Kiki’s Delivery Service was first released in 1989, and for 35 years, it’s been an underrated contribution to the iconic filmography of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. Often considered the best coming-of-age anime and movie by the studio, Kiki’s Delivery Service follows the young witch Kiki as she strikes out into the unknown and eventually finds her sense of purpose. When watching Kiki today, it’s easy to slip back into the movie like a warm hug and let it envelop you in its comfort. However, that’s not to say that the movie doesn’t have deeper themes and an enduring message.

Release Date July 29, 1989 Studio(s) Studio Ghibli , Nibariki , Studio Fuga , Tokuma Shoten , Nippon Television Network Corporation Cast Minami Takayama , Rei Sakuma , Kappei Yamaguchi , Keiko Toda , Mieko Nobusawa Runtime 103 Minutes Expand

Accompanied by her cat Jiji, one of Studio Ghibli’s best animal companions, Kiki leaves home on her mother’s old broom and goes to find her place in the world. Though she’s raring to go, the bittersweet goodbye she shares with her parents is unmistakable when watching as an adult. Returning to Kiki’s Delivery Service after the throes of childhood makes you want to reach through the screen and tell Kiki not to wish it away. Even if it’s your first time watching the movie, it’s not difficult to guess what’s in store for Kiki as she sheds her innocence.

Kiki’s Delivery Service Tells A Universal Story That Never Gets Old
Kiki Experiences The Familiar Pangs Of Adolescence, Packaged In Ghibli’s Gorgeous Visuals

Of course, Kiki’s Delivery Service doesn’t see anything horrible happen to Kiki, as the film is meant for children, but it puts her through her paces internally. The contemporary era of filmmaking has seen a lot of discussions about portraying mental health issues and anxiety onscreen to better connect with viewers and normalize the struggles that everyone goes through. However, Kiki is a great reminder that these emotionally nuanced storylines have existed for many years. It may not be explicit, but Kiki goes through a period of deep sadness and feels lost.

Throughout the film, Kiki struggles to connect with the people in her life, and her feelings of isolation play a large role in how she comes to view herself. It’s a narrative that we know well, as the excitement and independence of adulthood are often accompanied by pain. Kiki gives us permission to mourn the loss of childhood while remembering that many of its best parts are still within reach. Friendship, art, community, and fulfillment are all facets of Kiki’s life that she fully embraces by the film’s conclusion.

The discussions of art that Kiki has with Ursula are representative of the ups and downs of filmmaking and demonstrate how Miyazaki pours himself into all his characters.

Kiki’s Delivery Service ranks among the best Studio Ghibli soundtracks by Joe Hisaishi, and the gorgeous seaside town where Kiki sets up shop creates an idyllic atmosphere for the story. When Kiki leaves the city and stays in the woods with Ursula, it exposes Kiki to another side of creativity and self-expression, which helps her reckon with her own desires and motivations for being a good witch. The discussions of art that Kiki has with Ursula are representative of the ups and downs of filmmaking and demonstrate how Miyazaki pours himself into all his characters.

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One of the most important relationships is between Kiki and Jiji, her cat. It’s difficult to imagine that any child growing up watching the movie wouldn’t immediately long for their own familiar to make jokes with and commiserate with at the end of a long day. When Kiki loses the ability to understand Jiji, it becomes the most heart-wrenching moment in the film, as Kiki will never speak to him again. However, her relationship with Jiji differs from that with her powers. She grows up and can’t talk to Jiji anymore because he represents her childhood.

It’s Easy To Write Kiki’s Delivery Service Off As Simplistic, But It’s So Much More
The Straightforward Story Is A Canvas For The Deeper Themes To Shine

Some of Ghibli’s most popular movies, like Spirited Away or Howl’s Moving Castle, use magic as another character in the movie and make the world almost too fantastical to bear. Conversely, magic is intertwined with art and internal purpose here, serving as a stand-in for the part of Kiki that makes her special and that she cherishes. Having a character like Kiki to watch at any age is a reminder not only of childhood but of the pieces of ourselves that we hold dear and are intertwined with our identities.

Kiki’s Delivery Service is easy to follow and straightforward, unlike many of the more metaphorical and fantastical narratives that Studio Ghibli is known for. This is a good thing. It opens the door for the movie to focus more deeply on character development and Kiki’s personal battles rather than her awe and wonder at the world around her. The kind of magic in Kiki’s world is a natural extension of herself and her life and is closer to the real world and the joy of youth than the most astounding or outlandish universes of any other story.

Kiki’s Delivery Service will be re-released in theaters on October 26th for its 35th anniversary. The film is 103 minutes long and rated G.

8/10 Kiki’s Delivery Service is a coming-of-age fantasy film that follows 13-year-old witch Kiki, who sets out on her own to find her place in the world and develops a delivery service in a new town.ProsThe film tells a universal story that is comforting and rich in themesKiki is a deeply relatable characterThe film has gorgeous visuals