Over the years, Studio Ghibli has come up with some of the most beautiful anime films like Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and Princess Mononoke. They provided great stories that can completely immerse anyone in their worlds.
We know that CG anime is gaining popularity day by day, and Studio Ghibli isn’t far from entering the world of fully computer-generated animation. But, can Studio Ghibli live up to its reputation when it comes to CG anime?
On Thursday, NHK posted the first trailer video for Studio Ghibli’s first CG anime film, Earwig and the Witch. The film will be broadcasted on the NHK General channel on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, from 7:30 to 8:53 p.m.
From the trailer, we can say that the studio’s sense of childlike wonder is still intact. The story follows an orphan, Earwig, who later learns that she is a witch’s daughter.
The video shows Earwig’s various mischiefs while staying in the orphanage, and the day she gets adopted by a strange couple. They take her to a mysterious house full of invisible rooms, potions, and spellbooks.
Historically, Studio Ghibli has always stuck to traditional methods with hand-drawn frames, neglecting computer graphics. With this film, Studio Ghibli is tackling computer-generated art for the first time.
Fans are looking forward to seeing how the studio moves ahead with modern CG animation styles. Along with the trailer, the cast and staff details for the film are also revealed.
| Position | Staff | Other Works |
| Director | Gorō Miyazaki | From Up on Poppy Hill |
| Producer | Toshio Suzuki | Howl’s Moving Castle |
| Screenplay Writer | Keiko Niwa, Emi Gunji | From Up On Poppy Hill |
| Character Design | Katsuya Kondo | Kiki’s Delivery Service |
| Character | Cast | Other Works |
| Earwig | Kokoro Hirasawa | Yuzu Kurosaki (Bleach (live-action movie)) |
| Bella Yaga | Shinobu Terajima | Michiko Hata (Helter Skelter) |
| Mandrake | Etsushi Toyokawa | Occho (20th Century Boys) |
| Thomas | Gaku Hamada | Tanaka (One piece) |
The film is adapted from a novel with the same name by Diana Wynne Jones.
It is expected that Earwig will not lose to some strange couple trying to lock her up for their own good. She will find out her true identity and show them who is the boss with her witchcraft.
About Earwig and the Witch
The original novel, written by Diana Wynne Jones, was published by HarperCollins in 2011.
The story follows Earwig (Aya in the Japanese version), who enjoys living in St. Morwald’s Home for Children. She was dropped by the orphanage’s doorstep as a baby and was well looked after.
One day she gets adopted by a strange couple, who locks her in a mysterious house with magic in every corner of it. She decides to break free from the house, teaching a lesson to the evil witch.
No Comments on Studio Ghibli’s First CG Anime Earwig and the Witch Releases PV