Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Based on a popular Japanese children’s book series Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono.

Thirteen-year-old trainee witch Kiki leaves home with her talking black cat Jiji as part of the age-old tradition that 13-year-old witches had to leave home for a year to pursue their skill through training. She flies on her broomstick to the port city of Koriko (“A Town With An Ocean View” / Umi no Mieru Machi”). While trying to find somewhere to live, Kiki is pursued by Tombo, a geeky boy obsessed with aviation who admires her flying ability.

In exchange for accommodation, Kiki helps Osono, the kindly owner of a bakery. She opens a business delivering goods by broomstick - the "Witch Delivery Service". Her first delivery goes badly; she is caught in wind and loses the black cat toy she is supposed to deliver. Jiji pretends to be the toy until Kiki can retrieve the real item. She finds it in the home of a young painter, Ursula, who repairs and returns it to Kiki so she can complete the delivery and rescue Jiji.

Kiki accepts a party invitation from Tombo, but is delayed by her work and, exhausted, falls ill. When she recovers, Osono clandestinely arranges for Kiki to see Tombo again by assigning her a delivery addressed to him. After Kiki apologizes for missing the party, Tombo takes her for a test ride on the flying machine he is working on fashioned from a bicycle. Kiki warms to Tombo but is intimidated by his friends, and walks home.

Kiki becomes depressed and discovers she can no longer understand Jiji, who has befriended a pretty white cat. She has also lost her flying ability and is forced to suspend her delivery business. Kiki has a surprise visit from Ursula, who determines that Kiki's crisis is a form of artist's block. Ursula suggests that if Kiki can find a new purpose, she will regain her powers.

While Kiki is visiting a customer, she witnesses an airship accident on television. A strong gust leaves Tombo hanging in mid-air. Kiki regains her flying power and manages to rescue him. She regains her confidence, resumes her delivery service, and writes a letter home saying that she and Jiji are happy.

TRIVIA

Design

• The port town of Koriko is based on the idea of “Germany no Akage” or “Germany of our Dreams”. With its gorgeous gothic architecture (with an imposing clock tower looming over the town), the slightly worn but lovingly aged buildings, clearly Germanic font and the bright colours all contribute to creating a sense of an alternative, slightly exaggerated, Germany.

Easter Egg(s)

• Kiki owns a Totoro plush from My Neighbor Totoro.

• On the book shelf there is a toy house with Totoro and Mei from My Neighbor Totoro.