From Nightwalker To Forest Spirit

We start this cue, as the camera pans upwards, with an ever-rising C whole tone scale, hinting at the Great Forest Spirit. The Kodama come into view and the chords of the Kodama Theme ring out in mandolin and con sordino violins. After that, we can see the Nightwalker and hear a rythmic ostinato of a Caug chord in celli, before the whole The The Great Forest Spirit Theme comes in. This is the first time in the score this theme is played in its full form. We hear the theme twice in a row, played by the synth harp. Underneath, of course, whole tone scales are very prominant. The Kodama come into view and we hear the Kodama Theme, played by its signature instrument, the mandolin.

But suddenly, we see an old friend. Jigo appears. Although we actually hear the Jigo Theme, it is being played with weird harmony underneath and the melody, although rythmically still the same, has some notes changed. This already hints at the eventual betrayal of the character. Jigo mocks his camerades and after hearing a hint of the Jigo Theme, he mentions the emperor. Suddenly, we hear the Samurai/Emperor Theme again, with its 7/4 rythm. After another quick statement of the Jigo Theme, the The Great Forest Spirit Theme comes back, as the transformation from nightwalker to forest spirit takes place, only now with a few more decorative elements, like pizzicato strings. The kodamas seem to enjoy themselves and therefore, the Kodama Theme plays in a very furious fashion. The camera pans down again and we hear the contour of a Cm6 chord in trumpets and percussion, adding to the mystique. Then, an electronic sub bass slides up and down, simulation the movement of the waves in the mystical lake, while bassoons try to find stable footing, until they play the first few notes of the Ashitaka Theme, as we see him still lying on the shore.

But while the great forest spirit walks to Ashitaka, onomatopoeia is used. Each step the mighty creature takes, a percussive hit, along with one note at a time of the The Great Forest Spirit Theme, plays. But as the spirit comes into full view, a last mystical statement is given, ending the cue.