Pint-sized Arrietty teaser trailer appears

We know they’re in a different time zone over there in the Eastern parts of our world, but damn we’re behind the times.

Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo is only just getting a UK release this Friday, but those lucky so-and-sos in Japan are already onto their next slice of Ghibli animagic.

It’s called Karigurashi No Arrietty (i.e. The Borrower Arrietty ) and, you guessed it, it’s based on Mary Norton’s book series The Borrowers . It’s out over there in July, and the very slight teaser trailer can be found at the bottom of this page.

First time director Hiromasa Yonebayashi is the one calling “draw! now!” this time, giving Ghibli stalwart Hayao Miyazaki a break from the sketching pad. Yonebayashi previously contributed to Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle as an animator.

The film has been tormenting Miyazaki for almost 40 years, but only now is he helping to bring it to life, having finally written the screenplay. Yonebayashi said the film reflects the world’s current economic situation:

“The age of mass consumption is ending and, at such a time, the idea of borrowing instead of buying becomes more prevalent.”

If you don’t already know, the story follows tiny 14-year-old ‘Borrower’ Arrietty, who lives under the floorboards of a decrepit house with her diminutive family. The story’s been transported from 1950s England to present day Japan for its Ghibli interpretation.

We hope it’s as good as Honey, I Shrunk The Kids , and at least better than John Goodman’s previous Borrowers film. Here’s that teaser:

Off to see Ponyo this week? Fancy some Borrowers action? Talk to us...