Earwig and the Witch
アーヤと魔女
Earwig and the Witch
アーヤと魔女
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
1/5
Mild
Fear
3/5
Notable tension
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
Earwig and the Witch is a Studio Ghibli animated film directed by Gorô Miyazaki, based on a novel by Diana Wynne Jones, set in 1990s England with a tone that blends fantasy and a distinctly dark, offbeat atmosphere. The film features elements of dark magic, a forceful and intimidating adult figure (Bella Yaga) who deliberately exploits a 10-year-old child as a domestic servant, and a short-tempered male character (Mandrake) whose angry outbursts create persistent tension, even if he never physically harms Earwig. The locked house, magical punishment through worms, and the exhausting forced servitude imposed on the protagonist without her consent form a pattern of psychological pressure and exploitation that may unsettle sensitive younger viewers. Parents can approach this film with children aged 9 and older, being ready to discuss themes of standing up against injustice and the idea that an unfair situation does not have to be permanent, all framed within a fantastical, distancing narrative universe.
Synopsis
A headstrong orphan discovers a world of spells and potions while living with a selfish witch.
Difficult scenes
Shortly after arriving at the sorcerers' home, Earwig learns that Bella Yaga adopted her not out of affection but solely to have 'an extra pair of hands'. This cold and unambiguous revelation, set in a dark and enclosed environment, may disturb children who identify with Earwig, particularly younger viewers who are not yet equipped to understand that such a malevolent adult figure can be outwitted by a resourceful child. Mandrake, the imposing male figure of the household, is prone to sudden and dramatic fits of anger. Although he never physically harms Earwig, his explosive outbursts and intimidating presence at the dinner table and in the hallways create genuine tension that may frighten or unsettle sensitive children, especially those accustomed to kind adult figures in animated films. Bella Yaga retaliates against Earwig by sending magical worms into her bedroom. This scene is visually unpleasant and may cause feelings of disgust or fear in younger children or those particularly averse to crawling creatures. All exits of the house are magically sealed by Mandrake, trapping Earwig against her will. This situation of forced confinement, with no caring adult to appeal to, may trigger anxieties around entrapment or abandonment in younger or more sensitive viewers.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
Availability checked on Apr 01, 2026
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 2021
- Runtime
- 1h 22m
- Countries
- Japan
- Original language
- JA
- Directed by
- Goro Miyazaki
- Main cast
- Kokoro Hirasawa, Shinobu Terajima, Gaku Hamada, Sherina Munaf, Etsushi Toyokawa, Yuji Ueda
- Studios
- Studio Ghibli, NHK, NHK Enterprises
Content barometer
Violence
1/5
Mild
Fear
3/5
Notable tension
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
Earwig and the Witch is a Studio Ghibli animated film directed by Gorô Miyazaki, based on a novel by Diana Wynne Jones, set in 1990s England with a tone that blends fantasy and a distinctly dark, offbeat atmosphere. The film features elements of dark magic, a forceful and intimidating adult figure (Bella Yaga) who deliberately exploits a 10-year-old child as a domestic servant, and a short-tempered male character (Mandrake) whose angry outbursts create persistent tension, even if he never physically harms Earwig. The locked house, magical punishment through worms, and the exhausting forced servitude imposed on the protagonist without her consent form a pattern of psychological pressure and exploitation that may unsettle sensitive younger viewers. Parents can approach this film with children aged 9 and older, being ready to discuss themes of standing up against injustice and the idea that an unfair situation does not have to be permanent, all framed within a fantastical, distancing narrative universe.
Synopsis
A headstrong orphan discovers a world of spells and potions while living with a selfish witch.
Difficult scenes
Shortly after arriving at the sorcerers' home, Earwig learns that Bella Yaga adopted her not out of affection but solely to have 'an extra pair of hands'. This cold and unambiguous revelation, set in a dark and enclosed environment, may disturb children who identify with Earwig, particularly younger viewers who are not yet equipped to understand that such a malevolent adult figure can be outwitted by a resourceful child. Mandrake, the imposing male figure of the household, is prone to sudden and dramatic fits of anger. Although he never physically harms Earwig, his explosive outbursts and intimidating presence at the dinner table and in the hallways create genuine tension that may frighten or unsettle sensitive children, especially those accustomed to kind adult figures in animated films. Bella Yaga retaliates against Earwig by sending magical worms into her bedroom. This scene is visually unpleasant and may cause feelings of disgust or fear in younger children or those particularly averse to crawling creatures. All exits of the house are magically sealed by Mandrake, trapping Earwig against her will. This situation of forced confinement, with no caring adult to appeal to, may trigger anxieties around entrapment or abandonment in younger or more sensitive viewers.