Aya and the Witch is a Japanese animated film directed by Goro Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. The film is based on the novel "Earwig and the Witch" by Diana Wynne Jones. It tells the story of a young girl named Aya, who is orphaned at a young age and is taken in by a witch named Bella Yaga. Aya is a spirited and resourceful girl who quickly adapts to her new surroundings. She uses her wits and intelligence to outsmart the witch and navigate the strange and magical world in which she finds herself. Along the way, she befriends a talking cat named Thomas, who becomes her loyal companion.
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The life of Aya, a spirited 10-year-old orphan, is turned upside down when she finds herself adopted by Bella Yaga and Mandrake, a strange and disturbing couple. In addition to that, the studio s patented animation which over the years had played an essential role in infusing depth, richness resonance to its hand-drawn imagery is unceremoniously replaced by computer-generated animation that not only seems rather ordinary outdated but is also hollow, lifeless soulless from within.
Along the way, she befriends a talking cat named Thomas, who becomes her loyal companion. The film explores themes of independence, friendship, and the power of determination. Aya is portrayed as a strong and determined character, who refuses to let her circumstances define her.
Studio Ghibli’s ‘Earwig And The Witch’ Heads to Cannes and NHK
Studio Ghibli‘s latest feature animation, “Aya to Majo,” (literally, “Aya and the Witch“), will air on NHK during winter 2020, NHK announced. Under the title “Earwig And The Witch,” the film was Wednesday also named as having been selected by the Cannes Festival this year.
Based on “Earwig and the Witch,” a children’s novel by Diana Wynne Jones, the film is the first by Ghibli to be animated in 3D3G. The director is Goro Miyazaki, Hayao Miyazaki’s son, though the elder Miyazaki is credited with planning the project.
The date of the broadcast and other details have yet to be revealed. The film is a co-production between Ghibli, NHK and NEP (NHK Enterprises). There are currently no plans to release the film theatrically in Japan, though France’s Wild Bunch has been appointed to handle international rights sales.
Wynne Jones also wrote the source novel for “Howl’s Moving Castle,” a 2004 animated scripted and directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
In the Wynne Jones novel, Earwig is living in an orphanage – and quite enjoying it, when she is adopted by a witch and taken to her spooky house. But instead of being terrified the clever Earwig is determined to become the master of her new situation.
In the Ghibli version her name has been changed to Aya, but the studio has not revealed the extent of other story revisions.
In a statement Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki said he was worried as to whether “Aya to Majo” could hold up in the new post-corona environment. “I thought that a number of times while watching the rushes,” he said. “Then I realized that one stand-out feature of the film is Aya’s cleverness. And if you are clever you can survive in any period of history. Thinking that, I felt relieved.”
Among Goro’s credits are the Ghibli feature animations “Tales from Earthsea” and “From Up On Poppy Hill,” as well as “Ronja the Robber’s Daughter,” a CG anime series produced by Polygon Pictures in partnership with Ghibli.
Overall, Earwig and the Witch is absolutely unworthy of Studio Ghibli banner and is hands down the famed animation studio's worst entry to date. It is a departure from everything its production house stands for, and it doesn't even have the storytelling basics covered. One can't even argue that it aims for something ambitious but fails, for there is hardly any story at all. Putting a blemish on Studio Ghibli's unblemished legacy, Goro Miyazaki's latest is nothing less than an embarrassment.
She is not intimidated by the witch's powers and instead uses her own intelligence and problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles. The animation in Aya and the Witch is typical of Studio Ghibli's style, with beautiful hand-drawn characters and intricate details. The film also makes use of 3D CGI animation, which adds depth and realism to the magical elements of the story. In true Studio Ghibli fashion, the film also addresses deeper issues and emotions. It explores the complicated relationship between Aya and Bella Yaga, as the two characters learn to trust and understand each other. Aya also longs to find her birth parents and discovers the importance of family and love. Aya and the Witch marks the first 3D CGI animated film by Studio Ghibli, which is known for its hand-drawn animation style. While the film received mixed reviews upon its release, it is still an enchanting tale that captures the magic and wonder of Studio Ghibli's storytelling..
Reviews for "Deconstructing the gender roles in "Aya and the Witch"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I was really excited to watch "Aya and the Witch" because I love Studio Ghibli films. However, this movie was a huge disappointment. The animation style was so different from what I'm used to from Studio Ghibli and it honestly felt cheap. The story was also lacking depth and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. Overall, "Aya and the Witch" just didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to any Studio Ghibli fan.
2. Michael - 2 stars - As someone who has watched and loved many Studio Ghibli films, "Aya and the Witch" fell short for me. The characters felt one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with them at all. The plot was also very weak and it lacked the depth and magical storytelling that I associate with Studio Ghibli. Overall, "Aya and the Witch" felt rushed and like it was missing something essential. I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Aya and the Witch" lacked the charm and heart that I usually find in Studio Ghibli films. The characters didn't feel fleshed out and their actions and motivations were unclear. The animation style was also a departure from what I love about Studio Ghibli, and it just didn't capture the magic and beauty that I expect. Additionally, the pacing of the film felt off and it was difficult to stay engaged. Overall, "Aya and the Witch" was a miss for me and I would recommend watching other Studio Ghibli films instead.
4. Alex - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "Aya and the Witch". The animation felt lazy and rushed, and it lacked the attention to detail that Studio Ghibli films are known for. The characters were forgettable and the story was predictable and uninteresting. The magic of Studio Ghibli was completely absent from this film and it felt like a cheap cash grab. I would not recommend wasting your time on "Aya and the Witch" if you're a fan of Studio Ghibli's previous works.