Not everything from Japan is a modification of Western inventions (cars, electronics) or concepts (healthcare). The majority of Ghibli’s past material has clearly Japanese origins: My Neighbor Totoro, Grave of the Fireflies and Pom Poko. This exception to the rule is an interesting take on The Little Mermaid.
The major differences are having it set in contemporary times, the “lovers” being young children (approximately five is my guess), the circumstances surrounding the “princess” becoming human and numerous little touches which are culturally driven; these may come off as creepy to Americans. Unfortunately, Netflix streaming only offers the dubbed version with another annoying spawn of Billy Ray Cyrus in the title role. I may not understand the Japanese language but I can handle subtitles and there is an emotional element missing when the audio is replaced. It still succeeded in telling the story even if Liam Neeson is Ponyo’s weird, androgynous father.
Where it stays the same is obvious; Ponyo is the daughter of a powerful ocean wizard and is curious about the surface world. While exploring a nearby seaside town, Ponyo is injured and rescued by a little boy named Sosuke. Through the encounter, she is inspired to be human (courtesy of tasting blood) much against her father’s wishes. So she escapes with her sisters, consumes a slew of daddy’s magic potions and unknowingly unleashes catastrophic weather while pursuing the boy she’s infatuated with. There’s a couple subplots: Sosuke’s mother being upset over her husband always being away at sea and the residents of a nearby retirement home (complete with the overused joke Betty White).
Overall, I enjoyed it. Ghibli proves that not all animation from Japan are soap operas, giant robots, purple-haired girls in sailor outfits and confusing plots; try figuring out a Gundam series halfway through its run. I suspect the US version was edited down for time too because the main plot’s resolution was rather sudden, awkward and spotty.
Is it appropriate for children though? Yes. They won’t really notice the details I pointed out. Cartoons full of color, motion and noise keep their attention. under any circumstances. Adults will be the trickier prediction. Ghibli fans, sure. Anime? I don’t know. Animation followers like me, certainly. Everybody else, probably not since Disney did it better. However, I’d say check it out, prove me wrong.