For the first time ever, several of Studio Ghibli’s beloved film scores are being reissued on vinyl. This includes the iconic My Neighbour Totoro (1988), Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind (1984) and Castle in the Sky (1986).
There’s more good news too – Tokuma, the company that owns Studio Ghibli, is also releasing a “sound book” version of My Neighbour Totoro and symphonic versions for Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind and Castle in the Sky.
My Neighbour Totoro's “sound book” will include never heard before versions of the Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi's original score re-recorded on violin, guitar and flute. It comes as the lush film celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Joe Hisaishi is a world-famous composer and musical director, having scored over 100 films across his career. Laputa: Castle in the Sky was his first official soundtrack for Studio Ghibli in 1986. Its quietly lush, almost melancholic tone became a marked point for all later films. Hisaishi worked with studio head Hayao Miyazaki often, scoring everything from Kiki’s Delivery Service to Porco Rosso and more.
This is the third exciting Studio Ghibli announcement in the last year, as My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Ponyo (2008) celebrate big anniversaries. The famed Japanese animation studio’s fashion brand GBL released two themed jackets back in August, and a Studio Ghibli theme park was revealed to be opening in 2022 near Nagoya, Japan.
The reissues will arrive in November.