Earwig and the Witch: Studio Ghibli releases first scene of controversial new movie
New animation style was previously described as ‘off-putting’
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Louise Thomas
Editor
The first scene from Studio Ghibli’s new film has been released online.
Earwig and the Witch is the Japanese animation house’s first film since their co-production The Red Turtle in 2016.
It will also mark the studio’s first movie to be made using full 3D CGI animation, a decision which has prompted vitriol and concern from long-time fans.
The film is directed by Tales From Earthsea filmmaker Gorō Miyazaki, who is son of the legendary Ghibli filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki.
Earwig and the Witch is based on Diana Wynne Jones’ 2011 children’s book of the same name, and follows an orphan girl who is adopted by a witch.
The clip is of the dubbed version that will be released on HBO Max in the US. Kacey Musgraves voices the mother of the lead character.
It will be available to stream in the US from 5 February, but a UK release date is yet to be announced, but is expected to follow two months later.
The entire Studio Ghibli filmography is currently available to watch on Netflix in the UK.
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