Joseph Luster
July 19, 2023 
Considering how virtually nonexistent promotion was for the latest film from Hayao Miyazaki—How Do You Live?, known in the west now as The Boy and the Heron—it’s nice to get a little slice from the recently released feature. We’ll have to wait until later this year for GKIDS to bring the film to theaters in English, but Kenshi Yonezu just released his song “Spinning Globe,” which serves as the official theme song.
You can stream the song at this link.
Written specifically for the film, Yonezu said this song was his way of giving back to Miyazaki after inspiring him since he was a young child. Here’s the full comment from the musician:
“‘Spinning Globe’ was written for The Boy and the Heron.
It has been about four years now since I was approached about the project. At first, I was surprised and at the same time bewildered, asking ‘Why me?’. It turned out that Miyazaki-san had heard the Foorin version of my song ‘Paprika’ on the radio, which triggered him to drop the handkerchief to me. I received five volumes’ worth of storyboards and an explanation from Miyazaki-san himself and gingerly began the writing process. It now feels like such a long time ago.
In the past four years, I visited the studio in Koganei several times to talk with Miyazaki-san and Suzuki-san; most of the time it was on strangely pleasant and sunny days. I remember walking under the pitch-dark shades of the trees while overhearing the cheers of nursery school children nearby. As a person who usually writes music drawing from recollections of the past alone in a small room, it was an experience nothing short of enriching.
Ever since I was a young child, I grew up watching Miyazaki-san’s movies. Somewhere along the way, I became an adult, a person who makes music. I have also been blessed with many people who accept my music. I know I still have countless shortcomings, but I believe I have certainly come this far, faults included.
‘Spinning Globe’ is the song for The Boy and the Heron. It is also away for me to give back what I have received from Miyazaki-san all my life. Thank you for continuing to make movies over the years, and please keep on making more in the years to come.”
Enjoy tastes of the film like this while you can, because GKIDS previously stated they will be following the policy of Studio Ghibli and refraining from releasing “any further details or marketing materials at this time.”
Source: Press Release
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