Ritsuko Okazaki

• Name — Ritsuko Okazaki 岡崎 律子 • Alias — Ritz • Birthplace — Takashima, Nagasaki, Japan • Born — 29 December 1959 • Died — 5 May 2004 • Place of death — Tokyo, Japan • Instrument — * Vocals • piano • Genre — Pop • Occupation — * Singer-songwriter • lyricist • Years Active — 1993–2004 • Label — Starchild • Past Member Of — Melocure

Okazaki was born in Hashima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture on December 29, 1959. She was born left-handed. During her childhood, she was forced by her mother to use her right hand. However, after hearing that it was bad to force her to use her right hand, her mother quickly advised her to use her natural hand. During her school days, she spent time in the bakery where she worked part-time, and practiced with her band, Eleanor. She was then in charge of the chorus and piano.

Okazaki made her debut as a singer-songwriter in 1993. During the nineties, she continued singing and also wrote songs for various voice actors. As she became more involved with anime she composed songs for Wedding Peach, Fruits Basket, Princess Tutu, Symphonic Rain, and Love Hina. She formed the duo Melocure in 2002 with singer-songwriter Megumi Hinata. In the following two years, the duo released several singles and an album, Melodic Hard Cure. Okazaki also produced songs during these years for artists such as Megumi Hayashibara, Mayumi Iizuka, and Yui Horie. According to her fans, the lyrics of Okazaki's songs are characterized by poetic imagery, depth of emotion, gentle optimism and simplicity.

She was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2003 but still continued with her work. During this time there was little information released about her. The news was revealed to the public in the liner notes of the CD soundtrack re-release of the visual novel Symphonic Rain, which was released a year after her death. On May 5, 2004, Okazaki died suddenly at the age of 44 from septic shock as a result of sepsis. She was unable to speak any last words, and left her work unfinished.

• Title — Release date — Notes • Kanashii Jiyū / Koi ga, Kiete Yuku — March 3, 1993 • Sai'ai / Jūnigatsu no Yuki no Hi — February 23, 1994 • Chōkyori Denwa / Girlfriend — September 15, 1994 • Riguretto ~Koibito Nara~ / Shigatsu no Yuki — April 25, 1996 • A Happy Life / Hamingu — August 25, 1996 — "A Happy Life" sung by Megumi Hayashibara as the opening theme for Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight!. • Rain or Shine -Futte mo Harete mo- / White Land — October 25, 1997 • L'aquoiboniste (Trouble-free Gentleman) / Moon Shadow — December 8, 1999 — Japanese cover of "L'aquoiboniste" by Jane Birkin • For Furutsū Basuketto / Chiisana Inori — July 25, 2001 — The opening and ending themes for Natsuki Takaya's anime adaptation, Fruits Basket. • Morning Grace — October 23, 2002 — The opening and ending themes for Princess Tutu. • Friendship ~For Suki-tte Ii na yo~ — November 2012 — Opening song for anime Suki-tte Ii na yo.

• Title — Release date — Notes • Sincerely yours — March 24, 1993 • Joyful Calendar — March 23, 1994 • A Happy Life — May 25, 1996 • Ritzberry Fields — August 21, 1997 • Rain or Shine — October 25, 1997 • Good Morning — November 6, 1998 • Love Hina Okazaki Collection — December 15, 2001 • Love Hina Self Cover Album — December 16, 2001 • Life is lovely. — February 5, 2003 • Sister Princess RePure Twelve Angels 12 Characters Ending Songs — February 5, 2003 • For Ritz — December 29, 2004 — Contains Okazaki's cover of the songs from Symphonic Rain. • Love & Life: private works 1999–2001 — May 5, 2005 — Includes songs from 3 promotional CDs previously exclusive for her fan club members. Source: