Tales from Earthsea

Japanese animation studio Ghibli has adapted the fantasy saga Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin.

The balance of light and darkness in the world of Earthsea has been disrupted - people are losing their certainties, ceasing to believe in themselves, and wizards are losing their powers. Young Prince Aren flees the royal court under troubling circumstances and during his aimless wandering meets the Archmage Ged. Together they encounter a girl named Therru, who harbors a great secret. Aren catches the attention of Ged's ancient rival - the malevolent wizard Cob, reincarnated as a woman, who seeks the secret of eternal life. Fear of death draws Aren, like Cob, toward darkness. Yet the hero gradually learns that the only way to overcome anxiety is to find love for life itself.

The film's title references a collection of stories published in 2001, but the film draws from themes across the entire novel saga. The main plot is based on the third book, The Farthest Shore, which the author completed in 1972.

Hayao Miyazaki wanted to film Earthsea for many years, but Le Guin initially refused because she was unfamiliar with his work. The situation changed after Miyazaki won an Oscar for Spirited Away - though he was working on another project at the time. With Le Guin's permission, his son Goro ultimately took on the direction and screenplay.