Tales from Earthsea

Tales from Earthsea

Year: 2006

Runtime: 115 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Goro Miyazaki

FantasyAnimationAdventureEpic heroesFantasy adventure heroism and swordplay

When the balance between humans and dragons is shattered, the kingdom decays and people begin seeing dragons, creatures that should not enter the human realm. Wizard Ged investigates the disturbances and befriends Prince Arren, a troubled youth whose hidden darkness gives him fierce power. Witch Kumo seeks to exploit Arren’s fears against Ged.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Tales from Earthsea yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Tales from Earthsea (2006)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Tales from Earthsea (2006). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Medieval fantasy era

The story unfolds in a lore-rich world resembling a medieval setting, where kings, wizards, and dragons shape destinies. Technology is limited, and magic governs the dangers and promises of power. The events pivot on a moment of upheaval—the prince's crime and the quest to restore balance.

Location

Enlad, Hort Town, Cob's Castle

Enlad is a feudal kingdom shadowed by illness and a fading balance between magic and life. The journey stretches from the harsh desert to the bustling mercantile port of Hort Town, passing by the perilous stronghold of Cob. The region features royal castles, slave caravans, and mage-led defenses as the balance of the world is tested.

🏰 Fantasy realm 🗺️ Desert and riverlands 🏯 Castles and fortresses

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:24

Main Characters – Tales from Earthsea (2006)

Meet the key characters of Tales from Earthsea (2006), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Arren (Junichi Okada)

A young prince who murders his father and flees, haunted by an unseen malevolent presence. He is impulsive yet capable of mercy, and his journey is a gradual path toward responsibility and atonement.

🎭 Protagonist 💔 Guilt 🗡️ Prince

Sparrowhawk

A wise arch mage who mentors Arren and pursues a plan to restore the world’s broken balance. He faces danger with resolve and uses his knowledge to steer the prince toward a wiser path.

🪄 Mage 🗺️ Guide 🧠 Mentor

Therru (Aoi Teshima)

A resilient girl rescued from Hare who shares a deep belief in Arren. She guides him toward reclaiming his dignity and reveals her own true name, Tehanu, as she embodies the theme of hidden strength.

🧒 Child Protagonist 🗝️ Identity 🐉 Dragon

Tenar (Jun Fubuki)

An older ally who offers warmth and wisdom from a home that shelters Arren and Therru. Her courage and steady presence anchor the group and she becomes a target for Cob’s schemes.

🏡 Caregiver 🧩 Mentor

Cob (Yuko Tanaka)

The warlock who manipulates events to seize control and immortality by crossing life and death. He is calculating, ruthless, and capable of drastic actions to maintain power.

🪄 Villain 🔮 Power

Hare (Teruyuki Kagawa)

A cruel slave trader who captures Tenar and Therru, driving the plot’s conflict. He embodies brutality and the brutal systems that profit from oppression.

💀 Antagonist 🐺 Hunter

The King (Kaoru Kobayashi)

The ailing ruler whose illness propels the kingdom’s politics and personal stakes for Arren. His disappearance of his son adds to the tension driving the voyage.

👑 Royal 🗝️ Catalyst

The Queen (Yui Natsukawa)

The king’s consort who witnesses a kingdom under strain. She represents the home front, offering concern and a voice for stability as turmoil unfolds.

👑 Royal 🧩 Support

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:24

Major Themes – Tales from Earthsea (2006)

Explore the central themes of Tales from Earthsea (2006), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Balance

The plot centers on restoring a world thrown out of balance by magical and political forces. Sparrowhawk's quest to harmonize life and death mirrors Arren's struggle to reconcile his actions with his future. Every decision tests the boundary between duty, mercy, and the consequences of unchecked power.

🧭 Identity

Arren's true name and inner self reveal a conflict between outward status and inner worth. Therru's emergence as Tehanu and her dragon form symbolize naming, acceptance, and the power of understood identity. The journey forces characters to confront who they are beyond titles and offences.

🕯️ Redemption

Arren seeks atonement for his patricide, driven by a haunted conscience and the hope of restoring balance. The bond with Sparrowhawk and Tenar provides guidance toward responsible action. The climax hinges on choosing mercy over vengeance, rewriting a fatal arc with courage.

🔗 Freedom

Hare's slave caravan and Cob's schemes explore captivity, control, and liberation. Therru's resilience and Tenar's courage symbolize resistance against oppression. The narrative suggests that true power lies in breaking cycles of domination and choosing life over entrapment.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:24

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Tales from Earthsea

Don't stop at just watching — explore Tales from Earthsea in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Tales from Earthsea is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Tales from Earthsea Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Tales from Earthsea, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Tales from Earthsea Summary

Tales from Earthsea Timeline

Track the full timeline of Tales from Earthsea with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Tales from Earthsea Timeline

Tales from Earthsea Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Tales from Earthsea that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Tales from Earthsea Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Tales from Earthsea

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Tales from Earthsea: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Tales from Earthsea

Explore More About Movie Tales from Earthsea

Tales from Earthsea (2006) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Tales from Earthsea (2006) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Tales from Earthsea (2006) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow