Joe Hisaishi: Miyazaki's Maestro | A Studio Ghibli Music Documentary

[@SuperNine]

Great video man, well edited! That Robokko Beeton theme is an absolute banger 🤖

[@treenincove1726]

Right?! I want more people to be exposed to his videos

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

@@treenincove1726 Thank you!! 🙏

[@py_a_thon]

Can I just randomly point out how epic the Parade Theme from the film "Paprika" is? That isn't Joe Hisaishi tho. I think that track is Susumu Hirisawa?

[@fliprim]

Superbly composed bio. Miyazaki: [Our relationship]? ...Its already decided. I loved discovering the Quincy Jones connection, the jazz and the minimalism. There always seems room in his music for the wind to blow through...

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Thanks so much 🙏 I’m glad you enjoyed it! Yeah that’s so true, he’s one of the best composers working today for sure. I learned so much about him while researching this, I had no idea that Joe Hisaishi isn’t his real name!

[@treenincove1726]

Yeah, their relationship is special

[@hillbillyhistorian1863]

I found the score of Nausicaa a little jarring when I first heard it, but now I think it’s my favorite in the Ghibli canon.

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Yeah I know what you mean, I saw the likes of Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away first so when I went back to check out Nausicaa, I expected more of the same. I didn’t vibe with it at first but then as I watched the film a few more times I really started to appreciate how well the music compliments it. That score is definitely a grower!

[@BenDBeast]

My favourite of his scores is his work for the game Ni No Kuni Wrath of the White Witch and its sequel. Its a truly incredible game with Ghibli animated cutscenes and a game environment to emulate the style as much as possible the story is fantastic and Hisaishi's score elevates it beyond belief the particular track 'In loving memory of Allie' is my personal favourite piece of music of all time. The game is definitely worth looking at for anyone who hasn't already seen it especially for Ghibli fans.

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

I’ve heard about the Ni no Kuni games but I’ve never played one, they sound great. If it feels like you’re playing a Ghibli movie that can only be awesome. Which game would you recommend starting out with as a first timer?

[@BenDBeast]

@@ArchieTalksAnime The first one Ni No Kuni Wrath of the White Witch. The second one (Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom) is good too but not in the same league at all as aside from the music it doesn't have much Ghibli influence. There is also a Netflix movie which is ok but unrelated to Ghibli the canonicity of everything past the first game is questionable.

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

@@BenDBeast Great, I’ll check out Wrath of the White Witch asap, thanks 🙏

[@intake_cinema]

I think my favorite Hisaishi film score is actually his 2000 collaboration with Kitano for the film 'Brother'. It's a little bit outside of his usual touch while still keeping the same feelings his music always brings me. That said, all of his work is excellent and I regularly listen through many of his soundtracks. Great work on this by the way! Really well researched and presented! Within Japanese cinema, he also saw Masaru Sato as an influence and he was his senior from the same university.

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Thank you, I’m glad you liked it and thanks for commenting! Nice choice, it’s been a while since I watched Brother, I know Kitano said he wasn’t really satisfied with it but I enjoyed it -- it’s not his best film but still a good watch. I’m going to rewatch it and pay extra attention to the music. I had no idea Hisaishi went to the same uni as Sato, that’s super interesting, his Kurosawa scores are incredible.

[@intake_cinema]

@@ArchieTalksAnime I imagine Hisaishi got to experience many of Sato's scores in theaters since his father brought him to so many films growing up! I think my favorite Kitano film is probably A Scene at the Sea, closely followed by Sonatine.

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

@@intake_cinema I was listening to the Sonatine score while working today, I never get tired of it! Great film too. But you’re right - I think A Scene at the Sea really shows that he’s a legit filmmaker. It took guts for him to make a film like that when he had so much success doing the Yakuza stuff. It’s a beautiful film.

[@pasdepseudooriginal]

YES Kiki's Delivery Service's soundtrack representation. I think it's the score I listened the most in my life (the movie also made me discover Yumi Arai, which is my go-to singer to listen to on a loop when working). Great vid as always, thank you so much!!

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Thank you!! Yeah it’s very close between Kiki and Howl for me in terms of the music. When it comes to background music for working, Kiki usually wins. There’s something so magical about “A Town with an Ocean View” and “Mother’s Broom”. Actually the Boy and the Heron score is really starting to grow on me now, it took me a few listens but it’s very good - not his best, but still great!

[@treenincove1726]

Kikis soundtrack is beautiful

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

@@treenincove1726 It really is! The score compliments it so perfectly, it takes the film to another level. It just wouldn’t be the same without the music, Hisaishi absolutely nailed it here.

[@1000bazuru]

I really want to mention Arion here. That score and film is awesome and was released in the same year as Laputa. And btw is here on KZbin.

[@Little3Pigs]

I love the full score of the Boy and the Heron, even if the more famous songs are from older films. I also love Hanabi a song from him.

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Me too, the music from Hana-bi is so good! I feel like he doesn’t get enough credit for his collaborations with Kitano. I mean I understand why his Ghibli scores are more popular but I think he really shows his range on Kitano’s films.

[@Eli-pm706]

How could you not mention summer! Great video though

[@cat_in_a_sock1948]

Throughout my life i have remembered the requiem/ohms song from nausicaa. i was reminded of it by someone playing it when i was 18 years and years after id seen the film. That requiem stuck with me and im so glad to finally put a name to the voice of that song that brings me to tears still. that theme seemed to continue to repeat throughout all of the ghibli movies, especially in the fall of laputa from castle in the sky and mononokes theme.

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Yeah it’s such a beautiful piece of music, haunting but somehow uplifting at the same time. I’m glad I could help put a face to the voice - I had no idea that it was Hisaishi’s daughter until I started researching this video! Knowing this makes listening to it even more special.

[@danieltegtmeier3897]

Great video, It was very cool to learn avout his life and other compositions. One of my favorites from him is the score for Departures, which in its own right is a great movie but the score elevates it to the next level

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’ve never actually seen Departures but I’ve heard of it, that’s the one about the mortician right?

[@xavierignatiuscordeiro8336]

It’s too hard to choose just one favourite Hisaishi score, so I’d have to list 3/4: 1. Princess Mononoke. For me this score is the most atmospheric and appropriate to the environment. I also love the kind of Medieval Japanese melodies. 2. The Wind Rises. What I love about this score is that there are actually very few themes, and Hisaishi really explores the Journey theme in a lot of depth. 3. Departures: I love how the main theme is diegetic, and it kinda shows a different side to Hisaishi’s style. 4. Tale Of The Princess Kaguya: While I find the film pretty depressing, I thought Hisaishi did a perfect job of creating traditional-sounding and eerie music. If I can recommend a non-film piece of his, XPark is excellent. IMO it is the best piece written this century.

[@kiddwong4186]

Hisaishi's music makes me emotional. I saw a live concert in London last year and I couldn't stop myself from shedding a few tears

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Yeah I know what you mean, his music always stirs something in me. I saw him in Paris a few weeks ago and I’d be lying if I said I left with dry eyes! His concerts are real emotional rollercoasters.

[@DioJeanBaptiste]

great vids, wow thank you for making these. 🙂

[@Seekerforever]

Thankyou Joe u brought music in my life.sensei

[@JonahSorensenVoiceOver]

Excellent vid dude, well done

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Thank you man, I appreciate that, glad you enjoyed it! I love his work and this was so much fun to make, what an incredible talent. I honestly don’t think that Ghibli would be as famous as it is today without his contributions.

[@MCMilitaryForce]

It's interesting the western influence had on Joe Hisaishi, I never knew

[@Elora445]

The best artists, no matter what kind of artists they are, tend to be influenced of all kinds of things from wherever in the world. If you are interested in something, where they are from doesn't matter - only if it's good or not. Music, for example, has no borders.

[@treenincove1726]

I hope Joe met his hero, Quincy Jones.

[@py_a_thon]

I was literally just listening to the main score for the movie Ben-Hur(1959) and I was like...I gotta see if there is a short documentary about Joe Hisaishi lol. I don't remember who did that score...yet Hisaishi reminds me of that theme. He also reminds me alot of Ralph Vaughan Williams(a very excellent 1900's ish british composer. Norfolk Rhapsody no2 is fire). Pentatonic rooted folk melodies seem to exist in most cultures. The Koto specifically is very beautiful.

[@py_a_thon]

Post world war 2 Japan was voracious in the consumption of new culture while preserving the better aspects of their ancient traditions (and new homegrown traditions). This dude is a legend of music. No question or doubt. He is a top level musician.

[@GermGerm-rf1pm]

i watched howl moving castle on shrooms and merry go round still invokes such nostalgia that song is deeply rooted in me

[@GermGerm-rf1pm]

also great vid

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

The scene where Howl has a tantrum and starts oozing slime must have been interesting 😂

[@weSqweY-rj6yuaa]

Kids Return という映画のメインテーマが素晴らしいのでおすすめです。

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Thank you for the recommendation, I will listen to this!

[@Abi_work_]

hey man, nice video! i really love it :)

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@Ehrenmann]

thank you for your work :)

[@chickenpermission7557]

Great video! I'm making a little, unprofessional presentation about Hisaishi for some people I know. I just really love his music and want to introduce it to more people. Would love to know what the sources you used were, so I could do more research more easily.

[@alltheloveannie]

Can someone tell me if his solo music is on Spotify? I haven't been able to find it:(

[@FarisAhmed-z9o]

guys, where can I watch Quartet?

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Hi! If anyone finds it, let me know. I've been looking everywhere for a full version of it. Hope you enjoyed the video!

[@MorningThief_]

retirement??? wtf are people talking about??? Miyazaki will be 700 yrs old when he releases his 42nd movie & Joe will still be there composing & spitting in the face of AI generated music...

[@SuperNine]

Hahah they'll be making movies and composing from the afterlife!

[@maramé.r]

The classical music tradition is European rather than ‘western’

[@jonhmm160]

Great video:)! Would also like to shout out Hisaishi's music for the kitano movie "Hana-bi" kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4jFamibqrWoicU. The main theme there is maybe one of my favorite pieces of music ever.

[@ArchieTalksAnime]

Thank you so much, glad you liked it! I LOVE this music, thanks for the rec! He’s so good.

[@bajitofu]

When you say western, you mean American ?