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Wonderful Music Rankings

Ranking of Popular Ghibli Songs [2026]

This is a song list featuring popular tracks used in Studio Ghibli films and anime.

From dramatic pieces to warm, gentle instrumental numbers, and cute songs beloved by children, it’s full of tracks that represent Ghibli.

Immerse yourself in the world of Ghibli through its music.

Popular Ghibli Songs Ranking [2026] (11–20)

Memory of LifeNikaidou Kazumi15rank/position

[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?

A Town with an Ocean ViewHisaishi Joe16rank/position

A seaside town (Fingerstyle Guitar) / Yuki Matsui
A Town with an Ocean ViewHisaishi Joe

A celebrated piece by Joe Hisaishi, beloved as an insert song from the Studio Ghibli film Kiki’s Delivery Service.

It is characterized by a nostalgic atmosphere and classical style that portray the fictional town of “Koriko,” where the story is set.

The latter half unfolds with vibrant energy, skillfully expressing through music the self-growth and challenges of adapting to a new environment, along with the joy and wistfulness felt along the way.

Frequently used as wedding and reception BGM, this work is perfect for creating a warm ambiance.

It’s a heartwarming song befitting a celebration of a new chapter in life.

Path of the WindHisaishi Joe17rank/position

My Neighbor Totoro Orchestra Stories – 05. The Path of the Wind
Path of the WindHisaishi Joe

The indispensable classic “The Path of the Wind” from Studio Ghibli’s beloved masterpiece My Neighbor Totoro is presented here in an orchestral performance.

This piece is included in “Orchestra Stories: My Neighbor Totoro,” in which composer Joe Hisaishi restructured music from My Neighbor Totoro so it can be enjoyed with narration.

In the original, Hisaishi—then influenced by minimalism—used an electronic sound, but this version becomes a grand orchestral work that brings out the beauty of acoustic instruments.

The sheet music is also available, so students and members of community orchestras who want to enjoy ensemble playing on real instruments might consider giving it a try.

After the introduction, the violin solo is superb, vividly conjuring up images of Japan’s pastoral landscapes.

Summer of Goodbye ~From Up on Poppy Hill~Teshima Aoi18rank/position

Summer of Goodbye ~From Up on Poppy Hill~ (Live at Katsushika Symphony Hills Mozart Hall on…
Summer of Goodbye ~From Up on Poppy Hill~Teshima Aoi

The theme song from From Up on Poppy Hill.

It’s a gentle song that soaks into the heart, like reading a picture book aloud to a child.

It can be quite challenging unless you’re confident in your expressiveness, but it’s a great pick for karaoke.

If you’re unsure what to choose for the closing song, secretly selecting this one to move everyone to tears might be a good idea.

First workday of the yearHisaishi Joe19rank/position

[Free Sheet Music] Back to Work Level 2 [Beginner Piano]
First workday of the yearHisaishi Joe

This is an unforgettable piece with a buoyant 4/4 rhythm that plays when the protagonist heads out for her very first job in Kiki’s Delivery Service.

A mandolin-like accompaniment intertwines with a charming, flute-like melody, carrying with it the exhilaration of soaring over European cityscapes and a feeling of hope.

The music captures the thrill of taking a new step, and the melody is so approachable that you’ll find it a joy to perform, as if stepping right into the world of the story.

When you play this piece, cherish a light, skipping rhythm.

As you imagine the heroine flying straight through the sky, add expressive nuance to your sound and perform—an ode that has been loved ever since the film’s 1989 release.

To That SummerHisaishi Joe20rank/position

Joe Hisaishi – One Summer’s Day
To That SummerHisaishi Joe

You can listen to one of Studio Ghibli’s finest masterpieces, “One Summer’s Day” from the film Spirited Away, performed by the composer Joe Hisaishi himself.

The clear tone of the piano and the melody played in a quiet atmosphere instantly draw you into the film’s world.

Although there is no orchestra visible in the footage, the strings and harp gently enter, stirring emotions that overflow with memories of summer in Japan.

Even on the big screen it is a live performance, but when you can see the musicians playing, their expressions and breathing come through even more clearly, and the expression is conveyed all the more.

Popular Ghibli Songs Ranking [2026] (21–30)

The revolving seasonsInoue Azumi21rank/position

Used in the film Kiki’s Delivery Service, this is a grand piece with exquisitely layered strings.

As you’re captivated by the intro, the start of the vocals overwhelms you with a beautiful, noble melody.

The accompaniment and vocals are powerful, yet there’s a hint of loneliness that seems to perfectly match Kiki’s feelings as she leaves home to work on her own.