Kishōtenketsu as Leitmotif

Abstract

Final Fantasy VII (1997) is perhaps best known for its compelling story and memorable soundtrack. Like many of the other games within the franchise, storytelling within FF7 is heavily rooted in the Kishōtenketsu storytelling format. This four-part structure favors character development over conflict and establishes strong psychological connections between the characters. Nobuo Uematsu’s penchant for leitmotivic scoring strengthens these bonds further, creating a tripartite connection between story, music, and the audience. And while his compositional styles draw heavily from Western traditions found in film and opera throughout much of his oeuvre, it is apparent that Kishōtenketsu bears tremendous influence on his treatment of FF7’s score, especially as it pertains to the game’s main theme. This article addresses the musico-dramatic influences that Kishōtenketsu has on Uematsu’s compositional strategies regarding FF7’s main theme, its various transformations, and their strategic deployment over the course of the game. After discussing FF7 through the principles of Kishōtenketsu, I provide a thorough leitmotivic analysis of the self-titled “Main Theme to Final Fantasy VII,” identifying the Tarnhelm progression within its opening phrase as Cloud’s leitmotif. I suggest that the harmonic and tonal ambiguity inherent within the infamous progression symbolizes Cloud’s own struggles with identity and memory. Uematsu musically depicts the entire game’s story arc within the “Main Theme” through his use of musical allusion to other characters, as well as his subtle approach to harmonic and motivic development. As Cloud’s leitmotif is only found in a handful of the main theme’s transformations, I conduct leitmotivic analyses on these themes, emphasizing their strategic deployment within scenes that depict his struggles with his trauma. Moreover, these different transformations are all paired together at key moments in the game, suggesting a wider leitmotivic network surrounding the “Main Theme.” Ultimately, the symbiotic relationship between Uematsu’s leitmotivic language and the story’s Kishōtenketsu structure help us to identify new symbolic meaning within the game, its story, and the soundtrack.

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