The world would be a much sadder place if we didn’t have Studio Ghibli. Its films have stolen into the hearts of children and adults the world over, and the soundtracks have also carved themselves into popular consciousness. One Japanese company decided to survey users on “What’s your favorite Studio Ghibli song?” (ジブリソングで一番好きなのは?).
Netoraba Survey Team (ねとらぼ調査隊) collected a total of 531 responses between July 30 and August 2, and published their findings on September 6.
Us being huge Studio Ghibli fans, we of course had to take a look at which songs made the top 10 list. So without further ado, here are the top 10 most popular Studio Ghibli songs!
Table of Contents
Toggle#10: ひこうき雲 — The Wind Rises (風立ちぬ)
2013’s The Wind Rises is Miyazaki Hayao’s most recent release (although another film is in the works). The film’s focus on war and aviation — in line with Miyazaki’s own interest in airplanes — compliments nicely with the yearning, almost hopeful lyrics. Singer Arai Yumi (later Matsutoya Yumi) has an unforgettable angelic voice, and many of her songs have ended up in Ghibli films.
#9: となりのトトロ — My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ)
It’s no surprise that Inoue Azami’s cheery fanfare made it to the top ten. This song is a staple in children’s song collections and was even used as a time signal on disaster prevention radios in Shizuoka and Fukui prefectures.
#8: もののけ姫 — Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫)
Mera Yoshikazu’s operatic vocals paired with Hisaishi Joe’s beautiful lyricism and composition makes this song a timeless classic. I get chills every time I listen to it. Honestly surprised this didn’t rank higher.
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#7: 風になる — The Cat Returns (猫の恩返し)
Become the wind, become a cat — what’s the difference? Tsuji Ayano’s upbeat ending theme fits in well with this film’s liminality. The acoustic version is worth listening to as well. Who can resist a ukulele?
#6: 時には昔の話を — Porco Rosso (紅の豚)
Porco Rosso‘s ending theme carries a lilting mournfulness sure to tug at your heartstrings. It carries a weightlessness befitting the film’s atmospheric sky settings. I’m sure our beloved pig pilot would approve.
#5: ルージュの伝言 — Kiki’s Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便)
This Arai Yumi song (written by future husband Matsutoya Masataka) has a bit more spunk to it compared to some of the mellow, introspective themes in other Ghibli works, reminding me personally of the American 60s girl group sound. It perfectly mirrors the excitement and trepidation Kiki feels as she sets out on her coming-of-age journey.
#4: いつも何度でも — Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し)
Kimura Yumi’s song was actually slated to be used in Miyazaki’s proposed film Rin and the Chimney Painter (煙突描きのリン), but unfortunately that project was abandoned. He was able to repurpose the song for Spirited Away, noting similarities between the lyrics and the movie’s theme.
#3: やさしさに包まれたなら — Kiki’s Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便)
Kiki ends up in the top ten twice, with its timeless ending theme sung by Matsutoya Yumi coming in at third place. The song beautifully complements Kiki’s trials and later acceptance by the seaside town she calls home. For whatever reason, the American release did away with the original ending theme — a shame, in my opinion.
#2: カントリー・ロード — Whisper of the Heart (耳をすませば)
Coming in at second place is the Japanese take on John Denver’s “Country Road” sung by Honna Yoko. It’s a song indelibly intertwined within the story itself. Netoraba noted that many people left comments praising the movie’s spoof song “Concrete Road,” just like the character Seiji.
#1: 君をのせて — Laputa: Castle in the Sky (天空の城ラピュタ)
Surprising absolutely no one, this beloved classic made first place by an overwhelming majority. Miyazaki himself penned the lyrics, with Hisaishi once again at the musical helm with Inoue Azami of Totoro fame. The song was popular enough to be released as a packaged single over a year after the film’s initial release.
If you’re curious about how Ghibli’s other works rank, be sure to check out our in-depth ranking of pretty much everything the beloved studio has ever made.
Now, the real question is, what’s your favorite Studio Ghibli song? Tell us in the comments below!