The cast of "Earwig and the Witch" includes an array of talented actors and actresses. The film, directed by Goro Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli, is an animated fantasy film based on the novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones. The lead character, Earwig, is voiced by Taylor Paige Henderson in the English version and Kokoro Hirasawa in the Japanese version. Henderson perfectly captures Earwig's feisty and determined personality, while Hirasawa brings out the charm and wit of the character. Richard E. Grant lends his voice to The Mandrake, an eccentric and magical character who plays a key role in the story.
In addition to her debut voice acting role as Earwig’s Mother, six-time Grammy Award winner Musgraves will also record the English language version of the film’s theme song, “Don’t Disturb Me.”
In addition to her debut voice acting role as Earwig s Mother, six-time Grammy Award winner Musgraves will also record the English language version of the film s theme song, Don t Disturb Me. In addition to her debut voice acting role as Earwig s Mother, six-time Grammy Award winner Musgraves will also record the English language version of the film s theme song, Don t Disturb Me.
Grant lends his voice to The Mandrake, an eccentric and magical character who plays a key role in the story. Grant's deep voice adds a touch of mystery and authority to the character, perfectly capturing The Mandrake's enigmatic nature. Vanessa Marshall voices Bella Yaga, the witch who takes in Earwig.
Earwig And The Witch Review
An orphan girl known as Earwig (Taylor Paige Henderson) is adopted by a mysterious couple known only as Bella Yaga (Vanessa Marshall) and the Mandrake (Richard E Grant). When Earwig discovers Bella Yaga is a witch, she begins to learn spells with the help of a talking cat (Dan Stevens) — and discover her own magical past.
Published on 07 05 2021 Original Title: Earwig And The WitchLike Bob Dylan going electric, Earwig And The Witch was met with howls of protest from some members of the Studio Ghibli faithful when the first trailer was launched. For many, the venerated institution of hand-crafted 2D Japanese anime crossing the cartoon picket line into the modern age (and the third dimension) with a fully CGI feature film seemed like sacrilege. Surely it would be enough to wipe the grin from Totoro’s giant face?
In truth, Ghibli has been tinkering with computer-generated animation for years: a fully CG-animated TV series came in 2014 (Sanzoku no Musume Rōnya), and the studio has been adding minor CG enhancements to traditional techniques in films as far back as Princess Mononoke in 1997. So, this is perhaps more evolution than revolution. Still, the studio’s first feature film in seven years certainly looks different to anything they’ve ever produced, and the initial effect is undoubtedly jarring. While the backgrounds are richly rendered — the company’s affection for the natural world remains intact — the character animation is plastic-y and doll-like, more akin to the early years of CGI than modern-day Pixar-level quality. If the standard feels slightly made-for-TV, that’s most likely because it was: originally produced for a Japanese channel NHK General TV, before earning a theatrical release.
It's clearly aimed to appeal to kids more than grown-ups, but there is just the right amount of spark to hold everyone’s attention.
But director Goro Miyazaki — keeping the flame of the studio alive after a hiatus triggered by the semi-retirement of his father, Hayao — nonetheless brings a very familiar spirit of imagination and colour to this brave new world. Like many a Ghibli before it (Howl’s Moving Castle, Arietty), it’s an adaptation of a beloved English children’s novel, in this case the Diana Wynne Jones book of the same name; and like those earlier films, it trades heavily on some comforting character types — the precocious child, the aloof spellcaster, the sarcastic talking cat (see also: Kiki’s Delivery Service, Whisper Of The Heart).
The lively story, of an orphan being mentored by a witch while dreaming of her estranged mother, is clearly aimed to appeal to kids more than grown-ups, but there is just the right amount of spark — and enough appearances from that sarcastic talking cat — to hold everyone’s attention. It may not satisfy the purists, but Earwig has enough storytelling charm for it to be recognisably Ghibli.
Based on the children’s novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones (Howl’s Moving Castle), the story follows Earwig–voiced in the English language version by Taylor Paige Henderson–who is forced to live with a selfish witch and sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardian.
Marshall brings a unique blend of warmth and quirkiness to the character, making Bella Yaga both intimidating and endearing at the same time. Dan Stevens brings his remarkable voice talents to the character of Thomas, a cat who can transform into a human. Stevens infuses the character with a sense of elegance and sophistication, making Thomas a standout in the film. Other notable cast members include Pandora Colin as Matron, Alex Cartañá as Custard and Sherina Munaf as the voice of Earwig's singing. Each member of the cast contributes their own unique flair to their characters, breathing life and depth into the animated world of "Earwig and the Witch." Overall, the cast of "Earwig and the Witch" showcases their immense talent and brings the characters to life in a captivating and compelling way. Their performances add another layer of enjoyment to the film, making it a must-watch for fans of Studio Ghibli and lovers of animated films in general..
Reviews for "The Dynamic Relationships Between the Cast Members of Earwig and the Witch"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Cast of Earwig and the Witch". The story felt disjointed and rushed, with very little character development. The animation was also a letdown, with choppy movements and lackluster visuals. The overall tone of the movie was confusing, trying to balance between a children's film and a darker narrative, but failing to succeed in either. I had high hopes for this Studio Ghibli film, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
2. Michael - 1 star
"Cast of Earwig and the Witch" was an absolute disaster in my opinion. The storyline was absurd and confusing, with no clear direction or message. The characters were poorly written and lacked depth, making it impossible to connect with any of them. The animation style was a departure from Studio Ghibli's usual charm, and the result was a visually unappealing movie. Overall, this film was a major letdown and a stark departure from the quality I have come to expect from Studio Ghibli.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I found "Cast of Earwig and the Witch" to be incredibly underwhelming. The pacing was off, with the story feeling rushed and lacking in development. The main character, Earwig, was unlikable and difficult to root for, and the other characters were forgettable. The animation, while different from the usual Studio Ghibli style, was not executed well and appeared flat. I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed with this film, as it lacked the magic and enchantment that usually accompanies Studio Ghibli productions.
4. David - 2.5 stars
"Cast of Earwig and the Witch" failed to capture the essence of Studio Ghibli for me. The story felt scattered and incohesive, with the plot lacking a clear direction. The characters were not well-developed and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Visually, the animation was different from what Ghibli fans are used to, but it didn't add anything special to the film. Overall, this movie fell short of the high standards set by Studio Ghibli and was a forgettable experience.