Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Deeply felt anime about loneliness and friendship.
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The Secret World of Arrietty
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 53 parent reviews
Parents say this film beautifully combines stunning animation with a heartfelt story, making it a wonderful adaptation of a beloved children's book. While the pacing is slower than typical kids' movies and contains some intense themes, it is largely regarded as suitable for older children, emphasizing friendship, bravery, and perseverance without any objectionable content.
- beautiful animation
- heartfelt story
- suitable for older kids
- slow pacing
- friendship themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 39 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Suffering from a weakened heart that will soon land him in the hospital for surgery, young Shō/Shawn (voiced by Ryūnosuke Kamiki in the original version and David Henrie in the English dub) is sent by his too-busy mother to the countryside to stay with his great-aunt Sadako/Jessica (Keiko Takeshita/Gracie Moore) in THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY. At first, it seems like the housekeeper, Haru/Hara (Kirin Kiki/Carol Burnett), will be his only companion, but then Shō/Shawn glimpses Arrietty (Mirai Shida/Bridgit Mendler), a fellow teen who's anything but typical: She's only a few inches tall and comes from a family of Borrowers, miniature people who live in the walls and floors of the house and "borrow" small items from the big residents. Despite Arrietty's doubts, she and Shō/Shawn become friends. But their friendship may be the very reason that Arrietty and her family must move away.
Is It Any Good?
Studio Ghibli movies have such depth and heart, and this beautiful film is a perfect example. On the surface, The Secret World of Arrietty presents the wonder of a teen discovering a miniature counterpart to a world much like his own. But even more substantial is how the movie presents the plights of a lonely boy and a girl who doesn't get to interact with others like herself. In Ghibli movies, children and teens are allowed to be sad, afraid, and burdened––it's not a sugar-coated world. And yet the story unfurls with no heavy-handedness, just a realism that doesn't condescend to its audience. Kids can handle complicated material, as long as it's made intelligently and with compassion.
Viewers used to the whiz-bang, frenetic pace of other animated features may find The Secret World of Arrietty slow-moving and lacking in special effects, but that's its strength. The artwork is gorgeous and meticulous, the story beautiful. It doesn't need gimmicks or musical cues––or characters so outlandish that they're ready-made for collectibles bought at fast-food restaurants––to be a wonderful movie. It simply is.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Secret World of Arrietty's depiction of estranged parent-child relationships. Why do you think Shō/Shawn's mother sent him away to the country? How did that make you feel? Do you think it was a good decision? What do you think of Shō/Shawn and Sadako/Jessica's bond?
Do you like anime film as a genre? What makes these films appealing? How are they similar to or different from other animated films?
Kids: If you've read the book this movie is based on, how does it compare? Which do you like better?
How do the characters demonstrate courage and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 17, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : May 22, 2012
- Cast : Mirai Shida , Bridgit Mendler , Ryunosuke Kamiki , David Henrie
- Director : Hiromasa Yonebayashi
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Japanese Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Anime
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Book Characters , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 15, 2025
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