Japanese Composer Yoko Shimomura to be Honoured with BAFTA Fellowship

Japanese composer and pianist Yoko Shimomura is to be awarded the prestigious Fellowship at the BAFTA Games Awards on Tuesday 8 April 2025 for her contribution to the games industry. The BAFTA Fellowship recognises those who have made an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television and is the arts charity’s most prestigious honour.

Credited as the composer of countless era-defining video game soundtracks enjoyed by millions of players worldwide, including the Kingdom Hearts series, Final Fantasy XV, Mario & Luigi, Xenoblade Chronicles, Streets of Rage, the Mana series, Super Mario RPG, Live A Live, Radiant Historia, Parasite Eve, Breather of Fire and Street Fighter II, the impact of Shimomura’s work will be felt for generations to come.

Yoko Shimomura said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive such an amazing and prestigious award as this, although, honestly speaking, I still cannot quite believe it. I am who I am today thanks to all the people who have supported me, allowing me to continue being involved with the music that I love and discovering the medium of games where that music can flourish. I am deeply grateful to everyone in the games industry, to those who ask me to write my music and to all those who listen to it. I would like for them, and for everyone who has been a part of my life, to join with me in celebrating this award. Thank you so much.”

Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, said: “It is a real privilege to honour Yoko Shimomura with the BAFTA Fellowship this year. A pioneer of video game music, pianist and composer, Yoko has created unforgettable soundtracks for so many beloved games and paved the way for women in the industry at a time when it was overwhelmingly male-dominated. Her groundbreaking work has already inspired countless artists and will continue to resonate for generations. We look forward to honouring her at the 21st BAFTA Games Awards.”

The award will be presented to Shimomura at the 21st annual BAFTA Games Awards on Tuesday 8 April at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London and will be streamed live on BAFTA’s YouTube and Twitch channels. The ceremony will be hosted for the second time by comedian and video games enthusiast Phil Wang where he’ll entertain an audience filled with a complete roster of industry greats.