Joe Hisaishi Conducts 3 Hollywood Bowl Nights of Studio Ghibli Scores

Q: Will Joe Hisaishi's concert feature surprise scores beyond his iconic Studio Ghibli collaborations?

Yes. The Hollywood Bowl program is explicitly broader than Joe Hisaishi’s Studio Ghibli catalog. The announced concerts from July 21-23, 2026 will center on Hisaishi’s best-known film music, including themes from “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Princess Mononoke,” “Spirited Away” and “Ponyo.” But the program also includes selections from his collaborations with director Takeshi Kitano, according to the event announcement. That means audiences should expect material beyond the Miyazaki-Ghibli canon. What is not confirmed is whether there will be unannounced “surprise” additions on the night. The published program points to a curated retrospective rather than promising secret works. Still, Hisaishi’s broader career supports the idea that his repertoire extends well past Ghibli: he has written concert works such as symphonies and concertos, recently premiered “Concerto for Orchestra,” and is widely recognized for both film and non-film compositions. So the reliable takeaway is that the concerts will definitely feature non-Ghibli music through the Kitano selections, but there is no firm evidence in the announcement that audiences should expect undisclosed surprise scores beyond the advertised program.

1 articles · Updated · Secret Los Angeles · Jul 5

July 21-23 will bring Joe Hisaishi back to the Hollywood Bowl, where he will lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a three-night program built around his best-known film music.
The concerts, part of the Bowl’s 2026 Composer in Focus series, pair orchestral performances with film clips from works including My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Ponyo.
Mai Fujisawa and the California State University, Fullerton University Singers will join Hisaishi and the LA Phil, while the program also adds selections from his collaborations with director Takeshi Kitano.
At the 2301 Highland Ave. venue, gates open at 6 p.m. and performances start at 8 p.m., with picnics, food, beer and wine allowed under the Bowl’s usual rules.