Studio Ghibli is a renowned Japanese animation studio known for producing some of the most beloved and critically acclaimed animated films in the world.

Founded in 1985 by filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, along with producer Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli has made a significant impact on the animation industry.

Recommended vinyl version (2020) TJJA-10025

The "Princess Mononoke" soundtrack is a mesmerizing and emotionally charged musical masterpiece composed by Joe Hisaishi for Hayao Miyazaki's epic animated film of the same name. Released in 1997, this soundtrack perfectly complements the film's rich narrative and stunning visuals, creating a profound and immersive audio experience.

Why do I recommend the vinyl version when there's a digital version available on streaming and CD?

Because the vinyl version lacks the typical dynamic compression, peak limiting, and soft clipping that are often found in the digital versions of Studio Ghibli soundtracks. The sonic result is a superior dynamic range, despite the inherent noise floor limitations of the format. Additionally, it offers smoother transients, free from added distortion during the mastering process. However, it's worth noting that a Super Audio CD (SACD) version would easily surpass this edition in terms of audio quality.

Recommended vinyl version (2020) TJJA-10027, TJJA-10028

Joe Hisaishi's "Spirited Away" soundtrack, released in 2001, perfectly complements Hayao Miyazaki's enchanting film. It blends traditional Japanese instruments with evocative melodies, capturing the spirit world's mystical atmosphere and guiding us through Chihiro's emotional journey.

Same as above, I recommend the vinyl versions of this soundtrack over the digital edition.

It's unfortunate that these beautiful arrangements are often compromised by excessive compression and limiting, all in pursuit of competitiveness in a market obsessed with loudness.

Recommended version Best Collection CD WPack Series 27ATC-126/7 (1986)

The "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" soundtrack, composed by Joe Hisaishi for the Hayao Miyazaki film, is a captivating and emotionally charged musical masterpiece. Released in 1984, this soundtrack perfectly complements the film's post-apocalyptic and ecological themes, creating an immersive and evocative audio experience.

The box set offers two distinct musical experiences: a Symphony version and the original soundtrack created using advanced synthesizers.

The sound from those synthesizers is pure and undistorted, with deep bass that doesn't overpower or feel overly emphasized, a departure from the common characteristics of many modern recordings, particularly in EDM music.

This serves as a rare example of how a well-recorded and masterfully mastered CD can sound exceptionally remarkable, in stark contrast to the average modern CDs featuring similar soundtracks or content.

Absolutely, although a SACD version could potentially offer an even more exceptional listening experience, you won't be disappointed with this CD edition.

Recommended version CD (1993) TKCA-70230

The "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" soundtrack, composed by Joe Hisaishi for the Studio Ghibli film directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is a magnificent and enchanting musical journey.

Released in 1986, this soundtrack has become a timeless classic, celebrated for its ability to transport listeners to the magical and adventurous world depicted in the film.

The Hi-Tech Series features music created using cutting-edge synthesizers and technology.

Much like the Nausicaa CD WPack, the synthesizers in this soundtrack deliver pure and undistorted sound with a deep bass presence that remains balanced without overwhelming or feeling excessively pronounced in any manner.

Again, this serves as a rare example of how a well-recorded and masterfully mastered CD can sound exceptionally remarkable, in stark contrast to the average modern CDs featuring similar soundtracks or content without feeling limited by the 44.1 resolution.

(2005) SACD Studio Ghibli Records TKGA-502

The "Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Plays Studio Ghibli Symphonic Collection" is a captivating and enchanting musical compilation that pays tribute to the renowned Studio Ghibli animated films through orchestral symphony renditions.

In this symphonic collection, all these masterful tracks are presented in their full glorious dynamic range, devoid of any artificial loudness enhancements or alterations. This allows the listener to fully appreciate the original nuances and richness of the compositions.

This SACD edition represents a remarkable improvement over the vinyl editions of numerous tracks featured in the associated album soundtracks, surpassing even the digital/streaming version currently available on CD in terms of audio quality and fidelity.

(2006) SACD Studio Ghibli Records – TKGA-503

The soundtrack of "Tales from Earthsea," composed by Tamiya Terashima for the Studio Ghibli film directed by Goro Miyazaki, is a captivating and evocative musical journey. Released in 2006, this soundtrack beautifully complements the film's fantasy and adventure themes, creating a rich and immersive audio experience. Terashima's compositions are brought to life by a full orchestra, which adds depth and grandeur to the music. The orchestral arrangements capture the epic scale of the film's narrative.

This edition undeniably showcases the impressive capabilities of the SACD format, delivering a remarkable audio experience. It pairs excellently with the "Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Plays Studio Ghibli Symphonic Collection" and would make a valuable addition to your music collection.