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Tired of reading the same salty reviews of the "true fans" of ghibli? Welp, this may give you some relief, as I really enjoyed the film, and I'm going to tell you why.

Story: Aya to Majo is, sadly, a unfinished story, but this doesn't mean is as awfull as much may say. Being based on a book by Diana Wynne Jones (same author as "Castle in the Air", wich was also adapted by Ghibli in "Howl's Moving Castle"), the story tells us about a little orphan (kind of) girl. But that's the mask she puts on infrotn of almost everyone, as she is really cunning, ... and she's not afraid of using this trait to her favor.
When being adopted by Yaga (a witch) and Mandrake (some sort of demon), Aya/Earwig starts a new period that will test her habilities and sanity. Some say the plot is predictable, but honestly, I did not see comming neither the plot nor the end. Without spilling too many spoilers, I will just say that the flow is radder unconventional for films in general, but is the same kind of flow we are used to see in many Ghibli movies where is just until the final moment when strings unknot.

Art: As someone metioned earlier, you cannot be so harsh about the art of a mere project, not a movie, which didn't have the budget of a complete movie. I spoted only few "errors" (more like rough parts, because not any scene was totally on the wrong) in the film. But, being also a new animation style, this was to be expected. Even so, the way they portrayed some effects were creative and enjoyable, scpecially the horror aimed parts! That's something I really enjoyed.
As a more personal opinion, seeng CGI evolve through the years in various anime an totally effing them up because the lack of hability, this was a veeery smooth film and more viually enjoyable that much give it credit for.

Characters: Ohhh, my favorite part.
-Aya / Earwig is not your avarage girl, as Ghibli protagonist tend to be. She is very cunning, but as you may be able to see during the film, she does not use this cunningness _only_ to her favor, but also to favor her enviorment, in general (including other characters). This doesn't mean at times she won't be selfish, but, what kind of child isn't at some point? But this doesn't mean she doesn't have a general development oriented to the problem she's facing.
-Bella Yaga / the Witch: She is in a very thin line between being a terrible villian (because somhow she lacks smotheing) and one more character in the background. But she is neither of those. She is actually the meddling character who puts the obstacles beyond herself and into the world of the protgonist. She's not that interested in the protagonist, as she has her own problems and things to tend to, but her development, even though mostly linear, has a very logical pattern. Still, I must say, as every other character that isn't the protagonist, there's some story missing, as it is, in fact, an unfinished story.
-Mandrake: Sorry pals, you'll have to watch the movie to get into this character as I can't talk about him without spoilering you. But yeah, one of my favorite Ghibli characters, that is.

Overall: I cannot wait for a second part of this film. It really left a good impression on me. Firstly because of the way the protagonist is portrayed but not antagonized. Secondly because of the story itself. It is well thought and, beeing inspired in a childrens book and directed to a children audiency, it has just the right ammount of everything and is amicable. Don't let yourself be let down because of the art and give it a try without the prejudice.

First thing is that if you haven't seen the Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai x's serie, you can enjoy this OVAS, but surely will not understand much of the things that happen. Second thing, I noticed that people were disgusted with the OVAS because of difference between the original and this one's, but I don't see it like that since this are, again, OVAS, not the remake of the arc or anything else but a great scale ensemble of the Kyoto arc events within another more dramatical point of view and story, that personally love it.
Ok, here I go:

STORY: 8/10
I rate the story as very good because, ... though it isn't the same as the original story and have some discrepancies, I perceive it as a more dramatic close up than the real story was, and certainly was something I enjoy. The same but with this realistic touch of the end of the bakumatsu tension that everybody may know.

ART: 7/10
I'm not the kind of person who loves the much more simple style of now a days drawings in animation, but can't say I didn't enjoy the sceneries and felt more connected to the time in which the story is supposed to be in. Still, the designs of the characters from my point of view, were awful.

SOUND: 8/10
It's one of the best parts. The background music in this OVAS was simple but in the part when you find a fight, that music guide you through those scenes amazingly.

CHARACTER: 6/10
Ok, they were ok, I mean, the whole thing was extra dramatic and showed us a deeper image of the characters as they wouldn't manifest in the main series and I like it but due to the time, we also lose part of the personalities from all. AND *spoiler alert*, there was something I really really disliked, at the last part Kenshin may leave the Rengoku without even caring about the others, ie Yumi, Soujiro or Saitou nor the tripulants, this also applies to that last blow to Shishio, leaving all the "not to kill, save all the lifes you can" philosophy go down the drain... really not like Himura.

ENJOYMENT: 9/10
Watching OVAS of a show you thought was lost and remembering all the funny and incredible adventures with that sense of "grown up" made me feel happy. Truly a sea of memories for those who used to watch the cartoon years ago.

Hope this help you a little