Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be honest: this is the Ghibli film that even Ghibli fans pretend doesn't exist. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki's son Goro (in his directorial debut, and it shows), Tales from Earthsea takes Ursula K. Le Guin's brilliant fantasy series and turns it into a confused, plodding mess. The 36% audience score isn't a fluke—it's genuinely hard to follow, tonally inconsistent, and lacks the magic that makes other Ghibli films rewatchable.

The dark psychological elements (a teen prince with a violent split personality being manipulated by a witch) are heavier than typical family animation, but without the narrative skill to make them meaningful. It's not scary enough to be a good dark fantasy, not clear enough to be good storytelling, and not fun enough to be good entertainment.

If your kid is obsessed with Studio Ghibli and wants to watch everything, fine—but set expectations low. Otherwise, literally any other Ghibli film is a better use of your time. Even Le Guin herself wasn't a fan of this adaptation, and when the author disowns your movie, that's saying something.

Age Fit

Best for 12-14 year olds who are specifically interested in fantasy anime or completing their Ghibli collection. Younger kids will be confused and possibly disturbed; older teens will find it boring and poorly executed.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

45

The protagonist has a 'severe dark side' with 'hatred, ruthlessness and has no mercy,' which is psychologically heavy for younger viewers. The film deals with a prince who appears to have a split personality that can be weaponized by villains. While Studio Ghibli typically models cooperation, this entry focuses on internal darkness and fear being exploited, which isn't particularly emotionally healthy modeling for kids.

Imaginative

65

Based on Ursula K. Le Guin's beloved fantasy series, the film features dragons entering the human world, wizards, witches, and a deteriorating kingdom—classic high fantasy elements. However, this is widely considered one of Studio Ghibli's weakest films, with poor execution of imaginative concepts. The world-building exists but fails to inspire the wonder typical of Ghibli's best work.

Safe

55

Common Sense Media rates it 12+, suggesting content concerns. The synopsis explicitly mentions a character with a 'severe dark side' involving 'hatred, ruthlessness and has no mercy,' and a witch exploiting a teen's fears. While there's no explicit mention of graphic violence or sexual content, the psychological darkness and likely fantasy violence make this less safe than typical family animation. The dark tone could be unexpectedly intense for younger viewers expecting typical Ghibli warmth.

Enriching

40

With a 36% RT audience score, 47 Metacritic, and 6.3 IMDb rating, this is objectively one of the poorest-received Studio Ghibli films. The story explores themes of fear and identity, but critics and audiences found it confusing, poorly paced, and lacking the depth of Le Guin's source material. Le Guin herself criticized the adaptation. Limited enrichment value when the storytelling is this muddled.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It's Studio Ghibli, so the animation quality is still decent even if the story falters
Introduces kids to high fantasy concepts like wizards, dragons, and magical kingdoms
Could spark interest in Ursula K. Le Guin's far superior original Earthsea novels
Explores darker themes about identity and inner demons for older tweens ready for that complexity

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What to Watch For

The protagonist's 'dark side' personality is genuinely unsettling—involves ruthlessness and hatred that a witch exploits
Plot is notoriously confusing; even adults struggle to follow what's happening
Darker tone than most Ghibli films—don't expect Totoro or Kiki vibes here
36% audience score tells you everything: this one's a slog even for animation fans

Conversation Starters

"The prince has two sides to his personality—have you ever felt like different parts of yourself want different things?"
"Why do you think the kingdom is falling apart? What happens when leaders stop caring for their land?"
"The witch uses Arren's fears against him—what are some ways people can use our fears to control us?"
"This was based on books that are way better—want to try reading the original Earthsea series instead?"

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