Joe Hisaishi: The Musical Genius Behind Studio Ghibli

Joe Hisaishi is a renowned Japanese movie and independent composer. His musical journey has transformed from Japanese electronic music of the 70s to the symphonic and cinematic masterpieces he is globally acclaimed for.

He has composed for some of Japan’s most iconic animated films, including “Princess Mononoke,” “Laputa: Castle in the Sky,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” and “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.”

Born Mamoru Fujisawa on December 6, 1950, in Nakano City, Hisaishi began learning the violin at the age of 4. He enrolled in Kunitachi College of Music in 1969, majoring in Music Composition. It was there that he discovered his minimalist roots, creating music for minimalist musicians.

During the 1970s, his music was heavily influenced by New Age, electronic, and Japanese pop music, which can be heard fused with his minimalist style in “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” (1984).

His debut album, “MKWAJU,” was released in 1981, followed by “Information” in 1982. That year, he adopted the stage name “Joe Hisaishi,” a Japanese tribute to Quincy Jones, a respected American record producer and musician.

Hisaishi rose to national fame in the early 80s for his musical contributions to anime TV series and movies, including several Gundam films. However, it was his collaboration with a particular film director that truly propelled him to success.

Partnership with Miyazaki

In 1983, Hisaishi embarked on a partnership with Hayao Miyazaki, a filmmaker with a few anime projects under his belt. Impressed by Hisaishi’s albums, Miyazaki invited him to work on a new movie.

This collaboration led to “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” which marked the start of the Studio Ghibli animation studio and the enduring partnership between Miyazaki and Hisaishi.

In a relationship reminiscent of John Williams and Steven Spielberg, Hisaishi has composed for all of Miyazaki’s films since then.

Hisaishi’s compositions have earned him seven Japanese Academy Awards for Best Music, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award Music Prize for his work on “Howl’s Moving Castle” (2004), a Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government, a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Original Score in 2023, and numerous other accolades.

‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’

Hisaishi’s initial collaboration with Miyazaki was his most experimental. The music of “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” bears the strongest influence of his early electronic works.

Released in 1984, the film tells the story of a princess in the distant future, where the world is deteriorating and humans struggle to survive as a toxic forest engulfs the land. Hisaishi’s music effectively captures this blend of advanced technology and primitive living.

The soundtrack incorporates various synthesizers, the Indian sitar, orchestral music, and piano. The synths and sitar create a sense of a completely foreign, alien, and poisonous environment.

The orchestral pieces convey the emotions of the story with grace, while the beautiful and melancholic piano theme signifies tranquility, suggesting that despite hardships, perseverance is inevitable.

‘Laputa: Castle in the Sky’

“Laputa: Castle in the Sky” follows the story of a young miner, Pazu, and a girl named Sheeta who possesses a mysterious stone. They must locate the mythical Castle in the Sky before Muska, an aristocrat with a powerful army, finds it first and uses its lost technology to control the world. Pazu and Sheeta enlist the help of a spirited sky pirate crew willing to do anything for a shot at the treasure within the castle.

The fan-favorite score from 1986 deviates from the melancholy of Hisaishi’s previous works, adopting a more adventurous and comedic tone.

The movie boasts a delightful score, utilizing chorus and orchestra to highlight whimsical and serious moments, as well as electronic music for scenes focused on technology, skyships, and robots. The music accompanying the flying pirate ships features charming percussion, synth accordion, and orchestral elements.

One of Hisaishi’s most beloved pieces, “Carrying You,” originated from this film. A vocalized version of the main theme, it remains an unforgettable composition that mourns the loss of something beautiful yet perilous.

‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’

“Kiki’s Delivery Service” (1989) narrates the story of a young witch who establishes a delivery business in a new town, depicting a girl’s transition into young adulthood.

The setting of the town in which Kiki resides is inspired by northern Europe and the Baltics. Miyazaki’s team visited the region, particularly the historic Swedish city of Visby, for inspiration.

For this soundtrack and subsequent ones, Hisaishi abandoned the synth music. Accordions and mandolins breathe life into the setting, with refreshing, lively, and thematic music that conjures the aroma of fresh seafood with lemon by the shore of a picturesque city.

This score showcased Hisaishi’s mastery of a more European style of music, a musical influence that can also be felt in later works like “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “Porco Rosso” (1992).

‘Princess Mononoke’

In the popular film “Princess Mononoke” (1997), a cursed prince endeavors to halt a war between forest spirits and the expanding industrialization of humanity. Set in a fantasy Japan during the Muromachi period (1336-1573), Miyazaki’s darkest film delves into heavy themes and violence.

Hisaishi’s musical accompaniment does justice to the film. The music oscillates between dramatic and invigorating, as well as somber and longing. The magnificent main theme is majestic, beautiful, and melancholic, vividly bringing to life a world of vast forests and warring kingdoms.

While predominantly using a Western-style orchestra, Hisaishi infuses the music with a distinct Japanese essence. The Japanese Taiko drum and other percussion instruments, especially during battle sequences, inject a unique intensity seldom heard in film scores.

Other Projects

Hisaishi also shares a lasting partnership with filmmaker Takeshi Kitano.

Many of Hisaishi’s Studio Ghibli soundtracks have separate symphonic releases, reworking parts for a more enhanced listening experience.

Hisaishi has composed music for over 12 Ghibli films and continues to do so, along with numerous other Japanese, Chinese, and Korean TV series, movies, and video games. He has also released several classical albums.

With over 4 million Spotify listeners, Hisaishi conducts live tours. In 2024, he performed to sold-out venues all across the United States, including New York City’s Madison Square Garden.