The Boy and the Heron arrives on digital and Blu-ray with a spellbinding soundtrack led by ‘Spinning Globe’.

Studio Ghibli is back with The Boy and the Heron, and it’s not just about the animation and exquisitely mystical storyline; it’s about the music. While the film’s visuals are as breathtaking as you’d expect from a Miyazaki project, it’s Kenshi Yonezu and Joe Hisaishi who are turning heads with the soundtrack.

Yonezu, one of Japan’s biggest singer-songwriters, took the reins for the film’s theme song, ‘Spinning Globe’. When Miyazaki personally asked Yonezu to write the song, the artist was surprised, to say the least. “Why me?” Yonezu wondered. But after getting his hands on five volumes of storyboards and a sit-down with the man himself, Yonezu got to work. The result? A stunning chamber pop anthem that’s as emotionally raw as it is cinematic. Yonezu says it’s a song not just for the film but for Miyazaki, a tribute to the man whose movies he grew up watching.

But let’s not forget the other musical giant behind the film: Joe Hisaishi. Miyazaki’s longtime collaborator, Hisaishi has scored almost every iconic Ghibli film, and The Boy and the Heron is no exception. His score adds depth and magic to the film’s already otherworldly feel. You can’t talk about Ghibli without talking about Hisaishi, whose music has defined the sound of Miyazaki’s worlds for decades. In The Boy and the Heron, his sweeping orchestral arrangements work hand-in-hand with Yonezu’s intimate song, creating a soundtrack that’s as layered and emotional as the film itself.

‘Spinning Globe’, already a chart-topper in Japan, debuted live during Yonezu’s tour, and it’s quickly become a fan favourite. The music video, shot on Yakushima Island (a place Miyazaki fans will recognise from Princess Mononoke), is a visual and auditory delight. Critics are calling the song haunting, but it’s more than that – it’s Yonezu’s way of channelling Ghibli magic into music.

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With The Boy and the Heron, you’re not just getting another Ghibli masterpiece; you’re getting a soundtrack that hits hard thanks to Yonezu’s modern, heartfelt ‘Spinning Globe’ and Hisaishi’s timeless orchestral genius. The film’s out on digital now, with Blu-ray and the limited edition Steelbook dropping soon. You won’t want to miss this one, whether you’re in it for the animation, the music, or (ideally) both.

The Boy and The Heron is available to rent and buy on digital from today, 16th September; on 4K UHD,  Blu-ray, and DVD from 23rd September; and with a limited edition Steelbook available from 7th October.

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