Joe Hisaishi Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Women Treading the Tatara – Eboshi Tatara Song –Hisaishi Joe64rank/position

Tatara Foundry at Dusk ~ Eboshi Tatara Song

A song sung by the women working at the tatara furnace.

The lyrics convey how demanding their work is.

It appears as a work song unique to this job, used to keep rhythm during tasks so they can move in perfect sync.

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sasashina

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Vengeful SpiritHisaishi Joe65rank/position

Princess Mononoke – The Cursed God

This is the third piece in the Tatari-gami series, notable for its fast tempo and exhilarating sense of speed.

The animation alone for Tatari-gami took over a year to produce, and this track perfectly matches its overwhelming presence and terror—a truly traumatizing piece.

It’s a memorable character that helped define the world of Princess Mononoke, and this is a wonderful track that elevates those iconic scenes even further.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Howl’s Moving Castle: Merry-Go-Round of LifeHisaishi Joe66rank/position

Howl’s Moving Castle – Main Theme Piano Solo | Leiki Ueda // arr. Kyle Landry Howl’s Moving Castle

Let me introduce the main theme from the masterpiece film Howl’s Moving Castle.

Its beautiful melody, which captures the film’s fantastical world, leaves a strong impression, and performance videos on social media are popular as well.

The piece is characterized by a waltz rhythm, so the key is to play it in triple meter.

Until you’re comfortable with the tempo, it’s best to practice slowly and gradually speed up.

The work skillfully conveys the characters’ emotions and drama through music, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released alongside the film in November 2004, it’s a song loved around the world.

It’s a piece that can be enjoyed by a wide range of players, from piano beginners to advanced musicians.

boiler bugHisaishi Joe67rank/position

Boiler Bugs (Piano) ~ from the film Spirited Away ~

In Spirited Away, it’s a somewhat suspicious-sounding piece that plays in Kamaji’s boiler room.

A lot of little soot sprites are working at his feet, and the music reflects their mysterious nature.

That said, Kamaji himself is plenty mysterious too (lol).

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sasashina

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Robot Soldiers (Revival ~ Rescue)Hisaishi Joe68rank/position

Joe Hisaishi “Robot Soldiers: Resurgence ~ Rescue” from Castle in the Sky

Among the characters in Castle in the Sky (Laputa), the Robot Soldier is especially important.

This is the theme song that spans from the robot’s reactivation to the rescue.

It’s a compelling track that shifts from a somewhat dope, eerie atmosphere in the first half to a suddenly fast-paced sound.

The piano, brimming with drive and tension, is incredibly cool—a must-listen.

Be sure to watch the film and listen while feeling the mounting suspense leading up to the rescue.

parting (farewell)Hisaishi Joe69rank/position

Parting ~Wakare~ — from the film “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”

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.

Twilight BreezeHisaishi Joe70rank/position

20161030 Satouchiki My Neighbor Totoro The Path of the Wind Erhu satochiki

This melody might be the most memorable among the songs featured in My Neighbor Totoro.

True to its title, Evening Breeze, it’s a wonderfully beautiful piece with a sweeping, airy feel.

Its richly expressive melody further enhances the world of My Neighbor Totoro, adding color to some of the film’s most moving and iconic scenes.

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Murakami Shinpei

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