Original subtitles

An NHK, NHK Enterprises, Studio Ghibli Co-Production

Oh, shameless witch

Oh, shameful fairy

Oh, the demon will rage beneath his pillow

Don't disturb me

Enjoy our little outing?

Look, we're here.

Every room is spick-and-span.

Lots of big windows and so lovely.

Plus yummy shepherd's pie.

Listen. You stay here.

Don't go anywhere else.

The rest is up to you...

...Earwig.

At such an early hour?

You're safe and sound now.

There there, don't cry.

There's a good girl.

"Got the other twelve witches all chasing me.

"I'll be back for her when I've shook them off.

"It may take years.

Her name is Earwig."

Earwig?!

If this child's mother associates with 12 witches, she must be one too!

Has she angered the other witches in her coven?

Witches? What rubbish!

If so, maybe this girl is a witch too.

Nonsense! There are no such things as witches! Are there?

Come, let's go.

Earwig? Those bugs that make people do things?

Earwig...

Earwig? Ear... wig...

Ms. Matron?

Oh, everyone.

I'll introduce you. Her name is Erica Wigg.

Call her Erica!

Oh my, you're in a good mood!

Based on the Novel by Diana Wynne Jones

Chief Executive Producers Isao Yoshikuni, Keisuke Tsuchihashi

Planning Hayao Miyazaki

Screenplay Keiko Niwa, Emi Gunji

Music Satoshi Takebe

Theme Song "Don't Disturb Me"

Ending Song "The World is In My Hands"

Character Design Katsuya Kondo CG Supervisor Yukinori Nakamura

Animation Supervisor Tan Se Ri Art Director Yuhki Takeuchi

Sound Designer Koji Kasamatsu ADR Director Eriko Kimura

Executive Producers Koji Hoshino, Kiyofumi Nakajima

Line Producer Kentaro Morishita

Voices Shinobu Terajima, Etsushi Toyokawa

Kokoro Hirasawa

Gaku Hamada Sherina Munaf

Producer Toshio Suzuki

Directed by Goro Miyazaki

What is it?

Let's not, Erica. We'll get told off if we're caught.

We won't. Get caught, I mean.

Okay!

Let's go.

I hate getting told off!

Silly. Chances like this don't come every day. Come on.

Can I just wait here?

If you've got the courage.

Erica! Wait for me!

What?

What if...

...we reach the bell, but find a severed head hanging there instead?

Fun, right?

That's not fun!

And what if the severed head's eyes are open wide...

...and staring right at us?

And then suddenly... the head's mouth opens!

I can't hear you!

Hey, Custard.

What'll you do if Martians invade, scaredy-cat?

Martians will be friendly to us. It said so in a Heinlein book.

They'll put you in a full nelson with their eight arms.

Game over. See you next lifetime.

Martians have three arms, not eight!

As if I care how many.

This feels so good!

Shh! Somebody'll hear you.

It's the others.

A cemetery ghost party. Classic!

Nobody knows we're up here.

Hey, look!

Isn't that a ship?

It is.

Like a spaceship.

Oh boy. I wish I could ride on it.

Hey, Erica...

Ever wished you'd get adopted, so you could live somewhere else?

Nope.

No, never.

If somebody did choose me, they'd be a weirdo. Plus...

A normal family would only give me two or three people to control.

Six at most. What fun would that be?

Here, everybody does my bidding.

Everything is spick-and-span.

Big windows and lots of sunshine.

And the shepherd's pie is fantastic!

Don't worry. Nobody'll choose you either.

But quite a few people stop to look at me, you know.

Sometimes they almost choose me too.

Don't forget to cross your eyes like I taught you.

Is that clear, Custard m'boy?

Aye aye, Captain!

Thelma!

Thelma!

You're back, Ms. Matron. Is something wrong?

Trouble at home?

Nothing of the sort! At the bus stop, I met Mr. Jenkins...

Last night, children dressed as ghosts...

Last night?

Didn't you notice anything?

No, I was totally unaware.

Perhaps they were real ghosts?

Nonsense!

Ms. Matron?

That was me he saw.

Custard, you go ahead.

Erica, what on earth do you mean?

This afternoon, someone'll be adopted, right?

So we all held a farewell party.

Actually, I was going to invite you too.

Because saying goodbye to you would hurt me the most.

But did I go too far?

Erica, my dear...

Well, after all, it could be your turn today.

It's a mystery to me why a child as adorable as you never gets chosen.

That reminds me. I almost forgot.

Here. You've wanted this for a long time.

A red sweater?!

It's our secret.

Yes, our secret.

Oh, I'm the happiest child in this home!

Ms. Matron, I love you!

- Oh my... - Er, Ms. Matron?

What about Mr. Jenkins?

Cemeteries equal ghosts. Tell him that!

Ms. Matron, I'll carry your bag.

Oh dear, isn't it heavy?

No sweat!

How lovely of you.

Nonsense!

Erica, about my letter...

Don't worry. I rewrote it and posted it.

You'll get a romantic reply soon.

- Oh my gosh! - I'm so nervous!

Hey, shepherd's pie for lunch?

It's Little Miss Sniffer.

Shepherd's pie, right? I'm sure of it.

Because your pies are the best in the world, and they smell divine.

Who's the head cook here?

That'd be Erica.

Oh, it couldn't be me.

I don't have a belly like this.

Why not lose a few pounds?

Why do I put up with this?

Little Miss Pincher, just you wait till lunch.

Mister, you're the best!

Oh! He looked at us!

His eyes are twinkling!

Hello!

What pretty black hair.

Oh, I can have it? Thank you.

How kind.

Bleugh. Yuck.

Those kids aren't dolls, they're living things.

Not decorative ornaments.

Shall we pretend to be adorable dolls too, Custard m'boy?

Yes yes, one moment!

Sorry to keep you waiting.

P-Please come in...

Come now, line up nice and neatly.

Smiles, everyone.

This way, please.

I'll introduce each of them in order.

This is Maria Jimenez, 8 years old. She's actually quite energetic.

- This is George... - Face!

He loves trucks and other large vehicles.

Next is Christian Froom. He's crazy about sports.

Wants to grow up to be a pro cyclist.

Next is Aki Ricefield.

The boy's parents died in a fire.

What's worse, it was a suspicious one. Such a poor boy...

This is Erica Wigg. She's been with us since she was a baby.

Oh, er...

What say you, Mandrake?

What do you think?

I think probably.

We'll take this one.

No!

I won't go!

What's come over you?

You know we all want you to find a family of your very own.

But I don't! I want to stay with Custard!

Don't be like that.

These people live quite near, in Lime Avenue.

You can visit your friends here whenever you want.

When school starts, you'll see Custard every day.

Please wait in the office.

You should eat something. You'll be hungry later.

Fine. Hurry downstairs when you're ready.

What's this?

"Earwig"?

Take care.

Erica...

Erica...

I've never done anything against my will before.

How did I end up like this?

Those are definitely horns.

Fine. Challenge accepted.

No.13? Hmph. That figures.

Oh, how lovely. I can run away anytime I want.

I got you what you wanted. From now on, don't disturb me.

You'll sleep in there.

Now, let's get a few things straight.

My name is Bella Yaga. I'm a witch.

You're here because I need another pair of hands.

If you work hard, you shan't get hurt.

However, if you don't...

Great!

It's all right. I never took you for a foster mother anyway.

So, it's settled then.

You agree to teach me magic, and I agree to be your assistant.

Really? That's settled then.

Get in here.

Yes ma'am!

Here. Put this on, and come along.

Your job isn't to stand and stare.

If you don't like it, you can clean it later.

Now, grind those rats' bones to powder for me.

By the way, there's one great rule in this house.

Learn it quickly, you hear?

You must on no account ever disturb the Mandrake.

The Mandrake? You mean, the man with the horns?

He doesn't have horns!

Well, most of the time.

He gets those when he's peeved or angry.

What else happens when he's angry?

The most awful things.

Pray you never find out.

Now, get to work.

Hey lady. What's this powder for?

For doing magic?

Grind it finer than that.

Finer than flour, got it?

So, what kind of magic? Who's it for? For you? Or the Mandrake?

More work and less talk, stupid!

Wow!

More work, I said!

Good grief...

Calls for a familiar here...

Thomas! Time to work!

Crib notes?

Who's that?

Hello?

Oh, madame?

Yes, Bella Yaga speaking. What a delight to hear from you!

Your grandchild?

"A Spell to Win 1st Prize in a Dog Show"?!

Oh, of course! A ballet recital...

A spell to oust the lead dancer, correct?

"To Make Next-Door's Dahlias Die"?

"Love Potion for the Boy Next Door"?

These are useless to me.

I shall bring it right away.

All right then. Cheery-bye!

Thomas!

Thomas! Do what you're told, or I'll feed you worms!

Magic, grant me the power.

Make her beloved pooch Poppy win 1st prize at the dog show...

Smells like violets.

Don't stand there gawping!

We have much work to finish by tonight.

Now then, the demons.

What have they brought us today?

Pie and chips from Stoke-on-Trent Station Buffet.

Station pie? I loathe it.

It's my favorite food!

I love station pie. I'm digging in!

Before I make that lady obey me...

...I've got to protect myself.

Well, if I can't stand it here, I can always run.

It's an essential item for an urgent order.

Sorry to put you out. All right, I'm counting on you.

Huh?

No door.

A novel?

What the? This is utter rubbish.

Maybe I should rewrite it.

That hurt!

Fine. Next!

It stinks!

"Earwig"?

The front door's disappeared?!

It's stuck to the wall.

Bother... I'm totally stuck in here.

Sleeping alone's a first for me.

Get up, lazybones!

I knew it. I'm the only one who uses this.

This bathroom's mine.

Watch carefully.

I shall expect you to cook breakfast in the future.

Sure.

So, where do you sleep? I can't find your bedroom.

Mind your own business.

If I don't, what will you do to me?

I'll feed you worms.

Wriggling and squirming, blue and purple,

whopping fat worms.

Remember that.

A witch who uses a washing machine?

Stop griping, and fill that basket full of nettles.

Ow ow ow!

No getting out from there.

Why not?

Because the Mandrake's demons are guarding it, of course.

R-Really...

Which means, I have to learn how to make the Mandrake obey me too.

Come on! Don't stand around idly, get chopping.

Hey, lady! What kind of spell is this for?

Hurry up and finish that.

Then you'll teach me?

Then you'll grind bryony berries.

By hand.

"By hand."

Finished! Now you can teach me magic.

Go to the backyard and pick some thistles.

Quickly!

Why always prickly things?

I picked them.

I need more nettles...

Go pick some nettles.

Huh? Again? When are you going to teach me magic?

What do you mean, "again"?

A basket full of raspberries too.

Get a move on!

Bother!

I sliced all 24 snakeskins. Teach me magic.

Go pick belladonna leaves. 120 of them.

Thomas!

Wash those too.

And those, right?

Everything in the sink.

Everything, right?

What are you gawking at? Get it done.

Come on, please. Let me do that.

Just do what you're told, girl!

Hello?

I'm sick of that sourpuss.

She won't ever teach me magic.

You summoned me, Master?

Bring plates. Winterford ones.

As you wish, Master!

Tonight, you shall bring fish and chips from Silver Hynes.

By your command!

Magic smells so awful.

I envy that Mandrake...

Batteries!

So only the Mandrake can control the demons.

I suppose I used to be just like him.

I could ask for any food I wanted.

"Tonight, bring the orphanage's shepherd's pie."

"Aye aye, Captain!"

I miss Custard...

There's so much I want to tell him...

Thomas?!

That lady works us to the bone. Poor us. Right, Custard?

I mean, Thomas! It's just, you remind me of Custard.

Sweet heat stagnating on a summer night

This is so cool, Custard!

That's it!

Look, Custard.

Hi lady! Lovely morning, isn't it?

From today, you'll hang out the laundry.

23...

24...

25...

24...

23...

Huh? How many?

Do it properly, or it's worms for you.

You could count these yourself.

I'm far-sighted. How could I see something so tiny?

Just like Ms. Matron.

Enough idle chatter. After the newt eyes, do grains of salt.

Millipede legs. Rhododendron seeds. Mouse claws. Count them all.

Slack off, and it's worms for you!

Why does she go on about worms all the time?

Ah, my drawing's awful!

These are donkey ears, not horns.

His face doesn't look like this.

No, this isn't right.

Whatever is that?

It's the Mandrake.

His den's through that wall.

You can talk?!

I'm not that talkative.

You should stop drawing that.

It's disturbing the Mandrake.

Hey, do you know spells?

Yes, a fair amount. More than you.

I saw you looking in her book.

The spell you want most is at the back.

Shall I show you?

Yes, please!

But hey, how can the Mandrake's room be on the other side of this wall?

The bathroom's next door.

I know. But it's there.

Coming?

Yuck!

Lick them clean later.

Lick them...?

See? She leaves it here.

Start from the back. I'll tell you when to stop.

"How to Unleash a Plague of Worms"?

"A Thunderstorm to Spoil a Church Fete."

"A Spell to Make a Bus Come on Time."

"Protection from All Magic."

Hold it! That's the one we need.

The witch won't be able to do anything to us.

But Custard... I mean, Thomas,

it needs hundreds of ingredients.

All should be in this room, and we've got all night.

Now, get going!

First you'll need powdered rat bones, newt eyes,

followed by thinly-sliced toad.

While you're getting those, heat up some henbane.

You need to heat it with three cat hairs.

Mind you take them very gently.

Next, belladonna. The fourth bottle along.

Three drops in the henbane.

"Position the familiar..." No problem, I'm here.

"Position the familiar"? What's that?

A familiar is a cat or other animal who helps a witch.

For spells to work properly, the familiar needs to be close by.

And...

...the best animal for making spells work is a black cat.

If so, why do you always run away?

Because I don't like her spells. They rub me the wrong way.

Oh, add rose elixir to the green mix.

Nearly done. "Mix all together in a large bowl and say words."

What words?

It doesn't say! What words?!

Calm down. They'll be words of binding.

I've heard her use about six words...

Jog your memory, Custard! I mean, Thomas!

I've worked too hard! Come on, remember them all!

Every single one you've heard!

All right! But only if you stop calling me Custard.

And you'll have to say them after me exactly as I do.

You're the witch here.

Fine.

Smells of roses!

What's wrong?

Nothing. It's just,

some words were me swearing because I forgot them!

- They'd better work. - "Meow," I said!

So, what now? Do I rub it over myself?

Yes, but do me first. I've worked just as hard as you.

Plus, whenever she gets mad at me,

she always punishes me with worms.

Fair enough.

I hope this soaks in eventually...

Don't look.

Why not?

That's much better.

Will it work?

It better work. I'm not going through all that again!

I sure don't want to do it all again either...

Get up, lazybones!

The Mandrake wants his bacon and eggs!

Tell him to get a demon to do it.

What?!

I'm coming.

But I'm not your slave.

That's what you think.

Always pushing me around. You'll get what's coming to you.

Get a move on, and go pick some nettles and hellebore.

I'm sick of being pushed around...

...and it's raining!

Yes, I'll get right to it.

Drat. Stupid customers!

What are you doing? I told you to put the plants in the cauldron.

You're useless!

I'm not your slave!

I'm your assistant. You promised to teach me magic.

But all you do is work me half to death!

I made no such promise. I simply needed another pair of hands.

You're a cheat! You told Ms. Matron you'd be my foster mother!

Foster mother indeed.

Go and put more fuel under the cauldron. Now!

Or I'll give you worms.

So, will you teach me magic? Or won't you?

I won't. Why would I? You're just another pair of hands.

Is that so? That settles it then.

The orphanage's... shepherd's pie...

It's my favorite.

You ride a broomstick?

Certainly not.

All of my customers are very respectable.

Members of Friends of the Earth, Mothers' Union, etcetera.

If I arrived on a broomstick,

and their neighbors saw me, they'd be livid.

No more silly questions. Finish your work before I return.

Make that floor clean enough to eat supper off it.

Thomas!

Thomas! Where are you?

What now? I was sleeping.

I only can when she's out...

I know, but help me. Just five minutes.

Know any hand-growing spells?

What a good idea!

Excellent.

The hardest part is the hair.

We've got to get hers somehow.

She'd never let you touch her hair.

No problem. I'll find a way to get some.

She says she needs "another pair of hands."

I'll make sure she gets them!

I'm sorry. Was it a little loud?

Did I disturb your work?

Thank you! I was getting hungry.

Hey, mister. Are you a novelist?

I am.

Wow, brilliant! Let me read yours.

Now, where should I stick the hands?

Her elbows?

Her knees, perhaps?

Hide it! Quickly! She's coming back!

In this house, music is banned!

How do you know that song...

Call this floor clean? You lazy creature!

Clean it properly, or no supper for you!

How can I get some of her hair...

I wonder where her room is?

The Mandrake's room is through my wall, right?

Is this hers?

That's a cat's claw vine!

Her hair doesn't fall. It's all tangled up.

Bother.

That's a little better. Go to your room.

Cheese and bread for supper there.

That'll teach you not to be lazy from now on!

Hello?

Mister demon?

You there?

Bother. I hoped I'd see you.

Mr. Mandrake's writing is so boring. What a waste of time.

Knowing Bella Yaga...

...she must have left hair on her hairbrush.

If the Mandrake's room is on the other side,

then it stands to reason that Bella Yaga's is there too...

Oh, bother!

This won't get me Bella Yaga's hairs!

I don't understand magic.

I absolutely must get her to teach me.

Wake up! Now!

The Mandrake wants fried bread for breakfast!

Found them!

What are you doing?! Hurry up!

Sure! I'll be right there!

Just you wait.

What's this?

My first try at making fried bread.

Isn't it right?

No.

Why didn't you teach her how?

W-Well, I...

Anyone can cook fried bread!

Wrong. Don't disturb me like this ever again!

How may I serve you...

...my hideous master?

Don't be rude.

Take this away. Get real fried bread

made by scouts at their camp in Epping Forest.

Very well, my ghastly master!

How dare you disturb the Mandrake like that!

You nearly got me in trouble too!

Then don't just make me do things,

teach me instead.

No pathetic excuses!

You're here to work!

I need another pair of hands, or paws!

Now, get to work!

Toilet break.

Anything to annoy me. Fine. Two minutes only.

Any longer, and...

Don't disturb me They all will feel

My curses' ferocity

You wicked girl! What have you done?!

Whad id dis?!

Another pair of hands!

Just like you said you wanted,

over and over again!

I'll gib you wurbs!

That hurt!

Stay dere! Wurbs are cubbing!

We rubbed that magic stuff on. She can't hurt us now.

Nothing, huh...

The spell's been broken.

After all that effort...

Our spell works perfectly.

Worms on the floor are no big deal.

Scaredy-cat! You're worse than Custard.

Hang on...

She's going to find out we protected ourselves with a spell!

Got to hide these.

Isn't it funny? The best ideas come at the worst times.

What are you doing?

Sending the worms to hide in the bathroom.

No, neoooow!

Hey Custard... I mean, Thomas.

Worms are a pushover compared to three-armed Martians...

Worms! I'll give that witch worms!

It wasn't me! It wasn't me, I swear!

Why you little!

You! You've really gone and done it now!

You poor dear. It's all your fault.

What?!

I told you not to disturb me!

Say so long to this nuisance.

I'd hate to disturb you any further.

- Right, mister? - What are you...

You can do what you like now. The two of you!

C-Come back here!

"Earwig"?

No way!

Inside a freezing furnace covered in ash

A barefoot girl with chapped feet is crying

How long will she have to wait until

The prince of her dreams on a white horse comes riding

In a tower in a castle surrounded by toys

The pale prince cowers in the shadows

His door protected by a hundred locks

His mama's the only woman he knows

Oh, foolish prince

Oh, hideous girl

Oh, doors are there to be opened

Don't disturb me Best believe

All those who bother me

Don't disturb me They'll end up in Hades

Where they'll burn for eternity

Don't disturb me Best believe

All those who bother me

Don't disturb me They all will feel

My curses' ferocity

That's enough.

- She gave you... - Mister!

You were a rock star? I love Earwig!

Who's the pretty redhead?

- Your girlfriend? - The witch gave you worms?!

Yes, and I thought I'd hide them in the bathroom.

It was a mistake.

Magic worms wriggle into magic places.

So, they wriggled into my den.

The same goes for music. It let you into this magic place.

She won't do that to you ever again.

Don't you ever do that again either.

I've told her to make you a proper assistant and teach you well.

Thank you!

She always was talented.

At drumming, and making spells...

Mister, did Earwig break up?

And who's the redhead?

Not so fast! What about the witches' code?

Shut up! Whatever I end up doing, it'll be my decision!

Bye bye, weakling.

I won't be told what to do by 12 old crones.

When a witch leaves, only a witch can replace her.

She... left us.

Mister! I won't leave, and I'll become a proper witch.

So please! Let me help you with your writing.

I want to be useful.

You must go now.

I don't like to be disturbed.

Mister, please!

Hey, mister! School starts tomorrow.

Could you tell her to let me go?

I miss my friend Custard.

Custard's a bookworm, just like you.

He only reads science fiction. He should try mysteries!

Well? Sound okay?

If I go to school during the day, it'll be much quieter here.

I'll think about it.

Well, I tried.

You know, Thomas,

the two of us can make them do whatever we want.

It's up to me, right?

You'll teach me magic now? Let's get started!

Even so, I wish I knew how you...

Lady, thank you!

The Mandrake says you're a gifted witch, and a great drummer!

I want to be like you someday!

S-Stop that at once!

Now then, cleaning comes first!

Can't do anything in this mess!

Don't disturb me Best believe

All those who bother me

Hey lady! Let's all go on a picnic sometime. In your yellow car!

Idiot! Your time's better spent learning spells!

That car is the Mandrake's...

Oh, I was hoping you'd drive for me.

Stupid girl! That's not what I'm saying...

Six months have passed since I came here.

Now everyone in this house is under my thumb.

It's much better than being at the orphanage.

I'll have that! The mixed grill.

These days, the Mandrake kindly calls me "Dearwig."

Dearwig.

Morning. May I have the mixed grill?

I read your manuscript from yesterday. It's terrific!

When the children in the dark tower

found a severed head hanging instead of a bell,

it totally gave me chills!

Is more coming?

I'll get writing.

Even the demons are starting to do my bidding now.

Now then. Demon!

You called, my most beautiful mistress?

Mixed grill for the Mandrake and I. Bella Yaga...

But there's still one thing that won't go my way.

I simply can't get Custard to come visit me.

He says he's much too afraid of the Mandrake.

But it's all right. Just like I got my way at my new home,

I'll eventually make Custard do what I want too.

He's here!

Custard!

Merry Christmas, Earwig.

A purple sky before sunrise Crows rummaging through garbage

The town will soon rub its weary eyes and overflow with people and cars

Dazzlingly twinkling stars now fall into gutters

To be swept away Farewell my dear hero

Take a sip of steaming hot tea and feel the crisp barren breeze

Up on a hill looking down at the world

All I see is mine

Concrete and plastic add sheen to the superficial streets

Caught up in a zombie-like crowd I slip through and find my way out

What appeared to be a treasure was nothing but an electric mirage

Take it all away Farewell my dear hero

Sweet water comes up bubbling Dip your bare feet into the spring

Remaining unchanged since long ago

Our untainted world

Take a sip of steaming hot tea and feel the crisp barren breeze

Up on a hill looking down at the world

All I see is mine

Sweet water comes up bubbling Dip your bare feet into the spring

Remaining unchanged since long ago

Our untainted world

English Translation by Don Brown English Subtitles by AURA

Original Character and Setting Design Miho Satake

Directed by Goro Miyazaki