Top 10 Great Studio Ghibli Soundtrack to Listen

Tags: Anime Songs, From Up on the Poppy Hill, Grave of the Fireflies, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki's Delivery Services, Laputa: Castle in the Sky

Great Studio Ghibli Soundtrack. If you can play back your favorite scene in your head the one thing you will always fail to forget is the music that played as it happened. The soundtrack of anime and television entertainment in general has always carried such a huge importance.

That is the reason why there is a category for best soundtrack at anime award shows. One studio that is definitely used to getting awards is Studio Ghibli. Winning awards for their works like Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away and several others.

There are few other anime production studios that can rival the Studio Ghibli soundtrack. This article covers a list of 10 exceptional Studio Ghibli soundtracks you should listen to. Most of them will bring back memories from some of your best moments while watching Studio Ghibli anime. Our list includes;

From Up on Poppy Hill
Spirited Away
The Wind Rises
Grave of the Fireflies
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Laputa: Castle in the Sky
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Howl’s Moving Castle
My Neighbor Totoro
Princess Mononoke

Great Studio Ghibli Soundtrack

From Up on Poppy Hill – (Sukiyaki)

From Up on Poppy Hill Soundtrack

Sukiyaki (From Up on Poppy Hill)

This Studio Ghibli soundtrack was given life by Satoshi Takebe and has well over 20,000 songs. The story “From Up on Poppy Hill” is about childhood, family, and keeping history alive. Umi and Shum, two teenagers who lost their fathers, are still figuring out how to continue the family tradition.

A large portion of the music is simple yet poetic, with a piano song that combines the darkness of childhood companionship with the somber presence of sadness. The audience is left yearning for a life they never had because of the charming small-town soundtrack. You can listen to the full soundtrack on Spotify.

Spirited Away – (A Road to Somewhere)

A road to somewhere by Joe Hisaisi

Spirited Away, arguably the most well-known Studio Ghibli movie, is still recognizable for its narrative, visual aesthetic, and soundtrack. The music embarks on a journey of its own as Chihiro and Haku struggle to reclaim their identities in the spirit world.

It moves in an uncertain path, representing the character’s adventures on their life’s journey. The soundtrack is notable overall because it realistically captures the human mentality.

It is one of the Studio Ghibli soundtracks that brings back a whole lot of memories since the anime was exceptional in itself. You can listen to the full soundtrack on YouTube.

The Wind Rises – (I Miss You)

Top 10 Great Studio Ghibli Soundtrack to Listen - The Wind Rises(Nahoko) — Anime poster via AllMovie

I Miss You by Nahoko

This Studio Ghibli soundtrack is given life by Yumi Matsutoya. The Wind Rises, a fictitious dramatization of Jiro Horikoshi, a real-life aircraft designer, examines what happens to young people’s hopes during World War II.

Jiro is forced to give up his love of creating exquisite aircraft in order to support a brutal conflict. These emotional costs are reflected in the soundtrack. Military-themed patriotic music is blared by brass trumpets, making the audience feel proud to be a citizen.

It is a truly amazing romance anime. You can listen to the full soundtrack here on Spotify.

Grave of the Fireflies – (Two People)

Two People

Grave of the Fireflies, one of Studio Ghibli’s more overtly political films, follows the tale of a little brother and sister who fail to survive Japan’s defeat in World War II. As it laments the loss of so many lives, the entire soundtrack is reminiscent of a gloomy lullaby.

With glowing chimes that mimic fireflies, a wind instrument performs a scary solo. It is unpleasant and virtually without hope. Overwhelming strings and protracted pauses smother away the few moments of peace. You can listen to the full soundtrack here on YouTube.

Kiki’s Delivery Service – (A Date at the beach)

A date at the Beach

Being one of the lighter-hearted productions by the studio, this Studio Ghibli soundtrack follows suit. A young witch leaves her small country hamlet to pursue a life as a magical delivery person in the big city in the coming-of-age drama Kiki’s Delivery Service.

As Kiki discovers her new reality in the city, the music twirls with a youthful hope. The wind and string instruments nearly sing rapidly, like a young infant attempting to take it all in at once. The audience can’t help but feel good as they watch Kiki view town life from her broomstick since it is peaceful and upbeat.

You can listen to the full soundtrack here on YouTube.

Laputa: Castle in the Sky – (The Girl Who Fell From the Sky)

The girl who fell from the sky

Laputa: Castle in the Sky by Studio Ghibli features a missing princess, a unique pendant, and a floating castle. A steampunk, the fantastical society that attempts to strike a balance between increasing technology and protecting the environment is shown in the movie.

Laputa’s soundtrack is mystifying and inspires viewers to feel serenity and hope for a better world. It is one of the best Studio Ghibli soundtracks. You can listen to the full soundtrack here on YouTube.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind – (Kaze No Tani)

Next, on our list of Studio Ghibli soundtracks, In the story Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, a young princess lives on a post-apocalyptic planet that has been devastated by battle. The environment is poisoned, and both humans and other animals are trying to find tranquility.

In the gloom, Nausicaa’s pristine voice is highlighted by gentle piano and pounding military drums. The audience can still sense the pain in the song despite its weird, sci-fi overtones. You can listen to the full soundtrack here on YouTube.

Howl’s Moving Castle – (Stroll through the sky)

Stroll through the Sky

Howl’s Moving Castle explores the effects of age, war, and love in the world of magic and is loosely based on the British novel of the same name. This soundtrack is energetic if that makes sense. The music pulls the listener up and takes them on an adventure, just like Howl’s careless personality.

The waltz-like beat and chirping flutes evoke the warmth of a spring day. It is a great Studio Ghibli soundtrack and is good to listen to while studying or relaxing. You can listen to the full soundtrack here on YouTube.

My Neighbor Totoro – (Hey let’s go)

My Neighbor Totoro soundtrack “Hey Let’s Go”

The world of My Neighbor Totoro transports the audience into a cozy, fantastical, and youthful environment. The painful transition of moving to a new house to be nearer to their ill mother is experienced by sisters Satsuki and Mei.

As the spectator watches the kids discover happiness in the little things in life, the soundtrack is dreamy and lovingly nostalgic. You can listen to the full soundtrack here on Spotify.

Princess Mononoke – (the land of the impure)

The land of the impure from Princess Mononosuke

Three characters serve as the core of Princess Mononoke: Lady Eboshi, the mayor of an industrial town working to improve the lives of the less fortunate; San, a girl reared by wolves and protector of the forest spirits; and Prince Ashitaka, a wandering prince striving to escape a demon’s curse.

The music draws listeners into the powerful but perilous realm of demons and ghosts. The audience’s attention is immediately captured and kept by trilling winds, sustained low-pitched notes, and disruptive strings.

As these individuals struggle to keep the various territories in a state of balance and harmony, it cultivates a feeling of tension and desire. Princess Mononoke featured in our article on the best anime movies of all time. You can listen to the full soundtrack h e re on Spotify.

There are many other soundtracks that aren’t on this list but are just as great to listen to, you can listen to them on the Studio Ghibli YouTube channel.

Ponyo – (Ponyo Ponyo Ponyo Sakana no ko)

“On the Cliff by the Sea” by a young girl and a male performer is unquestionably the cutest song on this list. Similar to the preceding entry’s sing-along chorus, “Ponyo Ponyo Ponyo Sakana no ko” is catchy and simple to sing and makes for an adorably sweet refrain.

The song does change up in the middle by incorporating some bagpipes in the instrumental break, albeit it’s nothing special. It then resumes its raucous melody and straightforward lyrics about praising food.

The song is evidence that Studio Ghibli is capable of creating timeless music without an orchestra. Its straightforward lyrics center on enjoying life’s modest pleasures from a child’s point of view.

Porco Rosso – (Bygone Days)

The beginning of “Bygone Days” conjures up images of an upscale lunch in a beach town or a friend and you sharing bolognese spaghetti. The composition from Porco Rosso opens with a straightforward piano motif and evolves into an elegant and charming ballad of days laced with regret.

A stirring marching band theme is introduced after the middle section with jazz and trumpets, cymbals, and snare drums. The movie Casablanca, which features soulful jazz music comparable to this piece’s and a triumphant score to boot, had a significant effect on the composition.

It ends with a brief return to its straightforward piano theme, like the conclusion of an expedition.

The song is reminiscent of a stroll down memory lane, taking you from somber nostalgia to a full reliving of the good ol’ golden days before bringing you back to reality when you realize those days can never truly return.

My Neighbor Totoro (Path of Wind)

Often hailed as a musical classic, “Path of the Wind” opens with a sing-along xylophone and wind chimes, establishing the purity and youthful energy of the movie “My Neighbor Totoro.” The sound of woodwinds fluttering in the background creates the impression of a mystical woodland.

The music abruptly changes to a melodic violin that sings with heartfelt emotion and heart.

The tune is subsequently repeated by a piano as though in response, after which the brasswinds and then the entire orchestra join the two instruments in a lovely duet.

Just as the sisters landed on Totoro’s belly on a warm, bright day, the song rises with emotion and ascends to a billowing climax before plunging the listener into a cozy bed of adorable flutes, plucked strings, and maracas.

The trumpets take the lead as the piece moves into its concluding section, which has new melodies fusing with the primary theme to create a stirring conclusion that fades into stillness. One of our favorite Studio Ghibli movie tracks!

Kiki’s Delivery Service – (A Town with an Ocean View)

Princess Mononoke – (The Legend of Ashitaka Theme)

“The Legend of Ashitaka” opens with the gentle beat of distant taiko drums, gradually introducing a few strings and woodwinds until introducing a strange yet captivating tune, like a Japanese painting unfolding onto a canvas.

The song begins with a cymbal crash before launching into a heroic theme of journeys and tribulations, just like Ashitaka and the titular Princess Mononoke do in the movie.

Before returning to its adventurous sound, evoking the feeling of riding on horseback over the mountains while battling mythical monsters, it mellows out a little in the middle section, as still as the calm before the storm.

Its arrangement has echoes of the scores for Chinese fantasy films like “Legend of the White Snake” and war movies like “Mulan,” which adds depth to the mood it gives the film. Like the mystical animals in the movie, it concludes on a mellow, entrancing note that lasts for a while.

Howl’s Moving Castle – (Merry Go Round of Life)

A few basic piano notes are played at the beginning of the song before the main melodic motif is introduced. The song suddenly quickens when stringed instruments enter the fray, resulting in a quirky masterpiece that becomes instantly legendary.

Howl’s Moving Castle has music by Joe Hisaishi that expertly utilizes the orchestra to help create a fantastic ambiance.

The score’s power is in its ability to transport the listener on a musical journey through ups and downs, magical landscapes, and the dangers that the characters encounter. It has themes of adventure, mystery, and romance. The tune sometimes makes listening to it feel like falling through the air!

Spirited Away – (One Summer’s Day)

It should come as no surprise that the film’s main theme is regarded as the best musical work from Studio Ghibli given that Spirited Away is considered Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece.

Even though “One Summer’s Day” does not have the opulent orchestral sound of some of the songs on this list before it, the first few seconds of listening to it make you cry. The tune, which features a sentimental piano, is straightforward but nostalgic and sincere, just like the warm steamed buns Chihiro loves in the movie.

When listening to the lovely piano, it’s simple to see the movie’s events in your thoughts, including the bathhouse, the ghosts, and the adventures the characters have.

In conclusion, it is exactly like the song from an anime that will cause you to think about your Nakama (friends). A few piano notes mark the song’s conclusion, a moment as fleeting as Chihiro’s journey through the spirit world.
The song’s sorrowful tone may be due to the fact that it feels like a farewell. Goodbye to the world you’ve just wandered into, goodbye to dear friends, and goodbye to priceless memories because time moves on and the past ultimately becomes nothing.

The song’s ability to evoke bittersweet emotions in listeners stems from its ability to encapsulate the beauty and charm of the transient and transitory. In the movie, Haku advises, “Now go, and don’t look back.”

The Secret World Of Arrietty- (Arrietty’s Song)

One of the most endearing Studio Ghibli songs, Arrietty’s Song, brilliantly captures the magical, fairytale-like plot of The Secret World of Arrietty. One of the most adored films by renowned filmmaker Hiromasa Yonebayashi is this Ghibli masterpiece.

This time, Ghibli went with the accomplished French composer Cecile Corbel, who has produced some of Ghibli’s most iconic musical moments.

The narrative of The Secret World of Arrietty centers on the little Clock family and their intrepid teenage daughter Arrietty. The moment Arrietty was unintentionally discovered by a human boy, the family’s existence was permanently altered.

Arrietty and Shawn quickly grew close and secretive despite all of her parents’ cautions. It’s one of the Studio Ghibli films that deals with disease and recurring dysfunction which is the most heartfelt and thought-provoking.

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Published on: October 17, 2022

Author: Fotsop Luca

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