Studio Ghibli Delays Singing Ghibli Vol. 2 Album to February 2026

Studio Ghibli has announced that its highly anticipated tribute album "Singing Ghibli Vol. 2" will be delayed from its original November 19, 2025 release date to February 25, 2026. The delay comes as the production team requires additional time to achieve the desired quality for the project.

According to production staff, the delay is due to "various circumstances in the production process." The team stated they are "working with sincere dedication to complete a wonderful tribute album" and requested understanding from fans awaiting the release. The approximately three-month postponement will allow the creative team to further refine the album's content.

The project represents the second installment in the tribute album series produced by music director Satoshi Takebe, who has deep connections to Studio Ghibli through his work on films including "From Up on Poppy Hill" and "Earwig and the Witch." The album brings together an impressive roster of 13 Japanese artists spanning multiple generations and musical genres to reimagine beloved songs from the Studio Ghibli catalog.

Confirmed participating artists include Aina The End, former BiSH member now active as a solo artist following acclaimed performances in Broadway's "Janis" and the lead role in Shunji Iwai's "A Song for Killie." Da-iCE contributes performances from twin vocalists Yudai Ohno and Sota Hanamura, the duo behind hits like "CITRUS" which became the first song by a Japanese male dance-vocal group to surpass 100 million streams.

The lineup also features veteran actress and singer Hiroko Yakushimaru, whose music career launched with the 1981 hit "Sailor Suit and Machine Gun." Kalafina reunites seven years after their last performance together specifically for this tribute, having regrouped in January 2025 for a live event directed by Takebe.

Additional participating artists include Sakurako Ohara, Nogizaka46's Aya Ogawa and Iroha Okuda, a collaboration between Shigeru Kishida of Quruli and Momoiro Clover Z's Shiori Tamai, GLIM SPANKY, Ninjin from Rokudenashi, a special pairing of actress-musician Non with SOIL&"PIMP"SESSIONS, violinist Taro Hakase performing with producer Takebe, six-piece city soul band Penthouse, and actor-singer Win Morisaki.

The album will be available in two editions retailing for 3,630 yen each. The standard edition and a Ghibli shop exclusive version featuring alternative jacket artwork by director Goro Miyazaki will be released simultaneously. Miyazaki, who collaborated with Takebe on "From Up on Poppy Hill" and "Earwig and the Witch," has created original artwork depicting Ghibli characters appearing to sing along. The complete tracklist will be announced at a later date.

Building on the success of the first "Singing Ghibli" album released in November 2023, producer Takebe plans to organize future tribute concerts similar to previous events. The project aims to ensure Ghibli's music legacy passes to future generations, with each participating artist personally selecting their songs and bringing fresh interpretations to the beloved catalog.