Arco Is A Gorgeous Love Letter To Animation And A Must-See For Fans Of Studio Ghibli

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If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli, you’ll likely enjoy Arco. This sci-fi film marks the directorial debut of Ugo Bienvenu and tells the story of a boy who travels from the far future to a different time. It’s a beautifully made movie that explores important themes like climate change and family relationships.

This film feels familiar to other animated movies, but it also stands out as a beautiful work of art on its own. Its special qualities, combined with a heartwarming story and memorable characters, will especially appeal to animation fans. If you enjoy Studio Ghibli, Arco is definitely worth watching.

Arco’s Visuals Make It A Creative Descendant Of Studio Ghibli

Arco is a beautiful film clearly influenced by the style and storytelling of Hayao Miyazaki. This sci-fi animation combines a heartwarming story about a boy and girl connecting across time with thoughtful observations about society, all set within a creatively imagined future world. The film centers on their journey to help the boy return to his own time.

The film’s visuals are reminiscent of Miyazaki’s work, with gentle colors and characters brought to life through their expressions and how they move. The filmmakers create a realistic feel in the world, even when showing futuristic elements, to emphasize how society evolves—and stays the same—over time.

The film has a delightful, charming quality thanks to its robots and flying cars, but it doesn’t shy away from serious issues like harsh weather and the threat of wildfires. The characters are designed with a style reminiscent of French animation, yet they still have the unique, memorable personalities that define Miyazaki’s work.

Arco’s art style is clearly inspired by the films of Hayao Miyazaki, but it doesn’t simply imitate them. While it also draws on Western artistic traditions, setting it apart from Studio Ghibli’s work, the careful use of color and character design demonstrates a strong influence from Miyazaki’s approach to animation.

Arco Has The Same Special Core That Makes For A Great Studio Ghibli Film

I’ve been struck by how much Arco feels like a Miyazaki film, even beyond how it looks. It really captures that same emotional depth and explores similar big ideas. Like in films such as Nausicaä and Princess Mononoke, it has a beautiful respect for nature, which is especially noticeable when you compare it to all the robots and machines. It just feels connected to his work in that way.

Many Studio Ghibli films, including Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, explore the emotional distance between children and their parents. Despite realistic threats – such as forest fires – these films often feature charming, character-based humor, similar to what you see in Kiki’s Delivery Service.

The film uses gentle colors and a melancholic atmosphere, reminiscent of movies like Grave of the Fireflies. Its overall tone captures the same sense of wonder and heartfelt emotion that has become characteristic of Miyazaki’s storytelling. However, Arco still feels like its own unique creation, rather than simply copying his style.

The show has a definite Western comedic style and animation that resembles European techniques. However, its core feels strongly inspired by the works of Miyazaki. This is a strength of the show – it cleverly shows how the past influences new art.

Similar to how Arco’s family finds inspiration in the past to create something new, the film itself draws on the styles of classic filmmakers and uses them to build its own imaginative world and characters. This is a major reason why fans of Studio Ghibli should experience Arco in theaters—beyond the fact that it’s simply a wonderful movie.

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2026-02-01 00:18