It's definitely unusual to see a conniving young child as the protagonist of a film particularly an animated children's one. WebThe Mandrake is the main antagonist in the films Earwig and the Witch, and Earwig's adoptive father. It's hard to imagine the pair of them living together, as Earwig is insistent on telling people what to do and her mother wants nothing more than to do her own thing. report. While Earwig is in for a surprise when her mother shows up at the door, the film ends before she can learn of her parentage. The most striking images and scenes in Earwig and the Witch are the ones where characters are represented as parts of their environment. I was really let down by the animation, especially with the English dub over it. I thought the animation looked cool. 2,504 ratings454 reviews Most orphanages are horrible, but Earwig has a surprising amount of power over everyone at St Morwalds Home for Children, and loves it there. His hair is short and brown, though during his time as a rock star, it was long and dark purple. The original voice cast includes Shinobu Terajima, Etsushi Toyokawa, Gaku Hamada, and Kokoro Hirasawa. Much like her daughter, the redheaded witch didn't want to be told what to do, so she sought independence. A similar technique was done in an earlier Ghibli movie. Bella Yaga is the ex drummer of the band Earwig. Honestly I think everyone watching had their expectations so high because its ghibli but youve got to remember this wasnt by Hayao or Takahata(RIP). The matron head of the home thinks that the name is unfit for a child and changes it to Erica Wigg. This is Ghiblis second adaptation of one of Jones works, after the 2004 [] As a children's movie, Earwig and the Witchdoesn't have a particularly poignant moral, as it's more interested in exploring the antics of an unusual little girl. WebTries but ultimately fails to apply a new style to the legendary animation studio's signature aesthetics. Earwig and Thomas. [37] Elysian released the film in cinemas on May 28, 2021, on over 100 screens and only dubbed into English,[38] and later released it on DVD and Blu-ray Disc (including the Japanese audio and English subtitles as well as the English dub) on September 27, 2021. Bella Yaga is the ex drummer of the band Earwig. Later on she adopts Earwig. Earwig is whisked off She was abandoned by her witch mother, but another witch, Bella Yaga, later Suatu ketika, Earwig diadopsi oleh pasangan penyihir bernama Bella Yaga dan Mandrake. She becomes further frustrated because Bella Yaga never teaches her any magic. On December 3, 2020, it was announced that Elysian Film Group had acquired the British and Irish distribution rights to the film, becoming the company's very first film acquisition after it was founded in February that year. She stars off by running away from her coven of witches, but ends by returning to her daughter. 0 22. The last thing she wants is to be adopted by the very strange Bella Yaga, demon-attended Mandrake, and talking black cat Thomas. Above all, he doesn't want to be disturbed. Instead, the movie Earwig's crafty remarks about the Mandrake's creative works and use of exuberant compliments soften him by the end of the film. The film is the first full 3DCG animated feature done by Studio Ghibli. Theres nothing new about the generic misadventures of plucky orphan Earwig (Kokoro Hirasawa), the apprentice to stingy witch-for-hire Bella Yaga (Shinobu Terajima), and the biological daughter of mysteriously absent rocker (Sherina Munaf). [20] It instead premiered at the Lumire Film Festival in Lyon Metropolis, on October 18, 2020. It'd make no sense for him to simply be willing to adopt an old flame's child, much less be so kind, yet far from a pushover, to said child. [29], On July 7, 2020, Studio Ghibli's North American distributor GKIDS announced they had acquired the North American distribution rights to the film and that the film would be set for a theatrical release date of early 2021 in North America. The World is in My Hands. Tpiola. Earwig and the Witch. This is the cartoon equivalent of that botched Jesus fresco, only lacking the human touch that gave that debacle some perverse charm of its own. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". Years later, Earwig is a rambunctious 10-year-old who is very comfortable in an orphanage where everyone does what she wants. Earwig was left at St Morwald's Home for Children as a baby. WebIn 1990s England, a witch leaves her child, Earwig, at St. Morwald's Home for Children. I guess the weirdest part for me was when her mom returned WITH Custard. Moreover, the film is the screen adaptation of British author Diana Wynne Jones 2011 childrens novel of the same name. One element in particular was important to him. To be honest I kinda expected Earwig and the Witch be about yes Earwig being sent to the Orphanage but from there she escapes with her friend Custard (That I thought was going to be a the sidekick that grows on in the movie) and together they discover a whole Wizarding world where WebSource: https://twitter.com/yuzunoki_37/status/1347181831553122305. Here is what we know about it. WebMovie Info. A New Friend. Theres no urgency to Earwigs studies or development as a witch, no real conflict or ticking clock elements of suspense. Mandrake finally got to explore a new passion and be happy with his own creation. The two of them enter the workroom at night to create a spell that will make them resistant to magic, becoming immune to Bella Yaga's punishments. The story line, no. [34], On September 11, 2020, Wild Bunch confirmed they had purchased the distribution rights to Studio Ghibli's films in France from previous distributor Disney,[35] and that they would handle distribution of the film both theatrically and on home media in the country.[36]. Something is completely missing. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. She brings Earwig to their home so she can have an extra set of hands with spell work. Gor Miyazaki (Tales of Earthsea), the son of Ghiblis co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, is the films director. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Since he is so easy to anger, he often isolates himself and resents being disturbed. The writer of the book passed away so it felt us a little empty. Shes got everybody at the orphanage wrapped around her little fingers, so shes not initially thrilled when shes adopted by Bella Yaga and her reclusive warlock partner Mandrake ( Etsushi Toyokawa ). Not every orphan would love living at St. Morwald's Home for Children, but Earwig does. Earwig and the Witch premiered on October 18, 2020, at the Lumire Film Festival in France. I knew something felt off that is exactly what i felt was wrong. There's a limited number of very talented animators that can do so," he said. Earwig and the Witch-Thomas 4. The girl, renamed Erica Wigg (Taylor Paige Henderson), grows up to be a manipulative young child who, despite her best efforts to the contrary, is adopted by the witch Bella Yaga (Vanessa Marshall) and the not-quite-human Mandrake (Richard E. Grant). It's impossible to say just yet if 3D CG will take off in Japanese animation: Despite its advantages over the traditional method, it has yet to recreate the magic of the lovingly drawn films that made Studio Ghibli internationally adored. Advertisement Since it was founded in June 1985, Ghibli has never produced a sequel. In the end, a little life comes back into her when she hears that the Mandrake complimented her skills as both a drummer and a witch. He is the first to come around to treating Earwig with kindness, as he has good intentions deep down. Characters emotions are often reduced to inexpressive, but broadly over-accented gestures or features, like Earwigs over-arched pencil brows, or Bella Yagas Medusa-like curls. 2,504 ratings454 reviews Most orphanages are horrible, but Earwig has a surprising amount of power over everyone at St Morwalds Home for Children, and loves it there. But the story made no sense and then just. ended. GiuseppeDiRosso. The original voice cast includes Shinobu Terajima, Etsushi Toyokawa, Gaku Hamada, and Kokoro Hirasawa. In addition to the above musicians (sans Takano), the album also features Glim Spanky vocalist Remi Matsuo and Yoasobi support musician Hikaru Yamamoto. There was more story in the credit sketches then the story. In the original film, Kokoro Hirasawa and Taylor Paige Henderson lend their voices to Earwig (ya) in the films Japanese and English versions respectively. She drops her baby girl, Earwig, off at an orphanage for safe keeping, promising to come back when she no longer has 12 witches hunting her down. I actually loved the animation and thought it was super refreshing. Tired of working, she attempts to get out of the house, only to find that all the exits have been magically sealed by Mandrake. I am a huge ghibli fan and kacey musgraves! The rest of the film is standard evil stepmother stuff. They probably adopted Aya in hopes that her mother will come back for her and explain everything. He said, "When it's necessary, she can be manipulative of people around her, and when somebody treats her bad, she thinks of how she can get back at them. Archived. Just in general, this didnt feel like a Ghibli movie at alland I was incredibly let down. Archived. With a story as uninspired as its animation, The Lil' River Rats and the Adventure of the Lost Treasure, Holly Hobbie & Friends: Marvelous Makeover. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. And he's shown to eventually let his guard down with Earwig. Menu. All rights reserved. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. At first glance, Earwig and the Witch doesn't look anything like a Studio Ghibli film. Based on the novel by Diana Wynne Jones, Earwig and the Witch is the latest animated film from Studio Ghibli, a partner of Walt Disney Studios. 0 1. Earwig is whisked off [16] Gor said that his father told him to go with it and Toshio Suzuki encouraged him, but after that he was left on his own and made the anime with young staff and "didn't consult with the old guys at all." The World is in My Hands. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! Earwig and the Witch (Japanese: , Hepburn: ya to Majo, lit. Also, like The Mandrake with Yaga and his minions, Earwig has a strange ability to make people do as she pleases. Suatu ketika, Earwig diadopsi oleh pasangan penyihir bernama Bella Yaga dan Mandrake. She gets whatever she wants, whenever she wants it, and it's been that way since she was dropped on the orphanage doorstep as a baby. Throughout Earwig and the Witch, the vaguely demonic Mandrake holds power as a mysterious threat to both Earwig and Bella Yaga. Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Directed by Gor Miyazaki, this full-length animated feature from Studio Ghibli revolves around 10-year old Earwig, a precocious child who grew up in a unique orphanage where children can practically do things that are always forbidden of them. [32] The film was released digitally on March 23, 2021, and on Blu-ray Disc and DVD on April 6, 2021. 7. Earwig initially mistakes them for horns. Instead, the movie The Studio Ghibli faithful will unlikely be swept away by Earwig and the Witch a towering, brooding, demonic presence known as The Mandrake (Grant). They also work on a spell to give Bella Yaga a literal "extra pair of hands" on her body so Earwig would be dismissed from her work. This is Ghiblis second adaptation of one of Jones works, after the 2004 [] She is taken into her Also hope they continue to explore different mediums. fan art Heres where the design and animation of Earwig and the Witch becomes a real make-or-break point: its easy to admire Katsuya Kondos character designs and Yuhki Takeuchis art direction (especially his background art), but harder to find much emotional resonance from the movies stiff computer-generated animation, whose supervision is credited to Yukinori Nakamura (computer graphics) and Tan Se Ri (general animation). We wont be able to verify your ticket today, but its great to know for the future. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted. Close. WebSPOILER WARNING: Earwig and the Witch was not at all what I had hoped, or expected, it to be. After their disbanding, he becomes an author- however, his books are usually met with poor reviews. Gor is the son of the Ghiblis co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. Eventually, Earwig is able to command The Mandrake's minions and even gains a better rapport with Yaga. Earwig and Thomas. Which is sadly not surprising since all three of Goros features are visually flat, including From Up On Poppy Hill, a project that was initially planned and scripted by papa Hayao. It's clear that the redhead's exit from the band caused a deep rift between Bella Yaga and the Mandrake, but with Earwig's selfish meddling, it's beginning to heal. It turns out that Bella Yaga, the Mandrake, and Earwig's mother were part of a band together, as a drummer, pianist, and lead singer, respectively. [13][14][15] On June 19, 2020, images from the film were revealed by Miyazaki. Problems inevitably arise whenever characters facial expressions and physical movements have to convey their respective characteristics. Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation film studio founded in June 1985 by the director Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata and the producer Toshio Suzuki. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Do you mean earwig is the mandrakes daughter. Voice actor (English) Earwig doesn't passively wait for others to rescue her; she takes it upon herself to change the situation. Studio Ghibli produced the movie in collaboration with NHK and NHK Enterprises. Question. report. (You can confirm by checking the license plate) Another fun fact I noticed is how I Ays's Mom used her hair to turn it into red worms and throw it at the car, which is the same spell Bella used to summon blue worms into Aya's room. The matron head of the home thinks that the name is unfit for a child and changes it to Erica Wigg. That said, Bella Yaga is just as marred by the past as the Mandrake is. Also that girl is so manipulative great role modeling? When she drops Earwig off at the orphanage, she leaves a note saying that she'll be back once she escapes the witches coming after her. So either way she still has a component that somehow will make her manipulate people around her. share. Read More: Earwig and the Witch Ending, Explained. Posted by u/[deleted] 8 months ago. Contents 1 Plot 2 Appearance 3 Personality 4 Trivia 5 Gallery Plot The Mandrake was the pianist of the band Earwig before it disbanded. WebNot every orphan would love living at St. Morwald's Home for Children, but Earwig does. To be honest I kinda expected Earwig and the Witch be about yes Earwig being sent to the Orphanage but from there she escapes with her friend Custard (That I thought was going to be a the sidekick that grows on in the movie) and together they discover a whole Wizarding world where WebEarwig and the Witch Traditional Ghibli Style. WebSource: https://twitter.com/yuzunoki_37/status/1347181831553122305. WebWhat do you think the Mandrake from Earwig and the Witch is? Earwig and the Witch starts high-octane: a mysterious woman with magic powers races to escape a pursuer, leaving a child at the door of an orphanage. Although Jones wrote several book series in her extensive career, Earwig and the Witch is quintessentially a standalone novel. Years later, Earwig is a rambunctious 10-year-old who is very comfortable in an orphanage where everyone does what she wants. Apparently, she finally achieves this goal, thoughEarwig and the Witch never says how. Earwig and the Witch-Thomas 4. In an interview withThe Los Angeles Times, Gor Miyazaki explained that he "wanted to portray [Earwig] as someone who is energetic and honest about her wants who just doesn't fit the 'good kid' mold." At the core of it, he's simply an artist who doesn't want to be disturbed as he tries to recreate the magic of the past. Yeah so true I waited for like a year for this film thinking it'd be something AT LEAST interesting maybe but I'm so let down I'm still dwelling. Anime yang diadaptasi dari novel Diana Wynne Jones ini mengisahkan tentang Earwig, seorang anak yang tinggal di panti asuhan. WebWhat do you think the Mandrake from Earwig and the Witch is? One doesnt simply become a master over night. The ending of Earwig and the Wig begs an important question: Does she take Earwig away to live somewhere else? This definitely feels like a new low point for Ghibli, all of this probably would've been a lot more palatable if this were animated in 2D, I'm not even that bothered by the 3D animation in and of itself, but it feels like it really cheapens the experience overall. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Still, Earwig doesn't lose hope or feel beaten down by their unwelcoming demeanor. WebTries but ultimately fails to apply a new style to the legendary animation studio's signature aesthetics. I believe this is either her power or a spell her mom put on her so she could have a good life until she finds her again. WebSource: https://twitter.com/yuzunoki_37/status/1347181831553122305. That Freudian slip might be more interesting if Earwig seemed to have some kind of an inner life, based on the evidence of her physical gestures and on-screen behavior. The Studio Ghibli faithful will unlikely be swept away by Earwig and the Witch a towering, brooding, demonic presence known as The Mandrake (Grant). Also The earwig gets its skin-crawling name from long-standing myths claiming the insect can climb inside a person's ear and either live there or feed on their brain In order words it manipulates your thoughts! share. (based on the novel "Earwig and the Witch" by), See production, box office & company info, AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: The Sega Smol Boi. Akhdanhyder. The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth: Season 8, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 1, Link to Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Link to The Most Anticipated TV & Streaming Shows of March 2023. The last thing she wants is to be adopted by the very strange Bella Yaga, demon-attended Mandrake, and talking black cat Thomas. I hope the next project makes up for this. Earwig is the daughter of a witch who, while mysteriously on the run from some other witches, leaves the child at an orphanage. Above all, he doesn't want to be disturbed. WebIn 1990s England, a witch leaves her child, Earwig, at St. Morwald's Home for Children. But all that changes the day Bella Yaga and the Mandrake come to St. Morwald's, disguised as foster parents. Discover more posts about earwig and the witch the mandrake. I normally watch Studio Ghibli because I know it'll be one of the best movies this was orders of magnitude below that. Cinemark The film ends as Earwigs mother arrives at her former bandmates doorsteps, likely knowing that her daughter is in there with them. Aya to Majo is based on Diana Wynne Jones' 2011 children's novel Earwig and the Witch. It was all a play on words, sadly during the dub it was just thought of it as her name and later as the bands name. I have not seen it yet since I have to watch for home release, but something to think about is that this is based off a book, and Goro doesn't have the best track record for his movie adaptations. Movies. Bella always said she just needed a pair of hands, and refuse to teach her magic because she never assumed she would be able to do actual magic , it would also explain why she was so surprised when it happened. Unbelievable. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! "ya and the Witch") is a 2020 Japanese computer-animated fantasy film directed by Gor Miyazaki and with a screenplay by Keiko Niwa and Emi Gunji. The film was set to have its worldwide premiere at the 73rd Cannes Film Festival in May 2020, but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I wondered if there was actually a secret link there. Shes got everybody at the orphanage wrapped around her little fingers, so shes not initially thrilled when shes adopted by Bella Yaga and her reclusive warlock partner Mandrake ( Etsushi Toyokawa ). I mean its pretty obvious that he isnt human. When I heard she was singing and doing a voice I was like THIS IS UNREAL. Mandrake sketch. Posted by u/[deleted] 8 months ago. As for Aya she finally found something she wants to learn and need to work hard to becoming a witch. Earwig and the Witch delves into a magical world of its own, beginning with a high-speed chase between a redheaded witch (voiced by singer Kacey Musgraves in the English version) and a ravenous yellow car. Richard E. Grant. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. She later learns that the woman, Bella Yaga, is actually a witch, while the man, known simply as the Mandrake, is not even human. (For Goro, Hayao Miyazaki is not a father but rather a tall wall, says Earwig producer Toshio Suzuki in the above-quoted 2013 L.A. Times piece). It was released on the service on November 18, 2021. [17] The film's original soundtrack album was released on January 6, 2021. [41], Writing for IndieWire, David Ehrlich gave the film a C and said, "While Earwig and the Witch is far from the ugliest film of its kind, there's something uniquely perverse about seeing Ghibli's signature aesthetic suffocated inside a plastic coffin and sapped of its brilliant soul; about seeing the studio's lush green worlds replaced by lifeless backdrops, and its hyper-expressive character designs swapped out for cheap dolls so devoid of human emotion that even the little kids look Botoxed with an inch [sic] of their lives. | NHK", "NHK has announced the premiere date for Studio Ghibli's new anime 'Aya and the Witch', "Goro Miyazaki Says He's Confident in Upcoming Earwig and the Witch CG Film", "GKIDS Announces Dub Cast for Ghibli's 1st CG Feature Earwig and the Witch", " ", "Ghibli, Goro Miyazaki Make CG Anime of Earwig and the Witch Novel by Howl's Moving Castle's Diana Wynne Jones", "New Studio Ghibli anime coming this winter is first CG feature planned by Hayao Miyazaki", "Studio Ghibli's CG-animated film revealed: 'Aya and the Witch', "First Look: Gor Miyazaki's 'Earwig And The Witch' (exclusive)", "CD", "! On February 5, 2021, the film began streaming on HBO Max. This will make it the first theatrical release of a Ghibli film since Princess Mononoke not to be distributed by StudioCanal UK in the region. The animation change was a let down and the story felt like at the end it went nowhere and had no purpose. Throughout Earwig and the Witch, the vaguely demonic Mandrake holds power as a mysterious threat to both Earwig and Bella Yaga. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Both of them force children to do their chores, though thankfully, Bella Yaga never goes so far as to eat Earwig. I did like the little drawings at the end during the credits you could see that they ended up turning into a pretty nice family, Mandrake even got bella flowers for her birthday . Terms and Policies [Earwig and the Witch] The Mandrake is Earwig's daughter Aside from one scene where Earwig's mother is shown trying to kiss The Mandrake in a flashback, The Mandrake is shown to be more patient with Earwig and at his least patient he's outright stern, but not cruel or malicious like Bella Yaga. [33] The GKIDS release of the film is the same as the Japanese theatrical version. Kids & family, The entire situation poses an unprecedented struggle for the protagonist. A magical story for young readers from the author of Howls Moving Castle and Charmed Life, Diana Wynne Jones. I didn't like it at all. (Even Hayao initially disapproved of Goros taking on Tales from Earthsea, Goros directorial debut, though he later offered some guarded praise: It was made honestly, so it was good.). [30][31], On January 7, 2021, GKIDS announced that the film would receive a limited theatrical release beginning on February 3, while it would be added to HBO Max on February 5.