“Ponyo on a Cliff” image at JoeHisaishi.com

When you think of filmmakers and composers certain teams are burned into the cinematic consciousness: Sergio Leone and Ennio Morricone, Steven Spielberg and John Williams, David Cronenberg and Howard Shore. In terms of contemporary Japanese cinema goes I can think of no other perfect pairing than Hayao Miyazaki and Jo Hisaishi. Miyazaki’s remarkable worlds are made that more magical by the instantly memorable scores of Hiaishi, so I am so pleased that the two will continue to work together on Miyazaki’s latest film “Ponyo on a Cliff”. (Too bad Hisaishi and Takeshi Kitano ended their collaboration with 2003’s “Dolls”.)

Besides beautiful music, though, Hisaishi has yielded another gift for Miyazaki fans: an image from “Ponyo” in the form of cover for the “Gake no ue no Ponyo Image Album” released in Japan on the 5th of March. Here’s the image, but you can see more at http://www.joehisaishi.com/

Looks like the rumors that this tale of a 5 year-old boy and a goldfish princess will feature a pastel and watercolour look are true. Can’t wait to see more this July when “Ponyo on a Cliff” hits Japanese theatres.