Studio Ponoc’s debut animated film Mary and The Witch’s Flower promises high with Studio Ghibli marks all over. The first English language trailer of the film released recently shows glimpses of Ghibli’s magic that we have experienced over the years.
Based on British author Mary Stewart’s 1971 children’s book ‘The Little Broomstick,’ Mary and The Witch’s Flower is the creation of two Ghibli alumnus: producer Yoshiaki Nishimura and director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who together founded Studio Ponoc.
The film is already released in Japan last July but the English language trailer has created a lot of buzz among animated movie lovers who find this very much a Ghibli production. Other than the visual style and storytelling practice, Mary and The Witch’s Flower also somehow resembles Hayao Miyazaki-directed Kiki’s Delivery Service which also tells the story of a broom-riding little girl.
Both the director and producer have long experience in Studio Ghibli production, who also worked together in the Oscar-nominated Ghibli film When Marnie Was There (2015). Therefore, it is no surprise that they would bring similar sensibilities to storytelling.
Watch the movie trailer for ‘Mary and The Witch’s Flower’
The film follows the titular character Mary who discovers a strange blooming flower that holds magical power and brings a broomstick to life. The stick then whisks her away over the clouds to a strange and secret place where she finds a school of magic.
As Mary enters the magic school, despite having no knowledge of magic she demonstrates promising abilities. She, however, discovers that all is not well in the school as there have been strange experiments taking place behind closed doors. She now has to come face to face with some great challenges and a life-changing choice.
UPDATE: Mary and the Witch’s Flower is currently available for streaming, renting, or buying on multiple platforms. Please check your favorite video service. Depending on the country you’re located in, you may be able to stream it on Netflix or buy/rent it on Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies, Vudu, FandangoNOW, etc.
Where to watch "Mary and The Witch's Flower" (2017)
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