A special release party celebrating “SOICHI TERADA ‘APE ESCAPE 3 ORIGINAPE SOUNDTRACKS IN A BOX’” is set for February 6, at WWW in Shibuya, Tokyo.
The event marks the long-awaited vinyl release of the soundtrack to ”Ape Escape 3,” composed by electronic music pioneer Soichi Terada. The night will feature a live performance from SOICHI TERADA himself, alongside imai of group_inou, with E.O.U and FELINE taking over DJ duties, making it a one-night showcase of cutting-edge Japanese electronic and club sounds.
Text by DNG (CYK / Lighthouse Records)
In hindsight, it is impossible not to admire the sharp intuition of the original development team who entrusted Soichi Terada with the soundtracks for the PlayStation® classic Ape Escape from 1999 and its PlayStation® 2 sequel Ape Escape 3 from 2005. Terada’s music, rich with nostalgia, intimacy, and an unmistakably positive spirit, fit seamlessly with the humorous visuals of the Piposaru monkeys racing across the screen and the fast paced gameplay that captivated both children and adults. Sound, image, and play did more than coexist. They amplified one another. As a result, the music became an essential element of the Ape Escape series, earning acclaim not merely as background accompaniment but as one of its defining components.
Terada’s wider reevaluation gained momentum years later, triggered by the 2015 reissue of his 1990s house works Sounds From The Far East released by Rush Hour. As his presence in global club culture rapidly expanded, listeners began rediscovering his earlier catalog from new perspectives. A clear example is Apes In The Net, released in 2024 on Terada’s own Far East Recording label. Compiled from the Ape Escape soundtracks, the record highlighted another side of Terada, one rooted in a deep affection for jungle and drum and bass. This angle was not a retrospective reinterpretation. In fact, it was his 1996 jungle experiment Sumo Jungle, created purely out of personal curiosity, that reportedly caught the ears of the game’s production team and directly led to the soundtrack offer.
With Ape Escape 3 Originape Soundtracks in a Box, along with the previously released Ape Escape Originape Soundtracks in a Box, that legacy is now reaffirmed. Issued by the US based label Cartridge Thunder Records to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the series, these releases serve both as anniversary landmarks and as long awaited gateways. They offer a chance to experience Terada’s musical world through newly remastered audio and original key art, beyond the confines of CDs or subscription based streaming services. For fans who discovered Terada after Sounds From The Far East, this feels like a long overdue reward. For longtime fans of Ape Escape and Ape Escape 3, it may be the realization of a hope carried quietly for more than a decade.
The accompanying release party promises to bring that sense of pure exhilaration into physical space. Through WWW’s sound system, the innocent energy Terada shaped throughout the Ape Escape series will unfold in full scale. Adding further color to the night are imai of group_inou, known for handling vividly saturated sounds, DJ FELINE, who fluidly navigates house, bass music, and pop, and E.O.U, a post club generation artist exploring imaginary sonic landscapes. Each shares a light and open attitude toward music that feels closely aligned with Terada’s own creative DNA.
The experience extends beyond music alone. From free bananas at the venue to other playful elements designed to materialize the world of Ape Escape, the night is set to offer a fully immersive celebration. It promises not just a performance, but a joyful convergence of curiosity, playfulness, and the unexpected paths music can take.
SOICHI TERADA “APE ESCAPE 3 ORIGINAPE SOUNDTRACKS IN A BOX” Release Party
LIVE: SOICHI TERADA / imai
DJ: E.O.U / FELINE
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
Venue: WWW (Tokyo)
Open / Start: 7:00 PM
FREE BANANA available at the venue
Tickets:
Advance: ¥3,500
Under 25: ¥2,500
Door: ¥4,000
Tickets: LivePocket
https://livepocket.jp/e/20260206www
Info: WWW 03-5458-7685
