Movie Review
Rating: G Genre: Kids & family, Adventure
Anime Original Language: Japanese Director: Hayao Miyazaki Producer: Jane Schonberger, Hayao Miyazaki Writer: Jack Fletcher, Eiko Kadono, Hayao Miyazaki, John Semper
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 1, 1998 Original Release Date (Streaming): Mar 2, 2010
Runtime: 1h 43m
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures Production Co: Buena Vista (Walt Disney) Sound Mix: Dolby,
Surround Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1), 35mm
In this 1989 anime film, directed by the renowned Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli, 13-year-old Kiki embarks on a journey of self-discovery. As per her village’s tradition for witches in training, Kiki moves to a seaside town accompanied by her talking cat, Jiji, to spend a year alone. After honing her broomstick-flying skills, Kiki establishes a flying courier service, quickly becoming a beloved figure in the community. However, when her self-doubt leads to a loss of her magical abilities, Kiki must find the strength to overcome her insecurities and reclaim her powers.
Rated G and belonging to the genres of Kids & Family, Adventure, and Anime, the film seamlessly weaves elements of fantasy and mild crises into an enchanting story for children. Similar to Miyazaki’s renowned work, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service introduces themes of womanhood and serves as a gentle guide for young girls. Kiki, portrayed as a young witch without sinister connotations, embarks on a witchy gap year at the age of 13. Accompanied by her witty feline companion Jiji and with her broomstick skills still developing, she finds lodging with a kind-hearted baker and starts her own airborne delivery service.
While the plot remains loose, the film’s vibrant animation and color-saturated visuals offer a delightful viewing experience. Beyond its surface, Kiki’s Delivery Service serves as a benign exploration of femininity, touching on universal coming-of-age themes such as independence, insecurity, and, more daringly than Western children’s movies, sexuality. With a predominantly female cast, the film fearlessly broaches the subject of female sexuality, making it a standout among children’s movies.
This sunny and charming anime adventure, created by master animator Hayao Miyazaki, invites audiences on a heartfelt journey of self-discovery, celebrating the power and resilience of young girls.
