Studio Ghibli Released A Trailer For Their First-Ever 3D CGI Movie “Earwig And The Witch” And People Are Torn About It
When you mention Studio Ghibli to people, they get starry-eyed, their smiles get wider, and they start talking about which of the animated movies take up the most space in their hearts. The Japanese studio is best known for their lovingly hand-drawn animations, but time changes all things and Ghibli is no exception.
The studio has released a trailer for their newest movie, Earwig and the Witch, and it’s their first project that uses computer-generated imagery (aka CGI). Set to premiere on December 30 in Japan and in 2021 in the US, the 3D animation is directed by Goro Miyazaki, who is Hayao Miyazaki’s son.
There’s a lot to be excited for (who can say no to Studio Ghibli?!), but it’s best to hold your horses. A lot of the studio’s movies create their unique atmosphere with their animation, but with CGI… things are different. Not necessarily bad. Just different. And people can’t agree whether they love it or they’d rather pass. Check the trailer out below, dear Pandas, and share your thoughts with all of us in the comment section.
Watch the trailer for Earwig and the Witch and let us know what you think, Pandas!
Image credits: GKIDS Films
Image credits: GKIDS Films
Image credits: GKIDS Films
Image credits: GKIDS Films
Image credits: GKIDS Films
Earwig and the Witch is about a selfish witch who adopts an orphan in the British countryside. Just from that description alone, you should realize it’s a Ghibli production. And yet, it lacks a certain something, doesn’t it?
The director’s father, Hayao, is known as the legend behind Ghibli’s masterpieces like My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Castle in the Sky, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and others.
While Goro isn’t new to the animation industry, he does have big shoes to fill. And the expectations that fall on his shoulders are immense. Goro and his father’s relationship is complex because of this. For instance, Goro had previously promised not to go into anything related to animation, but, as fate would have it, he ended up there anyway.
In a way, I think that no matter what direction Goro decided to go in with Earwig and the Witch, there would be critics because he’s not a carbon copy of his father and is off doing his own thing. Personally, I’m excited for Earwig and the Witch because the trailer just screams Studio Ghibli (even if I’m not a massive fan of CGI—I’m too much of a traditional art fan!).
Do you love the trailer? Fantastic! Feeling a tad reserved? Not to worry. Goro’s father Hayao is working on How Do You Live which will be 2D… and will probably be released in a few years.
Some Ghibli fans were very critical of the new movie and the CGI style
However, there were those who were fans, too
For me, Studio Ghibli isn't about hand-drawn animation - it's about the content, the storytelling, the pacing, and the emotional tone of their wonderful films. They've earned my loyalty, and I intend to give ‘Earwig And The Witch’ a fair hearing before judging it.
I agree. I do understand and partially share everyone's concern, but I don't think it will necessarily be bad. I, honestly, find this whole thing interesting, a little bit of experimentation is always welcome in art, regardless of the results. Even if this one turns out bad, it can still open the doors to other various potential. Besides that, I get why Goro Miyazaki made such a decision. Having said that, I do prefer the classic 2d animation for cartoons, and if 3d, then get the SquareEnix team. ♡
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I think the main problem is, that this kind of cheap animation tends to appeal more to toddlers, whereas the traditional Ghibli productions appeal to adults as well.
I grew up in the time of dinosaurs - Cinderella, Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, Lady and the Tramp. I have literally watched animation evolve over time, and frankly some of it really stunk. Cannot wait for this to come out. Just turned 70, BTW.
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Meh. This doesn't look good. All the magic and the wonderment of Ghibli's style is gone, and it just looks like a bad 2007 anmiated movie.
So for you the magic and wonderment in Ghibli movies only comes from the animation style and not from the story(telling) and details and characters?
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Well, that looks terrible. Both CG and hand-drawn have their strengths, but they are two different beasts, and styles don't usually transfer over. This looks 100% like they tried to do exactly what they would have done in hand-drawn but just use a computer to do it. They've lost the warmth and handcrafted feel that are pros of hand-drawn without then taking advantage of CG's unique pros.
Nice animation but it's not studio Ghibli . We can get computer animation elsewhere , it's the beauty of Ghibli that we return to over and over. Yesterday we watched Ponyo, Howls and Princess Mononoke. Visually they are magical!
agreed. studio ghibli's art style is a unique twist on anime & childlike animation, it makes things feel magical and imaginative. this really does look like some low budget 2007 production. it's not the same feeling as studio ghibli, and the same colours and art work and care are not put into it like with their other works. it just feels bad. the hand drawn feel was so special and amazing, and it really made you feel light & warm and carefree, like a kid again. this seems like it's targeted towards very young children who liked shows like jimmy neutron. art style is very important
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So we’ll just to have to look past the history of the source studio and enjoy it for what it is, which looks like it could be good story. Looking forward to it.
The whole premise of a spirited child adopted by a witch could make for a fun movie, but nothing magical or endearing seems to jump out while watching this trailer. In fact it looked kind of boring.
It's based on the book by Diana Wynne Jones. Earwig is a bright and clever girl who works to make the witch's life miserable. The story is a lot of fun. I'll most likely pass on this film though, because I love Diana Wynne Jones' books and they changed Howl's Moving Castle drastically.
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Oh i don't mind this new ghibli movie. I look forward for this movie to come here. From what i see they still have that wittiness the ghibli movies always have. Be it hand-drawn or cgi or live action,i will still love ghibli.
Top 20+ Best Studio Ghibli Movies You Can’t Miss: https://wiinchannel.com/top-best-studio-ghibli-movies/. Thank you!
I like the story, and i think its about the story not the looks
As the story's basis is from the same novelist as "Howl's Moving Castle," I expect that otaku like me will overlook the CGI, and love it, as well.
a lot of the opinions of the people liking this idea are from people who don't know much about japanese art style, one guy literally said "coming from a guy who doesn't watch a lot of japanese cartoon..." well that basically defeats your whole argument because you don't watch anime very often so you don't understand the importance the art style can have on a show. also, anime is not japanese 'cartoon'. it's japanese animation/art style. cartoon is different from animation, and not because of age demographics, as many cartoons are inappropriate for children too. personally i'll give this show a shot, but people who are big fans of the magical, unique & childlike essence of studio ghibli have reason to be torn or upset
Of course Bored Panda baits us with the hot redhead with perfect breasts. But what's new.
It looks like ghibli, it has that something that makes you think ghibli right away BUT at the same time is off.. Especially the child, she's just ugly. But sounds like an interesting story so hopefully the story will save the movie, and maybe then they will go back to their beatyful handdrawn style.
I’ve only ever seen one ghibli film so I can’t really judge. Don’t worry I’m definitely going to watch more! I just haven’t gotten around to it yet
I disagree with most comments...I would be sad if Ghibli completely stopped drawn animation. I think it's not only their trademark and forte, it's also what makes them unique when all other studios have turned to computerised stuff. Call me old fashioned, but hand drawn has this magical feel that IMO is lacking in CGI, regardless of plot.
I like the story, it's defiantly a Ghibli story and that cottage *chefs kiss*. But it loses the magic with 3D CGI. I don't think the CGI is ~cheap~ (like Sid the Science Kid, Dino Train bad), I think it's a stylistic choice to try and mimic the Hayao Miyazaki art style, but is just doesn't work. I'll watch it and give it a fair shake but I'm not super excited like I was for Ponyo or Up on Poppy Hill.
Well, it´s similar to what anime-style video games look like. You can either live with it or you can´t.
It just feels like every other animated movie that's coming out now. Doesn't feel like ghibli at all. It's so loud and fast.
I mean, sure it's something you have to get used to, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. I really like what the trailer showed me, even if some of the characters movements look a bit... Clunky I guess. I'll definitely give it a watch though, it seems to have so much spirit.
this could be a good movie scenario, where the son takes over the old cozy family business and try to convince his father that the world has changed and they need to keep up. Finally, he came up with a fast production product that has no soul at all. (Not sorry to being an old school )
Why is everyone putting something down they have not seen? How many of u have famous fathers & have to prove ur self, selfish morons. No empathy at all. How many crappy films has Disney put out about princess's with u knowing the end and u still want watch them? I personally love the little girls unafraid, gong ho attitude. And i would love to see it. So stop being cruel its so easy to throw kniefs anonymously.
Giving the time and money involved in making hand drawn animation and the fact that there just aren't as many young people learning the art this switch was almost inevitable.
You could be right, but I think it's too soon to call it a switch. Feels more like an experiment. We'll see where it goes.
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Something seems off about the lighting.. which usually sets the mood in most Ghibli films.
I am a HUGE, HUGE Studio Ghibli fan, but this just looks bad. I think the whimsical studio should stick to their traditional hand-drawn animation.
Shame on Studio Ghibli! Their real art is in CELL animation! I hope they return to where true art is. OK, so the main thing may be the story; but the special style that one can get ONLY in hand-drawn animation adds so much. That is why I have stopped seeing Disney movies - that studio has abandoned Walt's wonderful legacy for CGI crap. All computer-animated movies look alike.
For me, Studio Ghibli isn't about hand-drawn animation - it's about the content, the storytelling, the pacing, and the emotional tone of their wonderful films. They've earned my loyalty, and I intend to give ‘Earwig And The Witch’ a fair hearing before judging it.
I agree. I do understand and partially share everyone's concern, but I don't think it will necessarily be bad. I, honestly, find this whole thing interesting, a little bit of experimentation is always welcome in art, regardless of the results. Even if this one turns out bad, it can still open the doors to other various potential. Besides that, I get why Goro Miyazaki made such a decision. Having said that, I do prefer the classic 2d animation for cartoons, and if 3d, then get the SquareEnix team. ♡
Load More Replies... I think the main problem is, that this kind of cheap animation tends to appeal more to toddlers, whereas the traditional Ghibli productions appeal to adults as well.
I grew up in the time of dinosaurs - Cinderella, Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, Lady and the Tramp. I have literally watched animation evolve over time, and frankly some of it really stunk. Cannot wait for this to come out. Just turned 70, BTW.
Load More Replies... Meh. This doesn't look good. All the magic and the wonderment of Ghibli's style is gone, and it just looks like a bad 2007 anmiated movie.
So for you the magic and wonderment in Ghibli movies only comes from the animation style and not from the story(telling) and details and characters?
Load More Replies... Well, that looks terrible. Both CG and hand-drawn have their strengths, but they are two different beasts, and styles don't usually transfer over. This looks 100% like they tried to do exactly what they would have done in hand-drawn but just use a computer to do it. They've lost the warmth and handcrafted feel that are pros of hand-drawn without then taking advantage of CG's unique pros.
Nice animation but it's not studio Ghibli . We can get computer animation elsewhere , it's the beauty of Ghibli that we return to over and over. Yesterday we watched Ponyo, Howls and Princess Mononoke. Visually they are magical!
agreed. studio ghibli's art style is a unique twist on anime & childlike animation, it makes things feel magical and imaginative. this really does look like some low budget 2007 production. it's not the same feeling as studio ghibli, and the same colours and art work and care are not put into it like with their other works. it just feels bad. the hand drawn feel was so special and amazing, and it really made you feel light & warm and carefree, like a kid again. this seems like it's targeted towards very young children who liked shows like jimmy neutron. art style is very important
Load More Replies... So we’ll just to have to look past the history of the source studio and enjoy it for what it is, which looks like it could be good story. Looking forward to it.
The whole premise of a spirited child adopted by a witch could make for a fun movie, but nothing magical or endearing seems to jump out while watching this trailer. In fact it looked kind of boring.
It's based on the book by Diana Wynne Jones. Earwig is a bright and clever girl who works to make the witch's life miserable. The story is a lot of fun. I'll most likely pass on this film though, because I love Diana Wynne Jones' books and they changed Howl's Moving Castle drastically.
Load More Replies... Oh i don't mind this new ghibli movie. I look forward for this movie to come here. From what i see they still have that wittiness the ghibli movies always have. Be it hand-drawn or cgi or live action,i will still love ghibli.
Top 20+ Best Studio Ghibli Movies You Can’t Miss: https://wiinchannel.com/top-best-studio-ghibli-movies/. Thank you!
I like the story, and i think its about the story not the looks
As the story's basis is from the same novelist as "Howl's Moving Castle," I expect that otaku like me will overlook the CGI, and love it, as well.
a lot of the opinions of the people liking this idea are from people who don't know much about japanese art style, one guy literally said "coming from a guy who doesn't watch a lot of japanese cartoon..." well that basically defeats your whole argument because you don't watch anime very often so you don't understand the importance the art style can have on a show. also, anime is not japanese 'cartoon'. it's japanese animation/art style. cartoon is different from animation, and not because of age demographics, as many cartoons are inappropriate for children too. personally i'll give this show a shot, but people who are big fans of the magical, unique & childlike essence of studio ghibli have reason to be torn or upset
Of course Bored Panda baits us with the hot redhead with perfect breasts. But what's new.
It looks like ghibli, it has that something that makes you think ghibli right away BUT at the same time is off.. Especially the child, she's just ugly. But sounds like an interesting story so hopefully the story will save the movie, and maybe then they will go back to their beatyful handdrawn style.
I’ve only ever seen one ghibli film so I can’t really judge. Don’t worry I’m definitely going to watch more! I just haven’t gotten around to it yet
I disagree with most comments...I would be sad if Ghibli completely stopped drawn animation. I think it's not only their trademark and forte, it's also what makes them unique when all other studios have turned to computerised stuff. Call me old fashioned, but hand drawn has this magical feel that IMO is lacking in CGI, regardless of plot.
I like the story, it's defiantly a Ghibli story and that cottage *chefs kiss*. But it loses the magic with 3D CGI. I don't think the CGI is ~cheap~ (like Sid the Science Kid, Dino Train bad), I think it's a stylistic choice to try and mimic the Hayao Miyazaki art style, but is just doesn't work. I'll watch it and give it a fair shake but I'm not super excited like I was for Ponyo or Up on Poppy Hill.
Well, it´s similar to what anime-style video games look like. You can either live with it or you can´t.
It just feels like every other animated movie that's coming out now. Doesn't feel like ghibli at all. It's so loud and fast.
I mean, sure it's something you have to get used to, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. I really like what the trailer showed me, even if some of the characters movements look a bit... Clunky I guess. I'll definitely give it a watch though, it seems to have so much spirit.
this could be a good movie scenario, where the son takes over the old cozy family business and try to convince his father that the world has changed and they need to keep up. Finally, he came up with a fast production product that has no soul at all. (Not sorry to being an old school )
Why is everyone putting something down they have not seen? How many of u have famous fathers & have to prove ur self, selfish morons. No empathy at all. How many crappy films has Disney put out about princess's with u knowing the end and u still want watch them? I personally love the little girls unafraid, gong ho attitude. And i would love to see it. So stop being cruel its so easy to throw kniefs anonymously.
Giving the time and money involved in making hand drawn animation and the fact that there just aren't as many young people learning the art this switch was almost inevitable.
You could be right, but I think it's too soon to call it a switch. Feels more like an experiment. We'll see where it goes.
Load More Replies... Something seems off about the lighting.. which usually sets the mood in most Ghibli films.
I am a HUGE, HUGE Studio Ghibli fan, but this just looks bad. I think the whimsical studio should stick to their traditional hand-drawn animation.
Shame on Studio Ghibli! Their real art is in CELL animation! I hope they return to where true art is. OK, so the main thing may be the story; but the special style that one can get ONLY in hand-drawn animation adds so much. That is why I have stopped seeing Disney movies - that studio has abandoned Walt's wonderful legacy for CGI crap. All computer-animated movies look alike.
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