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[For Beginners] Recommended Ghibli Masterpieces You’ll Want to Play on the Piano

Studio Ghibli has produced numerous animated films that represent Japan.

Alongside their moving stories, many unforgettable songs have been born.

Not only the theme and insert songs, but also the background music that plays throughout the films is memorable, and many people may find themselves recalling the music together with iconic scenes—and perhaps wanting to try playing it on the piano at least once.

Many pieces from Studio Ghibli’s works are perfectly suited to the piano.

In this article, we introduce Ghibli pieces recommended for piano beginners.

Start your piano journey with your favorite song!

Playlist

[For Beginners] Recommended Ghibli Masterpieces You’ll Want to Play on the Piano
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastOn a sunny dayJoe HisaishiA fresh, hopeful musical style like Kiki's Delivery Service
2eastCarrying YouAzumi Inoue / Joe HisaishiTheme song of 'Castle in the Sky' (Laputa), easy for beginners to try
3eastAlways With MeYumi KimuraA heartwarming theme song from a Studio Ghibli film
4eastagainJoe HisaishiThe beautiful musical piece from Spirited Away’s flying scene
5eastDepartureJoe HisaishiA famous song from Kiki’s Delivery Service that expresses hope and anxiety.
6eastThe River of That DayJoe HisaishiSpirited Away, a melody that lingers in the heart
7eastCatbusJoe HisaishiTotoro’s refreshing and dynamic music
8eastName of LifeJoe HisaishiJoe Hisaishi’s masterpiece—moved by the beautiful piano melody
9eastThe Path of the WindAzumi Inoue / Joe HisaishiJoe Hisaishi’s masterpiece that portrays the nature in Totoro
10eastVillage in MayJoe HisaishiThe Melody of My Neighbor Totoro
11eastFirst workday of the yearJoe HisaishiThe fresh, hopeful music of Kiki’s Delivery Service
12eastArrietty’s SongCecile CorbelThe Appeal of the Movie Theme Song Sung by Cécile Corbel
13eastSometimes, old storiesJoe HisaishiThe ending theme of Porco Rosso resonates with the heart.
14eastMerry-Go-Round of LifeJoe HisaishiThe theme song of Howl’s Moving Castle: simple and easy to play.
15eastFine On The OutsidePriscilla AhnDelicate emotional expression with movie theme songs that resonate with the heart
16eastRound Dance of the Sunflower HouseJoe HisaishiThe melody of “Ponyo,” depicting the radiance of life
17eastMain themeHoshikatsuQuiet music that brings back nostalgic memories
18eastSomeone at any timeRed DragonThe heartwarming ending theme of the Heisei tanuki film
19eastHanyu no YadoEnglish folk songThe music of Grave of the Fireflies resonates with the heart.
20eastLove is a flower, and you are its seed.Amanda McBroomThe moving singing in the film Only Yesterday
21eastAsk me why (A Mother’s Thoughts)Joe HisaishiThe moving theme song from Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film
22eastI stopped being alone.Akiko YanoExpressing the warmth of everyday life through the piano
23eastThe Pigeon and the BoyJoe HisaishiThe theme song of Laputa is a masterpiece by Joe Hisaishi.
24eastIf I’m wrapped in kindnessYumi MatsutoyaA gentle song from Kiki’s Delivery Service that beginners can play
25eastMy Neighbor TotoroAzumi Inoue / Joe HisaishiA famous Totoro tune, playfully performed with both hands
26eastPromise of the WorldYumi Kimura / Shuntaro TanikawaThe theme song of Howl’s Moving Castle was composed by Yumi Kimura.
27eastA Town with an Ocean ViewJoe HisaishiJoe Hisaishi’s film music, playable on the piano
28eastThe Legend of AshitakaJoe HisaishiThe emotive theme song from Princess Mononoke by Joe Hisaishi
29eastCountry RoadYoko Honna / Taffy Nivert / John Denver / Bill DanoffLet's play Country Roads on the piano
30eastNausicaä RequiemJoe HisaishiThe allure of film insert songs composed by Joe Hisaishi
31eastAshitaka and SanJoe HisaishiPrincess Mononoke’s famous song, playing the music of nature
32eastMessage of RougeYumi MatsutoyaYumi Matsutoya’s classic song “Rouge no Dengon”
33eastPrincess MononokeYoshikazu Mera / Joe HisaishiThe Appeal of the Princess Mononoke Theme Song and Key Performance Points
34eastcontrailYumi Matsutoya“Hikoukigumo” is a song of prayer for a friend.
35eaststrollAzumi Inoue / Joe HisaishiA fun, skipping-feel piece perfect for beginner pianists
36eastMemory of LifeKazumi NikaidoThe appeal of the theme song of Princess Kaguya and the preciousness of life
37eastNausicaä of the Valley of the WindJoe HisaishiAbout the unused masterpiece from the Nausicaä movie
38eastBecome the windAyano TsujiThe theme song of The Cat Returns is a refreshing coming-of-age tune.
39eastMarco and Gina’s ThemeJoe HisaishiThe moving insert song from Porco Rosso, a heartwarming melody
40eastTeru’s SongAoi Teshima / Hiroko TaniyamaThe theme song of Tales from Earthsea—Aoi Teshima’s a cappella is beautiful.
41eastSummer of Goodbye ~From Up on Poppy Hill~Aoi Teshima / Koichi Sakata / Yukiko MarimuraThe theme song of 'From Up on Poppy Hill,' Aoi Teshima’s singing voice
42eastPonyo on the CliffNozomi Ohashi / Fujioaka Fujimaki / Joe HisaishiThe Ponyo theme song is easy to play and adorable!