It’s been a good six years since Studio Ghibli released a movie but baby, they’re back. And, the first full trailer for the new anime flick, Earwig and the Witch, is giving us major Kiki’s Delivery Service vibes if it had a rock and roll soundtrack.
Everything You Need To Know About Earwig and the Witch
What Is The Plot Of Earwig And The Witch?
Based on the children’s novel by Howl’s Moving Castle author Diana Wynne Jones, Studio Ghibli’s new film follows the adventures of a young orphan girl with untapped magical powers.
According to Madman, “Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.”
Think, a sprinkle of Kiki’s Delivery Service, a drop of School of Rock, The Addams Family and Matilda, and a whole lot of cute CGI charm.
Watch The Earwig And The Witch Trailer
Who Stars In Earwig And The Wig?
Earwig and the Wig’s English cast includes Richard E. Grant, Dan Stevens and Grammy Award-winner Kacey Musgraves. Musgraves also performs the English theme song.
When Can I Watch Earwig And The Witch In Australia?
Earwig and the Witch releases in Australia on the 4th of February.
Where Can I Watch Earwig And The Witch In Australia?
Studio Ghibli’s latest film releases in Australia in select cinemas. While some cinemas will offer the dubbed version of the film, a majority of Aussie cinemas will be screening the film in Japanese with English subtitles.
You can find a list of all of the Australian and New Zealand cinemas screening Earwig and the Witch here.
Did Hayao Miyazaki Work On Earwig And The Witch?
Academy-Award-winning legend and the godfather of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki—y’know, of Spirited Away, Ponyo and Princess Mononoke fame—was only involved in the planning stages of Earwig and the Witch. His son, Goro Miyazaki (From Up on Poppy Hill, Ocean Waves) directed the film with studio co-founder Toshio Suzuki producing.
Why Is Earwig And The Witch Not In The Same Style As Other Studio Ghibli Films?
Earwig and the Witch is the first film by Studio Ghibli in a 3DCG animation style. Traditionally, every frame in a Studio Ghibli film is hand drawn and then processed through an animation software called Toonz—for contrast, Pixar designs everything in a 3D animation program which renders everything.
It’s unclear why this film has taken a different approach to traditional Studio Ghibli films, but we wager it has something to do with the rise of 3D animation in the last decade, especially with films like Soul and Coco. Don’t worry though, Hayao Miyazaki’s current project, How Do You Live? will be in the classic style and composed by Joe Hisashi (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and much more).
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