Azumi Inoue

Azumi Inoue (井上あずみ, born February 10, 1965, in Kanazawa, Japan) is a Japanese singer known for her work in anime and film music, particularly songs associated with Studio Ghibli and films by Hayao Miyazaki. She debuted in 1983 with the single "STAR STORM" under the stage name 井上杏美. In 1986, she was selected to sing "Kimi wo Nosete (君をのせて; Carrying You)", the ED of "Laputa: Castle in the Sky"; after the film's release, she changed her professional name to 井上あずみ. In 1988, she sang both themes for "My Neighbor Totoro", performing "Sanpo (さんぽ; Stroll)" and "Tonari no Totoro (となりのトトロ; My Neighbor Totoro)". These works made her closely associated with Studio Ghibli and with the sound of 1980s Japanese fantasy films. Known for a gentle, clear, and melodic voice suited to lullaby-like melodies, children’s songs, and reflective ballads, she has continued to work across anime, family-oriented film music, and J-pop, including releases associated with Tokuma Shoten. Since 1993, she has also presented "井上あずみファミリーコンサート", a long-running family concert series in Japan and abroad.