As the grand finale of AFAID25, an unforgettable evening unfolded through a magical symphony concert: The Music of STUDIO GHIBLI: Original Singers Symphony. Not only did it feature the Tokyo Asia Orchestra flown in directly from Japan, but it also brought together the original singers behind Studio Ghibli’s iconic soundtracks. For one special night, memories and imagination came alive in a concert that touched the hearts of all who attended.
The moment the orchestra began with “Into the Forest”, the audience was transported into the whimsical world of Hayao Miyazaki. The journey into Ghibli’s universe had begun, led by enchanting melodies that stirred childhood dreams.
First to take the stage was Yuyu, daughter of the legendary Azumi Inoue. With a gentle and emotional performance of “Itsumo Nando Demo”, she captured the room. The atmosphere turned even more heartfelt when Azumi Inoue herself stepped onto the stage to join her daughter in singing “Tonari no Totoro.” It was a deeply touching moment—an emotional duet between mother and daughter that brought tears to the eyes of the event host, Hiroaki Kato, and moved the audience with its warmth.
The mood turned tender and romantic as the orchestra played music from Howl’s Moving Castle, wrapping the venue in a dreamlike atmosphere.
Next came the appearance of Yoshikazu Mera, whose unique soprano voice delivered a powerful and dramatic rendition of the Princess Mononoke theme. Mera shared how he never imagined he would become part of the Ghibli universe—especially after learning that Miyazaki himself loved his voice.
The surprises continued with Sumi Shimamoto, both a singer and a renowned voice actress (seiyuu). She performed “Kimi o Nosete” from Laputa: Castle in the Sky, followed by pieces from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, and Princess Mononoke. To the audience’s delight, it was also revealed that she voiced the mother of Shinichi Kudo in Detective Conan, as well as characters in The Apothecary Diaries.
The concert then shifted into a joyful tone with music from Kiki’s Delivery Service, filling the hall with a lighthearted, uplifting energy. Yuyu returned to perform “Inochi no Namae”, a hauntingly beautiful piece that left the crowd in awe.
A highlight of the night came with the song from The Boy and the Heron, which had the audience softly singing along with the orchestra, creating a truly shared moment between stage and seats.
As the concert neared its finale, all four vocalists reunited on stage to perform “Ai wa Hana, Kimi wa Sono Tane”, followed by a lively closing number from the Ponyo soundtrack.
The night ended with thunderous applause and a heartfelt standing ovation. It wasn’t just a concert—it was an emotional journey, a celebration of music and storytelling that reminded us why Studio Ghibli holds such a special place in so many hearts.
The performers closed the evening with a touching message: “We are all family. We never expected so much love for Ghibli from Indonesia. We hope to see you again next year.”
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