In Hayao Miyazaki’s anime, music is just as important as the characters and stories themselves. It invites viewers into unfamiliar worlds, helps them connect with the characters’ emotions and reveals the magic hidden in ordinary moments. Sometimes, a single melody is enough to bring back the image of a flying castle, an enchanted forest or a quiet town street.
Composer Joe Hisaishi has played a central role in creating this musical universe. His collaboration with Miyazaki spans decades and has resulted in some of the most recognisable soundtracks in animation. My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle are among the films whose music stays with audiences long after the stories have ended.
Hisaishi’s compositions combine orchestral arrangements, piano melodies and simple yet expressive musical themes. They can convey joy, nostalgia, anticipation and sadness, sometimes all at once. Rather than simply following the action on screen, the music adds another dimension to the story and gives viewers space to experience it in their own way.
Hayao Miyazaki’s Dreams offers a chance to return to this musical universe. Performed live, these familiar compositions take on a new form and remind us why the music of Miyazaki’s films continues to speak to audiences of different generations. Find a concert in your city on our website.
