Kiki’s Delivery Service, Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli

Kiki’s delivery service is a Japanese animation directed, written and produced by Hayao Miyazaki. It was released in 1989. It was adapted from the novel of the same name by Eiko Kadono. The plot revolves around a young witch called Kiki. As she gets to thirteen she leaves her home town on her broomstick, with her iconic black cat Jiji, to make it as a witch in another town. She goes to the port city of Koriko. When she arrives she manages to find accommodation at a bakery in return for delivering goods. The film follows her adventures as goes through that “coming of age” period of her life.

Kiki is pursued by local boy Tombo. Imagine this in a Miyazaki film, he has an interest in aviation. An ongoing theme of Miyazaki’s that goes all the way to his (I hope not) final animation, The Wind Rises. Also there is a strong central female character. One can’t help but get behind this young plucky witch as you follow her through her trials and tribulations. A charming flight through those awkward years of youth. The independent minded black cat Jiji is also full of character.