The official theme song for Studio Ghibli’s latest film The Boy and The Heron has been released. It is titled “Spinning Globe” and is performed by the popular Japanese artist Kenshi Yonezu. You can listen to the full version of the track on any of the available platforms, or via Spotify below:
According to Yonezu, he was first approached for the theme song production four years ago, which came as a shock to him. He later on stated that Hayao Miyazaki happened to listen to the song “Paprika” performed by the choral group Foorin, and one that he helped produce as a cheer song for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
It has been about four years now since I was approached about the project. At first, I was surprised and at the same time bewildered, asking ‘Why me?’. It turned out that Miyazaki-san had heard the Foorin version of my song ‘Paprika’ on the radio, which triggered him to drop the handkerchief to me. I received five volumes’ worth of storyboards and an explanation from Miyazaki-san himself and gingerly began the writing process. It now feels like such a long time ago.
In the past four years, I visited the studio in Koganei several times to talk with Miyazaki-san and Suzuki-san; most of the time it was on strangely pleasant and sunny days. I remember walking under the pitch-dark shades of the trees while overhearing the cheers of nursery school children nearby. As a person who usually writes music drawing from recollections of the past alone in a small room, it was an experience nothing short of enriching.
Ever since I was a young child, I grew up watching Miyazaki-san’s movies. Somewhere along the way, I became an adult, a person who makes music. I have also been blessed with many people who accept my music. I know I still have countless shortcomings, but I believe I have certainly come this far, faults included.
‘Spinning Globe’ is the song for The Boy and the Heron. It is also away for me to give back what I have received from Miyazaki-san all my life. Thank you for continuing to make movies over the years, and please keep on making more in the years to come.”
Statement from Kenshi Yonezu
Kenshi Yonezu became more well known among anime fans after performing “KICK BACK,” the opening theme song for the anime series Chainsaw Man. He recently performed the song “Tsuki Wo Miteita – Moongazing,” which was used as the official theme song for Square Enix’s latest action-JRPG, Final Fantasy XVI.
The Boy and The Heron is directed by Hayao Miyazaki, produced by Toshio Suzuki, with music by Joe Hisashi. Some of the cast involved include Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Ko Shibasaki, Aimyon, Yoshino Kimura, Takuya Kimura, Kaoru Kobayashi, and Shinobu Otake. Details on the characters have not been revealed yet, as the movie did not have a promotional campaign. It premiered in Japan last weekend.
©2023 Studio Ghibli
The film is based on the How Do You Live novel by Yoshino Genzaburo, first published in 1937, although it is not clear whether it will follow the same story. The novel was republished in 1945 by Mira-sha Publishers following World War II. Barnes and Noble describe the plot as:
How Do You Live? is narrated in two voices. The first belongs to Copper, fifteen, who after the death of his father must confront inevitable and enormous change, including his own betrayal of his best friend. In between episodes of Copper’s emerging story, his uncle writes to him in a journal, sharing knowledge and offering advice on life’s big questions as Copper begins to encounter them. Over the course of the story, Copper, like his namesake Copernicus, looks to the stars, and uses his discoveries about the heavens, earth, and human nature to answer the question of how he will live.
Source: Press Release
©2023 Studio Ghibli
