Studio Ghibli Shared First Looks At Its First CGI Movie, ‘Aya And The Witch’ And Fans Have Mixed Feelings

Main image via Twitter

Studio Ghibli fans, we’ve got news for you!

A new project from the studio is on the way but this time around, the studio has decided on a whole new approach.

via GIPHY

Instead of the iconic hand-drawn anime that fans love, Studio Ghibli will be introducing its first ever CGI feature length movie with Aya and the Witch.  

Image via It’s Nice That

Goro Miyazaki’s CG film Aya and the Witch adapts the story of Earwig and the Witch and uses three-dimensional computer graphics versus the standard two-dimensional art that the studio is renowned for.

Image via Dazed

For those who are unfamiliar with the novel Earwig and the Witch, by the late Dianna Wynne Jones, the story centres around Earwig, an orphan girl who has lived at St. Morwald’s Home for Children since she was a baby.

Everything changes when Earwig is adopted by a mysterious woman named Bella Yaga, who turns out to be a terrible witch and brings the young girl to live in her home of supernatural trinkets. Earwig must use her wits to survive in her new magical surroundings with help from a talking cat.

Image via Happy Mag

First looks at the upcoming movie have already hit the internet and fans all over have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the new project. Some fans love the new approach and can’t wait to see the full movie, but others are totally opposed to the idea and are even asking for things to return to the 2D world.

The first few images from the new Studio Ghibli film Aya and the Witch have been released. Studio Ghibli's first CG film really looks gorgeous! pic.twitter.com/AY3RneOAsQ

— Animated Antic (🎂 BIRTHDAY TODAY 🎂) (@Animated_Antic) June 19, 2020

I’ve been wanting to say this but Ghibli's classic animation has always remained a breath of fresh air not until Aya and the Witch. I know artists want to explore and reinvent their craft but this is just me- I still prefer the 2D animation. This feels strange and uncomfortable.

— reighn 🌧 (@reighnism) June 24, 2020

FIRST LOOK: Studio Ghibli’s AYA AND THE WITCH

I can’t lie — this breaks my heart.

Part of the charm of Studio Ghibli is their breathtaking hand-drawn animations. Their insistence on still doing things the old way is what set them apart from other studios.

This is just... 🤮 pic.twitter.com/i9ZotQ20ox

— Antony Brown (@GoBrownRanger) June 23, 2020

so who has seen the first look for the new ghibli movie aya and the witch for me it does not have that ghibli vibes/feels because it looks like it will be cg-animated but i will still watch it

— 𝖉𝖆𝖊||follow limit! (@osamuzaii) June 23, 2020

so this is the Studio Ghibli's Upcoming CG Movie ‘Aya and the Witch’
it looks promising 🤩 pic.twitter.com/9PRz9i5P8v

— („• ֊ •„) (@horleeq) June 19, 2020

well I'm excited for Aya to Majo (Aya and the Witch) https://t.co/vlzT2aGybv pic.twitter.com/oqi3KU9YMB

— Bree Paulsen 🖤🖤🖤 (@breebird33) June 19, 2020

I've just found stills from Ghibli's upcoming film "Aya and the witch". I'm feeling much less nervous about the 3D animation, but not sure how I feel about the Mandrake's design. pic.twitter.com/1pSIbxkjep

— jambareeqi | black lives matter (@Jambareeqi) June 20, 2020

BTW it should be noted Studio Ghibli dropped the first images from their _Earwig and the Witch_ adaptation and this is one of them and oh man am I ever here for this. https://t.co/s3FY5Uutrj pic.twitter.com/R0oVPiNnPr

— Ned Raggett (@NedRaggett) June 21, 2020

One screen from the new Studio Ghibli "Earwig and the Witch" 3DCG animated movie by Goro Miyazaki.
And it's looks weird especially the main character's face, so unsettling ... pic.twitter.com/DUthu47HyQ

— Lumen (@LumenExLumen) June 20, 2020

Earwig and The Witch was one of my FAVOURITE books as a kid, and I am so EXCITED for Studio Ghibli to adapt it. The CG looks so stylised and unique, and I can recognise characters from the book already. I'm looking forward to it beyond anything else!!

— Stella👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩Marie (@StardustMacaron) June 20, 2020

This is Earwig and the Witch!!!

Another ghibli adaption of a DWJ book! I am so stoked! And these stills look GORGEOUS. https://t.co/hVSPc5YpZz

— Eve Hewett🍞 (@Evelyn_Hewett) June 19, 2020

Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki has been overseeing the adaptation’s “planning” but his son, Goro has taken on the director’s role on this project.

The upcoming 3D movie is expected to premiere on Japan’s NHK in the coming winter (December 2020 – February 2021) but no word yet on when the movie will be available internationally – we’ll keep you updated.

Although Aya and the Witch will be a departure from Studio Ghibli’s normal, we’re definitely here for it!

What are your thoughts on the upcoming CGI-based movie? Let us know!

Info via Comic Book + IGN