Legendary composer Joe Hisaishi’s “Studio Ghibli Film Concert” world tour concluded with a historic finale at the Tokyo Dome on July 16 and 17, 2025. In collaboration with the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), Hisaishi conducted a musical journey through the works of director Hayao Miyazaki, from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind to the latest Academy Award-winning feature, The Boy and the Heron. The three performances, including an added show, drew a massive crowd of 130,000, with ticket demand soaring to an astonishing 1.18 million applications, marking a truly monumental event.
目次
- 1 Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Assemble 130,000 at Tokyo Dome for the World of Ghibli
- 2 A Mesmerizing Dual Role to Open with a Majestic ‘Nausicaä’
- 3 A Diverse Array of Soloists and a Surprise Performance by the JSDF Band
- 4 A Unified ‘Totoro’ Finale and an Encore Featuring ‘The Boy and the Heron’
- 5 Performance Program (Setlist)
- 6 Event Overview
Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Assemble 130,000 at Tokyo Dome for the World of Ghibli
World-renowned composer Joe Hisaishi, in his role as Composer-in-Association, led the UK’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for the grand finale of his “Studio Ghibli Film Concert” world tour. The landmark performances were held at the Tokyo Dome on July 16 and 17.
The program featured exquisite scores from all eleven films born from his partnership with director Hayao Miyazaki, beginning with Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) and culminating with the Oscar-winning The Boy and the Heron (2023). The immense anticipation for the event was reflected in the staggering demand for tickets, with all 130,000 seats selling out amidst 1.18 million applications.
A Mesmerizing Dual Role to Open with a Majestic ‘Nausicaä’
The concert opened with the score from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the first collaboration between Hisaishi and Miyazaki. Hisaishi masterfully led the RPO in a dual role as conductor and pianist. The orchestra was joined by the pure, ethereal voices of The Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus, Little Carol, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, who flew in from New York, enveloping the dome in a magnificent world of sound.
This was followed by Kiki’s Delivery Service, which captivated the audience with a masterful combination of music and visuals, allowing them to relive the film’s beloved story.
A Diverse Array of Soloists and a Surprise Performance by the JSDF Band
The concert featured a brilliant lineup of soloists who enriched the worlds of their respective films.
For Princess Mononoke, soprano Ella Taylor delivered a performance celebrated for possessing “the strength of forged steel and the gentle warmth of velvet.” The score for The Wind Rises was highlighted by the nimble and delicate tones of mandolinist Marie Buliard.
A major surprise came midway through the concert when approximately 200 members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Joint Music Band, from ground, maritime, and air divisions, marched through the arena. Their powerful, moving performance of the theme from Castle in the Sky earned a thunderous ovation from the audience.
Later, Hisaishi’s piano solos shone during Porco Rosso and Howl’s Moving Castle, while vocalist Mai took the stage for Spirited Away. Mai, who voiced the young Nausicaä in the original film’s iconic vocal scenes, enchanted the audience with her crystal-clear voice.
A Unified ‘Totoro’ Finale and an Encore Featuring ‘The Boy and the Heron’
The main program concluded with My Neighbor Totoro. Mai and Ella Taylor returned to the stage, joining the choruses to perform the beloved theme songs “Stroll” and “My Neighbor Totoro,” bringing the venue’s sense of unity to its absolute peak.
In response to the unending applause, the encore began. The first piece was “Ask Me Why,” the main theme from the 2023 film The Boy and the Heron, presented in a special arrangement centered on Hisaishi’s piano solo—a rare piece with very few live performances worldwide. This was followed by “Madness” from Porco Rosso and “Ashitaka and San” from Princess Mononoke, bringing the historic concert to a close amid fervent enthusiasm.
These two days marked the first-ever orchestra concerts held at the Tokyo Dome, with Joe Hisaishi writing a new, unforgettable chapter in Japan’s music history.
Performance Program (Setlist)
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
- Kiki’s Delivery Service
- Princess Mononoke
- The Wind Rises
- Ponyo
- Castle in the Sky
- Porco Rosso
- Howl’s Moving Castle
- Spirited Away
- My Neighbor Totoro
- Ask Me Why (from The Boy and the Heron)
- Madness (from Porco Rosso)
- Ashitaka and San (from Princess Mononoke)
Event Overview
- Event Name: Joe Hisaishi & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Special Tour 2025: Studio Ghibli Film Concert Tour Final at Tokyo Dome
- Dates:
- Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 7:00 PM
- Thursday, July 17, 2025, 1:00 PM (Additional Performance)
- Thursday, July 17, 2025, 7:00 PM
- Venue: Tokyo Dome
- Performers:
- Conductor/Piano: Joe Hisaishi
- Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Chorus: The Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus / Brooklyn Youth Chorus / Little Carol
- Soloists: Ella Taylor (Soprano), Mai (Vocalist), Marie Buliard (Mandolin)
- Marching Band: Japan Self-Defense Forces Joint Music Band
- Attendance: 130,000 (Total for 3 performances)
- Streaming: Exclusively live-streamed on Hulu (July 17, 7:00 PM performance). Archive available until July 20, 11:59 PM.
- Official Website: https://joehisaishi-concert.com/sgfc2025-ja/
- Credit: © Studio Ghibli