Studio Ghiblis Aya and the Witch was released in 2020 and managed to attract a large fanbase. Will there be a second part?
In 2020, the legendary Studio Ghibli released Aya and the Witch, a unique anime film that stood out from the studio’s usual works. Unlike the traditional, hand-drawn masterpieces Ghibli is known for, this film was created entirely with computer animation. Despite mixed reviews, the film managed to win over many viewers and gained a loyal fanbase.
A Ghibli Film with a New Look
Directed by Gorō Miyazaki, the son of the renowned Hayao Miyazaki, Aya and the Witch is based on the children’s book Earwig and the Witch by British author Diana Wynne Jones. The film first aired on Japanese television at the end of 2020 and is available on Netflix in several countries.
The story centers around Aya, a clever orphan girl who is adopted by the witch Bella Yaga and her mysterious companion Mandrake. At first, Aya helps Bella in hopes of learning magic. But when she realizes the witch isn’t keeping her promises, Aya begins to secretly develop her own magical tricks to change the balance of power.
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Will Aya and the Witch 2 Ever Happen?
Financially, the film didn’t perform as well as other Ghibli titles. According to the Japanese film magazine Kinema Junpo, Aya and the Witch grossed around 2.2 million US dollars. For comparison, The Boy and the Heron (2023) brought in over 294 million dollars worldwide.
Whether there will ever be a sequel remains uncertain. Neither Studio Ghibli nor Gorō Miyazaki has announced any plans for Aya and the Witch 2. Given the lukewarm critical reception, fans should probably keep their expectations in check – even if hope is the last thing to die.