RAG MusicAnime Songs
Lovely anime song

Songs of Studio Ghibli: List of Theme Songs, Insert Songs, and BGM from Ghibli Music

Studio Ghibli films, enjoyed by both adults and children, are also famous for their wonderful music.

Every work features songs that perfectly fit the story and leave an unforgettable impression after just one listen.

We’ve gathered not only the popular theme songs and insert songs from Studio Ghibli works, but also image songs that bring back memories of famous scenes and evocative moments.

If you want to listen to Ghibli’s masterpieces or hear again the song that played in that one scene, be sure to check these out!

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (1–10)

nursery rhymeTakahata Isao

Solo Chorus Club: Children's Song [meru@smule]
nursery rhymeTakahata Isao

This song, which appears many times throughout the film, was composed by the director, Isao Takahata himself, with the lyrics co-written with screenwriter Riko Sakaguchi.

The words evoke scenes of mountains, rivers, skies, and rice fields.

Even though you shouldn’t have heard it before, it somehow feels nostalgic.

parting (farewell)Hisaishi Joe

Parting ~Wakare~ — from the film “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”
parting (farewell)Hisaishi Joe

In the story, there are various farewells: parting from a beloved friend you spent your childhood with, and from the person who raised you.

This is a perfect song for those aching, sorrowful moments.

The melody itself is the same as “Nayotake,” but the addition of very quiet, spacious strings makes the sense of being lost in grief palpable.

Please enjoy how the arrangement completely transforms the impression of the same melody.

Music of the CelestialsHisaishi Joe

The Procession of Celestial Beings [HD] – The Tale of the Princess Kaguya OST
Music of the CelestialsHisaishi Joe

This is the ‘Music of the Celestials’ from the soundtrack, which secretly became a hot topic as ‘scary!’ In the film, it’s used when the Celestials appear.

The music is very beautiful, but don’t you feel a somewhat inorganic brightness to it? From a human perspective, Celestials are ultimately unknowable beings, so perhaps this piece, which symbolizes them, ends up feeling kind of frightening.

Memory of LifeNikaidou Kazumi

Memory of Life - The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
Memory of LifeNikaidou Kazumi

The theme song of director Isao Takahata’s film “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.” The song by Kazumi Nikaido—who has the unusual profile of living in Hiroshima Prefecture and being an active Buddhist monk—was selected as the theme.

With a gentle atmosphere that also conveys a certain strength, it adds color to the film’s story.

Song of the Celestial MaidenTakahata Isao

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya: Song of the Celestial Maiden
Song of the Celestial MaidenTakahata Isao

Like the nursery song that appears repeatedly in the film The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, this piece was also created by director Isao Takahata and screenwriter Riko Sakaguchi.

It may sound a bit cheerful, but it’s the music that plays in the background during the climax.

If you listen while watching the visuals, you’ll surely feel something different.

If you haven’t seen it yet, please do.

bamboo shootHisaishi Joe

Born from a bamboo stalk, Princess Kaguya is affectionately nicknamed “Takenoko,” which literally means “bamboo shoot.” Here is the soundtrack for our Takenoko.

True to her tomboyish nature, it’s an adorably lively piece that bursts with energy.

Don’t the frequent breaks in the rhythm give it a mischievous vibe? Experience the charm of Takenoko through this track!

slender bambooHisaishi Joe

Nayotake (Piano) – from the film “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”
slender bambooHisaishi Joe

Nayotake refers to supple, flexible bamboo.

This soundtrack is a perfect fit for the story of Princess Kaguya, the girl born from bamboo.

True to the word “supple,” its exquisitely gentle piano melody is wonderfully easy on the ears! At the same time, it carries a poised, bamboo-like dignity—highly recommended.

Let yourself be soothed by the quietly unhurried flow of the piano sound.