Joe Hisaishi/Awesome Music

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Joe Hisaishi is the composer for some of the most beloved films from Hayao Miyazaki, and his soundtracks, just like Miyazaki's films themselves, has stood the test of time. That said, these songs elevate them above the rest of the pack, and ascend into a new realm of awesomeness. Keep in mind that Studio Ghibli is strict in terms of copyright, so pieces on non-official channels may not be available.

Note that the majority of these are instrumental, orchestral pieces. If you're looking for Autobots Rock Out electric guitar music, this isn't the place.

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• Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. A movie about Kaiju-sized giant insects should not be lyrically beautiful. Largely because of the music, it is. See the tracks "Nausicaä Requiem" and the unused image song.
• My Neighbor Totoro You must admit that you have at least once walked around humming "The Path of Wind".
  • "Sampo", "Catbus", the ending "Tonari no Totoro" (orchestral cover), The opening "Hey Let's Go", and "The Wind Forest".
• In Princess Mononoke, most iterations of the Ashitaka motif and main theme, like this symphonic suite share the proverbial cake. That Chinese glissando effect is delicious.
  • "The Demon God" is absolutely diabolical and heart-pounding. "Disgusting little creatures...".
  • "Adagio of Life and Death" and "The World of the Dead".
  • Also "Battle Drums" though you have to listen to it entirely.
• Spirited Away is already an amazing movie, but what also made it so breathtakingly beautiful is the soundtrack. "One Summer's Day" and "The Dragon Boy" are just perfect in setting up the movie's setting, and the ending credits (though he actually didn't write it) "Always With Me" simply cannot be described in words of its beauty. The original piece isn't available, but there is a vocal cover by Erutan and a slower piano cover. Also check out "It's Hard Work" (sped up version to avoid copyright strikes).
• Howl's Moving Castle: The Main Theme is incredible, and the rest of the score aptly follows suit.
• The Tale of the Princess Kaguya has the flying theme (symphonic cover), which starts slow but gradually blossoms into one of the most thoughtful pieces in the film. For best effect, skip to 2:09. Also check out "The Procession of Celestial Beings" (official album cover).
• Laputa: Castle in the Sky has "The Destruction of Laputa", a beautiful choir rendition of the Leitmotif, and "The Girl who Fell from the Sky", the motif itself. Like many other Hisaishi pieces, they take a while to get going, but once they do it's pure bliss.
• HANA-BI, being a slow paced burn.

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