Undoubtedly, the world of anime is vast. So vast in fact that we forget that anime is just a shortened term for the word “animation” in Japan. It’s the distinctive imagery, music, and storylines that have earned this form of animation global recognition. And now, fans of films like Kiki’s Delivery Service and Princess Mononoke can relive some of their favorite on-screen moments at a Candlelight concert in San Francisco inspired by the best of anime.
The International Art Museum of America welcomes the Candlelight series for this one-of-a-kind performance. Coming-of-age tales, stories featuring mythical creatures, brave warriors, and more will be brought to life as a skilled string quartet performs music from popular anime films.
Candlelight: The Best of Anime
Hayao Miyazaki, the acclaimed director, is behind 12 feature films, including the more recent release of The Boy and the Heron (2023). His movies touch on romance, adventure, war, and family. Anime characters are well-developed and easy to identify with. But most of all, these movies contain moving melodies that manage to sum up complex personalities and storylines. And these songs remain with viewers long afterward as nostalgic reminders of their favorite anime moments.
The setlist for this Candlelight performance includes many compositions heard in Miyazaki’s films, like The Wind Rises, Ponyo, and Howl’s Moving Castle. However, music lovers can also look forward to hearing “When I Remember This Life” from Isao Takahata’s The Tale of Princess Kaguya. If you love nothing more than getting lost in the world of anime, then you won’t want to miss out on watching a Listeso string quartet reimagine these familiar tunes.
What are you waiting for? Look no further than this intimate Candlelight concert for a unique way to celebrate the very best of anime. Catbus, Mai Kusakabe, Jiji, and the stories of other well-known characters will be told on strings in San Francisco. And why not invite some fellow anime fans along with you to enjoy the performance? What’s more, with two shows taking place on the day, you can select a time that suits your schedule.