Quick Vid: Earwig and the Witch (Review) 

Wow a giveaway on my channel that isn't a bot! Super pumped about the release of my figure, hit up this link if you wanna participate in the giveaway - youtooz.com/pages/saberspark-giveaway

I think my problem with it was...it felt unfinished. I don't mind them trying 3D animation but I think it needed a bit more polish, and the story felt kind of like it just stopped when it could have been fleshed out, some parts had too much focus when I wanted to know more about why the mom left, who are these other witches they mentioned, it kind of felt rushed and my first words when the film ended were "what? that's it? wheres the rest??". I do feel really sorry for Goro though

Something I can't help but notice, is how Earwig trying to learn magic from an unsupportive parental figure parallels nicely Goro trying to learn film and animation with an unsupportive father. The movie very well could have been vent art.

For those confused why it ended so quick, the author of the book sadly died before finishing the book so literally no one knows what happened next 😭

I don't know how to feel about Studio Ghibli venturing into 3D animation. I just hope they won't abandon 2D animation like Disney did at the turn of the millennium.

I can’t even imagine being expected to carry on the legacy of someone like Hayao Miyazaki. It’s super admirable that Goro even tries, tbh.

i feel sorry for goro. he'll never escape the comparisons to his father, and living up to that expectation is pretty much impossible.

I pity Goro. His father was unimpressed when he made something good. I can only imagine the rage that came from this absolute failure.

Goro needs to go to a different studio I swear, he need a breath of fresh air away fron his father to create something that will show his own true potential.

Something people never really note is that Goro Miyazaki never wanted to be a film director for the studio in the first place; the guy actually wanted to be a landscape architect. He was pretty much dragged into Tales from Earthsea by one of Studio Ghibli's producers and only carries on at Studio Ghibli because he knows it's what everyone expects him to do. I feel like Hayao Miyazaki's cold attitude toward Goro's films is probably in large part because he knows Goro's heart isn't in them.

*I think one of the weirdest things* is how most of the hair looked like very plastic wigs because of how flat the texture was.

Fun fact: this felt incomplete because it was. The author of the book died before it was finished and it was published anyway. They didn’t have much to work with for source material.

It's weird how most of Goro's movies were poorly received, and the one with more positive reviews had help from his father...... Dang, poor Goro....can't catch a break

I feel bad for Goro, I feel like his inability to make a good movie is due to the lack of support from his father.

*Imagine naming your child “Earwig”*

I think an animated film about Hayo and Goro’s real life relationship could make for a good movie.

Apparently, Hayao Miyazaki is the real-life version of the "disapproving, unimpressed father" trope that appears in so many movies.

1:29 Hayao was talking about "Earthsea". Eventually he made up with his son in the film "Ponyo".

I agree with basically everyone, I was watching it, and wasn't paying attention to how much time was left by the end, and I got so excited when earwigs mom showed up and then it, stopped. It was so confusing and unsatisfying....

Saber should do a review about Lupin The Third: The First or even an in depth look into the franchise which I think it would be interesting

I watched the movie, and most of it felt like filler to be honest. I think it would have been better if it was more of a short film.

These models feel like they're halfway between barbie movies and scary godmother

I actually quite liked this movie but god, I wish it had an actual ending.

So Hayao walked out of Goro's first film, Tales From Earthsea, because Hayao had spent years spending Ursula K Le Guin to let his studio adapt her books and it was just terrible. Hayao then wrote Ponyo as an apology and trained Goro on making films then wrote From Up on Poppy Hill for Goro to direct with him still coaching him. Hayao also was the planning director for Earwig and is in general very supportive at this point. Also Earwig and the Witch is a made for TV movie, first premiering on the NHK channel in Japan.

Honestly, I think the character models have potential, but they're missing (at least) one of the core aspects of animation: Squash and stretch. The characters look like they're trying to emulate cartoony styles, but are limited to realistic movements. They're stuck in the limbo of looking like they should be bouncy and fluid but have their feet firmly planted in realism instead, not fulfilling either role fully. It makes a disconnect between what you'd expect to see in a film like this, and what is (not) actually happening.

Who the hell names their kid “Earwig” like she would get bullied so much lol

I feel like the reason the animation looks off is that there aren't enough textures. Like the hair.... they look like plastic toys come to life.

Goro IS talented! He's a really talented architect! He made puppets for the Earwig team and they're lovely and expressive. I think if he were to channel this to animation his strength would be in puppetry/stopmotion, and he could design beautiful models/puppets and elaborate sets. I think that could work for Ghibli, in fact, it could be Ghibli claiming stopmotion for the Japanese animation field again. I know the Rankin-Bass films are technically already Japanese since a Japanese studio did all the stopmotion work, but how many people know that? It's a shame no one has called this out to him, it's such a cool and unique avenue for Goro to explore, even grumpy Miyazaki might have to give a tacit nod.

Ghibli fans: 2020 sucked! Well at least Ghibli studios is making a new movie! New movie:

The reason why this movie looks "incomplete" (models don't seem to fit the background) when compared to Lupin The First or western CGI movies = the Lighting.

Funny how Lupin III: The First very recently exploded in the west in a way the series hasn't in a long time because of how good it looks and how faithfully it translates its series's art style to three dimensions and then this happens

i support Goro, he's having a hard time with not a lot of support but he's doing pretty well considering that, it could be way worse and it's honestly expected that it would be, but he's doing his best, i think he'll do much better in the future.

The eyes aren’t shiny. There’s no depth. It’s literally pasted on, even the “light reflections.” There’s also no texture to the hair. Its stiff and plastic and shiny. It looks more like they just used barbie dolls

Miyazaki is brilliant but from his interviews and accounts from employees, he is a hard ass and not very supportive of his sons ideas... It really isnt fair to compare his son to him. His son needs to blaze his own path, and from the sounds of his fathers ideals regarding ghibli, it is what he'd probably prefer his son do his own things and not try to ride off his success.

Goro has stated that the reason for the limited scope and locations of the film was because he was working with mostly freelancers - and as a first 3D venture they didn't want to bite off more than they could chew. He wanted to keep things very simple, and the book itself was quite simple - he particularly enjoyed how the main character was mischievous, controlling and cunning, not a damsel in distress.

I hope goro's father went easy on him,, it's not even a bad movie per say.. it's just not up to the prestige of studio Ghibli. I feel like the art direction really let this movie down

"The characters just don't fit" It's the lighting. They're so evenly lit in every scene. No opportunity is taken to use the light to sink them into a scene.

Goro was originally an architect, it was ghibli's producer's idea to make him a film director, hayao never liked this idea because he thought his son wasnt cut for the job. Hewas an absent father because of this same job after all.. but yeah goro never was pushed by his passion for film and more by the money ghibli would make if he took his father's place...

“Mrs. Earwig (pronounced Ar-wige, at least by Mrs. Earwig) believed in shiny wands, and magical amulets and mystic runes and the power of the stars, while Granny Weatherwax in cups of tea, dry biscuits, washing every morning in cold water and, well…mostly she believed in Granny Weatherwax.”

I genuinely think that Goro’s heart just isn’t in this line of work and Hayao knows this and just doesn’t know how to articulate it without being a bit of an ass about it. Tales of Earthsea? Hayao helped with the screenplay and let his son at it and it felt like it suffered the same as Earwig. The ending fell flat. Completely. From Up on Poppy Hill? Better but again, Hayao helped with the screenplay. Goro was a landscaper before this and he even helped make the Ghibli Museum. His talents and heart I think lie elsewhere and I think he wants to make his dad proud. Idk not to sound shady but I hope he stops animating and does what makes him happy.

This is Uncanny Valley territory. The backgrounds, the props, the assets look great. The polish was definitely there. But just how the character models mesh with everything else just feels off. Much like Saberspark, I can't really put it to words. When everything was 2D we used our imagination to fill in the gaps. But now that some of the gaps are filled thanks to it being 3D, it ruins that illusion of fantasy.

Hayao: "are you winning son?"

I think Goro is trying too hard to make things he feels his dad would make just to keep with the image and formula of Ghibli and Hayao films. That’s something I’ve felt about most of his movies: they’re not Goro’s movies, they’re Goro trying to emulate Hayao. I feel that he should try to make HIS movie rather than what he thinks Ghibli fans expect from Studio Ghibli or what he thinks his dad would make. That’s just what I think, though.

"The food looked better than the people" Yup, that's anime

Hayao left during Tales from Earthsea. Hayao actually liked From Up on Poppy Hill and helped with writing the script. Poppy Hill was actually much better received than Earthsea, to the point that it had a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes at one point.

The important thing to remember is that this was just a tv special back in Japan.

I honestly feel bad for Goro. It's like his movies are trying to mimic his father's style rather than find his own.

I totally get you on the "off" feeling. It looks almost like a demo reel that's not fully funished or fleshed out completely.

I feel sorry for Goro, but I think his biggest issue is he's clearly trying to be his father. He needs to branch out and make the films he wants, not what he thinks his father would make. Making his own studio would probably be the best decision.

When this came out and was hearing all the reviews, my thoughts were, "oh maybe Goro didn't get much support." And yep, that's what happened. I still think Goro is very talented, in his own way, like From Up On Poppy Hill is really good

I love the character designs and just feel bad 😞 for Goro I mean the poor guy having to impress and follow in his fathers shoes like that

''I can't recall her name but she has purple hair.'' That's some compelling characterization right there.

I swear, Goro has potential to make a good movie. It's just that the pressure from his father's works and the expectations from his fans are very very INTENSE. Not to mention Hayao not supporting his works. If Goro is still treated like this, what will happen to Ghibli if Hayao retires or goes into the next dimension?

Can we acknowledge that it’s not really a “British” novel as much as it is a Welsh novel. Diana Wynn Jones is influenced by Welsh culture and folklore. After all, Wales is it’s own country with its own language and history. It may not seem important to some but as a small country, it’s important to us, especially when someone from our tiny land gets worldwide recognition. That being said, great video as always Saber, love your content ♥️♥️♥️

I would very much like it if Ghibli would keep 2D animation alive, and keep proving how impressive, beautiful and well-received it can be. I don’t want art forms to be lost entirely to computer generated art.

From what I've heard, this is supposed to be a TV movie pilot broadcasted in Japan that would eventually lead up to a series also being made by the studio; which probably explains why a majority of the movie has so much filler.

I enjoyed this film and wished it had more “anime” expressions like when Earwig bursts out laughing when a something happened to a specific character. It was very cute and added some extra umph to the film. The film was fun but left me with a few questions. Like why was Earwig was adopted by the specific couple that alone has a few questions in it as well but I don’t want to say anything that will spoil the film for others.

I’m most upset cuz we didn’t get a single full music number like the cover hinted at with Earwig holding a mic. I thought it was gonna be a message that you are not forced to become what you’re born as: “a witch” but can become what you wanna become: “a musician”

Kermit: Is the weirdest name a person could possibly have Earwig: Hold my ear and my wig

Hayao hates the idea of CG animation. "I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself," was what he told a CG artist when he showed off an animation test to Ol' Miyazaki. Imagine how that artist must have felt that his work was destroyed by an animation giant. Now imagine how Goro will feel when his own father will tell him exactly how he feels about this movie.

It felt like an extended pilot for a TV series - especially with that cliffhanger ending.

Even though hayoa miyazaki thought anime was a mistake, he really acts like an anime dad Edit: I was joking!! I know he never said tgat I just thought it would be a funny thing to say

Earwig reminded me of Angelica from Rugrats. She was an ass to everyone her whole goal was to make everyone do whatever she wanted. There was no character development how she started is how she ended and ultimately she got what she wanted proving being a selfish brat gets you what you want. Poor Custard...

Very fair critique!! This was based on a book that Diana Wynne Jones never got to complete before she passed, and that may be the reason why so many questions are left unanswered. I think that the movie was overall a good time but that it really was a side project/experiment for Ghibli to get into the realm of CGI. It's a short, sweet, made-for-TV movie! In my review, I researched how we got here and dove into Ghibli and Goro's journey to Earwig. It primarily was due to Goro wanting to find a way to have his own voice shine through despite working in a field where his father's shadow looms so large. I think he has a lot of potential as a storyteller if he continues to grow from his films! - Dee

I found the cg to actually be kinda charming. It wasn't perfect, but it still has that kind of childlike and whimsy to it that I love in other Studio Ghibli movies. I hope Goro continues to make movies and doesn't become discouraged. He has so much potential, and sometimes a flop is par for the course on your way to make a masterpiece.

Miyazaki is one of those people I feel both sorry for and want to punch in the face at the same time. Like, I get it, when the man was younger he met a ton of hardships. Now, it feels like he became what he hated and does not seem to understand that and he's taking it out on everyone else, especially his son.

I feel like a lot of people worship studio ghibli as one of the remaining powerhouses for 2d animation to point at and go "see, 2d is so much better and can be so beautiful!" So they felt betrayed when they felt like they lost the studio to 3d

The thing is that during an Interview, Mr.Miayazaki said that He tried computer animation once but found it 'Dull and No good'. He then went on to say that his Son, Goro's is different and that he has a good team for this one. He said it was 'Fun'

Just looking at the difference between "Earwig" and the brief shots of "Lupin" you showed- there's so much more life, contrast, and color in "Lupin". "Earwig"'s characters look like they're in front of their backgrounds, rather than like they might interact with them, or even be in the same world. And the animation shows some of the problems I see in a lot of beginning CG- the characters move between "rest" and "expression", and everything in the movement between them is all about getting them there, without a lot of space for the idiosyncrasies of actual character.

I fully agree. Just got done watching this and I honestly kept expecting some more conflict to spring up between the 12 witches they mentioned earlier in the film and earwig having to use her charm against them to save her mom, or that the reveal of who her mom was would happen sooner and she decides to go find her. There were a million things I kept looking around the corner for and it just never happened. I also wasn’t a fan of Earwigs personality, thinking there’d a be little growth towards the end but nothing of the sort happens. She’s essential the same from beginning to end, just knows some spells now. Very disappointing to say the least.

dude Miyazaki didn't just go "eh" he was visibly and verbally distraught and made several devastating comments about how it was garbage... Miyazaki is a fantastic creator and a horrible person... unfortunately.

It's actually pretty heartbreaking learning the backstory of this movie with Goro and Hayao.

Ngl it’s kinda- like- uncanny looking 😭😭 I would’ve liked it more if it was regular Studio Ghibli style (2-D style)

Tbh I like how the characters look and the artistic approach they took, and feel as if it being 3D could’ve worked much if only Goro just had a bit more support. I understand 2D is just more ingrained in the studio but branching out could “hurt” them (which it kindaaaaa did). I also hope Goro doesn’t get too hurt by this and will continue to try and create movies!

There's a new Studio Ghibli movie: Me: Praise the sweet anime god! Let's see the reviews. It has a 31% on Rotten Tomatoes: *Excuse me what the fuck?*

A few things and miss information in the video/comments: Earwig and the Witch was finished before Diana Wynne Jones died. It was her last completed booked. (Tale of Time city was the one that didnt get finished, just a few chapters shy that her sister finished, and sadly she was working on planning another in the Howl's Moving Castle series) Miyazaki walked out on Goro's Tales of Earthsea for a cigarette, and returned after to finish the movie. He was critical because his son had no animation experience before being allowed to direct a feature film. He also never wanted his son to get into animation/directing like he was doing. [He was filming a documentary at the time that captures all of his thoughts and moods, and yeah he seemed like a tough guy to be around] I also think it also had something to do with his own love of Earthsea as he did art and concepts based on the novels. Miyazaki did have his hand in From Up On Poppy Hill. Maybe too much. Apparently board heads went over Goro and got approval for things from Miyazaki and when he wanted something changed his son didn't want to change, he would go to them to force Goro to change it. It was more of him taking charge on that particular movie. The choice to adapt Earwig, such a short story book was a perplexing choice. They added elements (such as the band and the mother) that were never in the original and they didnt know what to do with them. I agree it was starting to get interesting and then it ended. The book was different in that it didn't bait you with this mother connection. It was just a girl adopted by a witch and demon, and her wanting to learn it so she manipulated her way into doing it, ending on her trying to figure out how to convince her friend from the orphanage to come over. Short and simple. I know your video was short review from last year ( I'm working through your back catalogue), but as I happen to not only love Jones' work, and seen the documentary and did research into this book because the movie perplexed me, I wanted to bring in my two cents.

His dad has put so much of his soul into his movies that there was little love left for Goro.

How I see it is that they tried to make their first experimental 3d animated film. If it was a success, they would continue improving it throughout their career, but if it is not a success, I think they just stop there.

*Questioner:* “What about...your kid?” *Hiyao Miyazaki:* “He’s not an adult yet.” *Me:* “What? Like you’re any better pal. Just sayin’.”

I'm glad that Diana Wynne Jones books are getting turned into movies more, like their amazing but from watching the movies by studio Ghibli that they do miss big parts of the story or change things like *howls moving castle spoiler* like how howls from Wales and how howl and Sophie as characters are a bit different. Sorry for my quick ramble also read Diana Wynne Jones charmed life it's amazing.

God this movie blew hot ass

Who fears that studio Ghibli might end in the list of: "What ruined...?", if they go careless with the studio's legacy since the previous director retired?

Why does this look like a movie you’d see it on Cartoon Network. The 3D looks pretty cheap, wish they kept the 2D style with beautiful backgrounds

I really hope that Ghibli doesn't abandon 2d animation.

This should have been stop-motion, it would fit the aesthetic

I didn’t like the models honestly. Earwigs hair looked like horns and her eyebrows were wonky looking. I don’t think the studio ghibli style goes well with 3D animation.

Man I feel bad for Goro.Even if you tell yourself your parents view on you doesn't matter it still hurts.

In Goro's defense, if you actually take a moment to look at the endings of Studio Ghibli films, they just... end. We're just more aware of it in this film. Also this was intended to be a TV movie.

Disappointed to see it's not the greatest. I was excited to see how Ghibli's style translated to 3d

This looks like a movie that could’ve been amazing but wasn’t

Daddy Issues: The Movie, Based on a True Story

I feel like... the character models look great static, but the movement/art details don’t match the environments and lighting. There’s not enough in comparison

As soon as I saw the trailer for this movie, I just said “meh.” I’m gonna be honest. I don’t come to studio ghibli for 3D animation. I come for the absolutely GORGEOUS 2D animation that just looks magical. Another reason why I love ghibli films is because they make me feel like a little kid, which is something that I can’t really find with many other movies. It wasn’t only the 3D animation that was bad about the movie. The movie did not give me that sense of wonder and magic that a normal ghibli film does. It didn’t have fantastic characters, a soundtrack that gets stuck in my head, or even a good plot. I really hope that studio ghibli can get back to making movies that make me feel nostalgic. If not, there are plenty of classics that I can come back to and rewatch all over again! That being said, this movie *was* better than I thought it would be, but it was still missing the studio ghibli magic.

I actually liked this movie, I thought the mandrake was a cool ass character. I agree that it doesn't look amazing but that's not all that matters. It actually made me nostalgic because it reminded me of Scary Godmother

3d animation is expected to be on Pixar level for granted these days. I don't know why they wouldn't use their 2d lable.

After that explanation with his dad, no wonder he's having a hard time. That's just awful :(

I really feel bad for Goro :( I know he’s doing his best but his dad is a douche. At the very least he could mentor him. But Hayao just doesn’t want to help at all :(

She didnt even say goodbye to her best friend in the orphanage!!

There was concept art from the art book I saw somewhere where Mandrake was chasing Bella and Erika around in some sort of maze stairwell. I would have loved to see it in the movie. It literally gave me Ghibli vibes.

'Those who call themselves 'Otaku', they disgust me deeply.' -Miyazaki Hayao