Aya and the Witch: Studio Ghibli fans react to divisive images from new film
‘Do not tarnish your legacy!' one concerned fan wrote
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Studio Ghibli fans are expressing their concern following the release of divisive images from the studio's first film in six years.
Aya and the Witch is a collaboration between Hayao Miyazaki, who came out of retirement for this release as well as new film How Do You Live?, and his son, Goro.
It is an adaptation of a novel written by Diana Wine Jones, who wrote Howl’s Moving Castle, which Studio Ghibli adapted in 2004.
Interestingly, it will be the studio’s first fully 3D CG-animated film.
However, following the release of the new images, fans have been left feeling surprised by the animation on display.
“Studio... Ghibli? THAT Ghibli?” one confused fan wrote on Twitter, with another adding: “This will be a make it or break it on Studio Ghilbi’s part.”
Others were more angry with the move to 3D filmmaking, with one person stating: “Please cancel this, still got time. Do not tarnish Studio’s legacy.”
“What made Studio Ghibli stand out was the beauty of 3D animation and carefully drawn backgrounds,” one user wrote, adding: ”You could actually see how much love, care and dedication was put into these anime movies. I don’t want Ghibli to produce standard 3D movies, I’m begging you please stop.”
Another user, though, gave the images the benefit of the doubt.
“I understand having a preference for 2D content, but people seeing that CG Ghibli film and just immediately shutting it down entirely is wild to me cause you KNOW it’s still gonna have that good Studio Ghibli energy.”
Find a mixture of reactions below.
What’s wrong with Studio Ghibli experimenting with different styles? I doubt it’s gonna tarnish their legency
— Devin Studios🏳️🌈 (@DevinStudios) June 19, 2020
What made studio ghibli stand out was the beauty of 2d animation and carefully drawn backgrounds. You could actually see how much love, care and dedication was put into these anime movies. I dont want ghibli to produce standard 3d movies im begging you please stop
— Kermie @ ff7 charms ✨ (@kermie190) June 19, 2020
i.... dunnohow ..i feel about this......
— Jiien.png⁷ (@Jii_en) June 19, 2020
Not what i expected from this studio, looks pretty good too, but i do hope they will continue to make 2-d animated movies even if this becomes something they do more of.
— Timevirus (@Timevirus1) June 19, 2020
The new film will be broadcast in Japan on NHK-G this winter, but there is currently no word on when it will be released in other territories.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments