Studio Ghibli Releases New Image Albums, Soundtracks, and Free High-Res Images for Fans

Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio, has recently announced several exciting releases for its fans. One of the highlights is the release of new image albums and soundtracks for two of its beloved films, *Whisper of the Heart* and *Pom Poko*.

The image albums, which serve as acoustic sketches for the final film scores, offer a unique glimpse into the music-making process behind these anime movies. The *Whisper of the Heart* image album, originally released in July 1995, features the art of Aoi Hiiragi and includes tracks such as the famous “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The *Pom Poko* image album, released in July 1994, features music by Hasso Gakudan and is designed to capture the spirit of the tanuki raccoon dogs living in Tama. Both albums have been remastered with new designs and detailed explanations.

In addition to these musical releases, Studio Ghibli has also made available over 1,000 high-resolution images from its films for free download. This collection includes images from a wide range of films, such as *The Tale of Princess Kaguya*, *Ponyo*, *The Wind Rises*, *Spirited Away*, and even the studio’s first feature, *Laputa: Castle in the Sky*. The only condition for using these images is that they should not be used for commercial or advertising purposes.

These releases are part of Studio Ghibli’s ongoing effort to engage with its fans and provide them with unique and immersive experiences. The image albums and soundtracks are priced at 4,180 yen (approximately US$27.38) each and can be purchased at Donguri Kyowakoku stores and online).