Kari-guashi no Arietti

Abstract

Christopher Holliday's analysis examines Studio Ghibli's adaptation of Mary Norton’s The Borrowers in Kari-gurashi no Arietti (Arrietty, 2010), highlighting how it aligns with and subverts the studio’s thematic and stylistic hallmarks. While retaining Ghibli’s focus on environmentalism, pacifism, and cultural fragility, the film shifts its narrative emphasis from ecological concerns to human relationships, particularly through the illicit romance between Sho and Arrietty. Holliday argues that this adaptation introduces new ideological dimensions, including class division, gender roles, and societal conflict, while maintaining Ghibli’s signature aesthetic. The study evaluates Arrietty as a successful yet ideologically layered work, praising its faithfulness to Norton’s source material while noting its departure from traditional ecological themes in favor of interpersonal dynamics. Holliday’s analysis is grounded in cultural studies, anime scholarship, literary theory (low fantasy), and gender studies ("shōjo" archetype), offering fresh ideological readings that expand Ghibli’s thematic repertoire.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)