Once upon a time in a small village, there lived a young girl named Aya. She was known for her curious and adventurous spirit. One day, while exploring the forest near her village, Aya stumbled upon a peculiar sight - a witch with vibrant purple hair and a long, crooked nose. The witch, whose name was Esmeralda, was not what Aya had expected. Instead of being scary and wicked, Esmeralda seemed lonely and sad. Aya's instinct told her that she should approach the witch and offer her help.
Aya's instinct told her that she should approach the witch and offer her help. "Hello, I am Aya," she said timidly, "What is your name?" The witch's eyes widened as she looked at Aya. "I am Esmeralda," she replied softly, "But why aren't you afraid of me? Most people run away in fear.
Studio Ghibli Unveils First Images From Goro Miyazaki’s ‘Aya And The Witch’
The first images from Studio Ghibli’s forthcoming film Aya and the Witch, directed by Goro Miyazaki, have landed. They’re quite a departure from the house style.
The film follows Aya, a young girl who has grown up an orphan, unaware that she’s the daughter of a witch — and ends up being adopted by a witch, no less. It is the renowned Japanese studio’s first fully cg-animated feature. As Ghibli doesn’t have the in-house capacity to produce a cg feature, we’re curious to know which animation studio(s) it has partnered with on this project.
Goro Miyazaki has previously directed two features at the studio, Tales from Earthsea and From Up on Poppy Hill. He also helmed the series Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, which was cg-animated by Polygon Pictures and co-produced by Ghibli. Whereas Ronja was cel-shaded, Aya apparently takes a more traditionally 3d approach to volume and shading, while retaining a cartoonish styling.
The source material is Earwig and the Witch, a children’s novel by Diana Wynne Jones (whose novel Howl’s Moving Castle inspired the studio’s 2004 film of the same name). Goro’s father Hayao is credited for the movie’s “planning,” which suggest that he was pivotal in the narrative development, while longtime Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki is once again producing. NHK and NEP (NHK Enterprises) are co-producers.
Alongside the images, Goro has released a short statement outlining his intentions for the film, which we’ve translated below:
Today, in our country, only adults are abundant, and children are few and far between. It must be tough on our children to have to face all these adults in such small numbers. It was while thinking about this that I encountered Aya.
So I thought, “Ah — should I go for this?”
How does Aya deal with these bothersome adults? Please do watch Aya and the Witch to find out. I sincerely hope that our Aya, who we can’t help but adore, will bring encouragement to children and cheer to adults.
Aya and the Witch was recently selected as part of Cannes’s official lineup. It will be broadcast on Japanese tv in winter 2020. There are currently no plans to release the film theatrically in the country, and no distribution details for other territories have been announced.
See below for more images:
The film follows Aya, a young girl who has grown up an orphan, unaware that she’s the daughter of a witch — and ends up being adopted by a witch, no less. It is the renowned Japanese studio’s first fully cg-animated feature. As Ghibli doesn’t have the in-house capacity to produce a cg feature, we’re curious to know which animation studio(s) it has partnered with on this project.
" Aya smiled kindly, "I believe there is good in everyone, and I want to be your friend." Esmeralda's eyes filled with tears, "You are the first person to say that to me in a long time. I was once a kind witch, using my magic to help people in need. But one day, I was betrayed by those I trusted, and my heart turned bitter." Aya listened intently to Esmeralda's story and felt a sense of compassion for the old witch. She was determined to restore Esmeralda's faith in humanity and help her regain her magical abilities. Together, Aya and Esmeralda embarked on a series of adventures, seeking out magical beings and collecting rare ingredients. Aya's bravery and Esmeralda's wisdom proved to be a powerful combination. As they journeyed, Aya began to understand that Esmeralda's bitterness stemmed from her loneliness. The young girl did everything she could to make Esmeralda feel loved and appreciated. One day, they chanced upon a hidden grove, home to a magical waterfall. Aya whispered to Esmeralda, "This is the place where magic is born. Here, you will find the strength to fulfill your destiny." With those words, Aya plunged into the magical waterfall, disappearing into thin air. Esmeralda was filled with both fear and hope. She dove in after Aya, and to her astonishment, she found herself surrounded by a vibrant burst of colors and energy. From that day on, Aya and Esmeralda became inseparable. The once lonely witch was restored with newfound magic and a renewed faith in the goodness of others. Their story spread throughout the village, and Aya became a hero for her compassion and bravery. People from far and wide sought their help, and Aya never hesitated to lend a hand. Together, Aya and Esmeralda brought happiness and magic back to the world. And so, the tale of Aya and the witch reminds us that kindness and understanding can transform even the most lost souls. It teaches us that true friendship knows no boundaries and that love and compassion have the power to conquer all..
Reviews for "The Whimsical World of Aya and the Witch: A Closer Look at the Setting and Art"
1) Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Aya and the Witch" as I am a big fan of Studio Ghibli. However, I was left disappointed. The animation style was completely different from what I was used to and it felt jarring. The story itself was also lacking. It felt rushed and the characters were not well-developed. Overall, I was expecting so much more from this film but it fell short of my expectations.
2) John - 1/5 stars - "Aya and the Witch" was a huge disappointment for me. The animation felt cheap and unfinished, it didn't have that magical touch that most Studio Ghibli films have. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and the storyline was confusing and all over the place. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this film if you're a fan of Studio Ghibli.
3) Sarah - 2/5 stars - I've always been a fan of the beautiful and intricate animation in Studio Ghibli films, so I was really excited for "Aya and the Witch". However, the animation in this film felt lacking and almost lazy. It was a huge departure from the stunning visuals I expect from Studio Ghibli. Additionally, the story felt rushed and underdeveloped. I felt disconnected from the characters and was left unsatisfied with the overall plot. This film was a miss for me, unfortunately.
4) Michael - 2/5 stars - I have to admit, I was quite disappointed with "Aya and the Witch". As a fan of Studio Ghibli, I had high expectations for this film. However, the animation style was vastly different from what I have come to love from Ghibli films. It felt like a cheap imitation. The story itself was also lackluster and didn't capture my attention like previous Ghibli films did. Overall, it just didn't feel like a Studio Ghibli film and I was left feeling disappointed.