David Farnor | On 14, Oct 2021

Netflix will expand its Studio Ghibli library to include the studio’s latest animated film, Earwig and the Witch.

Founded in 1985 by Japanese animated film directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli has produced 23 feature-length films to date. Since 2020, 21 of those have been available on Netflix in the UK and Ireland.

These include: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), Castle in the Sky (1986), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Only Yesterday (1991), Porco Rosso (1992), Ocean Waves (1993), Pom Poko (1994), Whisper of the Heart (1995), Princess Mononoke (1997), My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), Spirited Away (2001), The Cat Returns (2002), Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), Tales from Earthsea (2006), Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008), Arrietty (2010), From Up on Poppy Hill (2011), The Wind Rises (2013), The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013) and When Marnie Was There (2014).

You can read our reviews of all of them here.

Now, they’re getting some company, with Earwig and the Witch joining the exclusive line-up, following its physical media release in September. The film tells the story of a headstrong young girl, who grew up in an orphanage and her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. Directed by Goro Miyazaki, with planning by Hayao Miyazaki and screenplay by Keiko Niwa and Emi Gunji, the story of Earwig is based on the novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones.

Director Goro Miyazaki said: “We’re thrilled that our film Earwig and the Witch will reach many countries and territories through Netflix. The film is Studio Ghibli’s first fully 3D CGI film which prompted us with an exciting challenge to reflect the spirit and pride of our studio using this new artform. Through that experience we met Earwig, our rebellious protagonist who grows to overcome difficulties with her wits and relentless energy. We hope you will come to love our Earwig, just like you enjoyed spending time with the main characters in our last 21 films. Today, the world is forced to continue its journey into a chaotic era. We hope this film will inspire our children who live long into the future.”

Aram Yacoubian, Director of Animation Film at Netflix, said: “In countries and territories where we stream Studio Ghibli films (excluding US and Japan), 55 million households have chosen to watch a Studio Ghibli film on Netflix since 2020, and that number will only continue to grow. We’ve been blown away by the positive reactions from viewers everywhere, proving that stories can come from anywhere, and can be loved everywhere”.

Earwig and the Witch will be released on Netflix on 18th November. It will be available in over 30 languages, including Japanese, English, Mandarin, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai in addition to subtitles in more languages.

 

Earwig and the Witch is available on Netflix UK, as part of an £9.99 monthly subscription.

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