Karigurashi no Arrietty
Summary: 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.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
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.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Available At
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Karigurashi no Arrietty Review
Karigurashi no Arrietty — 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! This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Award Winning, Supernatural conventions as a Movie work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 7.9). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Karigurashi no Arrietty offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Award Winning, Supernatural, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Arrietty
Main
Jeong, Mi Sook
Korean
Arrietty
Main
Shida, Mirai
Japanese
Arrietty
Main
Yuste, Cristina
Spanish
Arrietty
Main
Mendler, Bridgit
English
Arrietty
Main
Ronan, Saoirse
English
Arrietty
Main
Richter, Soraya
German
Arrietty
Main
Ángeles, Jessica
Spanish
Arrietty
Main
Chetail, Adeline
French
Arrietty
Main
Tarquini, Giulia
Italian
Arrietty
Main
Paulita, Flora
Portuguese (BR)
Arrietty
Main
Trifol, Nuria
Spanish
Arrietty
Main
Hermann, Lilla
Hungarian
Shou
Main
Kamiki, Ryunosuke
Japanese
Shou
Main
Henrie, David
English
Shou
Main
Eom, Sang Hyeon
Korean
Shou
Main
Holland, Tom
English
Shou
Main
Meli, Manuel
Italian
Shou
Main
Castañeda, Arturo
Spanish
Shou
Main
Sagols, Thomas
French
Shou
Main
Artajo, Maximilian
German
Staff
Suzuki, Toshio
Producer
Yonebayashi, Hiromasa
Director, Storyboard, Key Animation, In-Between Animation
Kasamatsu, Kouji
Sound Director
Kimura, Eriko
Sound Director
Nakazawa, Shintarou
Episode Director
Miyazaki, Hayao
Script, Screenplay, Planning
Niwa, Keiko
Script
Akahori, Shigeo
Key Animation
Arai, Youjirou
In-Between Animation
Azuma, Ryouta
In-Between Animation
Corbel, Cécile
Music
Ebata, Ryouma
Key Animation
Fujisawa, Shiori
In-Between Animation
Fujiwara, Hiroki
Key Animation
Furuya, Shougo
Key Animation
Futaki, Makiko
Key Animation
Hamasu, Hideki
Key Animation
Hirota, Shunsuke
Assistant Animation Director
Imai, Fumie
Key Animation
Ina, Ryoko
Background Art