“Sickly boy befriends tiny Borrower Arrietty, risking her family's secret existence in a heartwarming, perilous summer friendship.”
The Secret World of Arrietty
借りぐらしのアリエッティ
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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Synopsis
Sickly boy befriends tiny Borrower Arrietty, risking her family's secret existence in a heartwarming, perilous summer friendship.
While spending the summer at his aunt's house, the young but sickly Shou makes an amazing discovery: after following the house cat into the bushes, he gets a glimpse of a miniature girl about the size of his finger! Calling her kind "Borrowers," as they survive on tiny bits of human possessions, the girl introduces herself as Arrietty. As he discovers that she lives in the house basement with her parents, Pod and Homily, Shou becomes imaginably excited at the idea of such unique neighbors. However, he fails to understand the adversities they face on a daily basis. In addition to keeping their existence hidden, they must also embark on perilous adventures into human territory, from the house to the outdoors, in order to make a living. Despite her parents' warnings, Arrietty befriends Shou, stirring up unexpected events that may change their lives forever. Delighting the eye and conquering the heart, the breath-taking story of a friendship transcending the tensions between two different human kinds begins.
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 58 sampled reviews
What 58 viewers settled on.
Mostly aligned
σ 1.46 · some divergence
3.4 pts
Recommenders 8.4 · others 5.0
↓ 1.14
Running avg · Jun 2011 → Sep 2025
- 7 “Sweet and visually pleasant, with lovable characters that kept my younger sisters glued to the screen, though the villain felt petty and one-note, and I even dozed off midway. While the film drifts...”
- 10 “A perfect 10/10 favorite that dazzles with its lovingly detailed miniature world and adorable tiny-people charm, backed by terrifically fitting music. While the plot could use a bit more thrill and...”
- 9 “A calm, heart-warming Ghibli entry whose original scenario leaves a lingering glow of happiness, backed by gorgeous art and lovely music. Its gentle pace won’t satisfy action fans, but the...”
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A Movie Production
Studio Ghibli.- Format 1 × 94′ eps × min
- Total runtime 1h 34m all episodes
- Aired Jul 2010 – ongoing
- Source Movie media type
- Rated G All Ages
- Ref. BS-5108 catalog
Licensed by
- Disney Platform Distribution Licensor