Kiki's Delivery Service

Genre: Fantasy
General Audience
1989 Hayao Miyazaki / Eiko Kadono

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Cover Description:
A young witch named Kiki and her chatty black cat, Jiji, befriend a bakery owner who helps Kiki start her own business: a high-flying delivery service. The job opens up a world of fun-filled escapades and new friendships. Rarely has the animator's art been so brilliantly rendered as in this delightfully imaginative film that will entertain boys and girls everywhere.

I didn't fall asleep! >>> by skysenshi

Okay, the art isn't all that great, as we've come to expect from anything by Studio Ghibli. It isn't a major gripe, especially since it tends to grow on you with every minute that passes. I could also say that the art fits the theme well, and even comes across as cute. But what is Kiki's real charm?

A witch that flies around in broad daylight and tells everybody she meets that she's actually a witch-in-training -- now that sounds, uh, different. None of those burning at the stake cruelty to speak of, ne? This anime is so cheery and bright and all things nice that I thought I was going to sleep half way through it.

My mistake! It's actually kind of interesting and fun. To start with, for a children's show, Kiki's Delivery Service has a beautiful soundtrack that can appeal to even the older audience. The story isn't bad either. Meeting all sorts of people and trying to blend in, Kiki also learns a lot of lessons as she goes along. I learned with her. What I learned is something very important and applicable especially to adults like me who have almost forgotten what it's like to enjoy an activity before it became work. Just answer the question, "Why is it you do the things you do?" Sometimes we just need a little inspiration to give us that push that no money or semi-precious form of commodity can ever measure. Funny thing is, it took a kiddie anime for me to appreciate this little fact.

Individual Rating: Art/Animation 7; Story 7; Characters 8; Sounds 9