I have to be honest – a year ago, I had never heard of Joe Hisaishi. Then, Manu and I were discussing the possibility of creating a Studio Ghibli in Concert project, and I thought: "Okay, why not?" I wasn't prepared for what was about to happen.

The first time I delved a bit deeper into the project and put on "One Summer's Day" from Spirited Away, I stopped whatever I was doing. That melody... there was something about those simple, childlike notes that completely hit me. I had no idea what I was listening to, but I knew it was special.

But it was only when I started discussing the project with fans that I realized what kind of goldmine I had found. When I mention "Studio Ghibli in Concert," a lot of people's faces light up instantly. They start humming melodies. They tell me about their favorite scenes, their childhood memories, how these films helped them through difficult times. I was amazed – this completely transcends typical concert demographics.

Their enthusiasm was contagious. I slowly began to understand why these melodies are so powerful. Hisaishi's music is the bridge between the child you were and the adult you've become. His melodies are deceptively simple, but they carry the weight of entire lifetimes. They make you remember what it felt like to believe in magic, while acknowledging the complexity of growing up.