The Sound of Studio Ghibli
Key Composers & Musical Artists
Joe Hisaishi
The primary composer for almost all Ghibli films since Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), including iconic scores like Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Castle in the Sky, The Wind Rises, and The Boy and the Heron. Known as “the John Williams of Japan.”
Youmi Kimura
Singer and lyre player who performed “Always With Me”, the closing theme for Spirited Away (2001), and “Promise of the World”, used in Howl’s Moving Castle (2004).
Cécile Corbel
French singer-songwriter who composed the entire Celtic-inspired score for Arrietty (2010), blending folk, Baroque, and medieval musical elements.
Yumi Kimura
Composer of music for Kiki’s Delivery Service; contributed a gentle, lyrical touch to the film with memorable themes.
Yuji Nomi
Composer responsible for music in Whisper of the Heart (1995) and The Cat Returns (2002), adding melodic, emotion-driven scores to both films.
Notable Songs & Vocal Performances
“Gake no Ue no Ponyo” (Ponyo on the Cliff, 2008)
Performed by Fujioka Fujimaki & Nozomi Ōhashi; music by Joe Hisaishi with lyrics by Hayao Miyazaki and Katsuya Kondō. Achieved top chart success in Japan.
Mai Fujisawa
Daughter of Joe Hisaishi, performed “Nausicaä’s Requiem” (1984) and contributed vocals to image albums for Princess Mononoke and Ponyo. Later appeared in The Boy and the Heron (2023).
Popular Track Highlights
Here are a few standout tracks from Ghibli films that are frequently cited by fans and critics alike: