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[For Beginners] Recommended Ghibli Masterpieces You’ll Want to Play on the Piano

Representative, Elysion Philharmonic Orchestrasai-kisaragi
Heisei College of Music, Composition Course. Studied composition and conducting under Keizo Ideta, piano under Chinami Kira, and arts management under Takuma Konishi. With a focus on community and music, I work to revitalize my hometown of Saga Prefecture. While performing as a double bassist with wind ensembles and orchestras across Kyushu, I participated on double bass in the “Orchestra Without Borders” orchestra camp of the professional game and anime music ensemble Eminence Orchestra, held in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture in September 2012. During CAPCOM’s Kyushu Tour in 2016, I not only performed as an orchestra member but also served on the production staff. I currently serve as the managing representative for the game and anime performance groups Elysion Philharmonic Orchestra (Saga Prefecture) and Fukuoka Game Music Wind Orchestra (Fukuoka Prefecture), and handle conducting, arranging, and public relations.
Graduated from a music school / 21 years of piano experiencesatomi
I began playing the piano at the age of four and spent six years at a conservatory, focusing mainly on classical music while honing my skills. In addition to solo performance, I studied extensively in chamber music and two-piano repertoire, and I had the opportunity to perform twice on stage as a soloist in piano concertos. While not to the same extent as classical, I also learned jazz and pop through practical performance. I was active as a pianist in various settings, including instrumental and vocal/choral accompaniment, performance assistance for other departments, and recording sessions. Beyond the piano, I devoted five years to the trombone in a wind ensemble. I hope to draw on these experiences to share the charm of music with many people.

Studio Ghibli has produced numerous animated films that represent Japan.

Alongside their moving stories, many unforgettable songs have been born.

Not only the theme and insert songs, but also the background music that plays throughout the films is memorable, and many people may find themselves recalling the music together with iconic scenes—and perhaps wanting to try playing it on the piano at least once.

Many pieces from Studio Ghibli’s works are perfectly suited to the piano.

In this article, we introduce Ghibli pieces recommended for piano beginners.

Start your piano journey with your favorite song!

[For Beginners] Recommended Ghibli Masterpieces to Play on Piano (31–40)

Ask me why (A Mother’s Thoughts)Hisaishi Joe

Ask Me Why (A Mother's Thoughts) / Joe Hisaishi 'The Boy and the Heron' OST

Ask me why (A Mother’s Thoughts)Hisaishi Joe

This is the theme song from Studio Ghibli’s feature-length animated film The Boy and the Heron, which can be called the culmination of director Hayao Miyazaki’s work.

It is performed tenderly on a solo piano only three times during important scenes, from the opening to the late stages of the film, with no arrangements or variations for other instruments, making it clear how deeply composer Joe Hisaishi cherishes this piece.

If you listen closely, one note in the chorus melody differs from Ask Me Why (Mahito’s Resolve).

Just as Mahito returns with the stone and retains his memories of the experience, he has indeed changed from before to now.

It feels like a deliberate, meaningful misalignment.

The characters’ emotions are conveyed through live performance, as if opening the door to the heart.

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I stopped being alone.Yano Akiko

I’ve stopped being all alone (from “My Neighbors the Yamadas”)...

I stopped being alone.Yano Akiko

The theme from “My Neighbors the Yamadas” is performed here in a lovely piano arrangement.

I’ve previously introduced an orchestral version, but when this gentle depiction of everyday life is rendered on piano, it becomes even more immersive, like being drawn into a world of memories.

Everyday life is something everyone has, and it’s unique to each person—not measured by anyone else’s standards.

Yet when the everyday life that must have been mine is shown as images, a quiet feeling of “this is somehow nice” arises.

This piano version touches many people’s heartstrings and will surely brighten the listeners’ everyday lives.

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Porco Rosso

Marco and Gina’s ThemeHisaishi Joe

The Theme of Marco and Gina – Porco Rosso – Joe Hisaishi EASY Piano Tutorial / Marco and Gina’s Theme [Easy Piano] Porco Rosso

Marco and Gina's ThemeHisaishi Joe

Composed by Joe Hisaishi, this piece is known as an insert song from Porco Rosso.

It features a gentle, lyrical melody, with piano and orchestra softly resonating to create an elegant and sentimental atmosphere.

Symbolizing the complex relationship between the protagonist, Marco, and his childhood friend, Gina, the piece evokes emotions that call to mind mature romance and memories of the past.

Since its 1992 release, it has continued to be loved by many and is also popular as wedding background music.

It’s a recommended piece for beginner pianists as well.

Why not let its warm, tender tones soothe you?

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Ponyo on the Cliff

Ponyo on the CliffŌhashi Nozomi / Fujioka Fujimaki / Hisaishi Jō

Ghibli “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea” Theme Song – Beginner-Friendly Slow and Easy Piano with Do-Re-Mi Notation | Nozomi Ohashi | Children’s Song Kids Music “Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea” Easy Piano Tutorial

Ponyo on the CliffŌhashi Nozomi / Fujioka Fujimaki / Hisaishi Jō

The theme song from the film “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea,” with lyrics that adorably capture Ponyo’s boundless energy! The left hand moves stepwise and is easy to learn, and although the right hand has some leaps, the rhythm isn’t very complex, making it easy to transition to playing with both hands.

If you clearly contrast the smooth phrases with the bouncy ones, you can better capture the feel of the original.

It’s a very popular song among children, so if you have little kids or grandchildren, be sure to master it and play it for them!

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The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Memory of LifeNikaidou Kazumi

[Piano Solo Sheet Music] Kazumi Nikaido / Memory of Life “Theme Song from the Animated Film The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” [MIDI Performance]

Memory of LifeNikaidou Kazumi

The theme song for Studio Ghibli’s film The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, created by Kazumi Nikaido, is a beautiful piece that celebrates the sanctity of life and the subtlety of human relationships.

Released in July 2013, the song was reportedly commissioned by director Isao Takahata, who deeply connected with Nikaido’s musical sensibilities.

Her uniquely gentle yet powerful voice lends profound resonance to the film’s central theme of “life.” While honoring the world of Ghibli, this work, depicted from Nikaido’s distinctive perspective, possesses a charm that sets it apart from other Ghibli songs.

Why not add a piece like this to your piano repertoire?

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