Tales from Earthsea - The Power of a Name 

THIS VIDEO IS A RE-UPLOAD: The Tales from Earthsea video was taken down a couple of months ago thanks to a copyright claim. I've since reworked the video and removed the offending content.

Hayao puts a complaining child in all his films, Goro puts a dead dad, either by patricide or boat bombing.

I have seen Earthsea, and it is a beautiful film, and long and at times confusing. It reminded me of Nausica. In the end I enjoyed it. But hearing the abuse Miayzaki put his son through was sad. I am glad that his son did not stop making films. Poppy Hill was excellent and it shows that if a parent gives a child some room to be their own person their talent blossoms. This is the third video essay I have watched from you in two days. I find your critique on the anime genre refreshing. Most reviewers confuse critique with negative views, which is so boorish. I appreciate well rounded and ground views. Thank you.

Hayao is to blame for the movie not being a better story by not helping Goro in it's direction. After wanting the rights for so long to just ignore the production was a stupid thing to do by Hayao. From Up on Poppy Hill shows what Goro was really capable of doing without hindrances.

Hayao sounds like the personified meme "high expectations asian father".

This is my favourite Ghibli movie. It gives me a sense of calm like no other, no matter what anyone says. It's also what got me to know the Earthsea books.

This movie wasn't a flop, like at all. It was just the Ghibli film that has earned the least. Making 20 million dollars profit from the box office is a success for most films; plus the additional money made from the home media release. Man, I'd love to make a mere 20 million dollar profit, and have that be the closest I come to failing.

I think Tales of Earthsea is too big and complex to be reduced to a single movie. Miyazaki the Younger should never have been given such a difficult task for his first production. And Earthsea should have been adapted as a single story from the series rather than a compilation of vignettes from all the books. He was much better on "Poppy Hill" and "Ronja" was brilliant. I think he has a great career ahead of him.

Why didn't Hayao Miyazaki wait until he finished Howl's moving caster before starting Tales from Earthsea if it was his dream to adapt it?

I loved Tales from Earthsea it was by far my favorite ghibli movie, i actually had no idea anyone disliked it

“Long live the king, indeed”, Love that line

I love actually how quiet and slow the movie is. Lets me breathe and immerse in this particular world. Such an atypical sentiment I've never experienced in another movie outside of Goro's works.

I do truly believe that this film should’ve gotten far higher praise than it did.

Even being not as good as other Ghibli features, it is still way better than some "popular" western animations

"Say my name, so my powers may flow through you."

In a way, the removal of this video was a blessing, because that way, through the new upload I discovered your wonderful video. Thank you so much for saying such positive things about Gedo Senki ♥ I adore the movie, despite what everyone says. It was also what got me curious about the novels it was inspired by and this year I finally got to read them all and fell in love with the world of Earthsea. While reading them, I also recognized many things I had previously seen in the anime and it was a joy to get to know Ged even better.

wait people didnt like this one? It was always one of my favorites

"He should never make a movie again" yeah right... he has probably made the best series about friendship and nature ever made into an eastern animation in recent years, Ronja was perfect, it is probably a new thing as well. Honestly I liked the Tales from Earthsea, it was a little rough around the edges but it was really well done. Gedo has that, more direct and honest, dense and on point feel to his movies while his father takes the other route of being more "magical" and "in the moment" by fully utilizing the medium of animation. The only issue with Gedo's works thus far was exactly that, he did not fully utilize his tools to express the story dynamically and that was the only reason he did not get awarded over his father's work. He simply did not make what most people would want to see, he instead created what he wanted to express through a movie and that is what art is actually for, expressing inner and outer worlds with the help if a tool or medium. His work is actually really good, watched and read Ronja's other adaptations and Gedo's is actually the one that stands out and has the most "spirit" in it, so much so that I wouldnt really mind the 3D aspects of it, they are well done, I would appreciate more frames per second when it comes to 3D work though regardless. So far, all I can say for Gedo's work is that it is... different, its grounded and actually in a good way I would say.

I actually liked the movie. I've never read the books but always wanted to. But kind of ironic that Hayao didn't like the way Goro adapted the story, when you look at Howl's moving castle that Hayao made, which only contains 2/10th of the original story. He also totally changed most of the characters from the story. The only one in the film that is mostly like the character in the books is Sophie. The rest has been completely changed or removed. Still a great movie, but it is as far from the real book by Diana Wynne Jones as it possibly can get. ***Slight spoilers*** The castle is an *actual* castle made from dark/black stones but magically shifts places, Calcifer is blueish green and scary looking (like he does when they change the interior of the house in the film), Michael/Markl, is not a child but a teenage boy, Sophie has 2 sisters, not only one (and they are both way more involved in the story in the books), Howl is not what he seems like (but he is not a bird beast like in the movie), Sophie can do magic, there is *NOT* a war between kingdoms, Sophie's stepmother is actually a nice lady, not a backstapper, the Wizard Suliman is a MAN, named BEN Suliman and he has gone missing in the beginning of the book, The Witch of the Waste is actually like pure evil and scary and does not turn into a lovable old lady. And a ton of other stuff. The book is actually really really great and is the first book of a trilogy called The Castle Series/The Howl Series; Howl's Moving Castle, Castle in the Air, and House of Many ways. Personally I don't like the second book much, but Howl's Moving Castle and House of Many Ways are amazing.

It's a Christmas Copyright miracle

I always had a strange fondness for this film, even if its flaws were very clear to me: As someone unfamiliar with the novels, I failed to see a set plot in the film, just events that didn't make sense. It got drawn-out, sometimes. Clearly too condensed, in others. But I still had this inexplicable warmth for it, despite the panning reception everywhere; and as you bring up with "Poppy Hill" and "Ronja", Miyazaki jr. went on to prove that it there's more to his skills than the name of his father. Thank you for this lovely video.

Just like his father's first movie (Castle of Cagliostro), Tales from Earthsea was actually really damn good and deserves much more credit.

I went into the movie without knowing the books, when i saw the main cover i expected to see the dragon many times, not just at the ending. Still liked the movie because of the dark twist with the prince and the sword. Still think many people were like me and excepting something different.

Tales af Earthsea, despite its faults, will always held a special place in my heart for being the first movie that introduced me to the wonderful world of Studio Ghibli.

To be honest, I really like the overall visual aspect of this particular Ghibli film. The vast landscapes and the athmosphere connected to them are captured very well in my opinon. Stunningly beautiful at times. The soundtrack with its Galician folk influences - thanks to Carlos Núñez Muñoz - and its partial Norwegian (Hardanger fiddle) and Irish folk influences makes for a very beautiful mix of different styles that are amalgamated into something that goes together very well. It's one of Ghibli's best soundtracks. My main criticism with this movie is the fact that it's full of big plotholes and a ton of unexplained stuff. I've never read the novels, so I was quite confused when I watched it for the first time since the characters' motivations aren't fully developed at all.

Adapting a well loved book into a movie has always been one of the most challenging things to do in movie-making, no less condensing a whole series into a single movie. Lord of the Rings got 3 movies out of 3 books and was still super condensed. I don't understand why they would put such a daunting task on a person who has never directed a film before. That said, the movie was truly confusing and tiring to watch. I'm glad Goro didn't stop directing though. From up on Poppy Hill was a fantastic movie.

I'm so glad you re-uploaded this, on Christmas no less! This video holds a special place in my heart, and I'm so excited for what next year will bring for this channel

I am delighted to hear that there's such an Earthsea fandom in Japan; these stories are indeed a gift, and an exquisitely beautiful gift. I grew up as a child in the 1970's, and read the first three books of the Earthsea cycle then. Eventually, Tolkien's work cemented my love for epic fantasy, but it was Ursula K. Le Guin that lit that fire first. Some of my own creativity was directly influenced by her work. I think Ursula K. Le Guin summed it up best in saying it was his movie, and not her books. I really need to see this thing in its entirety, but I was very unimpressed with the 'Sy-Fy' movie. The problem as I see it, is that whenever this saga gets tackled in media, everyone does THEIR version of Earthsea...they do NOT do Ursula K. Le Guin's version of Earthsea. As an author, I hold her in very heavy reverence alongside Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Lewis Carroll, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, and Lovecraft. You are NOT going to show anyone her characters and worlds better than she did. And there is of course also the issue of whitewashing the characters, which the Sy-Fy version also did. Earthsea deserves a wholly faithful big screen adaptation. It would be several movies, obviously, but we got our homage out for Tolkien, Carroll, Lewis, Burroughs post-2000. This can happen for Earthsea as well.

When I was younger, I loved this movie so much that I performed Teru's song in my school talent show. Tales From Earthsea remains one of my favourite movies and stories. Now I must read the boookss.

Just watched the film yesterday, and remembered seeing this video in my recommended. It was very well done. I learned a lot of new things, and felt a lot of emotion. Thank you.

I am so glad you re-uploaded! This critique actually inspired me to buy and read the whole Earthsea series. I am very glad I did! You made me rethink my opinion about the film as well, since after reading the series and this critique, rewatching the movie is much much better. It is like day and night!

To know a things name is to have complete understanding of that thing, and to know a persons name gives you power over them and there are those who know when theyre names a spoken and will not be happy that you know them, The KingKiller found that out the hard way

I am glad im not the only one who thought that this film was actually pretty cool, I really liked it

Tales of Earthsea was one of the best anime I've ever watched. It was also very nice that the director made his own adaptation. Even though I love faithful adaptations, it was also nice to see parts and scenes of a book I read in that atmosphere. Thanks for everything Studio Ghibli. We love all off you.

I have gradually been working through your back catalogue. Thank you for giving me a new appreciation for this film. And, your voice is made for documentaries and other wonderful visual essays, so thank you for writing and sharing these brilliant videos. You are one of a kind!

As someone who hasn’t seen any other Ghibli films, this is my favorite animated movie, mostly because of the mix between the dark themes and the calm, uplifting aesthetic, and I don’t really care about faithfulness to the books because I’ve never even heard of them

This might be a weaker Ghibli movie, but still, some of the stuff is really good. It is definitely a huge project and big responsibility for a debut works. I like Poppy Hill and thought that it is as good as many other Ghibli movies. I'm not sure what Goro is doing right now but would definitely love to see more of his works in future.

Wonderful! Thankyou for sharing this heartfelt video. I love Earth sea, and admire its struggle! It gives a picture of life with all its diversity. It is long, yes! But it has alot to say, and to teach us. Endurance, courage falling down! But more importantly getting back up! Dark in parts, but life in general is light and darkness and learning to overcome one's demons. Thank you once again for your download, much appreciated. Moira From England.

Terrific breakdown! I honestly scratched my head at parts of this movie, but you filled in a bunch of gaps for me!

this feels like a christmas gift and i want to thank you for making such amazing content! Keep up the good work

Your narrative voice has a really calming effect. You got a new sub. Keep it up, mate.

It was really nice seeing this video again. A good friend of mine who read the series as a kid was one of those disappointed people when the movie finally came out in the states. I saw it as well having never read or even knew anything about Earthsea before hand and found while it's pacing and content was a bit odd/flawed it was still pretty good despite it's flaws. I'm going to be listening to the first book on Audible soon as I've been meaning to listen/read this series for awhile now after watching the Ghibli movie. Keep up the great work! I look forward to the Bebop episode.

I've always liked the movie, maybe because I first saw it as a young child, but it still is a great movie imo

Thank you! I’m tired of not seeing this in any lists or seeing a lot of unappreciated for it I’m glad to see that someone feels the same way I do

The critics are insane. Tales of earthsea is one of my favourite studio ghibli movies.

Watched this on tv a very long time back and even though i was too young to understand it, it gave me a unique and indescribable sense of serenity and calm. For some reason, it tugged at my heartstrings and gave me goosebumps all over. Back then, I didn’t know the name but still remembered the movie deeply. When I rediscovered it years later by pure chance, it gave me a great sense of nostalgia and feels. Honestly a beautiful ghibli animation which will always hold a special place in my heart, regardless of the negative reviews. A failed project maybe, but in my eyes, a spectacular, breathtaking piece which introduced me to the world of ghibli.

your channel is pure gold! glad i found it!

I liked Tales from Earthsea and I feel that Poppy Hill and Ronja the Robber's Daughter are just great. I hope Goro continues on with animation.

Earthsea is so good. I loved it from start to finish, and one of the best Ghibli films. I have to say I don't really like Miyazaki as a person, he seems like a very harsh, and angry person, but I do like his ability to make a film.

What a beautiful video! I started reading Ursula’s books a little while after she passed (the books I sometimes read in my studies of the Yurok language were written by I think her grandfather or father, and that reminded me that I had Voices on the shelf, so I read it and fell in love). I have yet to read the Earthsea series, but knowing how I love Ursula’s writing style and looking at what snippets of the plot I’ve gleaned from this video, I’m determined to get this series on my shelf too.

Thank you for this re-upload, i was around for the original upload, and i'll re-like this video as i have done for the original.

I am a fan of this channel, the way, the voice in which the visions are enthralled in its videos.... and How beautifully the glory of anime and its contributions are highlighted . I pay my respect and Pranam to the creator.

Thanks for editing and reposting the video “you” made. Because you did, I’m going to buy this movie and greatly appreciate it. Probably after I let my medically diagnosed depressed friend watch it. My friend Matta, who is living with depression, he praised me for buying and letting another coworker borrow “A Silent Voice” I hope he enjoys this and I know I will. I like from this video how both the father director and the writer of this story both say that the movie was not perfect but it was a good “Movie” my favorite quote is from the writer. True our demons can’t be cast away by a meer wave of a sword. Also the father, how much must have been crammed into the film demanding you attention when the audience my struggle to relate. I can’t wait...

Reviews such as this are rare. Although I have not seen the film, this review led me to wstch it on netflix. Thanks again for such an in-depth review. Looking forward to more from you.

I've been lokking for this music for months. Then you go and talk over it. Thanks. That really helps.

This film scared me shitless when I first watched it at 10, I still have difficulties even thinking about it, especially the part about the drugs and the end when the witch/wizard (depends on the traduction) transfigures . Thanks for the vid, it was interesting, but I hate you for the awakened trauma it brought

I love Studio Ghibli and I never knew Wizard of Earthsea was a Ghibli movie. Waaaaaaat

Well summarized! Merry Christmas you bad boy!

That last line about goro's experience vs. his fathers got me genuinely misty eyed. what a beautiful sentiment.

I am watching this movie in parts because I don't want it to end, this was a major undertaking for Goro and he made of it a beautiful movie worth of praise and recognition without a doubt but is hard to live under such giant like Hayao, I wish Goro keeps doing more movies this one is just amazing.

wow really incredible video. amazing to see content of this quality on youtube

please make more content, absolutely love your voice! and all those anime that you bring up

thank you for making this video.

Thank you for the great analysis and commentary.

I actually really enjoyed this movie, and I think that Goro did an awesome job with no prior experience. I actually wrote a paper on this while studying animation in school talking about the strain we animators put on ourselves and in return the strain that gets put ON us from the public eye. And although it wasn't a perfect movie, it was by no means the worst.

your vids are so good, youtube doesnt deserve them x

Love your channel, thanks for the upload!

Ged is a beast. In the book he 1. performs ancient magic he has no business even knowing about 2. builds himself a boat from scratch 3. Learns the true name of an ancient Dragon; as well as himself - whom he defeats. Oh; and I left out the part where he single-handedly defeats a raiding band of marauders; by using magic prior to really knowing any.

I just finished watching The Tales of Earthsea along with my sister. It was a childhood film I really loved and watched when I was a kid, I could particularly remember hearing Therru's song on those green pastures and I haven't really understood the film in full depth as I was just a little kid who enjoyed watching cartoons but this movie...it seems to have made its way through me even now. Now that I've grown and watched it again, I can quite grasp the meaning if not the tale of the movie, yes some pieces I still couldn't make out of but I figured it was better left as it is or maybe by reading Ms. Le Guin's books could I fully understand the story, but all in all I loved watching it again and it brought tears to my eyes, remembering those nostalgic memories. I would like to give my thanks because while watching this, I could be enlightened on why this movie needs to be given a second chance and reading critics or articles about didn't settle well with me, I want to be told and explained what happened to this movie. This as well brought tears to my eyes. It expresses what truly needs to be heard about The Tales of Earthsea.

how do you manage to give me goosebumps with every video?

I liked Tales from Earthsea in spite of itself and I LOVED the music. The music alone was made the film worthwhile and Theru's song, sung by Miss Aoi Teshima, broke my heart in all the right ways. I like the movie and bought it on blu-ray as soon as it was released. I watch it at least once a year.

Once again- an excellent video essay on a great ghibli film

Tales from earthsea is one of my favourite films, for me is always spoken to finding the joy in the simple things. It’s a calming, beautiful film. I think it’s a film that is very raw and people can take what they want from it. I always take find metaphors for depression in it.

While I wasn't the biggest fan of this movie, this video gave me some insight into its development and made me appreciate the movie more. I appreciate this video very much, thank you.

I saw your earlier iteration before it was removed by youtube. So, I thought I had a deja vu when viewing this one. Although... I thought there was something different about. Now I know. The first video was a little more dreamy, though. Great voice, great content!

I read the books when I was a teen. Today Im 35 years old and when I saw the movie I was frustrated. But your video showed me that I have to give the movie and Goro a second chance. Thanks for this lovely review. And one thing. You have a great voice-

I really loved this movie but the ending did feel rushed. This video helped me appreciate this film even more. Keep up the incredible work

One of my favorites. Worth watching again. 🙏

I am torn. I wish to like this video for what it is, yet its author explains that liking it supports the opinion that it should not have been remade. So, in order to explain my like, I suppose I will write this comment. Really well made video! You present a clear understanding of the field you are working with, as well as a well educated argument to the various points of the video as you have created it. While many of the characters seem familiar to me, I do not believe that I have ever watched "Earthsea" (yet), but I am very intrigued by its concept after having heard your review of it. Keep working hard producing these videos! You are clearly skilled in this field!

I was wondering where this went! Just started reading the Tales from Earthsea series. Great series, great video, great movie.

I don't care if this a re-upload, I'm watching it all again!

This was the first of your videos I have seen. I saw the movie a week ago (Spanish dubbed because of my parents), I had heard a bit about it years ago but somehow I was still ignorant of its bad reputation. I have not read LeGuin's books, but I enjoyed it thoroughly, yes there was stuff that made little sense to me, but it didn't made it feel a bad movie or anything (Princess Mononoke feels longer). There are many staples of fantasy that we all know, but they are all rarely portrayed all together on visual media and this one of the few ocassions when they are well portrayed. Now, I'm genuinely in love with your channel and the movie as well.

Thank you for this. I always had a soft spot for Goro's Earthsea, but would have trouble defending it to others. It obviously has its faults, but there are scenes that I really love in this movie.

i looooved the books when i was younger, did not know this existed thank you!

Thank you for sharing this with us

I remember this being my only favorite movie as a child, the songs, scenes, and even the name brings back lost pieces of my childhood. I understand the plot even though it wasn't really explained well, and I doubt this movie wouldn't have many doubtful audiences if they added more details to the plot.

Next to the anime, I wholeheartedly recommend reading the original work by Le Guin. It's an exquisite read. Sadly, the anime parted heavily from the novels, and Le Guin was not very happy about it, although she acknowledged the movie as a good movie. But it is not her novel. More on her response: www.ursulakleguin.com/GedoSenkiResponse.html All in all, she's basically the pioneer of sci-fi and fantasy genres as we know them today.

this movie was my childhood, i vaguely remembered it until i heard a song from it its a very underrated movie because it may not seem to make sense but it did to me somehow, idk how to explain it

I never read the books, despite that, I understood and loved the movie. I thought it carried some very important and interesting themes and I'm happy I watched it. I loved it! Thanks for the insight in its production!

This video got me to buy the whole series. Just finished the first book and I love it!

An anime feature based on an American novel. I'm having trouble recalling another example of that.

I love Tales from Earthsea💙 it’s one I revisit often and it’s one my boyfriend and I watch together at least once a year. I always tear up when Therru sings her song. I’ve still never watched it in Japanese so I’ll try that on my next viewing. This film also encouraged us to read Le Guin’s books and they didn’t disappoint. So different from the film yet both very much loved in our house. Both helped us through difficult times💚

I saw Tales of Earth Sea many years ago when it was published and as many of Hayao's works I think it takes several revisits and the pass of time for it to develop in our minds, I think the movie's legacy will get richer with time, Goro is not his father, but he is himself, and I can appreciate that and still want to see more of it.

I think more people need to do what I do. upon crossing the precipice, banish all expectations, throw out all hopes, break down all barriers, and leave yourself unguarded of both body and soul. because if you don't, you risk nothing and everything all at once. you risk being unaffected by the film, and it not having the impact on your fate you need it to have, irrevocable and entirely unnoticed until your later years. Too many people go into a movie with expectations and so they ruin it for themselves before they've even sat down to watch it. We must all learn to appreciate a film on its own merits as if it existed in a vacuum of isolation, alone. This is the reason so many directors make the choices they do.

Thank you for uploading and even re-uploading to get the content on RU-vid. I need it because I’m so confused after my first watch today. From the film: Story-telling wise, it isn’t good like you say weather or not you have read the books. Landscapes are magnificent and now I understand why. Beautiful and touching moments appear in the film too. However, theme doesn’t get introduced or elaborated enough although Goro really commits to it. It still makes sense to me and I can understand that it is difficult to compress such a deep concept. From human’s view: It’s natural to have expectations as audience, author, father and filmmaker but seems unfair to expect high bar from someone who has limited experience in the field. We can be more gentle. It would be nice, wouldn’t it?

Good work...gonna watch it!!!

I like the idea of taking movies as they are rather than as we want them to be. “It’s not my book, it’s your movie. It’s a good movie.”

This channel is so fucking underrated, its stunning.

For myself, I found 'Tales of Earthsea' very beautiful - I'd managed to read 'Shuna no Tabi' shortly before I had seen it, and therefore found the inclusion of its components (which also appear in 'Mononoke Hime') very poignant. There's a line of dialog which continues to haunt me, an admonishment by Ged to the antagonist *"What you are trying to do is impossible ! You are attempting to preserve a single wave on the face of the ocean"* I've got nothing but the highest regard for the film, and its story as told.

It's about humanity itself. Humanity reached a point where we lost the essence of being human and our connection to existence. Fear brought us to this point. To deny death is to deny life. Life and death is one. Once we are aware that we will die someday, we will treat every moment of this life preciously. It's more than just a name.