Here’s a Look at Studio Ghibli’s First 3D Animated Feature Film Aya and the Witch

Studio Ghibli will debut its first 3D CG-animated feature film, Aya and the Witch  later, this year in Japan. We just got a first look at the film with seven new screenshots featuring Aya and other characters. [Thanks, Natalie.]

First, here’s a look at the key visual for Aya and the Witch:

Aya and the Witch is titled Aya to Majo in Japan. The film is based on the 2011 children’s book Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones, who also wrote the 1986 novel Howl’s Moving Castle which was adapted into the 2004 animated film by Studio Ghibli.

The film was overseen by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by his son Goro Miyazaki. Other staff noted include Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki as the producer and Joe Hisaishi as the composer.

Screenshots

Check out the new images for Aya and the Witch below:

Aya and the Witch was originally expected to make its debut at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, which was canceled due to the pandemic. The 3D CG animated film will instead make its premiere on NHK TV this winter in Japan.

Here’s a comment from director Goro Miyazaki:

“Today, in our country, there are so many adults and very few children.

It must be difficult for children these days, with very few of them and so many adults to deal with.

That’s what I was thinking about when the idea of Aya came to mind.

Then, I thought ‘I see, we can do that!’

How will Aya take care of the bothersome adults?

Watch Aya and the Witch to find out!

I hope from the bottom of my heart to see the cute and wicked Aya bring courage to children and cheer up the adults out there.”

A release date for Aya and the Witch was not confirmed outside of Japan. Studio Ghibli brought its films to the global audience via Netflix earlier this year and more recently HBO Max for the United States.