Looking Back at the BGM of Donutal Through its Trailers

Hello, everyone.

I'm Obi, the director of the upcoming new game Donutal at Arc System Works.

With the release of Donutal just around the corner, we've been regularly posting via note to share the appeal of the game and behind-the-scenes stories from its development.

Today, I’d like to introduce the BGM (Background Music) of the game, highlighting tracks from the recently released 3rd trailer as well as past trailers.

⚠️ Please note: Due to the nature of this topic, I will inevitably touch upon some information from the main game. While I have taken great care to write this article without major spoilers, if you wish to experience the game completely fresh, please proceed with caution!

▶️ 1st Trailer (Teaser) Released on 2026/02/19

Watch on YouTube ↗

・Track Title Playing Throughout the Trailer: EMERGENCY SEQUENCE This track creates a tense atmosphere and is played during a "certain moment" within the inspection process🚨. It is an entirely original composition for this game.

・Track Title Around 0:06 (For a split second): DOCK SEQUENCE This is the track that primarily plays during the inspection process in the inspection room. It's only in the trailer for a brief moment, so I highly recommend listening to it on loop in the actual game! This is also an entirely original composition for this game.

▶️ 2nd Trailer (System Introduction) Released on 2026/06/25

Watch on YouTube ↗

・Up to 0:33 Track Title: NOCTURNE NO.2 - 2206 Edition The original piece for this is Frédéric Chopin's "Nocturne No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2". When you think of Chopin's Nocturnes, this is the one that comes to mind, so I'm sure even those who don't typically listen to classical music are familiar with it. We arranged it to have a retro-futuristic, groovy, and chill vibe to match the world of this game. I definitely want you to hear the full version.

・From 0:34 Track Title: ASSIGNMENT SEQUENCE This is an arranged version of the track "DOCK SEQUENCE", which primarily plays during inspections. It plays on the screen where you choose "Which alien should I call into the inspection room?". This is an entirely original composition for this game.

・First few seconds & From 1:37 Track Title: EMERGENCY SEQUENCE This is the track that appeared earlier. Its up-tempo and tense nature makes it a perfect match for the atmosphere of the trailer.

▶️ 3rd Trailer (Character Introduction) Released on 2026/08/27

Watch on YouTube ↗

・First half up to 2:05 Track Title: Mars - WAR PROTOCOL (The Planets - Donutal Version) The original piece for this is Gustav Holst's "Mars, the Bringer of War (from The Planets suite)". While retaining the atmosphere of the original, it incorporates a synthesizer feel, resulting in an arrangement I really love. There's a part where the atmosphere completely changes halfway through...! I definitely want you to hear it on the soundtrack!

・Second half from 2:05 Track Title: Jupiter - PEACE PROTOCOL (The Planets - Donutal Version) The original piece for this is also Gustav Holst's "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity (from The Planets suite)". Jupiter is quite famous even in J-POP as "Jupiter", so I think many people know it! The opening alone, filled with exhilaration and a sense of speed, is enough to give you goosebumps. I love both the original piece and the Donutal arrangement.

・Conclusion In this article, we explored the BGM of this game through the trailers.

Actually, although they haven't appeared in the trailers, rearranged versions of all the pieces from Holst's The Planets suite (from Mars to Neptune) are included in this game!

The main BGM in the inspection room, Chopin's Nocturne, and the unique rearrangements of The Planets suite; all specifically made and remade for this game. Please enjoy them alongside the main game.

・Side Note

When deciding to rearrange classical music, the inspiration came straightforwardly: "Space -> Stars -> Planets -> Holst". I thought an opening starting with Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" or a mysterious ending concluding with Ravel's "Jeux d'eau" would also be wonderful, but I was convinced that the concept of a story woven together by "The Planets suite" was the most fitting for this sci-fi space game, so I chose this without any hesitation. The original pieces are also truly magnificent, so please do give them a listen.

■Today's Short Note Looking back now, the 1st trailer uses footage from the demo version, so the visual style is quite different from the current, finalized version. It makes me feel the weight of the disclaimer, "*Footage is from a game currently in development."

Please keep in mind that the footage in all the trailers is from a game in development! (Please check out the latest visuals in the retail version!)