Kawai Yuto: Japanese Boy Sensation Sings “Kimi wo Nosete” from Studio Ghibli’s Laputa: Castle in the Sky

A short time ago, we featured Kawai Yuto on Kuriositas for the first time.  I had been entranced by his vocal performance of Meguru Kisetsu which translates as “The Turning Seasons” – a song taken from the Studio Ghibli film, Kiki’s Delivery Service.  I had seen Kawai Yuto clips on my feed and became so fond of his rendition that I did some research into him which became a feature on this site.

As he is currently feted as “少年歌唱王” (boy singing king) in Japan, I felt it only appropriate to feature more of Kawai Yuto.  Imagine my intense pleasure, then, when I discovered that the song that made him globally famous was not the only time that he had taken a Studio Ghibli track and made it his own.  The song he sings below is “君をのせて (Kimi wo Nosete / Carrying You)” from Laputa: Castle in the Sky, a 1986 animated film by Hayao Miyazaki (宮崎駿) that combines adventure, fantasy, and environmental themes. It has had a lasting impact on animation worldwide, inspiring generations of filmmakers with its imaginative world, strong storytelling, and memorable music.

Take it away, young Kawai Yuto!

In the original, the song was written by Hayao Miyazaki, co‑founder of Studio Ghibli (lyrics), and Joe Hisaishi (music) and sung by Azumi Inoue over the film’s closing credits. It has become one of Studio Ghibli’s most iconic and beloved pieces, celebrated for its gentle melody and themes of wonder and adventure.  Of course, you can see the castle in the sky in the background as Yuto sings his rendition, but there’s a little more to the history of the song that makes it even more special.

The song is also notable because it is one of the very rare instances where Hayao Miyazaki (宮崎駿) wrote the lyrics himself. Normally, Studio Ghibli’s music is composed by Joe Hisaishi (久石譲), and lyrics are handled by other writers or the composers. Miyazaki’s involvement ensured that the words perfectly captured the adventurous and soaring spirit of the film, reflecting the characters’ journey and the film’s themes of wonder and freedom. This makes the song uniquely “Miyazaki” in style and a special part of Ghibli’s musical history.

Kawai Yuto’s performance here is from 한일톱텐쇼 (Korea–Japan Top Ten Show), a Korean music entertainment programme broadcast on the MBN network in which active singers from South Korea and Japan compete by performing well-known songs from both countries, ranging from classic pop to modern K-pop and J-pop. The show presents weekly matchups and musical battles for national pride, often revealing the top charts based on viewer engagement and performance view counts.

Many commenters on this video focus on the extraordinary purity and emotional impact of Yuto’s voice, frequently describing it as clear, crystal-like and almost heavenly. Several viewers say his singing feels calming and restorative, with one remarking that the voice was so soothing it seemed to relieve physical pain. Others compare the sound to something angelic or from a fairytale, noting how it “cleanses” or “purifies” the heart. The commenters repeatedly emphasise how deeply his voice resonates emotionally, with some admitting it brought them to tears or gave them goosebumps.  Yes, I guess that is pretty much how I feel too.  The clarity and purity of his voice, added to the nostalgia of hearing Kimi wo Nosete again – and sung like - this does make me feel all woolly inside!