GKids has acquired the North American distribution rights to Studio Ghibli’s Earwig and the Witch, directed by Goro Miyazaki (From Up on Poppy Hill, Tales from Earthsea). The film is produced by studio co-founder Toshio Suzuki, with planning on the feature from Goro’s father and Oscar winner Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro).
Earwig and the Witch, which is based on Diana Wyne’s children’s novel of the same name, marks Studio Ghibli’s first entirely 3D CG animated feature. The film follows the titular Earwig, who grew up in an orphanage and never knew her mother had magical powers. Her life takes a new turn when a strange family takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch.
“Nowadays, in our country, there are many adults and few children. It must be tough for these children, so few of them having to deal with so many adults,” Goro Miyazaki said of the film. “It was while I was thinking about this that I got to know Earwig. And I realised, ‘That’s it!’ How does Earwig deal with the annoying adults? Please watch Earwig and The Witch to find out. She may be cheeky, but I sincerely hope that our adorable Earwig will encourage children and cheer up adults.”
Growing up in an orphanage, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life will take a new turn when a strange family takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. The animated feature is an official selection for the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, and is slated to air on NHK in Japan this winter. GKIDS will release the film theatrically in North America in early 2021.