Arrietty

The tiny girl who lives by borrowing

A cheerful and lively 14-year-old Borrower girl, living secretly under the floorboards of a human house with her parents.

Quotes

  • Borrowers must not let humans see them.
  • The one who will die is me.
  • Thank you, Sho.
  • Thank you for giving me the courage to live.
  • Thank you for the sugar cube.

Trivia

  • Arrietty uses a clothespin as a hair clip.
  • The original story is set in Britain, but the film is set in modern Japan.
  • The theme song was the first by an overseas musician in a Ghibli film.
  • This was director Hiromasa Yonebayashi's debut.
  • Hayao Miyazaki chose the name Arrietty because he liked the sound.
  • Arrietty's height is set at about 14 cm.

Alternate names

Arrietty The Secret World of Arrietty Karigurashi no Arieti

Tags

Borrower Studio Ghibli Anime movie Girl Secret life Interaction with humans Adventure Cheerful and lively Friendship

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Profile

Species
Borrower
Gender
Female

Appearance

Overall appearance
Petite, bright, and energetic 14-year-old girl. Expressive face giving a lively impression.
Height
About 14cm (equivalent to Borrower's size)
Eye color
Brown
Distinguishing features
  • Bright and energetic expression
  • Petite build
Iconic items
  • Clothes pin hair clip
  • Straw basket
  • Bay leaf
  • Shiso leaf
  • Sugar cube

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Cheerful and lively
Detailed personality
Full of adventurous spirit and fearless, with strong curiosity and proactive attitude even toward humans, house cats, and insects. Loyal to friends and cherishes family.
Keywords
  • Brave
  • Curious
  • Bright
  • Kind
  • Strongly independent
Talents
  • Art of living in hiding
  • Skill in deftly borrowing household items
  • Quick-witted resourcefulness
  • Ingenuity
  • Crisis evasion in short time
Skills
  • Handling small items like clothes pins
  • House navigation techniques
  • Collecting spoils of war
  • Communication skills
Motivation
To live safely with her family and live freely. She opens her heart through interactions with the human boy Sho.
Favorite foods
Sugar cube, Raspberry, Bay leaf, Shiso leaf
Hobbies
Arranging flowers, Exploring the mansion
Disliked insects
Crow
Disliked situations
Being discovered by humans, Family being exposed to danger

History

Backstory
Arrietty is a 14-year-old Borrower girl living modestly with her parents Pod and Homily under the floorboards of an old mansion in the suburbs, taking care not to be discovered by humans. Borrowers follow the code of secretly living by borrowing household items from human homes. One day, she is spotted by Sho, a 12-year-old human boy who came to recuperate, and their exchange begins. Despite Sho's good intentions, the Borrowers are forced to relocate, but the story portrays them deepening their bond while each pursues their own path in life.
Debut date
July 17, 2010
Work title
The Secret World of Arrietty
Media type
Movie

First encounter with Sho

Significant event
First encounter with Sho
Description
On the night Arrietty goes out for her first borrowing mission, she is spotted by the recuperating boy Sho.

Mother Homily's capture

Significant event
Mother Homily's capture
Description
Mother Homily is caught by the housekeeper Hara, but Sho and Arrietty cooperate to rescue her.

Decision to relocate

Significant event
Decision to relocate
Description
With danger closing in, the family resolves to head to a new home.

Farewell to Sho

Significant event
Farewell to Sho
Description
At the riverbank, she bids farewell to Sho and sets off on the kettle boat for relocation.

Relationships

Pod

Father

Arrietty's father. A reliable supporter of the family.

Homily

Mother

Arrietty's mother. Manages the household with a somewhat laid-back personality.

Sho

Friend

By working together to help the Borrower family, they forge a deep bond.

Spiller

Teammate

The Borrower boy who provided guidance and help for the relocation.

Borrower family

Borrower family: unknown

Media appearances

The Secret World of Arrietty

Movie / Protagonist

Japanese release July 17, 2010

The Secret World of Arrietty

Anime / Protagonist

TV broadcasts etc.

Voice cast and creators

Mirei Kiritani

Voice actor
Mirei Kiritani
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Theatrical version

Saoirse Ronan

Voice actor
Saoirse Ronan
Language
English
Version or series
UK dub

Bridgit Mendler

Voice actor
Bridgit Mendler
Language
English
Version or series
North American dub

Mary Norton

Creator name
Mary Norton
Role
Original author

Hayao Miyazaki

Creator name
Hayao Miyazaki
Role
Writer

Keiko Niwa

Creator name
Keiko Niwa
Role
Writer

Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Creator name
Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Role
Director

Toshio Suzuki

Creator name
Toshio Suzuki
Role
Producer

Cécile Corbel

Creator name
Cécile Corbel
Role
musicComposer

Studio Ghibli

Creator name
Studio Ghibli
Role
Animation studio

Related goods

Arrietty plush

Item name
Arrietty plush
Category
Plush or doll
Availability
Regular

Arrietty figure

Item name
Arrietty figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Movie poster

Item name
Movie poster
Category
Accessory
Availability
Limited

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