The Secret World of Arrietty (Kari- gurashi no Arietti) is the seventeenth Japanese animated film produced by Studio Ghibli, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa. Other proclaimed films produced by Studio Ghilbi include Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro. The Secret World of Arrietty was originally released in Japan on July 17, 2010, making it the highest grossing movie of that year. The American dub was produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released for the North American audience on February 17 2012. The film is based on Mary Norton’s novel series ; The Borrowers.
Arrietty and her family belong to a race of tiny people. As they struggle to keep their race alive Borrowers must live their lives undetected by humans. At only a few inches tall borrowers live under the floorboards borrowing food and necessities to survive. Arrietty Clock is a 14 year old borrower who lives with her father Pod Clock and her mother Homily Clock. Borrowers believe human curiosity will eventually threaten their existence therefore they are forbidden from interacting with them. Shawn is a young boy, he was sent out of the city to recover from a heart related illness and is now living at his aunt’s country house,the same house where Arrietty and her family do their borrowing. Things turn for the worst on Arrietty’s first borrowing trip, when she is accidentally spotted by Shawn. The safety of the Clock Family is endangered when Arrietty develops a forbidden friendship with Shawn.
The Miyazaki trademark is evident in the rich countryside scenery throughout the film. Like most of his prior films, The Secret World of Arrietty promotes environmentalism . The scenery is filled with abundant green rolling grasses that make you appreciate the beauty of nature. Even the Clock’s family house has been lavishly decorated with flowers and plants. The animation is captivating beautifully done and highly detailed. Cecile Corbel French singer/songwriter composed and sang the score of the film. Sounding almost Celtic the score compliments the film’s enchanting world.