Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

 

6/10

Starring the voices of

Minami Takayama

Rei Sakuma

Kappei Yamaguchi

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Kiki’s Delivery Service is a delightful Japanese animated fantasy (anime) that’s enjoyable for both children and adults. The movie keeps its plot steady, and the pacing feels like a cool breeze—relaxing and easy to follow.

What I love most about this animation is how Kiki, the main character, interacts with the world around her. At just thirteen years old, she experiences everything from meeting boys to being picked on and even going through a phase of self-doubt. That self-doubt phase is particularly touching—cheering, relatable, and deep enough to resonate with adults as well as kids.

Kiki’s struggle to become independent while still relying on others for guidance is both heartwarming and engaging. Starting a new business is never easy, and Kiki learns this firsthand in yet another Hayao Miyazaki masterpiece. Kiki’s Delivery Service is based on a 1985 children’s fantasy novel of the same name by Eiko Kadono.

This animation is a joy to watch. It doesn’t overdo it with spirits or magical creatures, keeping its world grounded in a charming coexistence between witches and humans.

The movie sets up its premise beautifully: at age thirteen, young witches must set out on their own to become independent and establish themselves as the witch of a town. The story begins on Kiki’s thirteenth birthday. She’s excited to embark on her adventure, and although her parents are caring and a little hesitant, they let her go. Accompanying her is her cat, Jiji, who talks—though only Kiki can understand him.

Kiki sets off on her mother’s broom and eventually arrives in a town without a resident witch. She decides to make it her home. While there, she meets a pregnant woman who runs a bakery. The woman rushes out, holding a receipt that belongs to a distant customer. Kiki offers to help by flying the receipt to the customer. This moment inspires her to start her delivery service.

As the story unfolds, we see Kiki navigating difficult weather, demanding customers, and the attention of a young boy who is smitten with her. His fascination with Kiki begins when he sees her flying—something he’s obsessed with learning to do himself.

The movie was both a critical and commercial success, earning numerous awards. Disney later created an English voiceover version, which isn’t bad at all.

The ending feels open, as if there’s more to Kiki’s adventures yet to be explored. However, since its release in 1989, there hasn’t been a sequel—just as there haven’t been follow-ups to many of Miyazaki’s other films.