've made the power up exciting but it's not meant to be exciting at all! It's supposed to be terrifying and make you feel that all life is about to end in sadness.

I will agree though with the opinion that the scene wasn't apocalyptic enough for M1420. Showing more characters watching in despair such as Bulma, her family, Dende and the OG Dragon Ball cast such as Lunch and Upa and Bora (kinda like what they did in the Buu Saga) would've added to this scene a lot.

[kei17]

I agree with your opinion. It's not a wrong idea to play calm and holy sounding music in an apocalyptic scene. It's just that the scene isn't apocalyptic enough for that sort of method, which is because we do know Gohan is going to kick Cell's ass and he's not a real threat anymore at the point no matter how he unleashes his power. Considering Shigeru Miyashita, the one who had been responsible for music placement from Dr. Slump to GT, always does a great job, my guess is that it was the episode director's choise instead of Miyashita's. Though Miyashita did most of the placements himself, it was the directors who had the final say on it. Some directors chose specific tracks when they storyboarded.
Anyway, the music placement is not as funny as some people claim.

[Naruto6583]

I agree with your opinion. It's not a wrong idea to play calm and holy sounding music in an apocalyptic scene. It's just that the scene isn't apocalyptic enough for that sort of method, which is because we do know Gohan is going to kick Cell's ass and he's not a real threat anymore at the point no matter how he unleashes his power. Considering Shigeru Miyashita, the one who had been responsible for music placement from Dr. Slump to GT, always does a great job, my guess is that it was the episode director's choise instead of Miyashita's. Though Miyashita did most of the placements himself, it was the directors who had the final say on it. Some directors chose specific tracks when they storyboarded.
Anyway, the music placement is not as funny as some people claim.

I always found it as an odd placement but I will say after having to go over the original z episodes so I can make an accurate placement for kai I can say without a doubt this will always be the best kikuchi placement hands down. Miyashita did excellent work for the franchise. Question though did he also do the placement for the movies and tv specials as well?

[kei17]

Miyashita did excellent work for the franchise. Question though did he also do the placement for the movies and tv specials as well?

As for the TV specials, yes he did, but the movies were scored very differently. The directors created cue sheets which specify details of each cue, and they drew "music lines" in the storyboards which show when cues play. Then Kikuchi composed scores with actual scenes in mind by referring to these pieces of information. Miyashita had nothing to do with these processes.

[Naruto6583]

Miyashita did excellent work for the franchise. Question though did he also do the placement for the movies and tv specials as well?

As for the TV specials, yes he did, but the movies were scored very differently. The directors created cue sheets which specify details of each cue, and they drew "music lines" in the storyboards which show when cues play. Then Kikuchi composed scores with actual scenes in mind by referring to these pieces of information. Miyashita had nothing to do with these processes.

Really wow thats awsome to know thanks kei!