Original Soundtrack for Hirokazu Kore-eda's Latest Film 'The Sheep in the Box' (Official Selection for the 79th Cannes International Film Festival Competition Section), with Music by Yuta Bando, to be Released on May 29th (Fri), the Same Day as the Film's Premiere!
The original soundtrack for Hirokazu Kore-eda's latest film, 'The Sheep in the Box,' an official selection for the 79th Cannes International Film Festival Competition Section, will be released on May 29th (Fri), the same day as the film's premiere. The music, composed by Yuta Bando, depicts family relationships through cello, voice, and orchestra.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 03:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 18:31
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The original soundtrack for Hirokazu Kore-eda's highly anticipated latest work, 'The Sheep in the Box,' an official selection for the 79th Cannes International Film Festival Competition Section, is set to be released on May 29th (Fri), the same day as the film's premiere.
Hirokazu Kore-eda, acclaimed worldwide, serves as the original creator, director, screenwriter, and editor for the original film 'The Sheep in the Box.' Haruka Ayase and Daigo (Chidori) co-star as a married couple who, after losing their child, welcome a humanoid resembling their son, and their family life begins anew in a setting described as 'a slightly distant future.'
The film's score was entirely composed through film scoring by composer Yuta Bando. It uses three main axes—cello, voice, and orchestra—to depict the shifting family relationships amidst the intersection of different beings, such as humans and humanoids.
Here is a comment from Yuta Bando, who has worked on music for numerous visual productions but for whom this film marks his first solo film score.
■ Comment from Yuta Bando
'The Sheep in the Box' is the first film completed in my collaboration with director Hirokazu Kore-eda, and it is also the first film for which I solely handled all the music.
The music for this work is largely structured around three axes: cello, voice, and orchestra—symbolizing trees, humanoids, and phenomena beyond human comprehension, respectively. Although there are some exceptions, these three elements organically intertwine as the music unfolds.
Many pieces of music were recorded but ultimately not used. This album includes those outtakes, as well as Original Soundtrack Versions with different arrangements from the film's main score.
This collection of music has been re-arranged to be enjoyed as a standalone musical work. Furthermore, I humbly believe that it contains some of the finest performances from Ensemble FOVE's recordings to date. I hope that both those who have seen the film and those who are yet to see it will enjoy this as a musical work.
The original soundtrack, set to be released on May 29th (Fri), the film's premiere day, will include a total of 31 selected tracks, comprising both the film score and unreleased tracks.
The cello solo, forming the core of the entire work, is performed by the highly musical master Yutaka Ito. The orchestra's performance is recorded by Ensemble FOVE, led by Yuta Bando. Additionally, the presence of humanoids is deeply emphasized through vocals by multiple performers, including London Voices, Suginami Children's Chorus, and Sakura To.
The album also features performances by other talented musicians leading contemporary jazz, such as drummer Shun Ishiwaka and pianist Misaki Umei. Please look forward to it.
◆ Release Information
©2026 Fuji Television, GAGA, Toho, AOI Pro.
'The Sheep in the Box' Original Soundtrack
Artist: Yuta Bando
Release Date: May 29th, 2026 (Fri)
Price: 3,500 yen (tax included)
Product Number: COCP-42709
Distributor: Nippon Columbia
▼ Tracklist [Total 31 tracks]
1. The Sheep in the Box - Fragment 0 feat. Yutaka Ito
2. The Sheep in the Box - Fragment 1 feat. Yutaka Ito
3. Not So Distant Future feat. Yutaka Ito
4. Drive
5. REbirth Ltd. Presentation
6. Shrine and Othello feat. Sae Azuma, Ensemble FOVE
7. Humanoid - Choral 1 “Tadaima”
8. See You Later feat. Mayuko Ishigami, Ensemble FOVE
9. Companions
10. At the Cafe feat. Misaki Umei, Takashi Sugawa, Shun Ishiwaka
11. At the Toy Shop feat. Junichiro Taku, Gensuke Kanki
12. Snow Globe
13. The Sheep in the Box - Fragment 2 feat. Yutaka Ito
14. The Sheep in the Box - Fragment 3 feat. Yutaka Ito, Tadashi Machida
15. Humanoid - Choral 2 “Exploration”
16. Aquarium feat. Sae Azuma, Ensemble FOVE
17. Skywalk
18. In Kamakura feat. Misaki Umei, Takashi Sugawa, Shun Ishiwaka
19. The Sheep in the Box - Fragment 4 “Duetto” feat. Kyoko Ogawa, Yutaka Ito
20. The Sheep in the Box - Fragment 5 feat. Yutaka Ito
21. Liberation feat. Yutaka Ito, Ensemble FOVE
22. Humanoid - Choral 3 “Gymnasium”
23. Departure feat. Ensemble FOVE
24. Crape Myrtle feat. Kyoko Ogawa, Ense
Hirokazu Kore-eda, acclaimed worldwide, serves as the original creator, director, screenwriter, and editor for the original film 'The Sheep in the Box.' Haruka Ayase and Daigo (Chidori) co-star as a married couple who, after losing their child, welcome a humanoid resembling their son, and their family life begins anew in a setting described as 'a slightly distant future.'
The film's score was entirely composed through film scoring by composer Yuta Bando. It uses three main axes—cello, voice, and orchestra—to depict the shifting family relationships amidst the intersection of different beings, such as humans and humanoids.
Here is a comment from Yuta Bando, who has worked on music for numerous visual productions but for whom this film marks his first solo film score.
■ Comment from Yuta Bando
'The Sheep in the Box' is the first film completed in my collaboration with director Hirokazu Kore-eda, and it is also the first film for which I solely handled all the music.
The music for this work is largely structured around three axes: cello, voice, and orchestra—symbolizing trees, humanoids, and phenomena beyond human comprehension, respectively. Although there are some exceptions, these three elements organically intertwine as the music unfolds.
Many pieces of music were recorded but ultimately not used. This album includes those outtakes, as well as Original Soundtrack Versions with different arrangements from the film's main score.
This collection of music has been re-arranged to be enjoyed as a standalone musical work. Furthermore, I humbly believe that it contains some of the finest performances from Ensemble FOVE's recordings to date. I hope that both those who have seen the film and those who are yet to see it will enjoy this as a musical work.
The original soundtrack, set to be released on May 29th (Fri), the film's premiere day, will include a total of 31 selected tracks, comprising both the film score and unreleased tracks.
The cello solo, forming the core of the entire work, is performed by the highly musical master Yutaka Ito. The orchestra's performance is recorded by Ensemble FOVE, led by Yuta Bando. Additionally, the presence of humanoids is deeply emphasized through vocals by multiple performers, including London Voices, Suginami Children's Chorus, and Sakura To.
The album also features performances by other talented musicians leading contemporary jazz, such as drummer Shun Ishiwaka and pianist Misaki Umei. Please look forward to it.
◆ Release Information
©2026 Fuji Television, GAGA, Toho, AOI Pro.
'The Sheep in the Box' Original Soundtrack
Artist: Yuta Bando
Release Date: May 29th, 2026 (Fri)
Price: 3,500 yen (tax included)
Product Number: COCP-42709
Distributor: Nippon Columbia
▼ Tracklist [Total 31 tracks]
1. The Sheep in the Box - Fragment 0 feat. Yutaka Ito
2. The Sheep in the Box - Fragment 1 feat. Yutaka Ito
3. Not So Distant Future feat. Yutaka Ito
4. Drive
5. REbirth Ltd. Presentation
6. Shrine and Othello feat. Sae Azuma, Ensemble FOVE
7. Humanoid - Choral 1 “Tadaima”
8. See You Later feat. Mayuko Ishigami, Ensemble FOVE
9. Companions
10. At the Cafe feat. Misaki Umei, Takashi Sugawa, Shun Ishiwaka
11. At the Toy Shop feat. Junichiro Taku, Gensuke Kanki
12. Snow Globe
13. The Sheep in the Box - Fragment 2 feat. Yutaka Ito
14. The Sheep in the Box - Fragment 3 feat. Yutaka Ito, Tadashi Machida
15. Humanoid - Choral 2 “Exploration”
16. Aquarium feat. Sae Azuma, Ensemble FOVE
17. Skywalk
18. In Kamakura feat. Misaki Umei, Takashi Sugawa, Shun Ishiwaka
19. The Sheep in the Box - Fragment 4 “Duetto” feat. Kyoko Ogawa, Yutaka Ito
20. The Sheep in the Box - Fragment 5 feat. Yutaka Ito
21. Liberation feat. Yutaka Ito, Ensemble FOVE
22. Humanoid - Choral 3 “Gymnasium”
23. Departure feat. Ensemble FOVE
24. Crape Myrtle feat. Kyoko Ogawa, Ense