Earlier this month, Studio Ghibli released a teaser trailer for their new upcoming film “Karigurashi No Arrietty”, adapted from Mary Norton’s “The Borrowers”. Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata have actually considered the novel for an animated feature for the past 40 years, making the adaptation a very long time in the making. The film is the directorial debut of Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who served as a key animator on classics like “Princess Mononoke” and “Howl’s Moving Castle”. Yonebayashi, at the tender age of 36, is the youngest director in the studio’s history.

The plot revolves around Arrietty, a fourteen year old member of the Clock family who make their own home and living borrowing items from a household of normal humans. Everything changes for Arrietty when a human boy discovers her existence. A fun fact about the setting, the film is based in the same western district as the studio is located in Japan.

Personally, I’m excited. Ghibli is the Japanese equivalent to Pixar. Both companies’ films never fail to be at least above average quality, and always carry an important message for the children that see them. This film will probably be no exception, but only time will tell if it will be a classic, or an entertaining diversion. “Karigurashi No Arrietty” is set for a Summer 2010 release in Japan, and will follow probably a few short months here in the States.

Trailer after the jump to my page on Examiner.com