Theme Song to Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron by Kenshi Yonezu Out Now
NEW YORK, NY (July 17, 2023) – Global J-pop superstar KENSHI YONEZU today releases new track “SPINNING GLOBE,” the official theme song to legendary filmmaker HAYAO MIYAZAKI's latest film “The Boy and the Heron” – listen here. Yonezu has cited Miyazaki's work as a creative guidepost throughout his life and career – from seeing Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away in movie theaters as a young child to reading manga series Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind – Yonezu's longtime admiration for the Studio Ghibli co-founder now culminates into their first collaboration with “Spinning Globe.” Written and sung by Kenshi Yonezu, the theme song is the first taste of music from The Boy and the Heron, Miyazaki's first feature-length film in a decade. Based on an original story by Miyazaki, the film has garnered extensive buzz since its announcement, with everything from its story to cast and crew kept secret prior to the film's Japanese theatrical debut this past weekend.
COMMENT FROM KENSHI YONEZU:
“'Spinning Globe' was written for The Boy and the Heron.
It has been about four years now since I was approached about the project. At first, I was surprised and at the same time bewildered, asking 'Why me?'. It turned out that Miyazaki-san had heard the Foorin version of my song ‘Paprika’ on the radio, which triggered him to drop the handkerchief to me. I received five volumes' worth of storyboards and an explanation from Miyazaki-san himself and gingerly began the writing process. It now feels like such a long time ago.
In the past four years, I visited the studio in Koganei several times to talk with Miyazaki-san and Suzuki-san; most of the time it was on strangely pleasant and sunny days. I remember walking under the pitch-dark shades of the trees while overhearing the cheers of nursery school children nearby. As a person who usually writes music drawing from recollections of the past alone in a small room, it was an experience nothing short of enriching.
Ever since I was a young child, I grew up watching Miyazaki-san's movies. Somewhere along the way, I became an adult, a person who makes music. I have also been blessed with many people who accept my music. I know I still have countless shortcomings, but I believe I have certainly come this far, faults included.
‘Spinning Globe’ is the song for The Boy and the Heron. It is also away for me to give back what I have received from Miyazaki-san all my life. Thank you for continuing to make movies over the years, and please keep on making more in the years to come.”
The release is the latest in a growing number of high-profile collaborations for Yonezu, following the release of his official theme to Final Fantasy XVI “Tsuki Wo Miteita - Moongazing” and last year's global hit and theme to Chainsaw Man entitled “KICK BACK”. Yonezu's newest track also arrives with dreamy new artist photos of Yonezu shot by photographer Kazuhei Kimura.
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