Earwig and the Witch is a children's novel written by Diana Wynne Jones. The book tells the story of a young girl named Earwig who is growing up in an orphanage. She is an intelligent and resourceful girl who has managed to make a good life for herself in the orphanage, thanks to her ability to manipulate the adults around her. However, Earwig's life takes an unexpected turn when she is adopted by a mysterious couple, Bella Yaga and Mandrake. They are actually witches, and they have plans to use Earwig's magical abilities for their own gain. In the next chapter of the book, Earwig finds herself living in Bella Yaga and Mandrake's cottage.
In the next chapter of the book, Earwig finds herself living in Bella Yaga and Mandrake's cottage. At first, she is extremely unhappy with her new living situation. The cottage is dark and dirty, and Bella Yaga is not very kind to Earwig.
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.
Carving your own path in film hasn't been easy for the son of a legendary filmmaker. In 2006, right around the time when Japanese audiences were to experience Miyazaki's first movie Tales From Earthsea, he told The New York Times, "Sometimes I wish I hadn't entered the same profession as my father. I realized for the first time how difficult it is to be the son of Hayao Miyazaki. If I weren't involved in animated filmmaking, I would just have a simple, quiet, normal life." He almost did have that normal life. After graduating from Shinshu University's School of Agriculture with a major in Forest Science, Miyazaki went into construction consultancy, landscaping and designing urban forestry projects. It was only at the urging of Toshio Suzuki, one of Ghibli's cofounders, that he went into animation. The two had worked together on the planning for the Ghibli museum starting in 1998. "I was deceived by Mr. Suzuki, who was very clever about making me feel I could do it," Miyazaki had said at the time.
But Earwig quickly realizes that she can use her cleverness and resourcefulness to make the best of her situation. She starts by organizing the cottage and making it much more comfortable for herself. She also starts to observe Bella Yaga and Mandrake closely, learning about their magical practices and slowly gaining their trust. Earwig discovers that Bella Yaga is actually quite skilled as a witch, and she begins to learn magic from her. As Earwig learns more about magic, she becomes more confident and independent. She no longer relies solely on her ability to manipulate the adults around her, but instead uses her newfound knowledge of magic to solve problems and get what she wants. One of the main themes of the next chapter is the power of knowledge and learning. Earwig's ability to observe, learn, and adapt allows her to thrive in her new environment. Through her determination and resourcefulness, she is able to turn her situation around and become more powerful than ever before. Another theme in the next chapter is the importance of relationships. While Bella Yaga and Mandrake initially seem like cruel and unkind individuals, Earwig is able to develop a relationship with them based on mutual respect and understanding. This relationship allows her to not only learn magic but also to gain their support and protection. Overall, the next chapter of Earwig and the Witch highlights Earwig's growth and development as a character. It shows how she is able to use her intelligence, resourcefulness, and magic to overcome challenges and thrive in her new environment..
Reviews for "The Next Chapter of "Earwig and the Witch": Exploring the Themes and Motifs"
1. Karen - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Next Chapter of Earwig and the Witch." I absolutely loved the original story, but this sequel just didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt disjointed, and the characters lacked depth. It seems like the author rushed through the writing process and didn't take the time to develop a captivating storyline. Overall, it was a letdown, and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. David - 3 stars - As a fan of the original "Earwig and the Witch," I was excited to dive into the next chapter, but it fell short for me. The writing style seemed inconsistent, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the pacing felt off, with certain scenes dragging on while others were rushed. While it was interesting to see where Earwig's journey led, the overall execution left much to be desired. It's a decent read if you're curious about what happens next, but know that it may not meet your expectations.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - "The Next Chapter of Earwig and the Witch" failed to capture my attention like its predecessor. The new characters introduced lacked depth and felt like caricatures rather than fully realized individuals. The plot felt convoluted and half-baked, leaving me confused and disconnected from the story. Overall, it was a disappointment, and I wouldn't recommend it to those who enjoyed the original. Stick to the original "Earwig and the Witch" for an engaging and satisfying read.