The music of composer Joe Hisaishi is familiar to fans of anime films, like Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke.
This week, we'll explore his music for games in the Ni no Kuni series, where he brings fantasy worlds to life through his trademark melodies and rich orchestration.
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Generous support for the music heard on this program comes from the Robert T. and Ruth Haidt Hughes Memorial Acquisitions Fund.
Thanks to Michael Culler for engineering assistance and to Christine Kyprianides and Delia Zaleski for production assistance.
Amanda Sewell is IPR's Music Director, and Keith Brown is GAMEPLAY’s host and executive producer.
PLAYLIST:
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Chad Cannon, Kosuke Yamashita, and Joe Hisaishi - Kingdom by the Sea (Ni No Kuni II) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra & Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus & Ritsuyukai Chorus
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Chad Cannon, Kosuke Yamashita, and Joe Hisaishi - In the Kingdom of the Mice (Ni No Kuni II) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra & Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus & Ritsuyukai Chorus
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Joe Hisaishi, Sachiko Miyano, Kenji Ashimoto, and Chieko Matsunami - Dominion of the Dark Djinn - Main Theme (Ni No Kuni) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Joe Hisaishi, Sachiko Miyano, Kenji Ashimoto, and Chieko Matsunami - One Fine Morning (Ni No Kuni) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Joe Hisaishi, Sachiko Miyano, Kenji Ashimoto, and Chieko Matsunami - Drippy (Ni No Kuni) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Joe Hisaishi, Sachiko Miyano, Kenji Ashimoto, and Chieko Matsunami - Motorville (Ni No Kuni) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Joe Hisaishi, Sachiko Miyano, Kenji Ashimoto, and Chieko Matsunami - Ding Dong Dell - The Cat King’s Castle (Ni No Kuni) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Joe Hisaishi, Sachiko Miyano, Kenji Ashimoto, and Chieko Matsunami - Imperial March (Ni No Kuni) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Joe Hisaishi, Sachiko Miyano, Kenji Ashimoto, and Chieko Matsunami - Shadar, The Dark Djinn (Ni No Kuni) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Joe Hisaishi, Sachiko Miyano, Kenji Ashimoto, and Chieko Matsunami - Labyrinth (Ni No Kuni) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Joe Hisaishi, Sachiko Miyano, Kenji Ashimoto, and Chieko Matsunami - The Showdown with Shadar (Ni No Kuni) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Joe Hisaishi, Sachiko Miyano, Kenji Ashimoto, and Chieko Matsunami - Miracle - Reunion (Ni No Kuni) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Chad Cannon, Kosuke Yamashita, and Joe Hisaishi - Theme from Ni no Kuni II (Ni No Kuni II) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra & Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus & Ritsuyukai Chorus
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Chad Cannon, Kosuke Yamashita, and Joe Hisaishi - Here Come the Higgledies! (Ni No Kuni II) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra & Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus & Ritsuyukai Chorus
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Chad Cannon, Kosuke Yamashita, and Joe Hisaishi - The Curious Boy(Ni No Kuni II) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra & Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus & Ritsuyukai Chorus
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Chad Cannon, Kosuke Yamashita, and Joe Hisaishi - Forest of Mysteries (Ni No Kuni II) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra & Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus & Ritsuyukai Chorus
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Chad Cannon, Kosuke Yamashita, and Joe Hisaishi - The Boundless Skies (Ni No Kuni II) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra & Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus & Ritsuyukai Chorus
Joe Hisaishi, arr. Chad Cannon, Kosuke Yamashita, and Joe Hisaishi - Happily Ever After (Ni No Kuni II) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra & Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus & Ritsuyukai Chorus