Songs from Whisper of the Heart: theme song and insert songs

Mysterious Cat MoonYuji Nomi

Mysterious Cat Moon (from “Whisper of the Heart”)

Moon, the slightly chubby, sharp-eyed cat kept at Earth Shop, is also one of the most beloved among Studio Ghibli’s many feline characters.

His theme song is equally cute and cheekily charming.

Centered around low-register instruments, the piece seems to capture his hefty frame.

It’s a delightful track with a lumbering arrangement that perfectly suits him.

Swaying on the trainYuji Nomi

Swaying on the Train (from 'Whisper of the Heart')

As for the music in the scene where Shizuku rides the train, it has a very mysterious and otherworldly feel.

Perhaps it’s because a cat is sitting next to her, but it seems a bit different from the kind of down-to-earth music you’d hear in everyday life.

I imagine this is a memorable scene for you as well, but do take a moment to listen closely to the music that colors the scene.

You might discover something new.

Elf QueenYuji Nomi

"Elf Queen" from "Whisper of the Heart" played by ocha

This is a piece called “The Elf Queen.” Inside the old clock at the mysterious antique shop “Chikyuya” on the hill live the “Dwarf King” and the “Elf Queen.” The two are only allowed to meet when the clock’s hands overlap at twelve.

The emotional piano performance evokes an irresistibly vivid image of their sad, heartrending love story.

Angel's Room (Engels Zimmer)Yuji Nomi

Whisper of the Heart: Engels Zimmer, The Angel’s Room

This is a piece called “Engels Zimmer (Angel’s Room).” “Engels Zimmer” is a term that appeared in the story when Seiji Amasawa was explaining about the Baron, a cat figurine.

It is said to refer to the state in which the small cuts made by the dollmaker during production with needles and the like reflect cleanly and emit a beautiful light.

This track beautifully expresses the sparkle of light through the timbre of a music box.

old woodblock printYuji Nomi

Do you remember the scene where this piece is used? It’s only 15 seconds long, but it plays during the scene introducing the “old woodblock print” that was used as an illustration in the book.

The print depicts a person making a violin in prison, and this track invites you to savor everything as if to portray that image—the profound, weighty low tones and even the lingering resonance until the sound fades into complete silence.

Earth HouseYuji Nomi

An insert song set in the small antique shop “Chikyūya,” where the story takes place.

Is it a gut guitar and harp, or perhaps a multi-string guitar? The balance between the warm tones and the shimmering timbre is exquisite.

Music for a space with retro interiors and an antique atmosphere.

It evokes light filtering through the trees, and—like the work itself—has a sound that, curiously, doesn’t feel dated.

Perfect as sunny daytime BGM.

dawnYuji Nomi

A piece by Yuji Nomi, who is in charge of the music for Whisper of the Heart.

From here on, he continued to participate in Studio Ghibli works.

This track plays in the final scene.

The intro of the ending version of Country Road connects directly from the outro of this Dawn.

Try listening to the soundtrack straight through without shuffling the track order.

The world of the film will seep deeper into you.