"Opening Movie (FFXII Theme)" (オープニング･ムービー (FINAL FANTASY XIIのテーマ), Ōpuningu Mūbī (FINAL FANTASY XII no Tēma)?, lit. Opening Movie (FINAL FANTASY XII Theme)) is the main theme of Final Fantasy XII, composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto with orchestral arrangement done by Hayato Matsuo.
It is one of the longest main themes, at a length of six minutes and fifty-seven seconds.
Game appearances[]
Final Fantasy XII[]
This is the first song composed by Mr. Sakimoto for this project. It was a difficult piece, what with the pressure of working on a FINAL FANTASY title, and dealing with a grave theme like war. It needed to be truly remarkable. Though Mr. Sakimoto generally doesn't reveal work-in-progress pieces, he presented this song during the composition process to make sure he was headed in the right direction, and three months later, it was complete. While the original plan was to use the PlayStation 2 internal synthesizer, we wanted the opening scene to be extraordinary and opted for a live orchestra instead. The theme of FINAL FANTASY XII is also the theme of the Liberation Army; arrangements of this song are used in the field and various cutscenes.
Hiroaki Kato, Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age Original Soundtrack
It is named "Opening Movie" because it plays during the cinematic prologue. The track begins in a celebratory mood as it accompanies the wedding parade and ceremony between Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca and Rasler Heios Nabradia. At 1:47, the track descends into heavy ambient as it accompanies the battle strategy meeting between Lord Rasler, King Raminas B'nargin Dalmasca and Basch fon Ronsenburg, and Dalmasca's march into the Battle of Nalbina Fortress.
As it reaches point 3:33, the movie cinematic shows the battle taking place at the Fortress between Dalmasca and the invading Archadian Empire. At 6:00, the track plays solemnly as it mourns the death of those who fall in battle, and Archadian Imperial Fleets approach towards the Royal City of Rabanastre.
"Opening Movie (FFXII Theme)" is track 3 of disc 1 on the Final Fantasy XII: Original Soundtrack.
Leitmotifs from "Opening Movie (FFXII Theme)" are prominently used in other tracks. This leitmotif is associated with the Kingdom of Dalmasca's resistance against the Archadian Empire, and reoccurs in other themes whenever it involves the struggle of Princess Ashe.
Tracks that include the leitmotif are "Streets of Rabanastre", "Cooperation (Resistance Version)", "The Mosphoran Highwaste", "Catnap", and "Ending Movie". It also features prominently in battle themes such as "Boss Battle", "Life and Death", "Flash of Steel", and the final boss theme, "Struggle for Freedom".
"Final Fantasy XII Theme (Press Conference Version)" features the theme presented by Hitoshi Sakimoto during the initial developments of the music. It is track 21 of disc 4 on the original soundtrack.
"Opening Movie (Zodiac Age Version)" is the reorchestrated version available in the HD remaster Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age. It is track 3 on the Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age Original Soundtrack.
Eight new pieces were composed for this project, but the most impressive by far is "THE ZODIAC AGE," the song during the credits. This piece beautifully blends the themes of the Liberation and Imperial Armies. The phrase from the 5:10 mark is from the "Theme of FINAL FANTASY XII (Production Announcement Ver.)" first revealed in November 2003 at the FINAL FANTASY XII Production Announcement affair. The piece was originally created using a synthesizer, but the live sound has breathed new life into the song, making it a worthy piece to represent and conclude the story of FFXII.
Hiroaki Kato, Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age Original Soundtrack
The theme is also prominent in "The Zodiac Age", a new theme featured in the credits selectable from the menu of The Zodiac Age. It is track 99 on the original soundtrack.
"The Zodiac Age Music Box Arrangement" is an arrangement by Rikako Watanabe and Yukinori Kikuchi that appears as track 1 on the Exclusive Arrangements bonus CD on the limited edition of The Zodiac Age Original Soundtrack.
Arrangement album appearances[]
Piano Collections: Final Fantasy XII[]
"Opening Movie (FFXII Theme) - To Be a Sky Pirate" is a medley that appears as track 1 on the Piano Collections album to Final Fantasy XII, arranged and performed by Casey Ormond.
A New World: intimate music from Final Fantasy - Volume II[]
"Opening Movie (FFXII Theme)" is part of the medley "Ivalice Landscapes" on the album.
Compilation album appearances[]
The Best of Final Fantasy XII Original Soundtrack[]
"Opening Movie (FFXII Theme)" is track 1 on the album and is its first official release.
An unused version of "FFXII Theme" also appears as track 1 on the album.
Selections from Final Fantasy XII Original Soundtrack[]
"Opening Movie (FFXII Theme)" is track 1 on the album.
Final Fantasy Heroes[]
"Opening Movie (FFXII Theme)" is track 23 on the album.
Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Tracks 1987-2017[]
"Opening Movie (Zodiac Age Version)" is track 11 of disc 2 on the album celebrating Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary.