The Boy and the Heron Soundtrack Vinyl: What's on the Record?

Quick answer

The Boy and the Heron soundtrack vinyl is a single-LP release of Joe Hisaishi's score for Hayao Miyazaki's 2023 film, with the closing theme by Kenshi Yonezu. If you already collect Ghibli soundtracks on vinyl or want the film's music in a physical format, this is the version to get; if you only stream music, the vinyl adds a tangible listening ritual but no extra tracks beyond what the release contains.

What exactly is on the record?

The record contains the original soundtrack to Studio Ghibli's 2023 animated film The Boy and the Heron, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The music is composed by Joe Hisaishi, with the closing theme by Kenshi Yonezu. The catalog listing does not provide a full track-by-track list, so treat the vinyl as the film's score presentation rather than a compilation of alternate versions. If you need the exact sequence before buying, check the back cover or the label's official listing, because the store record here does not itemize every cue.

Is this a Joe Hisaishi vinyl release worth owning?

Yes, if you follow Hisaishi's Ghibli work on vinyl. His scores reward the album format: the music is written to unfold across a side, and the vinyl pressing lets you hear that pacing without shuffle. The Boy and the Heron is also one of the later Miyazaki films, so it sits naturally next to earlier Ghibli vinyl in a collection. One honest tradeoff: this is a single LP, not a sprawling box set, so the runtime is tighter than a multi-disc film score. That is a feature if you want a focused listen, and a limitation if you expected every cue from the film.

How does it compare to other Ghibli soundtracks on vinyl?

The Boy and the Heron soundtrack vinyl is a straightforward soundtrack pressing. If you want a more elaborate package, the Angel's Egg Music Collection ~Living In Water~ OST Vinyl is a useful contrast: it is a reissue of the latest remastering with full jacket restoration, an illustration by Yoshitaka Amano, and a clear sky-blue colored vinyl, plus an original fold-out color booklet with newly written liner notes in Japanese and English for 2025. That is a different kind of collector object, and it shows what a more deluxe Ghibli-adjacent vinyl can include. The Boy and the Heron release keeps things simpler, which keeps the price lower.

Do I need a special turntable or setup?

No. Any standard turntable with a phono stage or built-in preamp will play it. If you are new to vinyl, the practical steps are: keep the record clean with a carbon-fiber brush before each play, store it upright in its inner sleeve, and set tracking force according to your cartridge's spec rather than guessing. These habits matter more than expensive gear for keeping a soundtrack LP quiet across repeated listens.

What if I mainly want the film, not the music?

Then the soundtrack vinyl is not the right purchase. The Boy and the Beast [Blu-ray] is a different film, but it illustrates the alternative: a Blu-ray gives you the movie itself, while a soundtrack LP gives you the score. If your goal is to watch The Boy and the Heron, look for its Blu-ray release instead; if your goal is to listen to Hisaishi's music away from the screen, the vinyl is the format built for that.

FAQ

Is the tracklist included in the listing?

The catalog facts do not itemize the tracks. Check the back cover or the label's official page for the exact sequence. If you need the full tracklist before buying, verify it at the source.

Who composed the music?

Joe Hisaishi composed the score, and Kenshi Yonezu is credited on the closing theme. This is a Hisaishi Ghibli score with a Yonezu theme, not a various-artists compilation.

Does it come with extras like a booklet?

The supplied facts do not mention a booklet or colored vinyl for this release. The Angel's Egg vinyl is the one described with a color booklet and clear sky-blue vinyl. If extras matter, compare the two listings before choosing.

Can I play it on a standard turntable?

Yes. Use a clean stylus, a carbon-fiber brush before each play, and your cartridge's recommended tracking force. Basic care keeps a soundtrack LP quiet over many listens.

Is this the same as the film's Blu-ray?

No. The vinyl is the soundtrack; a Blu-ray is the movie. The Boy and the Beast [Blu-ray] is a separate film used here to show the difference in format. Buy the vinyl for the music and a Blu-ray for the film.

Product facts

• The Boy and the Heron Soundtrack Vinyl: The Boy and the Heron Soundtrack Vinyl is the original soundtrack to Studio Ghibli's 2023 animated film, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and composed by Joe Hisaishi and Kenshi Yonezu. Confirms the exact film, director, and composers so you know which score you are buying.
• Angel's Egg Music Collection ～Living In Water～ OST Vinyl: Angel's Egg Music Collection ~Living In Water~ OST Vinyl is a reissue of the latest remastering with full jacket restoration, an illustration by Yoshitaka Amano, clear sky-blue colored vinyl, and an original fold-out color booklet with newly written liner notes in Japanese and English for 2025. Shows what a more deluxe soundtrack vinyl package can include if you want extras beyond the music.
• The Boy and the Beast [Blu-ray]: The Boy and the Beast [Blu-ray] follows Kyuta, a young boy in Shibuya taken in by Kumatetsu, a warrior from the Beast Kingdom, as they train and discover lessons to share. Clarifies that a Blu-ray purchase is for watching a film, not for listening to a score, so you can pick the right format.