Akiko Shikata

is a Japanese singer-songwriter and composer, who is known for writing music for games and anime. She is best known for her contributions to the Ar tonelico, Shadow Hearts and Umineko no Naku Koro ni games, as well as anime adaptations of Umineko no Naku Koro ni, Akatsuki no Yona and Tales of Symphonia.

Shikata's music is known for its ethnic feel and complex vocal chorus work. In a single Shikata song, there may be as many as 200 separate vocal tracks recorded for it. She first developed an interest in music when she was very little, after constantly singing with her mother. She was first interested in songs from Minna no Uta and later, when she learnt the piano, in classical music.

In 2001, she formed the independent label Vagrancy, associated with the dōjin music scene that makes independent music game releases. She originally had no intention of singing, but felt dissatisfied with creating songs just from synthesiser sounds.

In 2007, Shikata became associated with the dōjin soft game Umineko no Naku Koro ni, releasing an EP featuring music from the game (including the eponymous theme song). This was her first top 30 release.

She later composed the second ending theme “akatsuki” for the 2014/2015 anime Yona of the Dawn

Discography

Studio albums 2001: Midori no Mori de Nemuru Tori (EP) 2003: Haikyo to Rakuen 2005: Navigatoria 2006: Raka 2009: Harmonia 2013: Turaida 2015: Wokashi 2018: Ayashi 2019: noAno

Soundtrack albums 2003: Hanakisō Sound Tracks 2008: Umineko no Naku Koro ni (EP) 2013: Ciel Nosurge Original Soundtracks Vol.1 (OST)

Compilation albums 2007: Istoria: Musa 2008: Kara*Cola: Hymmnos Orgel Collection 2010: Utau Oka: Ar=ciel Ar=dor 2011: Byakumu no Mayu ~Ricordando il Passato~ 2011: Istoria ~Kalliope~ 2012: Laylania

Instrumental albums 2002: Petit Fours (music box) 2003: Horizon Blue (music box) 2003: Kurenawi (instrumental) 2004: Viridian (music box) 2005: Wisteria (music box) 2007: Kalliope: Piano Concert (piano) 2007: Hanakisō Koukyoukyoku (orchestra) 2009: Fluff: Orgel Arrange Mini Album (EP) (music box) 2010: Nijiiro Crayon: Orgel Arrange Mini Album (EP) (music box) 2011: lirica: Orgel Arrange Mini Album (EP) (music box) 2012: Istoria ~Kalliope~ Orgel Collection (music box) 2013: Hagurumakan no Elde (music box) 2018: Yoimatsuri (music box)

Singles 2009: Katayoku no Tori 2010: Inori no Kanata 2011: Utsusemi