JOURNAL ARTICLE

From Little Mermaid to feral child: The rebellious trajectory of the wild girl in Hayao Miyazaki's Ponyo.

  • Published In: Northern Lights: Film & Media Studies Yearbook, 2025, v. 23, n. 1. P. 137 1 of 3

  • Database: Film & Television Literature Index with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Crombie, Zoe 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines Hayao Miyazaki's film *Ponyo* as a feminist reinterpretation of Hans Christian Andersen's *The Little Mermaid* through the lens of the feral child archetype, traditionally associated with boys in mythology and literature. Unlike typical depictions of feral children as male, Ponyo is portrayed as a young, wild girl whose agency, independence, and untamed spirit challenge gendered notions of wildness and civilization. The analysis situates Ponyo within Studio Ghibli's broader oeuvre of strong female protagonists and explores how Miyazaki's adaptation transforms the original patriarchal narrative into one celebrating girlhood joy and autonomy. This work contributes to discussions on gender, adaptation, and the cultural significance of feral children in animation and folklore.

Additional Information

  • Source:Northern Lights: Film & Media Studies Yearbook. 2025/06, Vol. 23, Issue 1, p137
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Religion and Philosophy
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1601-829X
  • DOI:10.1386/nl_00053_1
  • Accession Number:188679341
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