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How did Koichi Sugiyama die? Dragon Quest composer, 90, was 'notoriously homophobic'

'Absolutely incredible musician, made many all time classics, but an absolutely miserable human being,' a user tweeted about Koichi Sugiyama

Veteran Japanese music composer Koichi Sugiyama, who was widely recognized for creating the iconic theme of 'Dragon Quest', has died at the age of 90 years. The theme was even played at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 inaugural ceremony this year in honor of Sugiyama's legacy. He redefined the music scene of Japan for decades and composed over 500 pieces of music for the popular series. 

Sugiyama's death was widely mourned by fans as they remembered the legendary composer's best works. Aside from Dragon Quest, he also contributed to other anime series like 'Cyborg 009', Ideon, 'Godzilla vs Biollante', 'Rayearth' and others. However, in the course of his prolonged career, Sugiyama also faced his fair share of controversy for his 'homophobic' and 'ultranationalist' views. "Koichi Sugiyama has passed away. At 90 years of age he has contributed much to videogame music and culture, and also contributed much to toxic conservative platforms like war crime denial and anti-LGBT sentiment. We all live and we all die. May God be his judge," a user tweeted about him. 

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Koichi Sugiyama is believed to be survived by his musician wife of many years, Yukiko Sugiyama. According to an obituary posted on the Dragon Quest website, the nonagenarian composer died from septic shock on September 30, 2021. 

A scathing report by Jake Adelstein and Chihiro Kai, published in July 2021 by The Daily Beast, openly described Koichi Sugiyama as " a notoriously homophobic and ultranationalist Japanese composer". The accusations came from Sugiyama's extremist views, especially when it came to homosexuality or even prostitution. He not only sided with openly anti-LGBTQ politicians like Mio Sugita, but he also advocated against LGBTQ people receiving government support as they "do not produce children."

In the past, Sugiyama had shockingly remarked that Korean women captured as sex-slaves in the oriental Japanese empire were "happy-go-lucky prostitutes." His misogynist comments did not end here, as he went on to ridicule rape survivor journalist Shiori Ito. While hosting a conservative TV show, Sugiyama often cracked offensive jokes about racial and ethnic minority communities and their struggles. Furthermore, Koichi Sugiyama was reportedly a non-believer in gender equality. 

There were mixed reactions on Twitter as soon as the news of his death surfaced. While many fans lauded him as a brilliant composer, others struggled to separate the art from the artist and condemned his extremist life views.

"Apparently Koichi Sugiyama, known for composing music for Dragon Quest and being an awful human being, is dead," wrote one user. Another tweeted, "Dragon Quest composer, Koichi Sugiyama, has passed away aged 90. I did not agree with many of his statements, but his music has been a huge part of my life. May he finally find that peace in his heart he could not find in life."

A third user wrote, "Absolutely incredible musician, made many all time classics, but an absolutely miserable human being. Glad he can't keep donating to right wing causes and harming minorities."