More properly entitled "Sugiyama Koichi Divertimento Hanjuku Eiyuu" (Half-Boiled Hero), this soundtrack is one of two full soundtracks that Square never bothered to reprint (the other is the FF Mystic Quest OST). This CD features 4 incredibly well-done orchestrated tracks at the beginning, and then the rest is the OST part.

So as not to get confused, this soundtrack is for the Super Famicom game "Hanjuku Hero: Aa Senkai yo Hanjuku nare" and not the Famicom game of just "Hanjuku Hero" (which was done by Nobuo Uematsu and never had its own soundtrack release...it comes as a bonus disc with the Hanjuku Hero Vs. 3D OST). The 4 orchestrated tracks at the beginning are very uplifting, they remind me of a Stephen Sondheim musical (specifically Into the Woods...tee hee!). The actual OST tracks are standard, not bad but not extremely good either.

This soundtrack is nearly impossible to find ANYWHERE (as are most any N##D soundtracks). However, I got mine from eBay for around only $50...I guess that gives you an idea as to the rarity of this soundtrack. Good luck finding it, all you sick Square-fanatics!

Reviewed by: Patrick Gann