Studio Ghibli's Influence On The Animation World

Something of a Japanese Disney, Studio Ghibli creates animated masterpieces of sight and sound. Under the direction of founder Hayao Miyazaki, the film and animation studio has prospered and gained international renown since its founding in 1984. Miyazaki's film career has left a lasting impression on the animation industry and inspired audiences with the powerful messages of his many feature films. The quality that Studio Ghibli instills in its work is revealed through beautiful animation and scoring. However, the films of Studio Ghibli would not have been nearly as influential without the cooperation of composer Joe Hisaishi. Together, in one of the longest partnerships in animation history, Miyazaki and Hisaishi created masterpieces that
He was also a student of famous anime composer Takeo Watanabe. Hisaishi began his musical career in the 1970s, beginning by composing for a small animation project known as Gyatoruzu. Hisaishi's claim to fame however, is thanks to a recommendation to create an Image Album for the upcoming film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, (1984). Though the soundtrack for the film was originally to be composed by Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki was so impressed by Hisaishi's Image Album that he recommended Hisaishi compose the soundtrack instead, establishing the beautiful partnership of Hisaishi and Miyazaki that has spanned until present day. Since the beginning of Hisaishi's partnership with Miyazaki, Hisaishi has been responsible for composing the soundtracks for many of Studio Ghibli's feature films, including Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, (1984), Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986), My Neighbor Totoro, (1988), Kiki's Delivery Service, (1989), Porco Rosso, (1992), Princess Mononoke, (1997), Spirited Away, (2001), Howl's Moving Castle, (2004), Ponyo on the Cliff, (2008), The Wind Rises, (2013), and most recently, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,
Set in distinctly European lands, these three movies utilize European styles in their instrumentation and structure. The scores of these movies prominently feature pieces in 3/4 time, creating the feeling of a waltz. Instruments such as the accordion, guitar, castanets, and piano play major roles in the melodies of these soundtracks. The overall mood of the music is light and whimsical, complimenting the themes of self-confidence, love, and courage that these films convey. Howl's Moving Castle stands out amongst these three films as a more serious, sophisticated piece that illustrates a fantasy world full of romance and magic, with contrasting imagery of war and insecurity. The singular piano and full-fledged orchestra that is characteristic of European music features prominently with large, dance-like music that matches the sweeping emotions of the characters. The soundtrack's leitmotif is The Merry-Go-Round of Life, which accumulates many variations over the course of the film which express the diverse emotions of the characters from excitement, to sadness, and to love. Hisaishi later combined these variations from the film to create a concert piece which he performed in the concert Joe Hisaishi in Budokan - Studio Ghibli 25 Years Concert,