Resonance Solstice Soundtrack Review and Voice Actor Highlights
Resonance Solstice elevates its post-apocalyptic railway adventure through exceptional audio production, featuring compositions by legendary anime composer Hiroyuki Sawano alongside KOHTA YAMAMOTO, and performances by an all-star Japanese voice cast including industry veterans like Mizuki Nana, Kugimiya Rie, and Sugita Tomokazu. The combination of Sawano’s signature orchestral-electronic fusion soundscapes with top-tier seiyuu talent creates an immersive audiovisual experience that rivals high-budget anime productions. This comprehensive review examines the original soundtrack’s musical identity, vocal performances, standout tracks, and voice actor highlights that bring the conductors and characters of Resonance Solstice to life.
Soundtrack Overview: RESONANCE PHASE 0
The official soundtrack album “RESONANCE PHASE 0” released digitally on October 18, 2024 (following initial Chinese release on March 1, 2024), containing 17 tracks spanning 45 minutes and 23 seconds. The album showcases the collaborative genius of Hiroyuki Sawano, renowned for anime soundtracks including Attack on Titan, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, and Kill la Kill, working alongside KOHTA YAMAMOTO, his frequent collaborator known for 86 -Eighty-Six- and Blue Lock.
Composer Contributions
The division of compositional duties places Sawano’s focus on the main theme “Hz” and its multiple arrangements, while YAMAMOTO handles the majority of gameplay BGM including battle tracks, train travel music, and story moments. This collaboration creates cohesive sonic identity while providing diverse musical textures across different gameplay contexts.
Main Theme: “Hz” by mizuki
The centerpiece track “Hz” performed by mizuki (from UNIDOTS) serves as Resonance Solstice’s musical signature. Composed and arranged by Hiroyuki Sawano with lyrics by Benjamin & mpi, his long-time lyric writing team, “Hz” exemplifies Sawano’s distinctive approach to gacha game themes.
Musical Analysis
Orchestral Foundation: The track opens with sweeping string sections reminiscent of Sawano’s Attack on Titan work, establishing epic scale appropriate for the game’s world-rebuilding narrative. Brass fanfares punctuate key moments, creating triumphant emotional peaks that mirror the conductor’s journey to reconnect civilization.
Electronic Elements: Layered synthesizers provide modern energy, preventing the orchestration from feeling overly traditional or period-appropriate. This fusion reflects the game’s setting, a post-apocalyptic world where steam-powered trains represent humanity’s technological rebirth.
Vocal Performance: mizuki delivers passionate vocals with the characteristic Sawano hallmarks: English lyrics, powerful sustained notes, and emotional crescendos during chorus sections. The lyrics explore themes of resonance, connection, and hope amidst devastation, perfectly aligned with the game’s core narrative about rebuilding society through railway networks.
Multiple Arrangements
The album includes four variations of “Hz”:
- Hz (Main Vocal Version) – Full 3:27 track with mizuki’s vocals
- Hz -ORCH- – Orchestra-only arrangement (2:32) emphasizing instrumental grandeur
- Hpf (Piano Solo) – Intimate piano interpretation (2:17) for emotional story moments
- Hz -STR- – Strings-focused version (2:39) highlighting melodic beauty
- Hz (Instrumental) – Backing track (3:20) without vocals
This multi-arrangement approach allows the main theme’s melody to weave throughout gameplay, creating thematic continuity while providing appropriate emotional context for different scenes.
Vocal Tracks
Beyond the main theme, three additional vocal tracks enhance key story moments:
“DYSTOPIAN” – Sakura Tanaka
Composed by KOHTA YAMAMOTO with vocals by Sakura Tanaka, “DYSTOPIAN” presents darker, more aggressive musical territory. The track likely accompanies antagonist scenes or moments exploring the world’s collapse, contrasting with “Hz”‘s hopeful tone. Lyrics by Benjamin & mpi maintain thematic consistency while exploring the narrative’s shadow elements.
“phAz” – cumi
Featured as the ending theme for Resonance Solstice’s promotional short anime, “phAz” performed by cumi provides ethereal, atmospheric vocals. YAMAMOTO’s composition creates dreamlike ambiance, with lyrics by cAnON. offering poetic reflection on the journey’s meaning.
“AWOKEN” – Sakura Tanaka
Tanaka returns for “AWOKEN,” another YAMAMOTO composition exploring themes of rebirth and realization. The track’s placement suggests use during pivotal story revelations or character awakening moments.
Gameplay Background Music
Instrumental tracks comprise the soundtrack’s majority, providing atmospheric accompaniment during exploration, battles, and train management:
Travel and Exploration Themes
“ON THE RAILS” (1:25): Brief but memorable, this track accompanies train travel between cities. The composition captures rhythmic motion through chugging percussion patterns mimicking locomotive movement.
“ON THE EARTH” (3:19): Broader exploration theme featuring hopeful melodies and gentle orchestration. The extended runtime allows the track to develop through multiple sections, maintaining interest during lengthy trading sequences.
“UNDER THE GROUND” (3:24): Mysterious, tension-filled music suggesting underground or dangerous areas. Minor key progressions and unsettling harmonies create appropriate atmosphere for story’s darker locations.
Battle and Conflict Themes
“FURIOUS RESONANCE” (3:10): High-energy combat music featuring driving percussion, aggressive string sections, and electronic elements. The track’s relentless pacing mirrors intense card battle moments where strategic decisions happen rapidly.
“THE ORDER OF EDEN” (3:34): Likely antagonist-associated theme exploring the mysterious Eden organization’s role in the narrative. Ominous orchestration builds tension during story confrontations.
Narrative Moments
“THE BEGINNING OF RESONANCE” (2:42): Opening narrative theme establishing the game’s world and premise. Cinematic orchestration creates movie-like quality appropriate for story introduction.
“THE RAILS END” (3:01): Potential ending or climactic moment theme providing emotional resolution. The title suggests finality and conclusion, likely accompanying major story beats.
Voice Actor Cast
Resonance Solstice features an exceptional Japanese voice cast including industry legends and popular contemporary talent:
Legendary Seiyuu
Mizuki Nana (水樹奈々) – Multi-platinum recording artist and voice actress known for Naruto (Hinata Hyuga), Nanoha series (Fate Testarossa), and countless iconic roles. Her participation brings mainstream credibility and vocal excellence to Resonance Solstice’s cast.
Kugimiya Rie (釘宮理恵) – The legendary “Queen of Tsundere” voices beloved characters including Fullmetal Alchemist‘s Alphonse Elric, Toradora!‘s Taiga Aisaka, and Gintama‘s Kagura. Her distinctive voice makes any character immediately recognizable.
Sugita Tomokazu (杉田智和) – Renowned for comedic timing and deadpan delivery, famous for Gintama‘s Gintoki Sakata, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya‘s Kyon, and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure‘s Joseph Joestar. His participation suggests Resonance Solstice includes humor alongside serious narrative moments.
Acclaimed Modern Talent
Kitō Akari (鬼頭明里) – Rising star known for Demon Slayer‘s Nezuko Kamado, Love Live! Nijigasaki‘s Kanata Konoe, and Kaguya-sama‘s Kaguya Shinomiya. Her expressive range handles both vulnerable and powerful character moments effectively.
Tomatsu Haruka (戸松遥) – Versatile actress with credits including Sword Art Online‘s Asuna Yuuki, My Hero Academia‘s Ochaco Uraraka, and Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai‘s Sena Kashiwazaki. Her warm vocal tone excels at conveying determination and compassion.
Ishida Akira (石田彰) – Legendary voice known for distinctive androgynous quality, famous for Neon Genesis Evangelion‘s Kaworu Nagisa, Naruto‘s Gaara, and Final Fantasy X‘s Kuja. His ethereal voice suits mysterious or antagonistic characters.
Morikawa Toshiyuki (森川智之) – Deep, commanding voice actor recognized for Final Fantasy VII‘s Sephiroth, Naruto‘s Minato Namikaze, and Bleach‘s Kaname Tōsen. His authoritative delivery perfect for leader or mentor characters.
Matsuoka Yoshitsugu (松岡禎丞) – Popular among anime fans for Sword Art Online‘s Kirito, Demon Slayer‘s Inosuke Hashibira, and Food Wars!‘s Soma Yukihira. His energetic performances bring youthful protagonists to life.
Uchiyama Kōki (内山昂輝) – Acclaimed for nuanced performances in Hunter × Hunter (Meruem), Banana Fish (Ash Lynx), and A Place Further Than The Universe (Gin). His emotional depth enhances complex character arcs.
Full Cast Recognition
The complete voice cast listing indicates dozens of additional talented seiyuu bringing supporting characters, NPCs, and enemy roles to life. This investment in professional voice acting elevates Resonance Solstice’s production values to anime-tier quality rarely seen in mobile games.
Audio Production Quality
The soundtrack demonstrates professional mixing and mastering standards consistent with commercial anime releases. The gamerip version available through dedicated soundtrack preservation sites includes 66 files totaling 199 MB (MP3) or 630 MB (FLAC), indicating high-quality audio encoding that preserves dynamic range and frequency response.
Listening Experience
Players report the soundtrack enhances immersion significantly, with orchestral swells during story climaxes creating emotional resonance matching visual storytelling. The music never overwhelms gameplay but provides consistent atmospheric support that makes extended play sessions more enjoyable.
Collaborative Production
The soundtrack demonstrates high-level collaboration between Sawano, YAMAMOTO, and multiple vocalists. Recording sessions captured professional performances from mizuki, Sakura Tanaka, and cumi, with lyricists Benjamin, mpi, and cAnON. providing English and Japanese text that explores the game’s themes through poetic abstraction.
Behind-the-scenes content shows Sawano and YAMAMOTO working together during composition and recording, ensuring cohesive sonic identity across the 17-track album despite different compositional approaches.
Cultural Impact
The involvement of Hiroyuki Sawano automatically elevates Resonance Solstice’s prestige within anime and gaming communities. Sawano’s reputation for creating memorable, emotionally powerful music transfers positive associations to the game, attracting players who might otherwise overlook mobile RPGs.
Cross-promotion opportunities emerged, including collaboration with Iron Saga featuring the “Hz” main theme. These partnerships expand Resonance Solstice’s reach beyond its core audience into broader gaming communities.
Resonance Solstice’s audio production represents exceptional commitment to quality rarely seen in free-to-play mobile games. The combination of Hiroyuki Sawano’s legendary compositional talent, KOHTA YAMAMOTO’s dynamic gameplay music, and an all-star voice cast featuring Mizuki Nana, Kugimiya Rie, and other industry veterans creates audiovisual experiences rivaling premium anime productions. The “RESONANCE PHASE 0” soundtrack stands as both excellent game accompaniment and worthy standalone listening, while the professional voice performances bring depth and personality to every character encounter.
